Sword

Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words

A. Noun.

Chereb ( חֶרֶב , Strong'S #2719), “sword; dagger; flint knife; chisel.” This noun has cognates in several other Semitic languages including Ugaritic, Aramaic, Syriac, Akkadian, and Arabic. The word occurs about 410 times and in all periods of biblical Hebrew.

Usually chereb represents an implement that can be or is being used in war, such as a “sword.” The exact shape of that implement, however, is not specified by this word. Presentday archaeology has unearthed various sickle swords and daggers from the earliest periods. Sickle swords are so named because they are shaped somewhat like a sickle with the outer edge of the arc being the cutting edge. These were long one-edged “swords.” This is what chereb refers to when one reads of someone’s being slain with the edge of the “sword”: “And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house …” (Gen. 34:26). The first biblical occurrence of the word (Gen. 3:24) probably also represents such an implement: “… And he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way.…”

The precise meaning of chereb is confused, however, by its application to what we know as a “dagger,” a short two-edged sword: “But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit [eighteen to twenty-four inches] length …” (Judg. 3:16).

The sickle sword was probably the implement used up to and during the conquest of Palestine. About the same time the Sea Peoples (among whom were the Philistines) were invading the ancient Near East. They brought with them a new weapon—the long twoedged “sword.” The first clear mention of such a “sword” in the biblical record appears in 1 Sam. 17:51: “Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine [Goliath], and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him.…” Perhaps Saul also used the highly superior Philistine armor and “sword” (1 Sam. 17:39), but this is not clear. It is also possible that the angel who confronted Balaam with a drawn “sword” wielded a long two-edged “sword” (Num. 22:23). Certainly this would have made him (humanly speaking) a much more formidable sight. By the time of David, with his expertise and concern for warfare, the large two-edged “sword” was much more prominent if not the primary kind of “sword” used by Israel’s heavy infantry.

This two-edged “sword” can be compared to a tongue: “… Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword” (Ps. 57:4). This usage tells us not only about the shape of the “sword” but that such a tongue is a violent, merciless, attacking weapon. In Gen. 27:40 “sword” is symbolic of violence: “And by thy sword shalt thou live.…” Prov. 5:4 uses chereb (of a long twoedged “sword”) to depict the grievous result of dealing with an adulteress; it is certain death: “But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.”

The “sword” is frequently depicted as an agent of God. It is not only used to safeguard the garden of Eden, but figures the judgment of God executed upon His enemies: “For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea …” (Isa. 34:5; cf. Deut. 28:22).

Chereb may be used of various other cutting implements. In Josh. 5:2 it means “knife”: “Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.” Ezek. 5:1 uses chereb of a barber’s “razor”: “And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber’s razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard.…” The exact size and shape of this tool cannot be determined, but it is clear that it was used as a razor.

This word can also be used of tools (“chisels”) for hewing stone: “And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it” (Exod. 20:25). The fact that a “sword,” an implement of death, would be used to cut the stone for an altar, the instrument of life, explains why this action would profane the altar.

B. Verb.

Charab means “to smite down, slaughter.” This verb, which appears 3 times in biblical Hebrew, has cognates in Arabic. The word appears in 2 Kings 3:23: “This is blood: the kings are surely slain.…”

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Deuteronomy 33:29 (a) GOD Himself takes this name because He alone is able to guard Israel and to preserve them from their enemies.

 Joshua 5:13 (b) The man in this passage is the Holy Spirit. The sword in His hand is the Word of GOD. When the sword is with Christ it is in His mouth. He speaks the word, and the Holy Spirit uses it effectively, as the Lord of the harvest.

 2 Samuel 12:10 (b) The reference here is to war with all of its ravaging and killing effects.

 1 Chronicles 21:16 (b) Again we see the sword of the Spirit which brings a curse upon the people. This same truth is mentioned in  Isaiah 40:7. The Spirit of GOD punishes and curses just the same as GOD the Father, and GOD the Son.

 Psalm 7:12 (b) This is a picture of GOD's judgments by which He will punish men for their iniquities.

 Psalm 45:3 (a) David desired the judgments of the Lord Jesus Christ to be put into effect. He looked forward to the time when CHRIST would take His place as King of kings, and the Lord of lords.

 Psalm 57:4 (a) The tongue is described as being this sharp, cruel instrument that brings damage and injury to many. Terrible destruction of heart, mind and life are brought about by a cruel tongue which cuts deeply into the hearts of the hearers. (See also  Psalm 55:21;  Psalm 64:3).

 Psalm 149:6 (b) The reference here is to the Word of GOD, the Bible. It does indeed cut down false faith, destroys doubts, and condemns the sinner. (See also  Revelation 1:16).

 Proverbs 5:4 (a) The lips of a strange woman do indeed cut down and permanently injure many a life. That hurts the heart, destroys the family, and often injures the body. (See  Proverbs 12:18).

 Proverbs 25:18 (a) The gossiping man who carries tales from one to another injures, harms and hurts as the sword hurts the body. The damage is most severe in many cases as he separates friends, and brings hatred into hearts.

 Isaiah 49:2 (a) The words that come from the mouth of our precious Lord are indeed a sharp instrument for bringing consternation to His enemies, and punishment to all His foes. (See also  Revelation 19:15).

 Zechariah 9:13 (a) This is a wonderful picture of the way that GOD will use Israel as a sharp instrument to fight and subdue His enemies on the earth.

 Zechariah 13:7 (b) In this unusual way GOD describes how He Himself will bring about the punishment of our Lord Jesus on Calvary when He was made sin for us, and was punished in our stead.

 Luke 2:35 (a) By this picture we understand the deep sorrow that would pierce the heart of Mary when she saw her Son, her first. born, mistreated, misunderstood, and crucified on the Cross.

 Ephesians 6:17 (a) This type represents the Word of GOD which effectually works in the souls of men. (See also  Hebrews 4:12).

 Revelation 1:16 (b) The Bible is this sword. It cuts down its enemies, it cuts the attachments of men to their sins, it conquers the enemy, it brings victory to GOD's people.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Μάχαιρα (Strong'S #3162 — Noun Feminine — machaira — makh'-ahee-rah )

"a short sword or dagger" (distinct from No. 2), e.g.,  Matthew 26:47,51,52 and parallel passages;   Luke 21:24;  22:38 , possibly "a knife" (Field, Notes on the Translation of the NT);  Hebrews 4:12 (see TWO-EDGED); metaphorically and by metonymy, (a) for ordinary violence, or dissensions, that destroy peace,   Matthew 10:34; (b) as the instrument of a magistrate or judge, e.g.,  Romans 13:4; (c) of the Word of God, "the sword of the Spirit," probing the conscience, subduing the impulses to sin,  Ephesians 6:17 .

2: Ῥομφαία (Strong'S #4501 — Noun Feminine — rhomphaia — hrom-fah'-yah )

a word of somewhat doubtful origin, denoted "a Thracian weapon of large size," whether a sword or spear is not certain, but usually longer than No. 1; it occurs (a) literally in  Revelation 6:8; (b) metaphorically, as the instrument of anguish,  Luke 2:35; of judgment,  Revelation 1:16;  2:12,16;  19:15,21 , probably figurative of the Lord's judicial utterances.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Ezekiel 26:9 Exodus 20:25 Joshua 5:2

Archaeology has shown that different kinds of swords were used in the Ancient Near East. The sickle or curved sword was used throughout Mesopotamia, Egypt, and in Palestine. The earlier swords were straight, relatively short, and made of bronze. Ehud's sword was the two-edged short dagger; it measured about 18 inches ( Judges 3:16 ). The sword used by the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan probably was the long-bladed, curved sword ( Joshua 6:21 ).

The Sea Peoples introduced to Canaan the two-edged long sword made of iron. This type of iron sword was kept out of the hands of the Israelites by the Philistines for military and economic reasons until the times of David ( 1 Samuel 13:19 ). The Old Testament gives witness that in the wars between the Israelites and the Philistines, the Israelites did not possess this new weapon ( 1 Samuel 13:22 ). The sword was kept in a sheath ( 1 Samuel 17:51;  Matthew 26:52 ). It hung from a belt ( 1 Samuel 25:13 ) and was generally put on the left hip ( 2 Samuel 20:8 ).

There are many symbolic uses for the word sword in the Bible. The word was used as a metaphor for war ( Jeremiah 14:15;  Matthew 10:34 ); the sword was an instrument of divine justice ( Ezekiel 21:3;  Revelation 1:16 ). Rash words are compared to a sword that pierces ( Proverbs 12:18 ); the tongue is like a sharp sword ( Psalm 57:4 ); malicious words are “drawn swords” ( Psalm 55:21 ). The Word of God is sharper than a “two-edged sword” ( Hebrews 4:12 ); the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is part of the Christian's armament in the fight against evil ( Ephesians 6:17 ). See Arms And Armor .

Claude F. Mariottini

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Exodus 32:27 1 Samuel 31:4 1 Chronicles 21:27 Psalm 149:6 Proverbs 5:4 Ezekiel 16:40 21:3-5

It is a symbol of divine chastisement ( Deuteronomy 32:25;  Psalm 7:12;  78:62 ), and of a slanderous tongue ( Psalm 57:4;  64:3;  Proverbs 12:18 ). The word of God is likened also to a sword ( Hebrews 4:12;  Ephesians 6:17;  Revelation 1:16 ). Gideon's watchword was, "The sword of the Lord" ( Judges 7:20 ).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

This is constantly referred to in scripture as the instrument of death, and is mentioned in the N.T. as being borne by the magistrate,  Romans 13:4 , showing that the gospel does not set aside God's governmental principle of capital punishment which was enjoined after the flood.  Genesis 9:5,6 . See Armour, Arms

Sword Of The Spirit This is the word (ῥῆμα) of God, what His mouth has spoken, and is the only offensive weapon given to Christians with which to fight the Lord's battles.  Ephesians 6:17 . The word (λόγος) of God is likened to a two-edged sword,  Hebrews 4:12 , and the words of the Lord Jesus when He will come forth in judgement on Christendom and the world are compared to a "sharp two-edged sword."  Revelation 1:16;  Revelation 19:15 .

King James Dictionary

Sword n.

1. An offensive weapon worn at the side, and used by hand either for thrusting or cutting. 2. Figuratively, destruction by war.

I will bring a sword upon you.  Leviticus 26;  Isaiah 51

3. Vengeance or justice.

She quits the balance, and resigns the sword.

4. Emblem of authority and power.

The ruler--beareth not the sword in vain.  Romans 13

5. War dissension.

I came not to send peace, but a sword.  Matthew 10

6. Emblem of triumph and protection.

The Lord--the sword of thy excellence.  Deuteronomy 33

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) Destruction by the sword, or in battle; war; dissension.

(2): ( n.) The military power of a country.

(3): ( n.) One of the end bars by which the lay of a hand loom is suspended.

(4): ( n.) Hence, the emblem of judicial vengeance or punishment, or of authority and power.

(5): ( n.) An offensive weapon, having a long and usually sharp/pointed blade with a cutting edge or edges. It is the general term, including the small sword, rapier, saber, scimiter, and many other varieties.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Sword. See Arms .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

SWORD . See Armour, Arms, § 1 ( c ).

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

See Armour.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Copyright StatementThese files are public domain. Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Sword'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/sword.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

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