Topical Bible: Spear: Parts of Mentioned: The Staff of Wood

◄ Spear: Parts of Mentioned: The Staff of Wood ►

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The spear, a weapon commonly referenced in the Bible, is often depicted as a symbol of warfare, authority, and divine intervention. The spear typically consists of two main parts: the metal head and the staff of wood. The staff, or shaft, is the long wooden part of the spear, providing the necessary leverage and reach for its use in battle.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Samuel 17:7 · In the account of David and Goliath, the spear of Goliath is described in detail, emphasizing its formidable size and construction. "The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. In addition, his shield bearer went before him." This description highlights the massive and intimidating nature of Goliath's weapon, with the staff being likened to a weaver's beam, indicating its substantial size and strength.

2. 2 Samuel 21:19 · The staff of the spear is again mentioned in the context of battle. "Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam." This passage reiterates the formidable nature of the spear's staff, underscoring its importance in the weapon's overall effectiveness.

3. 1 Chronicles 11:23 · The staff of the spear is noted in the exploits of Benaiah, one of David's mighty men. "And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear." Here, the staff of the spear is again compared to a weaver's beam, emphasizing its robustness and the skill required to wield it effectively.

Symbolism and Significance:

The staff of wood in a spear is not merely a functional component but also carries symbolic weight. In biblical narratives, the spear often represents power and authority. The staff, being the part that is held and directed by the warrior, can be seen as a symbol of control and dominion. The strength and size of the staff, as described in the accounts of Goliath and the Egyptian, serve to amplify the might and prowess of the warrior who wields it.

Moreover, the spear, with its wooden staff, is sometimes used to illustrate divine intervention or judgment. In Numbers 25:7-8, Phinehas uses a spear to execute judgment on those who defied God's commandments, demonstrating zeal for the Lord's holiness. "When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw this, he left the assembly, took a spear in his hand, and followed the Israelite into the tent. He drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and into the woman’s belly. Then the plague against the Israelites was halted."

The staff of wood, therefore, is integral to the spear's function and symbolism, representing both the physical and spiritual dimensions of warfare and authority as depicted in the biblical text.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 17:7
And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter Lxix. To Oceanus.
... an imperial rescript such as I have mentioned, the decrees of ... and a fountain in the
midst of it parts into four ... His side is pierced by the spear, and blood and ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxix to oceanus.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... that, as the antichristian statists6 of Antichrist, mentioned before, do ... whole, and
sometimes as to the parts of it ... The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... of the XVIIIth dynasty; the spear, surmounted by a man's ... or less shut up in the parts
of the ... official documents in which she is mentioned, solemnly recognizes ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... with a group of upright plumes, his spear raised and ... gods go to draw the magic fluid,
is mentioned in the ... could not entirely preserve the softer parts of the ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... his mark upon it;"** he had a spear brought to ... the "Stele of the Vultures." Camels
are mentioned among the ... The names, emigrated to the western parts of Arabia ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... became an effective police force in all parts of the ... their administrative offices,
and the chief staff of the ... admit that the town of Nina, mentioned by Gudea ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... out of Zebulon they that handle the marshal's staff."And the ... into harmony with history
and other parts of Scripture ... 5:6, in which Shamgar is mentioned in the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... with spangling beams from this city, as from a sun, into the farthest parts of the ...
he shall smite thee with a rock, and shall lift up his staff against thee ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm