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Spear

The spear was a common weapon in biblical times, used in warfare and hunting, and serves as a symbol of human strength and God's sovereignty over all instruments of violence.

Overview

Spears appear throughout Scripture as weapons of war and tools for hunting. They were implements of iron and bronze, requiring skilled craftsmen to produce (1 Samuel 13:19). The spear symbolizes both human military power and God's authority over all earthly weapons and conflicts.

Key Scriptures

"And he lifted up his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and won a name beside the three mighty men" (2 Samuel 23:18, ESV). "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:4, ESV). "Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate" (2 Samuel 18:14, ESV).

Application

Believers can trust that God's plans transcend human weapons and military might, ultimately establishing His kingdom of peace.

Scripture References 40

1 Samuel 13:19 2 Samuel 23:8 2 Samuel 23:18 Job 39:23 Habakkuk 3:11 Isaiah 2:4 Micah 4:3 2 Samuel 18:14 Job 41:26 Job 41:29 Joshua 8:18 1 Samuel 18:11 1 Samuel 19:10 Nehemiah 4:13 Nehemiah 4:16 Nahum 3:3 Jeremiah 46:4 Judges 5:8 1 Samuel 13:22 Psalms 57:4 Numbers 25:7 1 Samuel 18:10 Jeremiah 50:42 Isaiah 2:4 Micah 4:3 Numbers 25:7 2 Samuel 2:23 Zechariah 12:10 John 19:34 John 20:27 Revelation 1:7 2 Samuel 2:23 2 Chronicles 11:12 2 Chronicles 32:5 Joel 3:10 Joel 3:10 2 Chronicles 23:9 1 Samuel 26:7 1 Samuel 26:8 1 Samuel 26:9

Full Topical Reference List 47 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Acquainted with the making of

An offensive weapon

2 Samuel 23:8 2 Samuel 23:18

Called the glittering spear

Habakkuk 3:11 Job 39:23

Changed into pruning hooks

Isaiah 2:4 Micah 4:3

Darts

2 Samuel 18:14 Job 41:26 Job 41:29

First mention of, in Scripture

Joshua 8:18

Frequently thrown from the hand

1 Samuel 18:11 1 Samuel 19:10

Frequently used

Nehemiah 4:13 Nehemiah 4:16

Frequently used by horse soldiers

Nahum 3:3

Furbished before war

Jeremiah 46:4

Ill provided with, in the times of Deborah and Saul

1 Samuel 13:22 Judges 5:8

Illustrative of the bitterness of the wicked

Psalms 57:4

Javelins

1 Samuel 18:10 Numbers 25:7

Lances

Made into pruning-hooks in peace

Isaiah 2:4 Micah 4:3

Often retained in the hand of the person using

2 Samuel 2:23 Numbers 25:7

Plunged into Jesus' side

John 19:34 John 20:27 Revelation 1:7 Zechariah 12:10

Probably pointed at both ends

2 Samuel 2:23

Provided by the kings of Israel in great abundance

2 Chronicles 11:12 2 Chronicles 32:5

Pruning hooks beat into

Joel 3:10

Pruning-hooks made into, before war

Joel 3:10

Stored in the tabernacle

2 Chronicles 23:9

Stuck in the ground beside the bolster during sleep

1 Samuel 26:7 1 Samuel 26:8 1 Samuel 26:9 1 Samuel 26:10 1 Samuel 26:11

The head of iron or brass

1 Samuel 17:7 2 Samuel 21:16

The staff of wood

1 Samuel 17:7

Those who used, called spearmen

Acts 23:23 Psalms 68:30

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