A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, dagger, or other large blade. In biblical times, scabbards were typically made from leather, wood, or metal, and were an essential part of a warrior's equipment. The scabbard not only protected the blade but also allowed for the safe and convenient carrying of the weapon.

Biblical References:

While the term "scabbard" itself is not explicitly mentioned in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is implied in various passages that discuss swords and their use. The Berean Standard Bible provides context for understanding the role of swords and their sheaths in biblical narratives.

1. 1 Samuel 17:51 : "David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After killing him, he cut off his head with the sword." This passage describes David's victory over Goliath, highlighting the use of a sheath to store the sword. The act of drawing the sword from its sheath signifies readiness for battle and the execution of divine justice.

2. Ezekiel 21:3-5 : "and tell the land of Israel that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am against you, and I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked. Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north. Then all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have drawn My sword from its sheath; it will not return again.’" In this prophetic declaration, the unsheathing of the sword symbolizes impending judgment and the execution of God's will. The imagery of the sword being drawn from its sheath underscores the seriousness and inevitability of divine action.

Symbolism and Significance:

In biblical literature, the sword often symbolizes power, authority, and judgment. The scabbard, as the sword's protective covering, represents a state of readiness and potential action. The act of drawing a sword from its scabbard is frequently associated with the initiation of conflict or the execution of justice.

The scabbard also serves as a metaphor for restraint and control. A sword sheathed is a sword at rest, indicating peace or the withholding of judgment. Conversely, a sword drawn from its scabbard signifies the transition from peace to war, from potential to action.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, warriors and soldiers commonly carried swords in scabbards attached to their belts or slung over their shoulders. The design and material of a scabbard could vary based on the status and wealth of the owner. A well-crafted scabbard not only provided practical utility but also served as a symbol of the warrior's skill and prestige.

The use of scabbards in biblical times reflects the broader martial culture of the ancient world, where warfare was a common aspect of life and a means by which nations and individuals asserted power and resolved conflicts. The imagery of swords and scabbards in the Bible often conveys deeper spiritual truths about God's sovereignty, justice, and the moral struggles faced by His people.1. (n.) The sheath for the blade of a sword or dagger.

2. (v. t.) To put in a scabbard.

SCABBARD, SHEATH

skab'-ard, sheth.

See ARMOR, III, 5; WAR, 9.

2336. theke -- a receptacle
... a receptacle. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: theke Phonetic Spelling:
(thay'-kay) Short Definition: a scabbard, sheath, receptacle Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2336.htm - 6k

5117. topos -- a place
... a large but participle locality), ie Location (as a position, home, tract, etc.);
figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard -- coast, licence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5117.htm - 7k

8593. taar -- a razor, sheath
... Word Origin from arah Definition a razor, sheath NASB Word Usage knife (1), razor
(5), sheath (7). penknife, razor, scabbard, shave, sheath. ...
/hebrew/8593.htm - 6k

Irresistible Logic.
... A prize was offered once for the best definition of "pluck." The definition that
won the prize said, "Pluck is fighting with the scabbard after the sword is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/irresistible logic.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Clerics and Bishops to Fight?
... On the contrary, It was said to Peter as representing bishops and clerics
(Mat.16:52): "Put up again thy sword into the scabbard [Vulg.: 'its place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for.htm

The Sword of the Lord
... put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.7. How can it be quiet,
seeing the Lord hath given it a charge?'"Jeremiah 47:6, 7. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the sword of the lord.htm

Mercy, Omnipotence, and Justice
... God's rod of mercy is ever in his hands outstretched; God's sword of justice is
in its scabbard: not rusted in it"it can be easily withdrawn"but held there ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/mercy omnipotence and justice.htm

Good Earnests of Great Success
... And why not? If you put the sword into the scabbard, you cannot kill with it; you
must pull it out, and let it glitter in all its naked sharpness. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/good earnests of great success.htm

The Study of Words
... in the same rich coloring, without which all the principles we have laid down are
useless, and are like a sword concealed and kept sheathed in its scabbard. ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the study of words.htm

The Meek and Lowly One
... nothing of the ferocious hosts of Mahomet; he bids none of us draw our sword to
propagate the faith, but saith, "Put up thy sword into its scabbard; they that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the meek and lowly one.htm

Again the Council of the Covenant was in Session. ...
... answer. Again he heard a rustle of garments in the dark chamber, and, also,
a stealthy and suggestive grating of steel upon scabbard. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 20 again the council.htm

"A Strange Lad!" Said Abbe Vergniaud, Abruptly. ...
... "Not for your nature,"no! You have made your body like a transparent scabbard
through which the glitter of the soul-sword is almost visible. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/viii a strange lad said.htm

Righteous Hatred
... week, and in every place. War to the knife with sin! We are to draw the
sword, and throw away the scabbard. With all thy hosts, O ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/righteous hatred.htm

Scabbard (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The sheath for the blade of a sword or dagger. 2. (vt) To put in a scabbard.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SCABBARD, SHEATH. skab'-ard, sheth. ...
/s/scabbard.htm - 8k

Sheath (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A case for the reception of a sword, hunting knife,
or other long and slender instrument; a scabbard. ...SCABBARD, SHEATH. ...
/s/sheath.htm - 10k

Scabbed (3 Occurrences)

/s/scabbed.htm - 9k

Scab (7 Occurrences)

/s/scab.htm - 11k

Unsheathe (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To deprive of a sheath; to draw from the sheath or
scabbard, as a sword. Multi-Version Concordance Unsheathe (4 Occurrences). ...
/u/unsheathe.htm - 7k

Frog (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The loop of the scabbard of a bayonet or sword. 6. (vt) To ornament
or fasten (a coat, etc.) with trogs. See Frog, n., 4. Int. ...
/f/frog.htm - 9k

Ere (14 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Jeremiah 47:6 O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet?
put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/e/ere.htm - 10k

Mount (311 Occurrences)
... a map or picture on cloth or paper; to prepare for being worn or otherwise used,
as a diamond by setting, or a sword blade by adding the hilt, scabbard, etc. ...
/m/mount.htm - 68k

Ho (15 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 47:6 You sword of Yahweh, how long will it be before you be quiet?
Put up yourself into your scabbard; rest, and be still. ...
/h/ho.htm - 10k

Produced (39 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ezekiel 21:30 Turn 'it' back unto its scabbard, In the place where thou
wast produced, In the land of thy birth I do judge thee. (YLT). ...
/p/produced.htm - 18k

Did Jesus have a tattoo (Revelation 19:16)? | GotQuestions.org

Scabbard: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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