The term "sawn" refers to the act of cutting or dividing something with a saw. In the context of the Bible, it is most notably associated with the martyrdom of the prophet Isaiah, although this specific event is not directly mentioned in the canonical texts of the Old Testament. The tradition of Isaiah being sawn in two is derived from extra-biblical sources, such as the Jewish text "The Ascension of Isaiah" and is alluded to in the New Testament.

Biblical Reference:

The primary biblical reference that alludes to the act of being sawn is found in the New Testament, in the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews 11:37 states: "They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated." This verse is part of a passage that honors the faith and endurance of the prophets and other faithful individuals who suffered persecution and martyrdom for their steadfastness in faith.

Historical and Traditional Context:

The tradition that the prophet Isaiah was sawn in two is not found in the Hebrew Bible but is a part of Jewish and early Christian tradition. According to these traditions, Isaiah met his death during the reign of King Manasseh of Judah, who was known for his idolatry and persecution of prophets. The "Ascension of Isaiah," an apocryphal text, provides a narrative where Isaiah is executed by being sawn in two, a punishment for his prophecies against the idolatrous practices of the king and the people.

Theological Significance:

The mention of being "sawn in two" in Hebrews 11 serves as a powerful testament to the faith and perseverance of the prophets and early believers. It highlights the extreme suffering and trials faced by those who remained faithful to God amidst persecution. This reference is part of a larger discourse on faith, illustrating that true faith often involves enduring hardship and even martyrdom.

The account of Isaiah's martyrdom, though not found in the canonical texts, has been influential in Christian thought, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice for the truth of God's word. It serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the call to remain faithful even unto death.

Cultural and Literary Impact:

The imagery of being "sawn in two" has permeated Christian art and literature, often used to depict the severity of persecution faced by the prophets and early Christians. It underscores the theme of suffering for righteousness and the hope of eternal reward for those who endure.

In summary, while the act of being "sawn" is not extensively detailed in the Bible, its mention in Hebrews and the associated traditions surrounding Isaiah's death provide a poignant illustration of the trials faced by God's messengers and the enduring nature of faith.(p. p.) of Saw.1282. diaprio -- to saw asunder, cut to the heart
... 1282 (from 1223 , "through" and , "cut with a saw") -- properly, cut all the way
through; (figuratively) emotionally "sawn asunder," as when the heart is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1282.htm - 7k

4249. prizo -- to saw (in two)
... through. Word Origin alt. form of a prim. verb prio (to saw) Definition to
saw (in two) NASB Word Usage sawn in two (1). saw asunder. A ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4249.htm - 6k

4738. miqsam -- divination
... 4737, 4738. miqsam. 4739 . divination. Transliteration: miqsam Phonetic
Spelling: (mik-sawn') Short Definition: divination. Word ...
/hebrew/4738.htm - 6k

5212. Nisan -- first month of the Jewish religious year
... 5211, 5212. Nisan. 5213 . first month of the Jewish religious year.
Transliteration: Nisan Phonetic Spelling: (nee-sawn') Short Definition: Nisan. ...
/hebrew/5212.htm - 6k

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... They were stoned; they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword;
they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ix jeremiah a lesson.htm

Prophets in their Country.
... And Isaiah is reported to have been sawn asunder by the people; and if any one does
not accept the statement because of its being found in the Apocryphal Isaiah ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/18 prophets in their country.htm

A Letter from Origen to Africanus.
... Zedekias and Achiab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, for the iniquity
they did in Israel." [3035] How, then, could the one be sawn asunder by an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens letters/a letter from origen to.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... a better resurrection: and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover
of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

Manasseh
... Isaiah sawn asunder, Habakkuk stoned to death, the faithful driven into
dens and caves of earth. It is of this time that we read ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/manasseh.htm

The Ascension of Isaiah.
... xi.37) that some of them "were sawn asunder." Now to the other trials, or forms
of death noticed, in the passage, we can find parallels in the histories of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the ascension of isaiah.htm

On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... What then, is Esaias not ashamed of being sawn asunder [1510] , and shall Christ
be ashamed of dying for the world? Now is the Son of man glorified [1511] . ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiii on the words.htm

Naparima and Montserrat
... Long enough ago, again, to allow that lowland to be sawn out into hills and valleys,
ridges and gulleys, which are due to the action of Colonel George ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter x naparima and montserrat.htm

Footnotes:
... resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover,
of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/groves/christian devotedness/footnotes .htm

Faith and Courage.
... They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword:
they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iii faith and courage.htm

Sawn (2 Occurrences)
... (pp) of Saw. Multi-Version Concordance Sawn (2 Occurrences). Hebrews 11:37
They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. ...
/s/sawn.htm - 7k

Asunder (37 Occurrences)
... for the King James Version "plucked asunder" (Mark 5:4). Saw asunder (prizo or prio):
The fate of some on the roll of faith, "They were sawn asunder" (Hebrews ...
/a/asunder.htm - 22k

Saws (4 Occurrences)

/s/saws.htm - 7k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tried; in the
killing of the sword they died; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Goat-skins (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins; being ...
/g/goat-skins.htm - 6k

Goatskins (8 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being ...
/g/goatskins.htm - 8k

Goats (134 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being ...
/g/goats.htm - 37k

Wandered (29 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain
with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being ...
/w/wandered.htm - 15k

Ill-treated (7 Occurrences)
... the Egyptian. (WEY). Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned. They were sawn apart.
They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They ...
/i/ill-treated.htm - 8k

Injuriously (13 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:37 they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tried; in the
killing of the sword they died; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins ...
/i/injuriously.htm - 10k

What is the Ascension of Isaiah? | GotQuestions.org

How did Isaiah die? | GotQuestions.org

Sawn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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