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Christ Before CaiaphasAntonio della Corna · 1470–00

Spear

/SPEER/

Summary

A wooden shaft with metal head used for thrusting or throwing, appearing in several varieties in Scripture from the heavy lance of giants to lighter javelins.

☩Types of Spears

Scripture mentions several types of spears. The 'chanith' was the largest—Goliath's had a shaft like a weaver's beam with an iron head weighing 600 shekels (about 25 pounds). This was also King Saul's weapon, which he cast at David in fits of rage and leaned upon at Gilboa. The 'kidon' or javelin was lighter, carried on the warrior's back between the shoulders, suitable for throwing. The 'romach' appears in later books in the formula 'shield and spear.'

Key verses:1 Samuel 17:71 Samuel 18:10-111 Samuel 17:6

☩Construction

The spear consisted of a wooden staff surmounted by a double-edged pointed metal head. The staff was carefully polished, typically under six feet long. The butt end was usually shod with a metal point for sticking in the ground—Saul's spear was planted by his head as he slept. This rear point also served as a weapon, as when Abner's mere back thrust drove his spear through Asahel.

Key verses:1 Samuel 26:72 Samuel 2:23

☩Prophetic Significance

The spear appears in prophecies of both war and peace. Joel calls nations to 'beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears' for final battle. Yet Isaiah and Micah envision the opposite: in Messiah's reign, nations shall 'beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks.' A Roman spear pierced Christ's side, fulfilling the prophecy 'they shall look on him whom they pierced.'

Key verses:Joel 3:10Isaiah 2:4Micah 4:3John 19:34Zechariah 12:10

Related Verses57 mentions

1 Samuel· 15 verses

13:1913:2217:717:4517:47

2 Samuel· 8 verses

1:62:2321:1621:1923:7

1 Chronicles· 6 verses

11:1111:2011:2312:2412:34

2 Chronicles· 5 verses

11:1214:823:925:526:14

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Spear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Spear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  3. 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Spear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Spear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  5. 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Spear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  6. 6.John McClintock and James Strong, "Spear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  7. 7.John McClintock and James Strong, "Spear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  8. 8.John McClintock and James Strong, "Spear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  9. 9.John McClintock and James Strong, "Spear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  10. 10.James Hastings (ed.), "Spear," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).