Bow

The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase ( Genesis 21:20 ; 27:3 ; 48:22 ). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow ( 1 Chronicles 8:40 ; 12:2 ; 2 Chr 14:8 ; 17:17 ); so also were the Elamites ( Isaiah 22:6 ) and the Lydians ( Jeremiah 46:9 ). 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. Bows of steel (correctly "copper") are mentioned ( 2 Samuel 22:35 ; Psalms 18:34 ).

The arrows were carried in a quiver ( Genesis 27:3 ; Isaiah 22:6 ; 49:2 ; Psalms 127:5 ). They were apparently sometimes shot with some burning material attached to them ( Psalms 120:4 ).

The bow is a symbol of victory ( Psalms 7:12 ). It denotes also falsehood, deceit ( Psalms 64:3 Psalms 64:4 ; Hosea 7:16 ; Jeremiah 9:3 ).

"The use of the bow" in 2 Samuel 1:18 (A.V.) ought to be "the song of the bow," as in the Revised Version.