Sling

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( v. t.) To pass a rope round, as a cask, gun, etc., preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.

(2): ( v. t.) A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder.

(3): ( v. t.) A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast; - chiefly in the plural.

(4): ( v. t.) To hang so as to swing; as, to sling a pack.

(5): ( v. t.) A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported.

(6): ( v. t.) To throw; to hurl; to cast.

(7): ( v. t.) To throw with a sling.

(8): ( v. t.) A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering.

(9): ( n.) A drink composed of spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened.

(10): ( v. t.) A contrivance for sustaining anything by suspension

(11): ( v. t.) The act or motion of hurling as with a sling; a throw; figuratively, a stroke.

(12): ( v. t.) An instrument for throwing stones or other missiles, consisting of a short strap with two strings fastened to its ends, or with a string fastened to one end and a light stick to the other. The missile being lodged in a hole in the strap, the ends of the string are taken in the hand, and the whole whirled rapidly round until, by loosing one end, the missile is let fly with centrifugal force.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

(See Arms .)  1 Samuel 17:40. Smooth stones were preferred. The Benjamites' expertness with it was famed ( Judges 20:16;  1 Chronicles 12:2). Suited for skirmishing, and for striking the besieged ( 2 Kings 3:25;  2 Chronicles 26:14). Two strings attached to a leather center, the hollow receptacle of the stone, composed it.  1 Samuel 25:29, "the soul of thine enemies Itc will hurl away in the cup ( Kaph ) of the sling." It was swung round the head, then one string was let go and the stone hurled out.

Image of "sudden and violent removal" ( Jeremiah 10:18). Translated  Zechariah 9:15, "they (The Jews) shall tread under foot the sling stones" hurled at them by the foe, and falling harmless at their feet ( Job 41:28). Their foes shall be as such sling stones when fallen under foot; in contrast to God's people ( Zechariah 9:16), "the (Precious) stones of a crown." In  Proverbs 26:8, "as he that bindeth a stone in a sling" ( Margemah , distinct from Qela' a "sling"), the stone bound is useless to the slinger; so "honour" is useless when "given to a feel" (Ewald). Maurer translated "hurleth." Chaldean, Syriac, and Arabic support KJV; the Vulgate supports margin, "as he that putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones." KJV is best.

King James Dictionary

Sling n.

1. An instrument for throwing stones, consisting of a strap and two strings the stone being lodged in the strap, is thrown by losing one of the strings With a sling and a stone David killed Goliath. 2. A throw a stroke. 3. A kind of hanging bandage put round the neck, in which a wounded limb is sustained. 4. A rope by which a cask or bale is suspended and swung in or out of a ship 5. A drink composed of equal parts of rum or spirit and water sweetened.

SLING, pret. and pp. slung. The primary sense seems to be to swing.

1. To throw with a sling. 2. To throw to hurl. 3. To hang so as to swing as, to sling a pack. 4. To move or swing by a rope which suspends the thing.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

A simple weapon with which stones were thrown. It could easily be formed of a piece of leather with a small hole in the centre, and having two strings attached. A stone was placed in the hole in the leather, and swung round forcibly, when, by releasing one of the strings, the stone would fly away. It was used by shepherds to keep off such animals as wolves; David had one with which he smote Goliath. We read of some who were so skilled in its use as to throw a stone to a hair's breadth. It is mentioned among the weapons of war.  Judges 20:16;  1 Samuel 17:40,50;  2 Kings 3:25;  2 Chronicles 26:14 . On the Egyptian monuments men are portrayed using the sling.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 1 Samuel 17:40,49 Judges 20:16 1 Chronicles 12:2 2 Kings 3:25Arms

The words in   Proverbs 26:8 , "As he that bindeth a stone in a sling," etc. (Authorized Version), should rather, as in the Revised Version, be "As a bag of gems in a heap of stones," etc.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 1 Samuel 25:29 (a) The thought presented here is that GOD will preserve His servant safely, holding him in His own powerful hand. The enemies of GOD will be destroyed by the Lord, taken out of the way, and be completely defeated.

 Proverbs 26:8 (a) This strange illustration describes the foolishness of giving no freedom to the stone which is to be thrown, and in giving a place of prominence to one who cannot fill it.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

An instrument much used in war before the invention of firearms. It was a formidable weapon in hands like those of David and the Benjamites,  Judges 20:16   1 Samuel 17:48-50   1 Chronicles 12:2   2 Chronicles 26:14 .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Sling. See Arms .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

SLING . See Armour Arms, § 1 ( e ).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Sling'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/sling.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.