Saw
Summary
An ancient tool used for cutting both wood and stone, and tragically used as an instrument of torture for prisoners of war.
☩Types and Construction
Ancient Egyptian saws were single-handed with bronze blades, their teeth inclining toward the handle unlike modern Western saws. A double-handed iron saw was found at Nimrud. Stone saws were also used—Solomon's temple included 'costly stones, sawed with saws.' The butt end of a file-toothed jawbone of a fish may have suggested the invention, as Greek fable relates.
☩Use in Torture
Prisoners of war, especially leaders, were sometimes executed with iron saws. David is said to have placed captives 'under saws' (though interpreters debate whether this meant torture or labor). According to Jewish tradition, the prophet Isaiah met this fate under Manasseh—the reference in Hebrews to those 'sawn asunder' likely alludes to this. This terrible punishment was also known among Egyptians, Persians, Thracians, and under certain Roman emperors.
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Saw," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Saw," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Saw," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Saw," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Saw," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 6.John McClintock and James Strong, "Saw," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 7.John McClintock and James Strong, "Saw," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).