Topical Bible: The Sword was Thrust Through Enemies

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Topical Encyclopedia

The imagery of the sword being thrust through enemies is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing divine judgment, warfare, and the execution of justice. This motif is often associated with God's deliverance of His people and the establishment of His righteousness.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the sword is frequently depicted as an instrument of God's judgment against the wicked and the enemies of Israel. One of the most vivid examples is found in the conquest narratives, where the Israelites, under divine command, wield the sword against the inhabitants of Canaan. In Joshua 10:28, the text states, "That day Joshua captured Makkedah and put the city and its king to the sword, devoting to destruction everyone in it. He left no survivors." This act of warfare was seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham.

The sword also serves as a metaphor for divine retribution. In Deuteronomy 32:41-42, God declares, "When I sharpen My flashing sword and My hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me. I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh—the blood of the slain and the captives, the heads of the enemy leaders." Here, the sword represents God's active role in executing justice against those who oppose Him.

Prophetic Literature

The prophets often used the imagery of the sword to convey messages of impending judgment. In Ezekiel 21:9-10, the prophet is instructed to prophesy: "A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished—sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning!" This passage underscores the certainty and swiftness of God's judgment upon the nations and Israel for their disobedience.

Isaiah also employs this imagery in his prophecies against the nations. In Isaiah 34:5-6, the Lord's sword is described as being "bathed in heaven" and descending in judgment upon Edom: "The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood, it is covered with fat—the blood of lambs and goats, fat from the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom."

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the sword continues to symbolize divine authority and judgment, but it also takes on a spiritual dimension. In Ephesians 6:17, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Here, the sword represents the power of God's Word to convict, correct, and guide believers in spiritual warfare.

The book of Revelation vividly portrays the sword as an instrument of Christ's judgment at His second coming. Revelation 19:15 describes the glorified Christ: "From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter." This imagery emphasizes the authority of Christ's word and His ultimate victory over evil.

Theological Significance

The recurring theme of the sword being thrust through enemies highlights the biblical understanding of God's sovereignty and justice. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine judgment. For the faithful, it is a source of hope, assuring them of God's protection and the eventual triumph of righteousness. The sword, both literal and metaphorical, underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the believer's call to stand firm in the truth of God's Word.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 16:40
They shall also bring up a company against you, and they shall stone you with stones, and thrust you through with their swords.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Crushed Snake
... help and strengthen you, do not think so lightly of the enemies that are ... Archangel
with his foot on the dragon's neck, and his sword thrust through its scaly ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/a crushed snake.htm

The Massacre
... with stern faces they turned to bay, and, cleaving themselves a lane through the
living ... Now and then, if chance offered, he would thrust the sword into its ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the massacre.htm

Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren.
... entirely, doing just the same thing as if one, after whetting his sword, were not
to use the weapon against his enemies, but to thrust it through his own throat ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/against publishing the errors of.htm

Sebastian Castellio: a Forgotten Prophet
... The only enemies of our faith, he says, are vices, and vices can be conquered
only by virtues. ... 'You take that'"a sword-thrust through the body. ...
/.../chapter vi sebastian castellio a.htm

The Career of the Antichrist
... and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go
down ... But his enemies will suddenly be filled with consternation and then ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the career of the antichrist.htm

The Adventures of Saint Patrick of Ireland.
... eyes, and, as to getting a fair thrust at his ... gate; when entering, they wandered
amazed through the spacious ... served the Giant as spears; his sword even Saint ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter nine the adventures of.htm

Matt. xv. 1
... For the madman, when he has taken the sword, and thrust it through himself, is both
delivered from his madness, and hath no second blow to receive; but ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily li matt xv 1.htm

Of the Things Pertaining to Christ and the Church, Said Either ...
... account of those of slower understanding, thrust upon the ... it is corporeal; and what
His sword, arrows, and ... Whence our King Himself says through the prophecy of ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of the things pertaining.htm

How Titus Marched to Jerusalem, and How He was in Danger as He was ...
... he diverted those perpetually with his sword that came ... not take care enough of
themselves through the vehemency ... marched down the hill, and thrust them forward ...
/.../chapter 2 how titus marched.htm

Non-Resistants.
... at law for redress of injuries, or thrust any evil ... the sword, are destined to perish
with the sword. ... and of ABOLITION in our land, through the instrumentality ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/non-resistants.htm