Topical Bible: The Sword: Frequently had Two Edges

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In biblical times, the sword was a common weapon of warfare and a symbol of power and authority. The two-edged sword, in particular, is frequently mentioned in Scripture, signifying its effectiveness and the completeness of its cutting power. The imagery of a two-edged sword is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Bible, illustrating various spiritual truths and divine judgments.

Literal Use of the Two-Edged Sword

The two-edged sword was a practical weapon in ancient warfare, designed to cut in both directions, making it a formidable tool in battle. This type of sword is referenced in several passages, highlighting its physical attributes and its role in the military context of the biblical era. For instance, in Judges 3:16, Ehud, the judge of Israel, crafted a double-edged sword to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Moabites: "Now Ehud had made himself a double-edged sword, a cubit long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his cloak" .

Metaphorical Use of the Two-Edged Sword

The two-edged sword is also employed metaphorically in Scripture to convey the penetrating and discerning power of God's word and judgment. In Hebrews 4:12, the Word of God is described as sharper than any two-edged sword, emphasizing its ability to pierce the human heart and discern thoughts and intentions: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart" .

This metaphor extends to the depiction of divine judgment and authority. In Revelation 1:16, the apostle John describes a vision of the glorified Christ, noting that "out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword" . This imagery signifies the power and authority of Christ's words to execute judgment and bring about justice.

Symbol of Divine Authority and Judgment

The two-edged sword serves as a symbol of divine authority and judgment throughout the Bible. It represents the comprehensive and decisive nature of God's justice, which spares neither the righteous nor the wicked without due cause. In Psalm 149:6-7, the psalmist calls upon the faithful to wield the praises of God and a two-edged sword in their hands, signifying the execution of divine vengeance and punishment upon the nations: "May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples" .

Spiritual Warfare and the Believer's Armor

In the context of spiritual warfare, the two-edged sword is part of the believer's armor, representing the Word of God as a weapon against spiritual adversaries. Ephesians 6:17 instructs believers to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" , highlighting the necessity of Scripture in defending against the schemes of the devil and standing firm in faith.

The two-edged sword, therefore, is a multifaceted symbol in the Bible, representing both the literal weapon used in ancient combat and the powerful, discerning, and authoritative nature of God's word and judgment. Its frequent mention underscores the importance of understanding both the physical and spiritual dimensions of this potent biblical symbol.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 149:6
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Homily on Habib the Martyr, Composed by Mar Jacob.
... With the fumes of sacrifice had the air been ... It answers more frequently to strenuus =
courageous, heroic."--Tr. ... given by the Assyrians to some kind of sword. ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents homily on.htm

Letter i. To Innocent.
... 1. You have frequently asked me, dearest Innocent, not to ... defeated skill and at his
drooping sword, he whirled ... enraged and panting officer, who had thrown open ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter i to innocent.htm

Is God in the Camp?
... field is a mistake which nowadays is frequently imitated ... was nothing there but
grave-clothes after he had gone; and ... The gospel then becomes a sword with two edges ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/is god in the camp.htm

Treatise iii. On the Lapsed.
... damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in ... works, whereby sins may be
purged; frequently apply yourself ... dreaded by its possessors as a sword and as ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise iii on the lapsed.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... with death, but with death by the sword: and when ... No doubt polygamy and frequently
divorce exercised here as ... from foreign races; prisoners who had been wounded ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

Conversion
... so many foemen; that his swift and cruel sword reached the ... had been ten years on
her bed, and had not been ... a canon of a cathedral, who frequently preaches the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/conversion.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the lance, and a large and heavy sword of bronze ... care it was at this time consigned,
had earned universal ... were enclosed in the Ark is frequently expressed in ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... seemed good to him, and frequently entered into ... provocation, and then "his flaming
sword scatters pestilence ... away from the arms of Shamash, had vindicated, as ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... boldly thrusting them through with his short sword. ... a musician or singing-girl, was
frequently narrated by ... the monarchy, and various suffetes had followed one ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Memphite Empire
... adorned with precious stones, and a sword of inestimable ... should not be confounded,
as is frequently done, with ... and the two kings his predecessors had known this ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm