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Sword, the.

From: The New Topical Textbook

By: Reuben Archer Torrey

• 2 min. read • grade level: 12

Probable origin of. Gen. 3:24²⁴So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24).

Was pointed. Ezek. 21:15¹⁵I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter. (Ezekiel 21:15).

Frequently had two edges. Psa. 149:6⁶Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; (Psalm 149:6).

DESCRIBED AS

Sharp. Psa. 57:4⁴My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. (Psalm 57:4).

Bright. Nah. 3:3³The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses: (Nahum 3:3).

Glittering. Deut. 32:41⁴¹If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. (Deuteronomy 32:41). Job 20:25²⁵It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him. (Job 20:25).

Oppressive. Jer. 46:16¹⁶He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword. (Jeremiah 46:16).

Hurtful. Psa. 144:10¹⁰It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. (Psalm 144:10).

Carried in a sheath or scabbard. 1 Chron. 21:27²⁷And the Lord commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof. (1 Chronicles 21:27). Jer. 47:6⁶O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still. (Jeremiah 47:6). Ezek. 21:3-5³And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked. ⁴Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: ⁵That all flesh may know that I the Lord have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more. (Ezekiel 21:3‑5).

Suspended from the girdle. 1 Sam. 17:39³⁹And David girded his sword upon his armor, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. (1 Samuel 17:39). 2 Sam. 20:8⁸When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out. (2 Samuel 20:8). Neh. 4:18¹⁸For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. (Nehemiah 4:18). Psa. 45:3³Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. (Psalm 45:3).

WAS USED

By the patriarchs. Gen. 34:25²⁵And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males. (Genesis 34:25). Gen. 48:22²²Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow. (Genesis 48:22).

By the Jews. Judg. 20:2²And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword. (Judges 20:2). 2 Sam. 24:9⁹And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. (2 Samuel 24:9).

By heathen nations. Judg. 7:22²²And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath. (Judges 7:22). 1 Sam. 15:33³³And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal. (1 Samuel 15:33).

For self-defense. Luke 22:36³⁶Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. (Luke 22:36).

For destruction of enemies. Num. 21:24²⁴And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. (Numbers 21:24). Josh. 6:21²¹And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. (Joshua 6:21).

For punishing criminals. 1 Sam. 15:33³³And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal. (1 Samuel 15:33). Acts 12:2²And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (Acts 12:2).

Sometimes for self-destruction. 1 Sam. 31:4, 5⁴Then said Saul unto his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. ⁵And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. (1 Samuel 31:4‑5). Acts 16:27²⁷And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. (Acts 16:27).

Hebrews early acquainted with making of. 1 Sam. 13:19¹⁹Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: (1 Samuel 13:19).

In time of war plowshares made into. Joel 3:10¹⁰Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. (Joel 3:10).

In time of peace made into plowshares. Isa. 2:4⁴And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4). Mic. 4:3³And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Micah 4:3).

Sharpened and furbished before going to war. Psa. 7:12¹²If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. (Psalm 7:12). Ezek. 21:9⁹Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished: (Ezekiel 21:9).

Was brandished over the head. Eze. 32:10¹⁰Yea, I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of thy fall. (Ezekiel 32:10).

Was thrust through enemies. Eze. 16:40⁴⁰They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords. (Ezekiel 16:40).

Often threatened as a punishment. Lev. 26:25, 33²⁵And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. (Leviticus 26:25)
³³And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. (Leviticus 26:33). Deut. 32:25²⁵The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. (Deuteronomy 32:25).

Often sent as a punishment. Ezra 9:7⁷Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. (Ezra 9:7). Psa. 78:62⁶²He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance. (Psalm 78:62).

Was one of God's four sore judgments. Ezek. 14:21²¹For thus saith the Lord God; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? (Ezekiel 14:21).

Those slain by, communicated ceremonial uncleanness. Num. 19:16¹⁶And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. (Numbers 19:16).

ILLUSTRATIVE

Of the word of God. Eph. 6:17¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17), with Heb. 4:12¹²For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

Of the word of Christ. Isa. 49:2²And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; (Isaiah 49:2), with Rev. 1:16¹⁶And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:16).

Of the justice of God. Deut. 32:41⁴¹If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. (Deuteronomy 32:41). Zech. 13:7⁷Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. (Zechariah 13:7).

Of the protection of God. Deut. 33:29²⁹Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. (Deuteronomy 33:29).

Of war and contention. Matt. 10:34³⁴Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34).

Of severe and heavy calamities. Ezek. 5:2, 17²Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them. (Ezekiel 5:2)
¹⁷So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the Lord have spoken it. (Ezekiel 5:17). Ezek. 14:17¹⁷Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: (Ezekiel 14:17). Ezek. 21:9⁹Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished: (Ezekiel 21:9).

Of deep mental affliction. Luke 2:35³⁵(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:35).

Of the wicked. Psa. 17:13¹³Arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: (Psalm 17:13).

Of the tongue of the wicked. Psa. 57:4⁴My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. (Psalm 57:4). Psa. 64:3³Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: (Psalm 64:3). Prov. 12:18¹⁸There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. (Proverbs 12:18).

Of persecuting spirit of the wicked. Psa. 37:14¹⁴The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. (Psalm 37:14).

Of the end of the wicked. Prov. 5:4⁴But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. (Proverbs 5:4).

Of false witnesses. Prov. 25:18¹⁸A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. (Proverbs 25:18).

Of judicial authority. Rom. 13:4⁴For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (Romans 13:4).

(Drawing of,) of war and destruction. Lev. 26:33³³And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. (Leviticus 26:33). Ezek. 21:3-5³And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked. ⁴Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: ⁵That all flesh may know that I the Lord have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more. (Ezekiel 21:3‑5).

(Putting, into its sheath,) of peace and friendship. Jer. 47:6⁶O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still. (Jeremiah 47:6).

(Living by,) of rapine. Gen. 27:40⁴⁰And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck. (Genesis 27:40).

(Not departing from one's house,) of perpetual calamity. 2 Sam. 12:10¹⁰Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. (2 Samuel 12:10).

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The New Topical Textbook

• Sin-Offering.

• Sins, National.

• Spear, the.

• Stars, the.

• Steadfastness.

• Strangers in Israel.

• Swearing Falsely.

• Swearing, Profane.

• Sword, the.

• Synagogues.

• Tabernacle, the.

• Temple, the First.

• Temple, the Second.

• Temptation.

• Thanksgiving.

• Theocracy, the, or Immediate Government by God.