Bow-men, or archers, are frequently mentioned in the Bible as skilled warriors who played significant roles in various battles and events throughout biblical history. The use of the bow and arrow as a weapon is one of the earliest forms of warfare technology, and it is often associated with strength, skill, and precision.

Old Testament References

The earliest mention of bow-men can be found in Genesis 21:20, where Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, is described as growing up in the wilderness and becoming an archer: "God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer."

In the narrative of the Israelites, the tribe of Benjamin is noted for its skilled bow-men. 1 Chronicles 8:40 highlights the prowess of the Benjamites: "The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and they had many sons and grandsons, 150 in all. All these were descendants of Benjamin."

The use of archers is also evident in the military strategies of Israel's enemies. In 1 Samuel 31:3, during the battle against the Philistines, King Saul is critically wounded by archers: "When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically."

Symbolism and Metaphor

The bow and arrow are often used metaphorically in the Bible to describe God's judgment and power. In Habakkuk 3:9, the prophet speaks of God's might: "You brandished Your bow; You called for many arrows. Selah. You split the earth with rivers."

Similarly, the bow is used to symbolize strength and the ability to overcome adversaries. In 2 Samuel 22:35, David praises God for training him in warfare: "He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention bow-men, the imagery of the bow is present in the apocalyptic visions of Revelation. In Revelation 6:2, the first horseman of the apocalypse is depicted with a bow: "So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer."

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, archery was a highly valued skill, and bow-men were integral to military forces. The ability to use a bow effectively required training and discipline, making archers respected members of the army. The bow itself was crafted from materials such as wood, horn, and sinew, and arrows were typically made from reeds or wood with metal or stone tips.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, bow-men are depicted as formidable warriors whose skills were crucial in both offensive and defensive military operations. The bow and arrow serve not only as literal weapons but also as powerful symbols of divine strength and judgment.7198. qesheth -- a bow
... Word Origin perhaps from qush Definition a bow NASB Word Usage archers* (3), arrows
(1), bow (54), bowman* (1), bowmen (1), bows (13), bowshot* (1), rainbow (1 ...
/hebrew/7198.htm - 6k

The Dark was Lifting as Vergilius Entered the Field of Mars. ...
... "For a time, at least, Rome will be dear to him.". There were forty men riding
in the troop, all lancers, saving a few slingers and bowmen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 11 the dark was.htm

Antichrist in Jeremiah
... Fearful will be the devastations his fury shall accomplish: "The whole city shall
flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/2 antichrist in jeremiah.htm

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
... I confess, it is natural for every man to seek his own righteousness, and it is
the arm of God that must bow men to submit to Christ's imputed righteousness. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi who walk not.htm

Oracles on the Scythians. (With Some Others: iv. 5-vi. 29. )
... From the noise of the horse and the bowmen, IV.29 All the land(217) is in flight,
They are into the caves, huddle in thickets,(218) Are up on the crags. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 oracles on the scythians.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... The light infantry was composed chiefly of bowmen"pidatu"the celebrated archers
of Egypt, whose long bows and arrows, used with deadly skill, speedily ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Feasting on the Sacrifice
... It means both 'afflicted' and 'lowly'"the right use of affliction being to bow men,
and they that bow themselves are those who are fit to come to Christ's ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/feasting on the sacrifice.htm

Songs of Deliverance
... But I should not wonder if since that first race of archers called sins has died
out, some of you have been much molested by another tribe of bowmen, who a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/songs of deliverance.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... Then with loud shouts the men of Israel rushed across the vale of oaks, shooting
their arrows as they ran, for they were good bowmen. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

The Poet.
... From the noise of the horse and the bowmen All the land is in flight, They are into
the caves, huddle in thickets, And are up on the crags.(59) Every town of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture ii the poet.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... boy. Suppose it to be a time of war centuries back. Old English warfare
was then conducted by bowmen to a great extent. Here is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm

Bowmen (13 Occurrences)
...Bowmen (13 Occurrences). ... 1 Chronicles 8:40 And the sons of Ulam were men of war,
bowmen, and had a great number of sons and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. ...
/b/bowmen.htm - 10k

Bow-men (1 Occurrence)
Bow-men. Bowmen, Bow-men. Bows . Multi-Version Concordance Bow-men (1 Occurrence).
Isaiah ... YLT). Bowmen, Bow-men. Bows . Reference Bible.
/b/bow-men.htm - 6k

Bowman (5 Occurrences)
... the use of the bow. The battle of Gilboa was clearly lost through the superior
skill of the Philistine bowmen. This seems to have ...
/b/bowman.htm - 9k

Arrows (59 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 35:23 And the bowmen sent their arrows at King Josiah, and the king
said to his servants, Take me away, for I am badly wounded. (BBE). ...
/a/arrows.htm - 25k

Assyria (124 Occurrences)
... the Old Testament. The army consisted of cavalry, infantry, bowmen and
slingers, as well as of a corps of charioteers. After the ...
/a/assyria.htm - 101k

Warriors (75 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 8:40 And the sons of Ulam were men of war, bowmen, and
had a great number of sons and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. ...
/w/warriors.htm - 27k

Bows (28 Occurrences)

/b/bows.htm - 15k

Uplifted (26 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:29 Send for the archers to come together against Babylon, all the bowmen;
put up your tents against her on every side; let no one get away: give ...
/u/uplifted.htm - 14k

Woodland (13 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 4:29 All the land is in flight because of the noise of the horsemen and
the bowmen; they have taken cover in the woodland and up on the rocks: every ...
/w/woodland.htm - 11k

Fowler (3 Occurrences)
... were confined in hidden cages so that their voices would call others of their kind
to the spot and they could be killed by arrows of concealed bowmen or the ...
/f/fowler.htm - 11k

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