Bowstrings are an essential component of the bow, a weapon frequently mentioned in the Bible. The bowstring is the cord that connects the two ends of the bow stave, enabling the archer to launch arrows with force and precision. In biblical times, bowstrings were typically made from materials such as animal sinew, gut, or plant fibers, which were chosen for their strength and elasticity.

Biblical References:

1. Judges 16:7-9: The account of Samson and Delilah provides a notable reference to bowstrings. Delilah, seeking to discover the secret of Samson's strength, is instructed by Samson to bind him with "seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried" (Judges 16:7). Delilah complies, but Samson easily snaps the bowstrings, demonstrating his supernatural strength. This passage highlights the use of bowstrings as a metaphor for strength and restraint.

2. 1 Samuel 18:4: Although not directly mentioning bowstrings, this passage describes Jonathan giving David his bow, among other items. The bow, an important weapon in ancient warfare, would have included a bowstring, underscoring the significance of the bow as a symbol of military prowess and friendship.

3. Psalm 11:2: "For behold, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart" . This verse uses the imagery of a bowstring to depict the readiness and intent of the wicked to harm the righteous, illustrating the bowstring's role in preparing the bow for action.

4. Job 30:11: "Because He has loosened His bowstring and afflicted me, they have cast off restraint in my presence" . Here, the loosening of a bowstring symbolizes a loss of tension or power, reflecting Job's perception of his weakened state and the subsequent disrespect he faces from others.

Symbolism and Usage:

In the Bible, bowstrings often symbolize strength, readiness, and the potential for action, whether in the context of warfare, divine judgment, or personal conflict. The tension of a bowstring represents the latent power that can be unleashed, making it a potent metaphor for both divine and human capabilities.

The bow and its string are also emblematic of God's judgment and protection. In Habakkuk 3:9, the prophet describes God's bow as being made ready, indicating divine intervention and the execution of justice. The imagery of a drawn bow with a taut string serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His plans.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the bow was a primary weapon for both hunting and warfare. The effectiveness of a bow depended significantly on the quality of its string, which needed to be both strong and flexible. The process of making bowstrings was a skilled craft, requiring knowledge of materials and techniques to ensure durability and performance.

Bowstrings, therefore, were not only practical tools but also carried symbolic weight in biblical narratives. They represented the readiness for battle, the tension between opposing forces, and the potential for both destruction and deliverance.4340. methar -- cord, string
... Definition: cords. Word Origin from yathar Definition cord, string NASB Word
Usage bowstrings (1), cords (7), ropes (1). cord, string. From ...
/hebrew/4340.htm - 6k

A Strong Man who Lost his Strength
... that your strength is so great and how you might be bound to torture you?" Samson
said to her, "If they should bind me with seven green bowstrings which have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a strong man who lost.htm

A Divided Heart
... Division cuts our bowstrings, snaps our spears, hoofs our horses, and burns our
chariots in the fire. We are undone the moment the link of love is snapped. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a divided heart.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... of field-mice came forth, whence no one knew, and, noiselessly spreading throughout
the camp of the Assyrians, gnawed the quivers, the bowstrings, and the ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Bowstrings (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bowstrings (4 Occurrences). ... " But he snapped the
bowstrings, as a string of tow snaps when it touches the fire. ...
/b/bowstrings.htm - 7k

Green (72 Occurrences)
... withs, (yetharim lachim, margin "new bowstrings," the King James Version margin
"new (moist) cords" (Judges 16:7); Septuagint neura hugra): The material with ...
/g/green.htm - 31k

Withes (3 Occurrences)
... withs, (yetharim lachim, margin "new bowstrings," the King James Version margin
"new (moist) cords" (Judges 16:7); Septuagint neura hugra): The material with ...
/w/withes.htm - 8k

Withs (3 Occurrences)
... withs, (yetharim lachim, margin "new bowstrings," the King James Version margin
"new (moist) cords" (Judges 16:7); Septuagint neura hugra): The material with ...
/w/withs.htm - 8k

Bowstring (2 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 21:12 For thou shalt make them turn their back, thou shalt make
ready with thy bowstrings against the face of them. (Root in JPS ASV DBY NAS). ...
/b/bowstring.htm - 7k

Fresh (41 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:7 And Samson said to her, "If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings
which have not been dried, then I shall become weak, and be like any other man ...
/f/fresh.htm - 21k

Box (13 Occurrences)

/b/box.htm - 13k

Snaps (2 Occurrences)
... And she said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he snapped the
bowstrings, as a string of tow snaps when it touches the fire. ...
/s/snaps.htm - 6k

Snapped (4 Occurrences)
... And she said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he snapped the
bowstrings, as a string of tow snaps when it touches the fire. ...
/s/snapped.htm - 7k

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