Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "blade" often refers to the cutting edge of a weapon or tool, such as a sword, knife, or sickle. The blade is a symbol of power, judgment, and sometimes divine intervention. It is frequently mentioned in the context of warfare, sacrifice, and agricultural practices.
Sword BladesThe sword is one of the most prominent weapons mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing both physical and spiritual warfare. In the Old Testament, the sword is often associated with God's judgment and the execution of His will. For instance, in
Genesis 3:24 , after Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, God placed cherubim and a "flaming sword that turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life." This imagery underscores the sword's role as a divine instrument of protection and judgment.
In the New Testament, the sword takes on a more metaphorical meaning.
Ephesians 6:17 describes the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," highlighting the power of Scripture in spiritual battles. The blade of the sword, therefore, represents the penetrating and discerning nature of God's Word.
Agricultural BladesBlades are also significant in the context of agriculture, particularly in the form of sickles used for harvesting. The sickle is a symbol of reaping and judgment. In
Joel 3:13 , the prophet declares, "Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full; the vats overflow, because their wickedness is great." This passage uses the imagery of a sickle to convey the impending judgment and the gathering of nations for divine retribution.
Symbolism and ImageryThe blade, whether of a sword or a sickle, often carries a dual symbolism of destruction and purification. In
Hebrews 4:12 , the Word of God is described as "sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This passage emphasizes the blade's ability to penetrate deeply, symbolizing the thorough and discerning nature of divine truth.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, blades were crafted from materials such as bronze and iron, reflecting the technological advancements of the time. The quality and craftsmanship of a blade were crucial for its effectiveness in battle and agriculture. The Israelites, like their neighboring cultures, would have relied on skilled artisans to produce these essential tools and weapons.
ConclusionThroughout the Bible, the blade serves as a powerful symbol of God's authority, judgment, and the transformative power of His Word. Whether in the form of a sword or a sickle, the blade represents both the destructive and redemptive aspects of divine intervention in the world.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Applied to the glittering point of a spear (
Job 39:23) or sword (
Nahum 3:3), the blade of a dagger (
Judges 3:22); the "shoulder blade" (
Job 31:22); the "blade" of cereals (
Matthew 13:26).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Properly, the leaf, or flat part of the leaf, of any plant, especially of gramineous plants. The term is sometimes applied to the spire of grasses.
2. (n.) The cutting part of an instrument; as, the blade of a knife or a sword.
3. (n.) The broad part of an oar; also, one of the projecting arms of a screw propeller.
4. (n.) The scapula or shoulder blade.
5. (n.) The principal rafters of a roof.
6. (n.) The four large shell plates on the sides, and the five large ones of the middle, of the carapace of the sea turtle, which yield the best tortoise shell.
7. (n.) A sharp-witted, dashing, wild, or reckless, fellow; -- a word of somewhat indefinite meaning.
8. (v. t.) To furnish with a blade.
9. (v. i.) To put forth or have a blade.
Greek
4079. pedalion -- a rudder... Word Origin from pedon (the
blade of an oar) Definition a rudder NASB Word
Usage rudder (1), rudders (1). rudder. Neuter of a (presumed
...5528. chortos -- a feeding place, food, grass
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a feeding place, food, grass NASB Word
Usageblade (1), grass (12), hay (1), wheat (1). grass, hay....
1366. distomos -- double-mouthed, two-edged
... 1366 -- properly, two-mouthed (having two edges), like a "two-edged" sword with
both sides of theblade sharpened to an edge; (figuratively) what penetrates at...
Strong's Hebrew
3851. lahab -- flame,blade... 3850b, 3851. lahab. 3852 . flame,
blade. Transliteration: lahab Phonetic Spelling:
(lah'-hab) Short Definition: flame.
...blade, bright, flame, glittering.
...7929. shikmah -- shoulderblade
... shikmah. 7930 . shoulderblade. Transliteration: shikmah Phonetic Spelling:
(shik-maw') Short Definition:blade. Word Origin fem. of shekem, qv. shoulderblade...
3852. lehabah -- flame,blade
... lehabah or lahebeth. 3853 . flame,blade. Transliteration: lehabah or lahebeth
Phonetic Spelling: (leh-aw-baw') Short Definition: flame. Word Origin fem....
3802. katheph -- shoulder, shoulderblade, side
... 3801, 3802. katheph. 3803 . shoulder, shoulderblade, side. Transliteration:
katheph Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-thafe') Short Definition: side....
4037. magzerah -- a cutting instrument, axe
... Word Origin from gazar Definition a cutting instrument, axe NASB Word Usage axes
(1).blade, axe. From gazar; a cutting implement, ie Ablade -- axe....
Library
Now God Differs from God in no Respect for There Cannot Lie Divine...
... of abstract, but not when it is a question of concrete things, as, for example,
if I say of one and the same thing, "one sword, one brand, oneblade." [16] It...
The Patience of Faith
... is gradual and evolutionary: the seed is sown and slowly comes to fruitage; the
leaven silently penetrates the lump; the grain grows, first theblade, then the...
The Seed Growing Secretly
... The earth beareth fruit of herself; first theblade, then the ear, then the full
corn in the ear.... Theblade and the ear in turn are innovations....
The Circumcision of Jesus
... The cover was removed from the stone to disclose the three boxes with healing ointments
and lotions. The handle and theblade of the knife were both of stone....
The Trinity is one God
... of abstract, but not when it is a question of concrete things, as, for example,
if I say of one and the same thing, "one sword, one brand, oneblade." [14] It...
Letter i. To Innocent.
... But though the headsman summoned all his strength into his bared arm, the moment
it touched her flesh the fatalblade stopped short, and, lightly glancing over...
The Paradoxes of Christianity
... Ablade of grass is called after theblade of a sword, because it comes to a point;
but it doesn't. Everywhere in things there is this element of the quiet and...
Growth
... magnificent. In this world only the cornless ear is seen; sometimes only the small
yet still propheticblade.... judged. Ablade is a small thing....
The Work of God in Our Work.
... Sanctification is the kernel from which theblade and full ear of good works shall
spring; but this does not identify the kernel with theblade....
Matt. xiii. 24-30.
... wheat, and went his way. But when theblade was sprung up, and brought
forth fruit, then appeared the tares. So the servants of...
Thesaurus
Blade (23 Occurrences)... Applied to the glittering point of a spear (Job 39:23) or sword (Nahum 3:3), the
blade of a dagger (Judges 3:22); the "shoulder
blade" (Job 31:22); the "
blade...Shoulder-blade (1 Occurrence)
Shoulder-blade. Shoulderblade, Shoulder-blade. Shoulderpiece . Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHOULDER-BLADE. shol'der...
Guiding-blade (1 Occurrence)
Guiding-blade. Guiding, Guiding-blade. Guiding-blades .
Multi-Version Concordance Guiding-blade (1 Occurrence). James...
Curved (10 Occurrences)
... 14:14 And I saw a white cloud, and on the cloud I saw one seated, like a son of
man, having on his head a crown of gold, and in his hand a sharp curvedblade....
Axe (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A tool or instrument of steel, or of iron with a steel edge orblade, for
felling trees, chopping and splitting wood, hewing timber, etc....
Shoulderblade
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHOULDER-BLADE. shol'der-blad (shikhmah):
"Then let my shoulder (kathephi) fall from the shoulder...
Grain (413 Occurrences)
... 24. (n.) Ablade of a sword, knife, etc. 25.... (BBE). Matthew 13:26 But when theblade
shoots up and the grain is formed, then appears the darnel also....
Using (88 Occurrences)
... James 3:4 And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds,
are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is...
Armor (53 Occurrences)
... (1) The chanith had a wooden staff or shaft of varying size and length with a head,
orblade, of bronze, or... Theblade was of iron (1 Samuel 13:19 Joel 3:10)....
Arms (166 Occurrences)
... (1) The chanith had a wooden staff or shaft of varying size and length with a head,
orblade, of bronze, or... Theblade was of iron (1 Samuel 13:19 Joel 3:10)....
Resources
Doubting God - how can I overcome doubt in my relationship with God? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jesus have a tattoo (Revelation 19:16)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Aaronic Blessing? | GotQuestions.orgBlade: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
