Sickle
/SIK-uhl/
Summary
An agricultural implement used for cutting grain, and a symbol of divine judgment in Scripture.
☩Agricultural Use
The sickle was the instrument usually employed for cutting grain at harvest time. The earliest sickles were probably of wood with sharp flint edges, later replaced by crescent-shaped iron blades. The Palestinian sickle was a little longer than common shearing hooks, with a curved blade sometimes serrated like a saw.
Key verses:Deuteronomy 16:9Deuteronomy 23:25Mark 4:29
☩Symbolic Usage
The sickle became a powerful symbol of divine judgment—the harvest of the earth. Joel calls for the sickle because the harvest is ripe, referring to God's judgment on the nations. In Revelation, the Son of Man and angels wield sharp sickles to gather the harvest of the earth, symbolizing the final judgment.
Key verses:Joel 3:13Revelation 14:14-19
Related Verses11 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sickle," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Sickle," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Sickle," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sickle," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Sickle," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).