Topical Bible: Spear: The Israelites: Acquainted With the Making of

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Topical Encyclopedia

The spear, a weapon consisting of a long shaft with a pointed end, was a common implement in ancient warfare and hunting. Among the Israelites, the spear was not only a tool of war but also a symbol of authority and power. The making and use of spears are mentioned throughout the Old Testament, indicating the Israelites' familiarity and skill with this weapon.

Biblical References and Context

The spear is frequently mentioned in the context of Israelite warfare. In 1 Samuel 17:7, the description of Goliath's spear highlights its formidable size and craftsmanship: "The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels." This passage underscores the significance of the spear in battle, as well as the technical expertise required to produce such a weapon.

The Israelites' acquaintance with spear-making is further evidenced in 2 Samuel 21:19, where Elhanan, the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite, is noted for striking down Goliath's brother, Lahmi, whose spear was "like a weaver’s beam." This suggests that the Israelites not only used spears but also encountered and overcame formidable opponents wielding them.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The spear was a versatile weapon, used both for thrusting in close combat and for throwing at a distance. Its construction typically involved a wooden shaft, often made from a durable wood like oak or ash, and a metal tip, usually iron or bronze. The Israelites, like many ancient cultures, would have developed skills in metallurgy and woodworking to produce effective spears.

In addition to its practical use in warfare, the spear held symbolic meaning. It was often associated with leadership and authority. For instance, in 1 Samuel 18:10-11, King Saul's spear is a symbol of his royal power, which he attempts to use against David: "The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David was playing the harp as usual. Saul had a spear in his hand, and he hurled it, thinking, 'I will pin David to the wall.' But David eluded him twice."

Theological Implications

The spear, as a weapon of war, also serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles faced by the Israelites. In Ephesians 6:16-17, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of a soldier's armor, including the "shield of faith" and the "sword of the Spirit," to describe the spiritual defenses available to believers. While the spear is not explicitly mentioned, the broader context of spiritual warfare resonates with the historical use of spears in physical battles.

Conclusion

The Israelites' acquaintance with the making of spears reflects their engagement in the practical and spiritual struggles of their time. Through the biblical narrative, the spear emerges as a symbol of both human conflict and divine protection, illustrating the complex interplay between physical and spiritual realities in the life of God's people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 13:19
Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Northern Iron and the Steel
... who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief ... Iron in the olden times amongst
the Israelites was very ... a man "plucks success even from the spear-proof crest ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the northern iron and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... was Hiram," and that here he became acquainted with Shuah ... the cities of the plain,
for the Israelites could not ... his captors, but while they were making merry at ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... even as bulky Goliath, when he shook against the Israelites that ponderous spear
we read of ... Who is acquainted with its very essence, whether it is material ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... before God in his high priest's robes, making continual intercession ... the children
of Israel that are Israelites indeed; for ... of the nails, of the spear; and how ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

The Doctrine
... called forth the mighty energies of Bunyan's mind, unless we are acquainted with
the ... The like we find in Moses and the Israelites, who durst not leave the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... a travelling tinker, probably a gipsy, 'the meanest and most despised rank in the
land'; when, alarmed at his sins, recollection that the Israelites were once ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... 18. After I had been thus for some considerable time, another thought came in
my mind; and that was, whether we were of the Israelites or no? ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm