Reference: Bow
American
A weapon much used in ancient times, both for hunting and for war. It was made of wood, horn, or steel, Ge 27:3; Ps 18:34; and the foot was sometimes used in bending it. It was carried in a case, when not used, Hab 3:19. The Benjamites were celebrated for their skill in the use of this weapon, 1Ch 12:2; 2Ch 14:8; 17:17. See ARMS. The phrase, "a deceitful bow," to which the people of Israel are compared, Ps 78:57; Ho 7:16, means an ill-made or twisted bow, which does not shoot the arrow as it is aimed. In 2Sa 1:18, we read. "Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow." Here the words, "the use of," are not in the Hebrew. The use of the bow in war had long been common among the Jews, Ge 48:22; and to "teach them the bow," is by some supposed to mean, teach them by some supposed to mean, teach them the song of THE BOW, the lamentation over Saul and Jonathan, which follows; so called from the mention of the weapon in Ge 48:22, as the first four books in the Bible take their title in Hebrew from the first word in each. See ARROW.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Now, therefore, take I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and catch for me game;
But, I, have given to thee one mountain-track above thy brethren, - which I took out of the hand of the Amorite, with my sword and with my bow.
But, I, have given to thee one mountain-track above thy brethren, - which I took out of the hand of the Amorite, with my sword and with my bow.
and he thought to teach the sons of Judah the song of the Bow, - lo! it is written in the Book of the Upright: -
armed with the bow, using right hand or left with stones, and with arrows in the bow, - of the brethren of Saul, out of Benjamin:
Teaching my hands to war, - so that a bow of bronze was bent by mine arms.
But drew back and dealt treacherously, like their fathers, They turned aside, like deceitful bowmen;
They would return - not to him who is on high! They have become like a deceitful bow, their rulers, shall fall by the sword, for the rage of their tongue, this, shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
Yahweh, My Lord, is my strength, therefore hath he made my feet like hinds, and, upon my high places, will he cause me to march along. To the chief musician, on my double harp.
Easton
The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase (Ge 21:20; 27:3; 48:22). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow (1Ch 8:40; 12:2; 2Ch 14:8; 17:17); so also were the Elamites (Isa 22:6) and the Lydians (Jer 46:9). The Hebrew word commonly used for bow means properly to tread (1Ch 5:18; 8:40), and hence it is concluded that the foot was employed in bending the bow. Bows of steel (correctly "copper") are mentioned (2Sa 22:35; Ps 18:34).
The arrows were carried in a quiver (Ge 27:3; Isa 22:6; 49:2; Ps 127:5). They were apparently sometimes shot with some burning material attached to them (Ps 120:4).
The bow is a symbol of victory (Ps 7:12). It denotes also falsehood, deceit (Ps 64:3-4; Ho 7:16; Jer 9:3).
The use of the bow in 2Sa 1:18 (A.V.) ought to be "the song of the bow," as in the Revised Version.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And it came to pass that God was with the boy, and he grew, - and dwelt in the desert, and he became as he grew up, an archer,
Now, therefore, take I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and catch for me game;
Now, therefore, take I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and catch for me game;
But, I, have given to thee one mountain-track above thy brethren, - which I took out of the hand of the Amorite, with my sword and with my bow.
and he thought to teach the sons of Judah the song of the Bow, - lo! it is written in the Book of the Upright: -
Teaching my hands, to war, - so that a bow of bronze was bent by mine arms;
the sons of Reuben and Gad, and half tribe of Manasseh, of the sons of valour, men bearing shield and sword and bending the bow, and instructed in war, were forty-four thousand and seven hundred and sixty, ready to go forth in the host.
And the sons of Ulam became men that were heroes of valour, archers, with many sons, and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these, were of the sons of Benjamin.
And the sons of Ulam became men that were heroes of valour, archers, with many sons, and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these, were of the sons of Benjamin.
armed with the bow, using right hand or left with stones, and with arrows in the bow, - of the brethren of Saul, out of Benjamin:
If he turn not, his sword, will he whet, - his bow, hath he bent, and made ready:
Teaching my hands to war, - so that a bow of bronze was bent by mine arms.
Who have sharpened, like a sword, their tongue, Have made ready their arrow - a bitter word; To shoot, in secret places, at the blameless one, Suddenly they shoot at him, and fear not.
The arrows of the hero sharpened, with burning coals of broom.
How happy the man who hath filled his quiver with them! They will not be ashamed, but will speak with enemies in the gate.
Yea, Elam, beareth the quiver, With trams of men, and horsemen, - And, Kir, hath uncovered the shield.
Yea, Elam, beareth the quiver, With trams of men, and horsemen, - And, Kir, hath uncovered the shield.
And he made my mouth, like a sharp sword, In the shadow of his hand, he concealed me, - And made of me a polished arrow, In his quiver, he hid me;
Who have prepared e their tongue as their bow of falsehood, And, not by faithfulness, have they become mighty in the land, - For from wickedness unto wickedness, have they gone forth, But me, have they not known, Declareth Yahweh.
Mount the horses, And drive the chariots madly on, So let the heroes, go forth, - Ethiopians and Libyans that grasp the buckler, And Lydians that grasp - that tread - the bow, But, that day, belongeth to My Lord Yahweh of hosts -
They would return - not to him who is on high! They have become like a deceitful bow, their rulers, shall fall by the sword, for the rage of their tongue, this, shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
Fausets
BOW or RAINBOW. God, after the flood, took the rainbow, previously but a natural object of sight shining beautifully in the sky, when the sun's rays are refracted through failing rain at different angles and so produce different prismatic colors, and elevated it to spiritual significance, to be to Noah and the world the sign of His love and pledge of His sparing mercy, that He would no more destroy the earth with waters. The language in Genesis gives no reason for supposing the writer ignorant of the natural cause of the rainbow, as if he made God then for the first time setting it in the sky. So naathan, "give," means appoint in Nu 14:4; 1Sa 12:13; 1Ki 2:35.
It is the pledge of "the world's covenant, not the church's, a charter of natural blessings." "Set" means simply, "I do appoint My bow in the cloud" (Ge 9:13-16). In Eze 1:28 and Re 4:3 the rainbow round about the throne of Jehovah is the symbol of mercy to God's children amidst coming judgments on the wicked. Though the divine righteousness requires a deluge of wrath on the faithless, God's faithfulness will only shine forth on the elect remnant the brighter for the tribulation that necessarily precedes (compare Isa 54:8-10). The complete circle typifies God's perfection and eternity, not broken into a half, as the earthly rainbow. As the various prismatic colors unite to form one pure ray, so God's varied providence combine in one harmonious whole.
As the rainbow was reflected on the waters of the world's ruin, and is seen only when a cloud is over the earth, so another deluge of fire shall precede the new heavens and earth" granted to redeemed man, as the earth after the flood was restored to Noah. The cloud was the token of God's presence in Israel's wilderness journey and in the holiest place of the temple; and on Mount Sinai at the giving of the law; and at the Lord's ascension (Ac 1:9), and at His coming again (Re 1:7). The bow represents calm sunshine after the world's shipwreck through sin. It is the emblem of God's loving faithfulness to His covenant with His people, and the pledge of sure hope to them.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
My bow, have I set in the cloud, - and it shall be for a sign of a covenant, betwixt me and the earth;
My bow, have I set in the cloud, - and it shall be for a sign of a covenant, betwixt me and the earth; and it shall be when I draw a veil of cloud over the earth, - and the bow in the cloud appeareth,
and it shall be when I draw a veil of cloud over the earth, - and the bow in the cloud appeareth, then will I remember my covenant which is betwixt me and you, and every living soul among all flesh, - that the waters may no more become a flood, to destroy all flesh:
then will I remember my covenant which is betwixt me and you, and every living soul among all flesh, - that the waters may no more become a flood, to destroy all flesh: so the bow shall be in the cloud, - and I will behold it, to remember an age-abiding covenant, between God, and every living soul among all flesh that is on the earth.
so the bow shall be in the cloud, - and I will behold it, to remember an age-abiding covenant, between God, and every living soul among all flesh that is on the earth.
And they said, one to another, - Let us appoint a head and let us go back towards Egypt.
And they said, one to another, - Let us appoint a head and let us go back towards Egypt.
In an overflow of vexation, I hid my face for a moment, from thee, But, with lovingkindness age-abiding, have I had compassion on thee, - saith thy Redeemer Yahweh.
In an overflow of vexation, I hid my face for a moment, from thee, But, with lovingkindness age-abiding, have I had compassion on thee, - saith thy Redeemer Yahweh. For, the waters of Noah, is this unto me, - As to which I sware that the waters of Noah should not again pass over the earth, So have I sworn Not to be vexed with thee Nor to rebuke thee.
For, the waters of Noah, is this unto me, - As to which I sware that the waters of Noah should not again pass over the earth, So have I sworn Not to be vexed with thee Nor to rebuke thee. For, the mountains, may move away, And the hills, may be shaken, - But, my lovingkindness, from thee, shall not move away, And, my covenant of peace, shall not be shaken, saith he who hath compassion upon thee - Yahweh.
For, the mountains, may move away, And the hills, may be shaken, - But, my lovingkindness, from thee, shall not move away, And, my covenant of peace, shall not be shaken, saith he who hath compassion upon thee - Yahweh.
as the appearance of the bow which is in a cloud on a day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about, that was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh, and when I saw, I fell upon my face, and heard a voice of one speaking.
as the appearance of the bow which is in a cloud on a day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about, that was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh, and when I saw, I fell upon my face, and heard a voice of one speaking.
And having said these things, as they were beholding, he was lifted up, and a cloud caught him away from their eyes.
And having said these things, as they were beholding, he was lifted up, and a cloud caught him away from their eyes.
Lo! he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, such also as pierced him; and all the tribes of the land shall smite themselves for him. Yea! Amen.
Lo! he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, such also as pierced him; and all the tribes of the land shall smite themselves for him. Yea! Amen.
and, he that was sitting, was like in appearance to a jasper stone and a sardius, and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like in appearance unto an emerald,
and, he that was sitting, was like in appearance to a jasper stone and a sardius, and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like in appearance unto an emerald,
Morish
The common weapon for discharging arrows. It is used symbolically for the hidden attacks of the wicked against the righteous. Ps 11:2; 37:14-15. A 'bow of steel' signifies great strength. Job 20:24. The wicked are like a 'deceitful bow,' one that breaks when it is depended upon. Ps 78:57; Ho 7:16. In 2Sa 1:18 David's elegy on Saul and Jonathan is called 'The Bow.' The children were taught 'the song of the Bow.' R.V.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
and he thought to teach the sons of Judah the song of the Bow, - lo! it is written in the Book of the Upright: -
He shall flee from the armour of iron, - There shall pierce him, a bow of bronze!
For lo! the lawless, bend the bow They have fixed their arrow upon the string, To shoot in the darkness at the upright in heart:
A sword, have the lawless, drawn out, and have trodden their bow, - To bring down the oppressed and the needy, To slaughter the upright in life: Their sword, shall enter into their own heart, and, their bow, shall be broken.
But drew back and dealt treacherously, like their fathers, They turned aside, like deceitful bowmen;
They would return - not to him who is on high! They have become like a deceitful bow, their rulers, shall fall by the sword, for the rage of their tongue, this, shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
Smith
Bow.
The eastern mode of salutation, by kneeling upon one knee and bending the head forward till it touched the ground.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
So he related it unto his father, and unto his brethren, - and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream which thou hast dreamed? Shall we, indeed come in, I, and thy mother and thy brethren, to bow our-selves down to thee to the earth?
Watsons
BOW. The expression, "to break the bow," so frequent in Scripture, signifies to destroy the power of a people, because the principal offensive weapon, of armies, was anciently the bow. "A deceitful bow" in one that, from some defect, either in bending or the string, carries the arrow wide of the mark, however well aimed. See ARMS.