In biblical terminology, the concept of "sheathed" is often associated with the imagery of swords and weaponry, symbolizing restraint, peace, or the cessation of conflict. The act of sheathing a sword can signify the end of hostilities or the decision to refrain from violence. This imagery is used in various contexts throughout the Bible to convey deeper spiritual and moral lessons.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently uses the imagery of swords and sheathing to communicate messages of divine judgment, protection, and peace. In the prophetic literature, the unsheathing of a sword often symbolizes impending judgment or warfare. Conversely, the sheathing of a sword can indicate the restoration of peace or the withholding of divine wrath.

For instance, in the book of Ezekiel, God speaks of unsheathing His sword against the land of Israel as a metaphor for impending judgment due to the nation's sins: "I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked" (Ezekiel 21:3). Here, the unsheathing of the sword represents the certainty and imminence of God's judgment.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of sheathing is less frequently mentioned but carries significant theological implications. The most notable reference occurs during the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. When Peter draws his sword to defend Jesus, cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant, Jesus commands him to put his sword back into its place: "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him. "For all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). This directive from Jesus underscores the principle of non-violence and the futility of using physical force to achieve spiritual ends.

Symbolic and Theological Implications

The act of sheathing a sword in biblical literature often symbolizes the transition from conflict to peace, the exercise of restraint, and the pursuit of righteousness over violence. It serves as a reminder of the power of God to bring about justice and peace without reliance on human strength or weaponry. The sheathing of the sword can also be seen as an invitation to trust in God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for redemption and reconciliation.

In a broader theological sense, the imagery of sheathing aligns with the Christian call to live peaceably with others, as emphasized in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Believers are encouraged to embody the principles of peace, forgiveness, and love, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions with the world.

Conclusion

While the specific term "sheathed" may not appear frequently in the biblical text, the concept it represents is woven throughout the narrative of Scripture. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the cessation of violence, the exercise of divine restraint, and the call to live in peace and harmony with others, grounded in the transformative power of the Gospel.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Sheathe.

2. (a.) Provided with, or enclosed in, sheath.

3. (a.) Invested by a sheath, or cylindrical membranaceous tube, which is the base of the leaf, as the stalk or culm in grasses.

The New Song
... attributes, and in all his majestic deeds, when the battle shall be over for ever,
and the banner shall be furled and the sword shall be sheathed, because the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the new song.htm

The Study of Words
... the hearers 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 ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the study of words.htm

Storming the Battlements
... there is hope that your swords may yet be sheathed, that your men shall not be mown
down as grass before the scythe; that the desolation of your hearths shall ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/storming the battlements.htm

Notes
... At cock-crow Hope revives again, Health banishes the stress of pain, Sheathed is
the nightly robber's sword, And Faith to fallen hearts restored.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/notes.htm

The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness
... He saw God wielding his flaming sword, and his hand taking hold of vengeance; the
Lord Jesus Christ saw the sword ready to be sheathed in the blood of the ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the righteousness of christ an.htm

How the Wife of a Prefect Slew Herself for Chastity's Sake.
... There, being left alone, she sheathed a sword in her own breast, and immediately
expired, leaving indeed her dead body to the procurers, but declaring to all ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxiv how the wife of.htm

A Comparison which Shows the Nature of Vainglory.
... admirably describe the nature of this malady as like that of an onion, and of those
bulbs which when stripped of one covering you find to be sheathed in another ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter v a comparison which.htm

Hark! the Song of Jubilee
... All creation's harmonies; See Jehovah's banner furled,. Sheathed his sword; he speaks;
'tis done; And the kingdoms of this world. Are the kingdoms of his Son. ...
/.../sundays after epiphany 103 hark.htm

Christ's Triumph.
... the sound, Heard through earth, and through the skies, Wakes above, beneath, around,
All creation's harmonies: See Jehovah's banner furled, Sheathed his sword ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/305 christs triumph.htm

Peace.
... 3 Unwilling kings obeyed, And sheathed the battle blade, And called their bloody
legions from the field; In silent awe they wait, And close the warrior's gate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/806 peace.htm

Sheathed (2 Occurrences)
...Sheathed (2 Occurrences). Psalms 68:13 while you sleep among the campfires, the
wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold. (WEB NIV). ...
/s/sheathed.htm - 7k

Sheath (11 Occurrences)

/s/sheath.htm - 10k

Sheaves (13 Occurrences)

/s/sheaves.htm - 12k

Quivered (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Quiver. 2. (a.) Furnished with, or carrying, a quiver. 3. (a.)
Sheathed, as in a quiver. Multi-Version Concordance Quivered (1 Occurrence). ...
/q/quivered.htm - 7k

Glistening (4 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 68:13 while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of a dove
sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold. (See NAS). ...
/g/glistening.htm - 7k

Feathers (9 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 68:13 while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of a dove
sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold. (WEB KJV BBE DBY WBS NIV) ...
/f/feathers.htm - 10k

Campfires (2 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 68:13 while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of a dove
sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold. (WEB NIV). ...
/c/campfires.htm - 6k

Achmetha (1 Occurrence)
... his admiration for it, especially for the magnificent royal palace, nearly 7 stadia
in circumference, built of precious kinds of wood sheathed in plates of ...
/a/achmetha.htm - 10k

Wings (81 Occurrences)
... Psalms 68:13 while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of a dove sheathed
with silver, her feathers with shining gold. (WEB ...
/w/wings.htm - 34k

Shining (115 Occurrences)
... Psalms 68:13 while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of a dove sheathed
with silver, her feathers with shining gold. (WEB NIV). ...
/s/shining.htm - 34k

Sheathed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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