Pruning-hooks
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Pruning-hooks are agricultural tools mentioned in the Bible, primarily used for trimming and pruning vines and trees. These tools are emblematic of peace and agricultural prosperity, contrasting with instruments of war. The imagery of pruning-hooks is significant in biblical prophecy and teachings, symbolizing a transformation from conflict to peace.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 2:4 : "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war." This verse is part of a prophetic vision where the coming of God's kingdom brings about a time of peace. The transformation of weapons into tools for agriculture, such as pruning-hooks, signifies the end of warfare and the beginning of a harmonious era.

2. Micah 4:3 : "Then He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war." Similar to Isaiah, Micah's prophecy reiterates the theme of peace and the repurposing of military tools for productive, peaceful purposes.

3. Joel 3:10 : "Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’" In contrast to Isaiah and Micah, this verse from Joel calls for the opposite transformation, where tools of peace are turned into weapons of war. This reflects a time of impending conflict and divine judgment, highlighting the dual symbolism of pruning-hooks as both instruments of peace and potential tools for war.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

Pruning-hooks in the Bible symbolize the hope and promise of peace under God's rule. The transformation of weapons into pruning-hooks represents a divine intervention where nations will no longer engage in warfare but will focus on cultivation and growth. This imagery is often used to convey the ultimate peace that will be established in the Messianic age, where God's justice and righteousness will prevail.

The contrasting use of pruning-hooks in Joel underscores the reality of human conflict and the need for divine intervention. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's ways and the potential for redemption and peace through repentance and faith.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient agrarian societies, pruning-hooks were essential for maintaining vineyards and orchards, which were vital for sustenance and economic stability. The use of pruning-hooks in biblical texts reflects the importance of agriculture in the daily lives of the people and the broader metaphor of spiritual cultivation and growth.

The prophetic vision of turning swords into plowshares and spears into pruning-hooks has resonated throughout history as a powerful symbol of peace and reconciliation. It continues to inspire movements and discussions about disarmament and the pursuit of global peace.

In summary, pruning-hooks in the Bible serve as a profound symbol of the transition from war to peace, reflecting God's ultimate plan for harmony among nations and His desire for humanity to live in accordance with His will.
Strong's Hebrew
4211. mazmerah -- a pruning knife
... hooks. Word Origin from zamar Definition a pruning knife NASB Word Usage
pruning hooks (3), pruning knives (1). pruning-hook. From ...
/hebrew/4211.htm - 6k
Library

Proof against the Marcionites, that the Prophets Referred in all ...
... Lord from Jerusalem; and He shall rebuke many people; and they shall break down
their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks, and they ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiv proof against the marcionites.htm

It was the Fifth Anniversary of that Resolution of the Senate ...
... of a certain dreamer of Judea, who, in the olden time, wrote of a day when swords
should be beaten into ploughshares and spears into pruning-hooks, and when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 9 it was the.htm

To Charles ii.
... whom he had called and gathered out from among them, whom he had made to beat their
swords into plough-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks, and not to ...
/.../to charles ii.htm

The Christian --A Debtor
... all ranks of society, and saturate the mind of nations, and there shall be no more
lifting of the spears, they shall be used for pruning hooks; no bathing of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the christiana debtor.htm

Direct Predictions by the Spirit.
... judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their
swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xxxix direct predictions by the.htm

The Battle of Armageddon.
... Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them
come up: Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/6 the battle of armageddon.htm

The Call of the Gentiles under the Influence of the Gospel ...
... "And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears [3396] into
pruning-hooks;" in other words, they shall change into pursuits of moderation ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxi the call of the.htm

Examination of the Antitheses of Marcion, Bringing them to the ...
... as the result of this, "they beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears
(which are a kind of hunting instruments) into pruning-hooks;" [3493] that ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter i examination of the antitheses.htm

That in the Last Times the Same Mountain Should be Manifested, and ...
... shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke much people; and they shall beat
their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks, and they ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/18 that in the last.htm

Now what Follows from this Going up of the Nations to the Mountain ...
... The holy prophet expressly tells you in his following words, "They shall beat their
swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall ...
/.../address 210 0 0 now what follows.htm

Thesaurus
Pruninghooks (3 Occurrences)
...Pruninghooks (3 Occurrences). ... (KJV JPS). Joel 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords
and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. (KJV). ...
/p/pruninghooks.htm - 7k

Pruning-hooks (4 Occurrences)
Pruning-hooks. Pruninghooks, Pruning-hooks. Pruning-knives . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Pruninghooks, Pruning-hooks. Pruning-knives . Reference Bible.
/p/pruning-hooks.htm - 7k

Pruning (6 Occurrences)
... will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they
shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. ...
/p/pruning.htm - 8k

Plowshares (5 Occurrences)
... will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they
shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. ...
/p/plowshares.htm - 8k

Plow-shares (3 Occurrences)
... will judge among the nations, and will rebuke many people: and they shall beat their
swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall ...
/p/plow-shares.htm - 7k

Spears (25 Occurrences)
... will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they
shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. ...
/s/spears.htm - 14k

Hooks (41 Occurrences)
... will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they
shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. ...
/h/hooks.htm - 19k

Swords (50 Occurrences)
... will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they
shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. ...
/s/swords.htm - 22k

Decide (33 Occurrences)
... will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they
shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. ...
/d/decide.htm - 17k

Anymore (47 Occurrences)
... their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall ... their
swords to ploughshares, And their spears to pruning-hooks, Nation lifteth ...
/a/anymore.htm - 20k

Resources
What does it mean to “let the weak say I am strong” in Joel 3:10? | GotQuestions.org

Is religion the cause of most wars? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the symbolism in Amos, e.g., sledges with iron teeth (Amos 1:3), murdered pregnant women (Amos 1:13), burning bones (Amos 2:1), destroyed roots (Amos 2:9), and hooks (Amos 4:2)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Pruning-hooks (4 Occurrences)

Isaiah 2:4
And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
(ASV WBS YLT)

Isaiah 18:5
For before the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becometh a ripening grape, he will cut off the sprigs with pruning-hooks, and the spreading branches will he take away and cut down.
(See JPS ASV WBS)

Joel 3:10
Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
(See JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Micah 4:3
and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
(ASV WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Pruning-hooks

Related Terms

Ploughshares (3 Occurrences)

Forge (2 Occurrences)

Reprove (35 Occurrences)

Knife (10 Occurrences)

Pruning-hooks (4 Occurrences)

Pry (1 Occurrence)

Blossoming (2 Occurrences)

Pruninghooks
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