Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the saw was an essential tool used in various construction and woodworking activities. The saw is mentioned in several contexts within the Bible, highlighting its significance in both practical and metaphorical terms.Old Testament References The saw is first mentioned in the context of King Solomon's extensive building projects. In 1 Kings 7:9, the construction of the temple and other structures is described: "All these were made of costly stones, cut according to measure, sawed with saws, inside and outside, from the foundation to the coping, and from the outside to the great court." This passage illustrates the use of saws in cutting stones, indicating the advanced craftsmanship and technology employed during Solomon's reign. Another reference to the saw is found in Isaiah 10:15, where it is used metaphorically to convey a message about pride and humility: "Does the ax raise itself above the one who swings it, or the saw boast over the one who uses it? As if a rod could wield those who lift it, or a staff could lift what is not wood!" Here, the saw symbolizes human tools and instruments, emphasizing that they are powerless without the hand that wields them. This metaphor serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of human pride. New Testament Context While the New Testament does not explicitly mention the saw, the tool's significance can be inferred from the profession of Jesus as a carpenter (Mark 6:3). As a carpenter, Jesus would have been familiar with various tools, including the saw, which would have been essential for his trade. This background provides insight into Jesus' earthly life and the humility of his incarnation. Symbolic and Theological Implications The saw, as a tool, represents human effort and craftsmanship. In biblical symbolism, tools like the saw can also reflect the idea of shaping and refining, much like God's work in the lives of believers. Just as a saw is used to cut and shape wood or stone, God uses various means to mold and refine His people, as seen in passages like Isaiah 64:8: "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hand." Furthermore, the metaphorical use of the saw in Isaiah 10:15 serves as a theological reminder of the relationship between the Creator and His creation. It underscores the importance of recognizing God's ultimate authority and the limitations of human power. Cultural and Historical Context In ancient Israel, saws were typically made of iron or bronze, with teeth that were either cut into the metal or set with small, sharp stones. The saw's design and construction would have varied depending on its intended use, whether for cutting wood, stone, or other materials. The presence of saws in biblical narratives reflects the technological advancements of the time and the importance of skilled labor in the construction of significant structures, such as the temple. Overall, the saw in the Bible serves as both a practical tool and a powerful metaphor, illustrating themes of human effort, divine sovereignty, and the transformative work of God in the lives of His people. Smith's Bible Dictionary SawEgyptian saws, so far as has yet been discovered, are single-handed. As is the case in modern Oriental saws, the teeth usually incline toward the handle, instead of away from it like ours. They have, in most cases, bronze blades, apparently attached to the handles by leathern thongs. No evidence exists of the use of the saw applied to stone in Egypt, but we read of sawn stones used in the temple. (1 Kings 7:9) The saws "under" or "in" which David is said to have placed his captives were of iron. The expression in (2 Samuel 12:31) does not necessarily imply torture, but the word "cut" in (1 Chronicles 20:3) can hardly be understood otherwise. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v.) imp. of See.2. (v. t.) Something said; speech; discourse. 3. (n.) A saying; a proverb; a maxim. 4. (v. t.) Dictate; command; decree. 5. (n.) An instrument for cutting or dividing substances, as wood, iron, etc., consisting of a thin blade, or plate, of steel, with a series of sharp teeth on the edge, which remove successive portions of the material by cutting and tearing. 6. (v. t.) To cut with a saw; to separate with a saw; as, to saw timber or marble. 7. (v. t.) To form by cutting with a saw; as, to saw boards or planks, that is, to saw logs or timber into boards or planks; to saw shingles; to saw out a panel. 8. (v. t.) Also used figuratively; as, to saw the air. 9. (v. i.) To use a saw; to practice sawing; as, a man saws well. 10. (v. i.) To cut, as a saw; as, the saw or mill saws fast. 11. (v. i.) To be cut with a saw; as, the timber saws smoothly. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SAWso. Greek 4249. prizo -- to saw (in two) ... to saw (in two). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prizo Phonetic Spelling: (prid'-zo) Short Definition: I saw, saw through Definition: I saw, saw through. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4249.htm - 6k 1282. diaprio -- to saw asunder, cut to the heart 3708. horao -- to see, perceive, attend to 2390. iaomai -- to heal 2300. theaomai -- to behold, look upon 990. blemma -- a look 2334. theoreo -- to look at, gaze 4275. proeido -- to foresee 991. blepo -- to look (at) 2335. theoria -- a viewing, hence a spectacle Strong's Hebrew 4883. massor -- a saw... a saw. Transliteration: massor Phonetic Spelling: (mas-sore') Short Definition: saw. Word Origin from an unused word Definition a saw NASB Word Usage saw (1). ... /hebrew/4883.htm - 5k 4050. megerah -- a saw 7787. sur -- to saw 1641. garar -- to drag, drag away 8154. shasah -- to spoil, plunder 5631. saris -- eunuch 4499. menusah -- flight 7704. sadeh -- field, land 5587. saiph -- opinion 5526. cakak -- to overshadow, screen, cover Library I Saw the City As in a Race Saw I the Disputers, the Children of Strife, [Trying] ... 'Impossible, --Only I Saw It' Whom Moses Saw. "I Saw . . . As it were in the Time of his Passion . . . And in ... I Saw no Temple There When I Heard This, and Saw what Sorrow the People were In... "All was Closed, and I Saw no More. " "For the Folly of Feeling a ... Of a Holy Friar who Saw a Wonderful vision of a Companion who was ... And when Herod Saw that He had Been Made Sport of by the Magi... Thesaurus Saw (6047 Occurrences)... 6. (vt) To cut with a saw; to separate with a saw; as, to saw timber or marble. 7. (vt) To form by cutting with a saw; as, to saw... /s/saw.htm - 7k Kebar (8 Occurrences) Casting (54 Occurrences) Canal (6 Occurrences) Stedfastly (23 Occurrences) Surprise (27 Occurrences) Afar (98 Occurrences) Visions (43 Occurrences) Amazed (75 Occurrences) Seats (40 Occurrences) Resources How should a Christian respond to people who claim, “I saw Jesus”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”? | GotQuestions.org Will the generation that saw Israel re-formed as a nation still be alive for the Second Coming? | GotQuestions.org Saw: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Saw (6047 Occurrences)Saw is used 6047 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Saw used As an Instrument of Torture Related Terms |
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