Knife

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(waster). Primitively of stone or bone; later of metal. Little used at meals. For killing and cutting (Lev. 8:20²⁰And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat. (Leviticus 8:20)); sharpening pens (Jer. 36:23²³And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. (Jeremiah 36:23)); pruning (Isa. 18:5⁵For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches. (Isaiah 18:5)); lancing (1 Kings 18:28²⁸And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. (1 Kings 18:28)).

From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

Joshua 5:2²At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. (Joshua 5:2). At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives.

Knives were made of flint, bone, copper, iron, or steel. Specimens of ancient Egyptian and Assyrian knives are to be found in museums, and they probably have a general resemblance to those used by the Hebrews. They are of various shapes, according to the purpose for which they were made. Knives were not much used at meals. Even to this day the Orientals prefer dividing their meat with the fingers.

Knife

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

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