An oar is a tool used for rowing or steering a boat, typically consisting of a long pole with a flat blade at one end. In the context of the Bible, oars are mentioned in relation to the construction and operation of ships, which were essential for travel and trade in the ancient world.

Biblical References:

1. Ezekiel 27:6 · In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel describes the grandeur of Tyre, a prominent ancient city known for its maritime prowess. The verse states, "Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; of cypress wood from the coasts of Cyprus they made your deck, inlaid with ivory." This reference highlights the craftsmanship and the use of high-quality materials in the construction of oars, emphasizing the wealth and sophistication of Tyre's shipbuilding industry.

2. Isaiah 33:21 · The prophet Isaiah speaks of a future time of peace and security, using maritime imagery to convey the absence of threats. The verse reads, "But there the majestic One, our LORD, will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams, where no galley with oars will go, nor any mighty ship will pass." Here, the mention of oars signifies the absence of warships, symbolizing a divine protection that renders such vessels unnecessary.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, oars were vital for navigation and maneuvering ships, especially in the Mediterranean Sea and the various rivers that crisscrossed the region. Ships powered by oars were used for trade, exploration, and military purposes. The construction of oars from durable and high-quality wood, such as the oaks of Bashan, indicates the importance of maritime activities in ancient economies and the skill involved in shipbuilding.

The use of oars in biblical texts often serves as a metaphor for human effort and endeavor, contrasting with divine intervention or providence. In Isaiah 33:21, the absence of oared ships in the prophetic vision underscores the peace and security provided by God, where human efforts at defense and aggression are rendered obsolete.

Symbolism:

Oars can symbolize human effort and the ability to navigate life's challenges. In a spiritual sense, they may represent the believer's journey through the waters of life, requiring both effort and guidance. The biblical imagery of oars and ships often contrasts human striving with divine sovereignty, reminding believers of the ultimate authority and protection of God.

Conclusion:

While the Bible does not frequently mention oars, their presence in the text provides insight into the maritime culture of the ancient world and serves as a powerful metaphor for human endeavor and divine providence. Through the imagery of oars and ships, Scripture communicates themes of human effort, divine protection, and the ultimate peace found in God's presence.1. (n) An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at one end and a broad blade at the other. The part which rests in the rowlock is called the loom.

2. (n) An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good oar.

3. (n) An oarlike swimming organ of various invertebrates.

4. (v. t. & i.) To row.

OAR

or.

See SHIPS AND BOATS, II, 2, (3).

4079. pedalion -- a rudder
... Word Origin from pedon (the blade of an oar) Definition a rudder NASB Word
Usage rudder (1), rudders (1). rudder. Neuter of a (presumed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4079.htm - 6k4880. mashowt -- an oar
... an oar. Transliteration: mashowt Phonetic Spelling: (maw-shote') Short Definition:
oar. oar Or mishshowt {mish-shote'}; from shuwt; an oar -- oar. ...
/hebrew/4880.htm - 5k

4880a. mashot -- an oar
... mashot. 4880b . an oar. Transliteration: mashot Short Definition: oar. Word Origin
from shut Definition an oar NASB Word Usage oar (1). 4880, 4880a. ...
/hebrew/4880a.htm - 5k

4880b. mishshot -- an oar
... mishshot. 4881 . an oar. Transliteration: mishshot Short Definition: oars. Word
Origin from shut Definition an oar NASB Word Usage oars (1). 4880a, 4880b. ...
/hebrew/4880b.htm - 5k

7885. shayit -- a rowing
... oar, scourge. From shuwt; an oar; also (compare showt) a scourge (figuratively) --
oar, scourge. see HEBREW shuwt. see HEBREW showt. 7884, 7885. shayit. 7886 ...
/hebrew/7885.htm - 6k

The Broken Oar.
... L. THE BROKEN OAR. The other day, when the Oxford and Cambridge men were
contesting for the mastery, the Oxford boat was behind, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/l the broken oar.htm

Lay Hold on Eternal Life.
... His friends began to cheer him, and he, animated by their cheers, gave a responsive
cheer, and, in doing so, lost a stroke of the oar; a competitor seeing his ...
/.../food for the lambs or helps for young christians/lay hold on eternal life.htm

Broken Bread
... 13-35. XLIX. WORK FOR BOYS. 1 SAMUEL iii. I.--There is work in God's house for Boys
to do. L. THE BROKEN OAR. LI. "WHY COULD NOT WE CAST HIM OUT?". LII. MANNA. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/

Effectual Calling
... call. If he say, Go, he goes: the deluded sinner is like the slave that
digs in the mine, hews in the quarry, or tugs at the oar. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/effectual calling.htm

The Conquest of Babylon.
... They kept their craft in the middle of the stream by means of two oars, or, rather,
an oar and a paddle, which were worked, the first at the bows, and the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

Plenteous Redemption
... subjects were caught by corsairs, and carried away captive, you can well understand
how the burdened soul of the manacled slave, chained to the oar of his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/plenteous redemption.htm

The Way of Life.
... old man's heart of those days when he was a sunny-haired stripling, working with
his brothers in the fishing boat, and casting net, and pulling oar over the ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxvii the way of.htm

Restoration of Peter.
... And as we watch each man taking his old place at the oar or getting ready the nets,
we recognise how slight a hold the Apostolic call had taken of these men ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxv restoration of peter.htm

The Fall of Jerusalem.
... In His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, oar Lord had wept for the woes of the city
which would not own Him, and had foretold that the present generation should ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxiii the fall of.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall
come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land, and shall cause ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

Oar (1 Occurrence)
... The part which rests in the rowlock is called the loom. 2. (n) An oarsman; a rower;
as, he is a good oar. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OAR. or. ...
/o/oar.htm - 7k

Stroke (26 Occurrences)
... against a resisting medium, by means of which movement through or upon it is
accomplished; as, the stroke of a bird's wing in flying, or an oar in rowing, of ...
/s/stroke.htm - 16k

Oars (4 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:29 And come down from their ships have all handling an oar, Mariners,
all the pilots of the sea, on the land they stand, (See NIV). ...
/o/oars.htm - 7k

Bowman (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A man who uses a bow; an archer. 2. (n.) The
man who rows the foremost oar in a boat; the bow oar. Int. ...
/b/bowman.htm - 9k

Oak-trees (1 Occurrence)
Oak-trees. Oak-tree, Oak-trees. Oar . Multi-Version Concordance Oak-trees
(1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). Oak-tree, Oak-trees. Oar . Reference Bible.
/o/oak-trees.htm - 6k

Loom (3 Occurrences)
... knitting or lace making. 3. (n.) That part of an oar which is near the grip
or handle and inboard from the rowlock. 4. (vi) To appear ...
/l/loom.htm - 8k

Grasp (20 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Wide-reaching power of intellect to comprehend subjects and hold them
under survey. 8. (n.) The handle of a sword or of an oar. Int. ...
/g/grasp.htm - 13k

Wash (105 Occurrences)
... 23. (n.) A thin coat of metal laid on anything for beauty or preservation. 24.
(n.) The blade of an oar, or the thin part which enters the water. 25. ...
/w/wash.htm - 45k

Row (26 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To transport in a boat propelled with oars; as, to row the captain
ashore in his barge. 6. (vi) To use the oar; as, to row well. ...
/r/row.htm - 14k

Rower
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who rows with an oar. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ROWER; ROWING. ro'-er, ro'-ing. See SHIPS AND BOATS, III, 1. ...
/r/rower.htm - 6k

Oar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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