In biblical times, spurs were not commonly mentioned as they are understood in modern equestrian contexts. However, the concept of spurring or urging forward is present in the Scriptures, often metaphorically, to describe encouragement or provocation towards action, whether for good or ill.

Metaphorical Use:

The idea of spurring is metaphorically used in the Bible to describe the act of inciting or encouraging someone to pursue a particular course of action. In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews uses a similar concept to encourage believers to motivate one another towards love and good deeds: "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24). This passage highlights the importance of community and mutual encouragement within the body of Christ, urging believers to actively inspire each other in their faith and actions.

Provocation and Encouragement:

The concept of spurring can also be seen in the context of provocation, where individuals are urged towards a particular behavior or response. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are often warned against being provoked to anger or idolatry by surrounding nations. For instance, in Deuteronomy 9:18, Moses recounts how he interceded for the people after they had provoked the LORD to anger with their sin.

Symbolic Representation:

While physical spurs as used in horsemanship are not directly mentioned, the symbolic representation of urging or driving forward is evident in various biblical narratives. The role of leaders, prophets, and apostles often involved spurring the people of God towards repentance, righteousness, and faithfulness. This is seen in the exhortations of the prophets, who called Israel to return to the LORD and follow His commandments.

Application in Christian Life:

In a broader sense, the concept of spurring is applicable to the Christian life as believers are called to encourage and edify one another. The Apostle Paul frequently emphasizes the importance of building up the church through words and actions that promote spiritual growth and unity. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, he writes, "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing" .

In summary, while the physical object of a spur is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the metaphorical use of spurring as a means of encouragement and provocation is a significant theme. It underscores the importance of community, accountability, and the active role believers play in motivating one another towards a life of faith and good works.5526a. sakak -- to overshadow, screen, cover
... 2), covered (4), covering (3), covers (1), incite (1), made a covering (1), relieve*
(1), relieving* (1), screen (1), screened off (1), shelter (1), spurs (1). ...
/hebrew/5526a.htm - 5k

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... The ground on the opposite slope (slopes are, you must remember, here as steep as
house-roofs, the last spurs of true mountains) is covered with a grass like ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

Following Hard after God
... which may follow. We pursue God because, and only because, He has first
put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit. "No man ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/i following hard after god.htm

And Disputes
... a fine end at the last. His own bishop, who had met him, had clapped spurs
to his horse and bolted. It may be suspected that this ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter vii name disputes.htm

Book Six Turmoil in the Twenties. ...
... his personal problems. Ambition spurs and Alypius and Nebridius join him
in a confused quest for the happy life. Augustine becomes ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book six turmoil in the.htm

The Christian's Fellow Man
... condition. It is this state of affairs which often spurs men on to accumulate
wealth by the oppression of their fellow men. Many ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study iv the christians fellow.htm

The Test of Courage
... That afternoon Paul was going out riding. He could not find his spurs. "Take
mine," said Stanislaus, pleasantly, as if nothing had happened. ...
/.../chapter vii the test of.htm

The Adventures of Saint David of Wales.
... the richness of his scarf, the splendour of his shield and breastplate, or of his
whole armour, which, from his lofty helm to his knightly spurs, shone with ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter ten the adventures of.htm

From Sinai to Kadesh.
... All the evidence both of the scripture and of the discoveries of archaeologists
seem to point to one of the southwestern spurs of Mt. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vi from sinai to.htm

The Transfiguration of Christ
... One of the spurs of Herman must therefore be the alternative and more probable scene
of the Transfiguration; the seclusion of this district of mountain, valley ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the transfiguration of christ.htm

The Schoolboy of Madaura
... horizon. Upon the clear background of the sky, shew, distinctly, lateral
spurs and a cone like to the mystic representation of Tanit. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/v the schoolboy of madaura.htm

Spurs (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Spurs (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 9:11 Therefore the
LORD doth set upon high the adversaries of Rezin against ...
/s/spurs.htm - 6k

Spur (3 Occurrences)
... Modern spurs have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs were the badge
of knighthood. ... 20. (vt) To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot. 21. ...
/s/spur.htm - 9k

Spurred (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Spur. 2. (a.) Wearing spurs; furnished with a spur or spurs; having
shoots like spurs. 3. (a.) Affected with spur, or ergot; as, spurred rye. ...
/s/spurred.htm - 7k

Olives (30 Occurrences)
... the Olivet of ecclesiastical tradition. This mass consists of two principal
summits and two subsidiary spurs. The northern of the ...
/o/olives.htm - 37k

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)
... the Olivet of ecclesiastical tradition. This mass consists of two principal
summits and two subsidiary spurs. The northern of the ...
/m/malchiel.htm - 74k

Spy (27 Occurrences)

/s/spy.htm - 16k

Unarmed (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Not armed or armored; having no arms or weapons. 2. (a.) Having no hard
and sharp projections, as spines, prickles, spurs, claws, etc. ...
/u/unarmed.htm - 7k

Graecia
... Tymphrestus (now, Velouchi, 7,610 ft.) in Aetolia, at which point spurs
radiate through Central Greece. The highest peaks are Mt. ...
/g/graecia.htm - 21k

Riblah (12 Occurrences)
... and that, as the designation of a district, can only mean Merj `Ayun, so that we
should seek it in the neighborhood of Hermon, one of whose spurs Furrer found ...
/r/riblah.htm - 14k

Moreh (3 Occurrences)
... Moreh, the Hill of. Probably identical with "little Hermon," the modern Jebel
ed-Duhy, or perhaps one of the lower spurs of this mountain. ...
/m/moreh.htm - 11k

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