BOW

The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase (Gen. 21:20;27:3;48:22). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow (1-Chr 8:40;12:2; 2-Chr 14:8;17:17); so also were the Elamites (Isa. 22:6) and the Lydians (Jer. 46:9). The Hebrew word commonly used for bow means properly to tread (1-Chr 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-Sam 22:35; Psa 18:34).

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

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

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