[Greek] σβέννυμαι (sbennymai), [Latin] extinguere, ἄσβεστος (asbestos) [unquenchable]: to stop burning, to extinguish, to snuff out, to quench, to smother, to go out, to kill, to dampen, to moisten; Mt.12:20, Mt.25:8, Mk.9:44,46,48, Eph.6:16, 1Thess.5:19, Heb.11:34
The ancient Roman semi-circular leather shield was soaked in water in order to snuff out the enemy’s flaming arrows.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to quench, to extinguish, to dry up, to go out, to die, to damp down, to restrain, to steam, to rest, to calm down, to fade, and to quell. This term can be used in a literal, metaphorical, and nuanced sense. Literal examples (objects) include fire, burning objects, fluids, men, plants and foods. Other uses involve emotions, desires, greed, power, influence, and strength. The Greek prefix (a-) means “not” or “un”. The Greek word ἄσβεστος (asbestos) means unquenchable or inextinguishable.
Herodotus’ The Histories 2.66 states “When a fire breaks out, very strange things happen among the cats. The Egyptians stand around in a broken line, thinking more of the cats, than of quenching the fire.” Homer’s Odyssey 3.182 states “And the wind was not once quenched from the time when the god first sent it forth to blow.” Homer’s Iliad 9.678 states “Most glorious son of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men, he verily is not minded to quench his wrath but is filled yet more with fury.” Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris 633 states “I will set much ornament on the tomb and quench your body with yellow oil, and throw onto your funeral pyre, the gleaming honey that streams from flowers.” Herodotus’ The Histories 8.77 states “After sacking shiny Athens in mad hope, Divine Justice will extinguish mighty Greek, the son of Insolence.”
Roman Soldiers: As part of their defensive arsenal, soldiers used wooden shields covered with leather. These shields were used to ward off flaming errors from the enemy. These flaming arrows were doubly dangerous in potentially piercing and burning the soldiers. These shields were soaked in water in order to extinguish (retard) the flames. This background helps to provide context to Eph.6:16-17. The flaming errors are part of the weaponry used by Satan. One must hold one’s faith like a shield to quench the arrows of the evil one.
Old Testament: This term means to snuff out, to die out, to vanish, to quench, and to stop. Literal uses include fire, burning objects, lamps, coals, and mountains. Figurative (and metaphorical) uses include light, lamps, candlesticks, sparks, sins, flax, love, emotions, and God’s judgment and anger. God’s judgment is likened to an unquenchable fire. God’s anger and love oftentimes will not be extinguished. Truly, the light of the wicked is extinguished; no flame brightens his hearth (Job 18:5). The light of the just shines gaily, but the lamp of the wicked goes out (Prov.13:9). Yet once they flow, they cease to be; in the heat, they disappear from their place (Job 6:17). The fire on the altar is to be kept burning; it must not go out (Lev.6:5). They also closed the doors of the vestibule, and extinguished the lamps (2Chr.29:7). Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, provoking me by everything to which they turn their heads, my anger is ablaze against this place and it cannot be extinguished 2Kgs.22:17).
New Testament: This term means to stop burning, to extinguish, and to quench. These scriptures make reference to the Spirit, fire, lamps, wicks, and arrows. The unquenchable fire of Gehenna represents the torments of hell. Because of their lack of preparation, the foolish virgins’ lamps are going out. Paul warns others not to quench the Spirit. A strong shield (faith) is needed to quench the flaming arrows (attacks) from the evil one. The Servant of the Lord is a smoldering wick that will not be quenched.
Scripture:
“A bruised reed He will not break, a smoldering wick He will not quench, until He brings justice to victory.” Mt.12:20
This references Isa.42:1-4 of the Servant of the Lord. Jesus is depicted as the helper of the down-trodden and oppressed.
“In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Eph.6:16
The shield of faith will stop and put out all the fiery darts of the wicked.
“Do not quench the Spirt.” 1Thess.5:19
Paul call upon others to embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
Extinguish, asbestos
I discovered that this term has an interesting backstory. At first glance I would have never considered this term. Yet, this term is related to asbestos, meaning unquenchable. The Latin form provides the basis for the commonly known word ‘extinguish.’ To be honest, I really did not understand how this term relates to moistening and dampening. It is only later when I learned that a Roman soldier ordinarily soaks his leather shield in order to snuff out the enemy’s flaming arrows. It is also not surprising that this term is also used in metaphorical or figurative ways.
In the Old Testament, this term is used metaphorically with God’s judgment and anger. The Messiah is also portrayed as a smoldering wick which will not be quenched.
It is significant to note that one’s faith is like a shield. This continues to be an apt metaphor for Christians in today’s world. Christians are constantly having to defend themselves against those ‘arrows’ (influences) fired off from the secular world and from the evil one. These arrows often take on various forms. The more obvious arrows illustrates the evil comes into the world. The more subtle and less sharp arrows come when the evil one causes us (and others) to “stumble” and “stray” in our faith.
We all must be prepared to defend ourselves (as best as) –[sorry for the pun on “asbestos”] — we can, especially from those arrows from which we often cannot see.