Barbs
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In biblical literature, the term "barbs" is not directly mentioned; however, the concept can be related to various scriptural themes and imagery, particularly in the context of warfare, speech, and spiritual battles. The Bible often uses vivid imagery to convey deeper spiritual truths, and the idea of barbs can be associated with sharp, piercing elements that can cause harm or provoke.

Warfare Imagery

The Bible frequently uses the imagery of warfare to describe spiritual and physical battles. In this context, barbs can be likened to arrows or other sharp weapons used in combat. For instance, in Psalm 120:4 , the psalmist speaks of "sharp arrows of the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree." This imagery conveys the idea of words or actions that can pierce and cause significant damage, much like barbs in battle.

Speech and Tongue

The concept of barbs can also be metaphorically applied to speech. The Bible warns about the power of the tongue and the potential harm it can inflict. In James 3:8 , it is written, "but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." Here, the tongue is depicted as a weapon capable of delivering barbed words that can wound others deeply. Proverbs 12:18 further illustrates this by stating, "There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Spiritual Warfare

In the realm of spiritual warfare, barbs can symbolize the attacks of the enemy. Ephesians 6:16 instructs believers to take up "the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." These flaming arrows can be seen as barbs—spiritual attacks or temptations designed to harm or lead believers astray. The imagery emphasizes the need for spiritual vigilance and the protective power of faith.

Symbolism in Prophecy

Prophetic literature in the Bible often uses symbolic language to convey messages. In some instances, barbs or similar imagery might be used to describe the judgment or wrath of God against nations or individuals. For example, in Isaiah 5:28 , the prophet describes the arrows of God's judgment as "sharp, and all their bows bent; their horses' hooves will be like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind." This vivid imagery underscores the precision and inevitability of divine judgment.

Conclusion

While the term "barbs" is not explicitly found in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture in various forms. Whether through the imagery of warfare, the power of speech, or the dynamics of spiritual battles, the Bible provides a rich tapestry of themes that reflect the piercing and potentially destructive nature of barbs. Believers are called to be mindful of their words and actions, to guard against spiritual attacks, and to rely on God's strength and wisdom in all aspects of life.
Strong's Hebrew
4170. moqesh -- a bait or lure, a snare
... Word Origin from yaqosh Definition a bait or lure, a snare NASB Word Usage bait
(1), barbs (1), ensnared (2), snare (12), snares (8), trap (4). ...
/hebrew/4170.htm - 6k
Library

The High Priest's Prayer
... moving slowly in that direction, when it exclaimed: 'Behold how these Christians
love one another!' The alienation of Christians has given barbs and feathers ...
/.../the high priests prayer.htm

On the Lord's Passion iv. , Delivered on Wednesday in Holy Week.
... But the chief priests, for whom the Saviour sought forgiveness, rendered the torture
of the cross yet worse by the barbs of railery; and at Him, on Whom they ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lv on the lords.htm

Letter clxvii . To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with ...
... used against the Christian religion; for the direst persecution is often inflicted
by nonconformity of practice and persistent disobedience and the barbs of ill ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter clxvii to rusticus.htm

To Bishop Timotheus.
... perhaps themselves pass over to the side of the assailants, will give no quarter
to their fellow-believers, but will drive against them their barbs side by ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxxx to bishop timotheus.htm

There is a Definite Moment at which the Seed is Ripe...
... Look at the hooks and the barbs that cling to anything and everything that
passes by if only they can carry their seed away and away. ...
/.../trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 6 there is a.htm

The Germination of the Earth.
... It has hidden the grain in a case, so that it may not be exposed to birds' pillage,
and has furnished it with a rampart of barbs, which, like darts, protect it ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily v the germination of.htm

Love and Fear
... away its penalty, lightening the heart of the burden of its guilt, delivering from
its love and dominion"all three of which things are the barbs of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/love and fear.htm

Christ Triumphant
... The Savior snatched his quiver from him, cut them in two, gave Death back the feather
end, but kept the poisoned barbs from him, that he might never destroy ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christ triumphant.htm

The Great Controversy
... A classic written by one of the Waldensian "barbs" is Jean Leger, Histoire Generale
des Eglises Evangeliques des Vallees de Piemont (Leyden, 1669), which was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/the great controversy.htm

The Meal at Emmaus
... in this world"the common meal, the events of every day, the most veritable trifles
of our earthly relationships"they will all have hooks and barbs, as it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the meal at emmaus.htm

Thesaurus
Barbs (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Barbs (2 Occurrences). Numbers 33:55 "But if you
do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before ...
/b/barbs.htm - 6k

Web (5 Occurrences)
... 19. (n.) The series of barbs implanted on each side of the shaft of a feather, whether
stiff and united together by barbules, as in ordinary feathers, or soft ...
/w/web.htm - 9k

Barchus

/b/barchus.htm - 6k

Barber's (1 Occurrence)

/b/barber's.htm - 6k

Barbed (1 Occurrence)
... See Barded. 3. (a.) Furnished with a barb or barbs; as, a barbed arrow; barbed
wire. Multi-Version Concordance Barbed (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/barbed.htm - 7k

Spear (55 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Fig.: A spearman. 3. (n.) A sharp-pointed instrument with barbs, used for
stabbing fish and other animals. 4. (n.) A shoot, as of grass; a spire. ...
/s/spear.htm - 26k

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Concordance
Barbs (2 Occurrences)

Numbers 33:55
"But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those you let remain of them will be as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will harass you in the land in which you dwell.
(See NIV)

Job 40:24
Shall any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Barbs

Related Terms

Barkos (2 Occurrences)

Barbs (2 Occurrences)

Bare (250 Occurrences)

Charchus

Barber's
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