A sickle is an agricultural tool with a curved blade, traditionally used for harvesting grain and cutting grass. In biblical times, the sickle was an essential implement for farmers, symbolizing the harvest and, metaphorically, divine judgment.

Old Testament References

The sickle is mentioned in several Old Testament passages, often in the context of harvest. In Deuteronomy 16:9 , the Israelites are instructed: "You are to count off seven weeks from the time you first put the sickle to the standing grain." This command relates to the Feast of Weeks, a time of thanksgiving for the harvest, highlighting the sickle's role in agricultural life and religious observance.

In the prophetic literature, the sickle is used metaphorically to describe judgment. Joel 3:13 declares, "Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full; the vats overflow, because their wickedness is great." Here, the sickle symbolizes the impending judgment of the nations, with the harvest representing the culmination of their iniquity.

New Testament References

The imagery of the sickle continues into the New Testament, particularly in the apocalyptic literature. Revelation 14:14-16 describes a vision of the Son of Man with a sickle: "Then I looked and saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was One like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling in a loud voice to the One seated on the cloud, 'Swing Your sickle and reap, because the time has come to harvest; for the crop of the earth is ripe.' So the One seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested." This passage uses the sickle as a symbol of divine authority and the final judgment, where the righteous and the wicked are separated.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

In biblical culture, the sickle was not only a practical tool but also a powerful symbol. Its use in the harvest was a reminder of God's provision and the cycles of nature ordained by Him. The sickle's sharpness and efficiency made it an apt metaphor for the swiftness and inevitability of divine judgment.

The sickle's presence in both the Old and New Testaments underscores its enduring significance as a symbol of both physical and spiritual harvests. It serves as a reminder of the importance of readiness and righteousness in anticipation of God's ultimate judgment and the fulfillment of His promises.

But Why do I Laugh at the Sickles and Tridents which have Been ...
... 13 But why do I laugh at the sickles and tridents which have been given to? But
why do I laugh at the sickles and tridents which have been given to the gods? ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/13 but why do i.htm

The Shunammite's Boy.
... ran to and fro in the hot morning sun, sometimes chasing the bright butterflies,
sometimes following the men as they cut down the grain with their sharp sickles ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the shunammites boy.htm

The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner
... when they reaped the grain not to gather all the stalks, but to leave some for the
poor people, who followed after the reapers with their sickles, and gathered ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of ruth the.htm

The Conversion of the Gentiles Has Been Predicted by Micah.
... among many peoples, and shall rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat
their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles: nation shall ...
/.../chapter cix the conversion of the.htm

Proceedings of Macedonius in Mantinium. His Removal from his See ...
... But it happened otherwise, for the people of Mantinium armed themselves with sickles
and axes and whatever other weapons chanced to be at hand, and marched ...
/.../chapter xxi proceedings of macedonius in.htm

Dreadful Forms of Terror and Frightful Bugbears on Account of ...
... was to be benumbed for ever, to attempt nothing in its utter amazement, and to restrain
itself from every wicked and shameful act"little sickles, keys, caps ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/26 o dreadful forms of.htm

Wars, &C. , Roused by Demons, Lulled by Christianity.
... of the peace He was to usher in, where the Scripture says: "They [344] shall beat
their swords into ploughshares, and their pikes into sickles, and nation ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 52 wars &c roused.htm

Of Circumcision and the Supercession of the Old Law.
... is, among us, who have been called out of the nations,""and they shall join to beat
their glaives into ploughs, and their lances into sickles; and nations ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter iii of circumcision and the.htm

And Now the Time is Come for us to Proceed to the Demonstration of ...
... days shall righteousness spring up; and abundance of peace." "And they shall beat
their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into sickles: and nation ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xvi and now the.htm

Special Efforts
... out representing a great harvest home with a wagon of hay, and the soldiers attired
as farm labourers, carrying forks, rakes, and sickles, Chinese lanterns on ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/vi special efforts.htm

Sickles (2 Occurrences)
...Sickles (2 Occurrences). ... 1 Samuel 13:21 when the edges of the sickles, and the hoes,
and the forks, and the axes were blunted; and to set the goads. (DBY). ...
/s/sickles.htm - 6k

Sickle (13 Occurrences)
... 50:16 Joel 3:13); drepanon (Mark 4:29 Revelation 14:14-19)): Although the ancients
pulled much of their grain by hand, we know that they also used sickles. ...
/s/sickle.htm - 12k

Edges (28 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). 1 Samuel 13:21 when the edges of the sickles,
and the hoes, and the forks, and the axes were blunted; and to set the goads. ...
/e/edges.htm - 14k

Blunted (5 Occurrences)
... Blunted (5 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 13:21 when the edges of the sickles, and the hoes,
and the forks, and the axes were blunted; and to set the goads. (DBY). ...
/b/blunted.htm - 7k

Sickliness (1 Occurrence)

/s/sickliness.htm - 6k

Phoenicians
... The remains of their bronze manufactures are numerous, such as arms for offense
and defense, knives, toilet articles, axes, sickles, cups, paterae, and various ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)
... The remains of their bronze manufactures are numerous, such as arms for offense
and defense, knives, toilet articles, axes, sickles, cups, paterae, and various ...
/p/phoenicia.htm - 40k

Hoes (2 Occurrences)
... Hoes (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 13:21 when the edges of the sickles, and the hoes,
and the forks, and the axes were blunted; and to set the goads. (DBY NAS). ...
/h/hoes.htm - 6k

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