In biblical times, the club was a simple yet effective weapon, often used for protection and combat. It is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing strength, authority, and sometimes oppression. The club, typically a short, stout stick, was a common tool for shepherds and warriors alike.

Old Testament References

The club is first mentioned in the context of shepherding. In 1 Samuel 17:40, David, before facing Goliath, "took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. Then, with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine." While the primary focus here is on the sling and stones, the staff or club was an essential part of a shepherd's equipment, used to protect the flock from predators.

In Job 41:29, the club is referenced in the description of Leviathan, a formidable creature: "A club is regarded as straw; it laughs at the rattling of the lance." This imagery underscores the futility of human weapons against such a powerful being, highlighting the creature's invincibility and, by extension, God's unmatched power in creation.

Symbol of Authority and Judgment

The club also appears as a symbol of authority and judgment. In Isaiah 10:5, the Assyrian king is described as the rod of God's anger: "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath." Here, the club or rod signifies the instrument of divine judgment, used by God to discipline His people.

Similarly, in Proverbs 23:13-14, the club is metaphorically used in the context of discipline: "Do not withhold discipline from a child; although you strike him with a rod, he will not die. Strike him with a rod, and you will deliver his soul from Sheol." The club, or rod, represents corrective discipline intended to guide and protect the child from spiritual harm.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently mention the club, it appears in the context of Jesus' arrest. In Matthew 26:47, as Judas leads a crowd to arrest Jesus, they come "with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people." The use of clubs here indicates the intent to subdue and control, reflecting the hostility and opposition Jesus faced from the religious authorities.

Cultural and Historical Significance

In the ancient Near East, the club was a versatile tool, used not only in warfare but also in daily life for tasks such as herding and protection. Its presence in biblical narratives often carries deeper symbolic meanings, representing power, authority, and sometimes divine judgment.

The club's simplicity and effectiveness made it a common weapon among the Israelites and their neighbors. Its use in Scripture serves as a reminder of the realities of life in ancient times, where physical strength and protection were necessary for survival.

Spiritual Implications

The biblical references to clubs often carry spiritual implications, illustrating themes of protection, discipline, and divine authority. The club as a shepherd's tool symbolizes God's care and protection over His people, while its use as an instrument of judgment reflects His righteousness and justice.

In summary, the club in the Bible is more than just a physical object; it is a symbol woven into the fabric of biblical narratives, reflecting the complexities of human life and the divine attributes of God.1. (n.) A heavy staff of wood, usually tapering, and wielded the hand; a weapon; a cudgel.

2. (n.) Any card of the suit of cards having a figure like the trefoil or clover leaf. (pl.) The suit of cards having such figure.

3. (n.) An association of persons for the promotion of some common object, as literature, science, politics, good fellowship, etc.; esp. an association supported by equal assessments or contributions of the members.

4. (n.) A joint charge of expense, or any person's share of it; a contribution to a common fund.

5. (v. t.) To beat with a club.

6. (v. t.) To throw, or allow to fall, into confusion.

7. (v. t.) To unite, or contribute, for the accomplishment of a common end; as, to club exertions.

8. (v. t.) To raise, or defray, by a proportional assessment; as, to club the expense.

9. (v. i.) To form a club; to combine for the promotion of some common object; to unite.

10. (v. i.) To pay on equal or proportionate share of a common charge or expense; to pay for something by contribution.

11. (v. i.) To drift in a current with an anchor out.

CLUB

klub.

See ARMOR, III, 1; SHEPHERD; STAFF.

3586. xulon -- wood
... Phonetic Spelling: (xoo'-lon) Short Definition: a staff, cross, anything made of
wood Definition: anything made of wood, a piece of wood, a club, staff; the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3586.htm - 6k4661. mappets -- a war-club
... 4660, 4661. mappets. 4662 . a war-club. Transliteration: mappets Phonetic
Spelling: (map-pates') Short Definition: war-club. Word ...
/hebrew/4661.htm - 6k

7626. shebet -- rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe
... 7625, 7626. shebet. 7627 . rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. Transliteration:
shebet Phonetic Spelling: (shay'-bet) Short Definition: tribes. ...
/hebrew/7626.htm - 6k

8455. tothach -- (a weapon) perhaps club, mace
... 8454, 8455. tothach. 8456 . (a weapon) perhaps club, mace. Transliteration:
tothach Phonetic Spelling: (to-thawkh') Short Definition: clubs. ...
/hebrew/8455.htm - 6k

4650. mephits -- scatterer, disperser
... 4649, 4650. mephits. 4651 . scatterer, disperser. Transliteration: mephits
Phonetic Spelling: (may-feets') Short Definition: club. ...
/hebrew/4650.htm - 6k

3597. kelappoth -- an axe
... hammer. From an unused root meaning to clap or strike with noise; a club or
sledge-hammer -- hammer. 3596, 3597. kelappoth. 3598 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3597.htm - 5k

Origin of the Holy Club
... Chapter 1. Wesley as a Missionary to Georgia Origin of the Holy Club. In pursuance
of [his] directions, I immediately went to Mr. Gerald ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/origin of the holy club.htm

On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family
... We can see this change, for instance, in the modern transformation of the thing
called a club. ... Now the club is valued as a place where a man can be unsociable. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiv on certain modern writers.htm

Association
... ask you, my friends, why you were met together here to- day, you would tell me,
I suppose, that you were come to church as members of a benefit club; and quite ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xx association.htm

In the Hands of Giant Accuser
... "I fell on my knees, while the old Giant dealt me a blow over the head with his
club. 'You have cursed,' he shouted. 'See, your mind is full of evil words. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter seven in the hands.htm

The Mystery of Personality
... His election to the Commercial Club of Cincinnati in 1923 is another
indication of his democratic and appealing character. This ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/the mystery of personality.htm

Bibliography.
... Edinburgh.8vo. Bannatyne Club. ... In 6 Vols. A special and limited edition of 112 copies
of the First Two Volumes was struck off for this Printing Club. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/knox/the first blast of the trumpet/bibliography.htm

Arise, and Go into the City
... Arise, And Go Into The City. "Arise, And Go Into The City" "Acts 9:6. 1. "Tell the
rector of Christ Church that if he doesn't call off the Woman's Club, I'll ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/arise and go into the.htm

Moravians and Methodists, 1735-1742.
... They were called the Reforming Club, the Holy Club, the Godly Club, the Sacramentarians,
the Bible Moths, the Supererogation Men, the Enthusiasts, and, finally ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ix moravians and methodists.htm

The Struggle for Life
... This invention of the club was soon followed by another change. ... Possibly both the
erect position and the Club had another origin, but the detail is immaterial. ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter vi the struggle for.htm

Chapter eighteen
... But what can you do with the club men?". ... "In your work with the club men, with
your old acquaintances, what sort of reception do they give you? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter eighteen.htm

Club (7 Occurrences)
... fund. 5. (vt) To beat with a club. 6 ... 7. (vt) To unite, or contribute, for the
accomplishment of a common end; as, to club exertions. 8. (vt ...
/c/club.htm - 9k

War-club (1 Occurrence)
War-club. War-carriages, War-club. War-cries . Multi-Version
Concordance War-club (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 51:20 An ...
/w/war-club.htm - 6k

Maul (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An old name for a mallet, the rendering of the Hebrew
mephits (Proverbs 25:18), properly a war-club. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/m/maul.htm - 8k

Clubs (7 Occurrences)

/c/clubs.htm - 8k

Knock (7 Occurrences)
... against another. 2. (vi) To strike or beat with something hard or heavy; to
rap; as, to knock with a club; to knock on the door. 3. (vt ...
/k/knock.htm - 11k

War-cries (1 Occurrence)
War-cries. War-club, War-cries. War-cry . Multi-Version Concordance War-cries
(1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). War-club, War-cries. War-cry . Reference Bible.
/w/war-cries.htm - 6k

Flail (1 Occurrence)
... for threshing or beating grain from the ear by hand, consisting of a wooden staff
or handle, at the end of which a stouter and shorter pole or club, called a ...
/f/flail.htm - 7k

Return (499 Occurrences)
... (vt) To bat (the ball) back over the net. 17. (vt) To lead in response to the lead
of one's partner; as, to return a trump; to return a diamond for a club. 18. ...
/r/return.htm - 38k

Eleven (25 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The eleven men selected to play on one side in a match, as the representatives
of a club or a locality; as, the all-England eleven. Int. ...
/e/eleven.htm - 16k

What is The 700 Club? Is The 700 Club biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is a Rotary club? | GotQuestions.org

Is it a sin for a Christian to go to a strip club or to watch strippers? | GotQuestions.org

Club: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus