Leviticus 6:13 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. The fire shall ever be burning - See on Leviticus 6:9 (note) and Leviticus 6:20 (note). In imitation of this perpetual fire, the ancient Persian Magi, and their descendants the Parses, kept up a perpetual fire; the latter continue it to the present day. This is strictly enjoined in the Zend Avesta, which is a code of laws as sacred among them as the Pentateuch is among the Jews. A Sagnika Brahmin preserves the fire that was kindled at his investiture with the poita, and never suffers it to go out, using the same fire at his wedding and in all his burnt-offerings, till at length his body is burnt with it - Ward's Customs.