Topical Encyclopedia
A quiver is a container used for holding arrows, an essential accessory for an archer in biblical times. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, symbolizing both physical and metaphorical concepts. In the ancient Near East, quivers were typically made from leather or wood and were carried on the back or the side of the archer.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 27:3 · In this passage, Isaac instructs his son Esau, "Now then, take your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out into the field to hunt some game for me." Here, the quiver is mentioned as part of the equipment necessary for hunting, highlighting its practical use in daily life.
2.
Psalm 127:4-5 · The psalmist writes, "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." In this metaphorical use, the quiver represents a family full of children, emphasizing the blessing and strength that comes from having many offspring. The imagery suggests that just as arrows are a source of protection and power for a warrior, so are children for a family.
3.
Isaiah 49:2 · The prophet Isaiah speaks of God's preparation and protection, saying, "He made my mouth like a sharp sword; He hid me in the shadow of His hand. He made me like a polished arrow; He hid me in His quiver." This verse uses the quiver metaphorically to describe God's care and readiness to use His servant for His purposes, indicating a place of safety and potential.
4.
Jeremiah 5:16 · In a warning about impending judgment, Jeremiah describes the Babylonians: "Their quiver is like an open grave; they are all mighty warriors." Here, the quiver symbolizes the threat and destruction that the Babylonians bring, with the imagery of an "open grave" suggesting death and devastation.
5.
Lamentations 3:13 · The author laments, "He pierced my heart with arrows from His quiver." This expression of deep personal anguish uses the quiver to symbolize the instruments of God's discipline or judgment, reflecting the profound emotional and spiritual impact of divine correction.
Symbolism and Themes:The quiver, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a symbol of readiness, strength, and potential. It is associated with both the blessings of family and the instruments of divine judgment. The imagery of a quiver full of arrows conveys preparedness and the ability to face challenges, whether in the context of physical battle or spiritual warfare.
In a broader theological context, the quiver can be seen as a metaphor for God's provision and the resources He equips His people with to fulfill their divine purposes. Whether in the hands of a warrior or as a symbol of familial blessing, the quiver represents the potential for action and the fulfillment of God's plans.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Quivera box made for the purpose of holding arrows. (Genesis 27:3) There is nothing in the Bible to indicate either its form or material, or in what way it was carried.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The sheath for arrows. The Hebrew word (aspah) thus commonly rendered is found in
Job 39:23;
Psalm 127:5;
Isaiah 22:6;
49:2;
Jeremiah 5:16;
Lamentations 3:13. In
Genesis 27:3 this word is the rendering of the Hebrew teli, which is supposed rather to mean a suspended weapon, literally "that which hangs from one", i.e., is suspended from the shoulder or girdle.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Nimble; active.
2. (v. i.) To shake or move with slight and tremulous motion; to tremble; to quake; to shudder; to shiver.
3. (n.) The act or state of quivering; a tremor.
4. (n.) A case or sheath for arrows to be carried on the person.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
QUIVERkwiv'-er (ashpah, teli; pharetra (Sirach 26:12)): A case or sheath for carrying arrows, a part of the ordinary equipment of the warrior, both foot-soldier and charioteer (Job 39:23Isaiah 22:6), and also of the huntsman (Genesis 27:3). Figuratively of a group in passages where children (Psalm 127:5) or prophets of Yahweh (Isaiah 49:2) are spoken of as arrows. Arrows are called bene 'ashpah, "sons of the quiver" (Lamentations 3:13). By identifying the arrows with the death they produce, the quiver is likened to an open grave (Jeremiah 5:16).
Greek
5141. tremo -- to tremble (esp. with fear)... 5141 -- properly, (with dread), ie shake and
quiver from fear (J. Thayer).
Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to tremble (esp.
...Strong's Hebrew
8522. teli -- aquiver (with its arrows)... 8521, 8522. teli. 8523 . a
quiver (with its arrows). Transliteration:
teli Phonetic Spelling: (tel-ee') Short Definition:
quiver.
...827. ashpah -- aquiver (for arrows)
... 826, 827. ashpah. 828 . aquiver (for arrows). Transliteration: ashpah
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-paw') Short Definition:quiver. Word...
6750. tsalal -- to tingle,quiver
... tsalal. 6751 . to tingle,quiver. Transliteration: tsalal Phonetic Spelling:
(tsaw-lal') Short Definition: tingle. Word Origin a prim....quiver, tingle....
7264. ragaz -- to be agitated,quiver, quake, be excited...
... 7263, 7264. ragaz. 7265 . to be agitated,quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed.
Transliteration: ragaz Phonetic Spelling: (raw-gaz') Short Definition: tremble...
5128. nua -- toquiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter
... nua. 5129 . toquiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter. Transliteration: nua Phonetic
Spelling: (noo'-ah) Short Definition: wander. Word Origin a prim....
7477. raal -- toquiver, shake, reel
... 7476, 7477. raal. 7478 . toquiver, shake, reel. Transliteration: raal Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-al') Short Definition: brandished. Word Origin a prim....
3415. yara -- toquiver
... yara. 3416 . toquiver. Transliteration: yara Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rah') Short
Definition: trembles.... root Definition toquiver NASB Word Usage trembles (1)....
5130. nuph -- to move to and fro, wave, sprinkle
... A primitive root; toquiver (ie Vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in
a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing...
6426. palats -- to shudder
... tremble. A primitive root; properly, perhaps to rend, ie (by implication) toquiver --
tremble. 6425, 6426. palats. 6427 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Psalm XI.
... 2. "For, lo, sinners have bent the bow, they have prepared their arrows in thequiver,
that they may in the obscure moon shoot at the upright in heart" (ver.2...
A New Kind of King
... All were in aquiver of expectation; and knowing that, Jesus Christ originates this
scene by His act of sending the two disciples into the village over against...
The Debt of Iren??us to Justin Martyr
... But from the time of His coming the might of thequiver was captured, the land of
the Jews was given over into subjection to the Romans, and they had no longer...
A Strange Battle
... He is not the wisest of men who, facing all that life may bring and take away, all
that it must bring and take away, knows noquiver of nameless fear, but...
Letter i. To Innocent.
... bound by the hair to a stake, her whole body is fixed more firmly than ever on the
rack; fire is brought and applied to her feet; her sidesquiver beneath the...
The Massacre
... Boy as he was, he had fought like a hero. He carried a drawn sword in his
hand, and a bow andquiver were slung over his back. Now...
The Apology of Aristides as it is Preserved in the History of...
... They represent Apollo also as a jealous god, and besides as the master of the bow
andquiver, and sometimes of the lyre and flute, and as divining to men for...
The Spirit of Power
... What would Elisha have done if he had had thequiver in his hand?... Joash had
an unusedquiver full of arrows, and he only smote thrice....
Under his Shadow.
... to Isaiah 49:2:""And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of
His hand hath He kid me, and made me a polished shaft; in Hisquiver hath He...
Creation's Groans and the Saints' Sighs
... is misery on the land; and into the highest palaces as well as the poorest cottages,
death, the insatiable, is shooting his arrows, while hisquiver is still...
Thesaurus
Quiver (9 Occurrences)... person. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
QUIVER. kwiv
... Arrows are called bene
'ashpah, "sons of the
quiver" (Lamentations 3:13). By identifying
...Quivered (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofQuiver. 2. (a.) Furnished with, or carrying,
aquiver. 3. (a.) Sheathed, as in aquiver. Multi-Version Concordance...
Archery
... The arrows, "the sons of hisquiver" (Lamentations 3:13 margin, the Revised Version
(British and American) "shafts"), were ordinarily, of course, carried in...
Kir (11 Occurrences)
... 4. Soldiers of Kir in Assyrian Army: The mention of Elam as taking thequiver, and
Kir as uncovering the shield, apparently against "the valley of the vision...
Shield (65 Occurrences)
... WEB YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 39:23 Thequiver rattleth against him, the glittering
spear and the shield. (KJV WBS). Psalms 3:3 But you...
Bow (248 Occurrences)
... The arrows were carried in aquiver (Genesis 27:3; Isaiah 22:6; 49:2; Psalm
127:5). They were apparently sometimes shot with some burning material attached...
Quake (23 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To shake, vibrate, orquiver, either from not being solid, as soft, wet
land, or from violent convulsion of any kind; as, the earth quakes; the...
Quits (1 Occurrence)
Venison (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Genesis 27:3 Now therefore, please take your weapons,
yourquiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and take me venison....
Resources
Does God expect all of us to have children? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Quiverfull and Patriarchy movements? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the importance of procreation according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgQuiver: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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