bows
The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase (Genesis 21:20; 27:3; 48:22).
FAMOUS BOWMEN—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).
BENDING—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.
METAL—Bows of steel (correctly “copper”) are mentioned (2 Samuel 22:35; Psalm 18:34).
ARROWS were carried in a quiver (Genesis 27:3; Isaiah 22:6; 49:2; Psalm 127:5).
FIERY ARROWS—They were apparently sometimes shot with some burning material attached to them (Psalm 120:4).
SYMBOLISM—The bow is a symbol of victory (Psalm 7:12). It denotes also falsehood, deceit (Psalm 64:3-4; Hos. 7:16; Jeremiah 9:3).
“the song of the bow”
and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow… —2 Samuel 1:18 NASB
“The use of the bow” in the King James Version of 2 Samuel 1:18 ought to be “the song of the bow,” as in the Revised King James Version.
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