Lexical Summary piphiyyoth: edges, borders, mouths Original Word: פִיפִיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tooth, two-edged For peyah; an edge or tooth -- tooth, X two-edged. see HEBREW peyah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as peh, q.v. Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Figurative ImageryThe term designates a weapon or tool endowed with “two mouths,” that is, two cutting edges. In Scripture the picture of a blade that cuts in both directions becomes a powerful metaphor for incisive judgment, thorough separation, and irresistible effectiveness. The same imagery is later taken up in the New Testament of the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16), showing canonical coherence: what a double-edged sword accomplishes in battle, the Lord’s Word accomplishes in hearts and nations. Old Testament Occurrences • Psalm 149:6 – “May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands.” Here worship and warfare intertwine. Israel’s covenant people celebrate God while prepared to enforce His righteous verdicts. The juxtaposition signals that praise is never passive; it is accompanied by readiness to act in obedience, even when that obedience involves decisive conflict against evil. • Isaiah 41:15 – “Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth; you will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff.” The prophet announces that the Lord Himself will fashion His servant-nation into an instrument as sharp as a freshly forged double-edged tool. The context is comfort to exiles: the seemingly powerless will become God’s implement to remove obstacles (“mountains”) and prepare a level path for His purposes. Historical Background Iron-age double-edged swords emerged in the second millennium B.C. and provided a tactical advantage: the wielder could strike on both forward and backhand motions. In threshing technology, mirrored edges or serrations on sledges increased efficiency by cutting stalks from either side. Ancient Near Eastern listeners would thus immediately grasp the idea of maximum effectiveness and relentless action. Theological Themes 1. Divine Empowerment – The sharp instrument is not self-made; God fashions and places it (Isaiah 41:15). Any true cutting away of evil or unbelief originates in Him. 2. Judgment and Salvation – The same edge that strikes the wicked liberates the oppressed. The dual edge captures this double function (cf. Exodus 14:20 where the cloud is darkness to Egypt and light to Israel). 3. Word-Spirit Synergy – Psalm 149:6 pairs vocal praise with the blade, anticipating Ephesians 6:17 where “the sword of the Spirit” is “the word of God.” Worship fuels warfare; proclamation becomes penetration. Inter-Testamental and New Testament Resonance • Hebrews 4:12 depicts the Scriptures as “living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword,” echoing the Hebrew image and applying it to heart-discernment. Thus the Old Testament picture matures into Christological fulfillment: what Israel’s warriors carried physically becomes what Messiah wields verbally. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching and Teaching – Faithful exposition should aim for the same two-edged effect: comforting the repentant while cutting away unbelief (2 Timothy 4:2). Conclusion Though occurring only twice in the Hebrew canon, this vivid term for a double-edged instrument radiates through the whole biblical story, illustrating how God equips His people, executes His judgments, and reveals the penetrating power of His Word. Forms and Transliterations פִּֽיפִיּ֑וֹת פִּֽיפִיּ֣וֹת פיפיות pî·p̄î·yō·wṯ pifiYot pîp̄îyōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 149:6 HEB: בִּגְרוֹנָ֑ם וְחֶ֖רֶב פִּֽיפִיּ֣וֹת בְּיָדָֽם׃ KJV: [be] in their mouth, and a twoedged sword INT: their mouth sword twoedged their hand Isaiah 41:15 2 Occurrences |
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