Topical Bible: Sword: Symbolical

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In biblical literature, the sword is a potent symbol representing various spiritual and moral truths. It is often used metaphorically to convey divine judgment, the power of God's Word, and the spiritual warfare faced by believers.

1. Divine Judgment and Authority: The sword frequently symbolizes God's judgment and authority over nations and individuals. In the Old Testament, the sword is an instrument of divine retribution. For instance, in Ezekiel 21:9-11 , the prophet declares, "A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished—sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning!" This passage illustrates the impending judgment of God upon Israel and the nations, emphasizing the sword as a tool of divine justice.

2. The Word of God: In the New Testament, the sword is emblematic of the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 states, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Here, the sword represents the penetrating and discerning power of Scripture, capable of revealing the innermost thoughts and intentions of individuals.

3. Spiritual Warfare: The sword is also a symbol of spiritual warfare, representing the believer's defense against evil. Ephesians 6:17 instructs believers to "take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." This passage highlights the importance of Scripture as a spiritual weapon in the believer's arsenal, essential for standing firm against the schemes of the devil.

4. Christ's Authority and Victory: In the book of Revelation, the sword is associated with the authority and victory of Christ. Revelation 1:16 describes a vision of the glorified Christ: "In His right hand He held seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest." The sword proceeding from Christ's mouth symbolizes His authoritative word and His ultimate triumph over evil.

5. Division and Conflict: The sword can also signify division and conflict, particularly in the context of the gospel's impact on human relationships. In Matthew 10:34 , Jesus states, "Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." This metaphorical use of the sword indicates the inevitable division that the message of Christ can cause, as it challenges existing beliefs and allegiances.

Throughout Scripture, the sword serves as a multifaceted symbol, rich in meaning and application. It underscores the themes of divine judgment, the power of God's Word, spiritual warfare, Christ's authority, and the divisive nature of the gospel.

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Genesis 3:24
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
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Joshua 5:13
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went to him, and said to him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries?
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Revelation 1:16
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shines in his strength.
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Library

From the Sixth Chapter.
... sword."] The red horse, and he that sat upon him, having a sword, signify the ... are
called God's altar, as saith the law, commanding in the symbolical form of ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the sixth chapter.htm

Christ Predicts the Danger of the Disciples in their New Relations ...
... no purse [728] (money), let him sell his garment and buy a sword" (or knife ... disciples
that they were to be taken, not literally, but as the symbolical veil of a ...
/.../section 271 christ predicts the.htm

The Reformation in Hungary and the Confession of Czenger.
... for several months daily tortures and executions by fire and sword took place ... 1135]
but also the 'sacramentarian' view of a purely symbolical presence, and ...
/.../ 75 the reformation in.htm

Authenticity and Credibility of the Pentateuch.
... needed not the help of miracles, for his appeal was to the sword and to ... of
creation"whether they should be understood literally or in a symbolical way, like ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter x authenticity and credibility.htm

The Worship of the Synagogue
... it, the addition of synagogue-worship to that of the Temple, is sadly symbolical. ...
about us; keep far from us the enemy, the pestilence, the sword, famine, and ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 17 the worship of.htm

Fire on Earth
... but rather division.' The fire, the baptism, and the sword; these three may sum
up ... if we see in the words of my text our Lord's great symbolical promise that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/fire on earth.htm

Jesus Only
... delightful, and shall bear our witness that as it was said of Goliath's sword,
"there is ... I read my Bible I see there that the age of the symbolical, the typical ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/jesus only.htm

The Minne-Songs
... and histories of saints that were half mystical and symbolical, half legendary ... to
him his opponent's name; he instantly flings away his sword, dismounts, and ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/the minne-songs.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... "O thou sword of the Lord ... But the symbolical action that follows"the joining of two
sticks into one"seems to be represented as real; for the people ask ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

(On the Passion, viii. : on Wednesday in Holy Week. )
... witness, "were arms and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword [1014] ." For ... It was
not accidental, therefore, but symbolical and mystical, that while the Jews ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lix on the passion.htm