Bible Dictionaries
Bow
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase (Genesis 21:20; 27:3; 48:22 ). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow (1 Chronicles 8:40; 12:2; 2 Chronicles 14:8; 17:17 ); so also were the Elamites (Isaiah 22:6 ) and the Lydians (Jeremiah 46:9 ). The Hebrew word commonly used for bow means properly to tread (1 Chronicles 5:18; 8:40 ), and hence it is concluded that the foot was employed in bending the bow. Bows of steel (correctly "copper") are mentioned (2 Samuel 22:35; Psalm 18:34 ). The arrows were carried in a quiver (Genesis 27:3; Isaiah 22:6; 49:2; Psalm 127:5 ). They were apparently sometimes shot with some burning material attached to them (Psalm 120:4 ).
The bow is a symbol of victory (Psalm 7:12 ). It denotes also falsehood, deceit (Psalm 64:3,4; Hosea 7:16; Jeremiah 9:3 ).
"The use of the bow" in 2 Samuel 1:18 (A.V.) ought to be "the song of the bow," as in the Revised Version.
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
Bibliography Information
Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Bow'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/b/bow.html. 1897.