Ax(axe)
Summary
A cutting implement used in ancient Israel for felling trees, woodworking, warfare, and as a symbol of divine judgment.
☩Types of Axes
Several Hebrew terms describe different axe-like implements. The garzen was used for felling trees and hewing timber for building, similar to our common hatchet. The ma'atsad was a lighter instrument or adze used for fashioning or carving wood into shape. The qardom (from which the Arabic qudum derives) was the most common name for an axe or hatchet, employed more exclusively for felling trees. Syrian peasants still carry small hatchets shaped like battle-axes bound to handles by thongs.
☩The Floating Ax-Head
The miraculous floating of an iron ax-head by Elisha is valuable as showing that ax-heads among the Hebrews were of iron, though those found in Egypt are of bronze. The Hebrew word barzel, rendered 'ax-head' in this passage, is literally 'iron.' The passage describes the head slipping from the handle while felling a tree.
☩Figurative Uses
The axe became a powerful symbol of divine judgment. John the Baptist declared 'the axe is laid at the root of the trees,' indicating imminent judgment where every unfruitful tree would be cut down. The preposition indicates the axe had already been struck into the tree preparatory to felling it, awaiting only the signal for complete vengeance. The axe also symbolizes human instruments used by God, as Isaiah asks whether the axe should boast itself against the one who wields it—rebuking Assyria's pride.
Related Verses19 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Axe," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ax (Axe); Ax-Head," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Axe," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).