Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "dart" is often used to describe a small, pointed weapon, similar to a spear or arrow, that could be thrown by hand. The dart is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, symbolizing both physical and spiritual threats.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, darts are typically associated with warfare and the armaments of ancient soldiers. For example, in
2 Samuel 18:14, Joab uses three darts to kill Absalom: "Joab said, 'I will not wait like this for you.' So he took three darts in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the oak tree." Here, the dart is a literal weapon used in battle, demonstrating its role in the military tactics of the time.
New Testament SymbolismIn the New Testament, the concept of a dart takes on a more symbolic meaning, particularly in the context of spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6:16 speaks of the "fiery darts of the evil one": "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one." In this passage, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of a dart to describe the spiritual attacks and temptations that believers may face from Satan. The "fiery darts" represent the various forms of spiritual assault, such as doubt, fear, and temptation, that can threaten a Christian's faith.
Spiritual Warfare and ProtectionThe Bible emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparedness and protection against these metaphorical darts. The "shield of faith" mentioned in
Ephesians 6:16 is part of the "armor of God," a set of spiritual tools that believers are encouraged to "put on" to stand firm against evil. This imagery underscores the necessity of faith as a defense mechanism, capable of extinguishing the harmful effects of these spiritual attacks.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, darts were a common part of a soldier's arsenal, often used in conjunction with other weapons like swords and shields. They were typically made of wood with a pointed metal or stone tip. The use of darts in warfare required skill and precision, as they were effective at short to medium range. This historical context enriches the metaphorical use of darts in the New Testament, as it draws on the familiar imagery of battle to convey spiritual truths.
ConclusionWhile the literal use of darts in the Bible is limited to a few specific instances, their symbolic representation in the New Testament provides a powerful illustration of the spiritual challenges faced by believers. The imagery of fiery darts serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle and the need for faith and divine protection.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An instrument of war; a light spear. "Fiery darts" (
Ephesians 6:16) are so called in allusion to the habit of discharging darts from the bow while they are on fire or armed with some combustible material. Arrows are compared to lightning (
Deuteronomy 32:23, 42;
Psalm 7:13;
120:4).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A pointed missile weapon, intended to be thrown by the hand; a short lance; a javelin; hence, any sharp-pointed missile weapon, as an arrow.
2. (n.) Anything resembling a dart; anything that pierces or wounds like a dart.
3. (n.) A spear set as a prize in running.
4. (n.) A fish; the dace. See Dace.
5. (v. t.) To throw with a sudden effort or thrust, as a dart or other missile weapon; to hurl or launch.
6. (v. t.) To throw suddenly or rapidly; to send forth; to emit; to shoot; as, the sun darts forth his beams.
7. (v. i.) To fly or pass swiftly, as a dart.
8. (v. i.) To start and run with velocity; to shoot rapidly along; as, the deer darted from the thicket.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DARTdart (chets; belos): A pointed missile weapon, as an arrow or light spear (2 Samuel 18:14Job 41:26). SeeARMOR;ARMS, III, 4; ARROW. Figurative:
(1) Of the penalty of sin (Proverbs 7:23 the King James Version);
(2) of strong suggestions and fierce temptations to evil (Ephesians 6:16; compare 1 Maccabees 5:51).
Greek
1002. bolis -- adart, javelin.... a
dart, javelin. Transliteration: bolis Phonetic Spelling: (bol-ece') Short Definition:
dart. Word Origin from ballo Definition a
dart, javelin.
dart.
...956. belos -- a needle
... a needle. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: belos Phonetic Spelling:
(bel'-os) Short Definition: a missile,dart, javelin Definition: a missile,dart...
4517. rhonnumi -- to strengthen, be strong
... farewell. Prolongation from rhoomai (todart; probably akin to rhoumai); to strengthen,
ie (impersonal passive) have health (as a parting exclamation, good-bye...
Strong's Hebrew
4551b. massa -- a missile,dart... a missile,
dart. Transliteration: massa Short Definition:
dart. Word Origin from
an unused word Definition a missile,
dart NASB Word Usage
dart (1).
...3591. kidon -- adart, javelin
... 3590, 3591. kidon. 3592 . adart, javelin. Transliteration: kidon Phonetic
Spelling: (kee-dohn') Short Definition: javelin. Word...
4968. Methushelach -- perhaps "man of thedart," a descendant of...
... perhaps "man of thedart," a descendant of Seth. Transliteration: Methushelach Phonetic
Spelling: (meth-oo-sheh'-lakh) Short Definition: Methuselah....
1675. daah -- to fly swiftly,dart through the air
... daah. 1676 . to fly swiftly,dart through the air. Transliteration: daah Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-aw') Short Definition: swiftly. Word Origin a prim....
5860b. it -- todart greedily
... todart greedily. Transliteration: it Short Definition: rushed. Word Origin
denominative verb from ayit Definition todart greedily NASB Word Usage rushed (...
2907. tus -- to rush,dart
... tus. 2908 . to rush,dart. Transliteration: tus Phonetic Spelling: (toos) Short
Definition: swoops.... root Definition to rush,dart NASB Word Usage swoops (1)....
7973. shelach -- a missile, weapon, sprout
... weapons (1).dart, plant, put off, sword, weapon. From shalach; a missile
of attack, ie Spear; also (figuratively) a shoot of growth...
7626. shebet -- rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe
... correction,dart, rod, scepter, staff, tribe. From an unused root probably
meaning to branch off; a scion, ie (literally) a stick...
4551. macca' -- a quarry or quarrying
... 4550, 4551. macca'. 4551a . a quarry or quarrying. Transliteration: macca'
Phonetic Spelling: (mas-saw') Short Definition: brought. before it was brought,...
2671. chets -- arrow
... arrow (14), arrows (36), shaft (1), wound (1). archer, arrow,dart, shaft,
staff, wound. From chatsats; properly, a piercer, ie An...
Library
Creatures that are Able toDart their Thoughts into all Spaces Can...
... THE FIFTH CENTURY 3 Creatures that are able todart their thoughts into
all spaces can brook no limit or restraint. Creatures that...
An Instance Showing How King Hezekiah was Overthrown by theDart...
... Prolegomena. Chapter X. An instance showing how King Hezekiah was overthrown
by thedart of vainglory. For so we read that Hezekiah...
Concerning the Tyrants Simon and John. How Also as Titus was Going...
... How Also As Titus Was Going Round The Wall Of This City Nicanor Was Wounded By
ADart; Which Accident Provoked Titus To Press On The Siege....
Treats of How God Inspires the Soul with Such Vehement and...
... 1. Favours increase the soul's desire for God.2. Thedart of love.3. Spiritual
sufferings produced.4. Its physical effects.... Effects of thedart of love.11....
But, if it Does not Weary You, Let the Point Out as Briefly as...
... Judas came to Jesus and said unto Him, Hail, Master, and kissed Him." Thus through
the soft blandishment of a kiss he implanted the execrabledart of betrayal....
How one of the Towers Erected by the Romans Fell Down of Its Own...
... of their men of the greatest courage; one of them he struck in his mouth as he was
coming to meet him, the other was slain by him by that verydart which he...
Dilemma and Deliverance
... First, I shall note a certain fierydart of Satan; secondly, I shall point out to
you heaven's divine buckler, as hinted at in the text""Thou, Lord, hast not...
The Shield of Faith
... There are plenty of other desires in us: wishes, cowardices, weaknesses of all sorts,
that, once touched with the devil'sdart, will burn fiercely enough....
On the Saying of the Saviour, "All that came Before Me were...
... Now their assertion is reduced to absurdity, if they shall say that the cause of
the wound is not thedart, but the shield, which did not prevent thedart from...
Of Faith.
... A fierydart of desire of base indulgence is often cast forth from the devil: but
faith, suggesting a picture of the judgment, cools down the mind, and...
Thesaurus
Dart (9 Occurrences)... arrow. 2. (n.) Anything resembling a
dart; anything that pierces or wounds like
a
dart. 3
... beams. 7. (vi) To fly or pass swiftly, as a
dart. 8
...Dart-snake (1 Occurrence)
Dart-snake. Dartsnake,Dart-snake. Dash . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DART-SNAKE.dart'-snake (Isaiah 34:15). See ARROWSNAKE....
Dartsnake
Dartsnake. Darts, Dartsnake.Dart-snake . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DART-SNAKE.dart'-snake (Isaiah 34:15). See ARROWSNAKE....
Serpent (40 Occurrences)
... With the exception of qippoz, "dart-snake" (Isaiah 34:15) which is probably the
name of a bird and not of a snake, every one of the Hebrew and Greek names...
Glance (5 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To strike and fly off in an oblique direction; todart aside.... (vt) To shoot
ordart suddenly or obliquely; to cast for a moment; as, to glance the eye....
Bolt (5 Occurrences)
... a short, stout, blunt-headed arrow; a quarrel; an arrow, or that which resembles
an arrow; adart. 2. (n.) Lightning; a thunderbolt....
Darnel (9 Occurrences)
Darting (4 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) ofDart.... Proverbs 7:23 Till adart strike through his liver; as a bird
hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. (See NIV)....
Dash (30 Occurrences)
Resources
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