coal
ge.chel denotes a heated coal, used for burning, warming, cooking, and imagery of a surviving remnant.
The term most often denotes heated coals in settings of fire, altar service, cooking, warming, and scorching. In 2 Samuel 14:7, its singular construct form is used figuratively for the last remaining heir.
Senses in use
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Heated coals used with fire and heat · dominant
Plural forms occur with burning and fire: in Leviticus 16:12 the APB renders “a censer full of burning coals from the altar,” and in Ezekiel 10:2 it renders “coals of fire” gathered and scattered over the city. The same physical heat is visible where the APB speaks of baking bread “on its coals” in Isaiah 44:19, “hot coals” that scorch feet in Proverbs 6:28, and “no coal for warming” in Isaiah 47:14.
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Figure for a remaining heir · rare
In 2 Samuel 14:7, the singular construct form occurs in the plea that the family will “quench the last coal I have left” while also destroying the heir. The verse uses the image of a last coal for the threatened continuation of the husband’s name and remnant.
In the Anselm Project Bible: Where the correspondence is clear, the APB uses expressions such as “burning coals,” “coals of fire,” “hot coals,” and “coal for warming.” Some supplied verses do not visibly represent the term in the translation, so its individual English rendering cannot always be isolated.