The term "bow-shot" refers to the distance an arrow can travel when shot from a bow. This term is used in the Bible to describe a specific measure of distance, providing a vivid image of space in ancient times. The concept of a "bow-shot" is rooted in the practical experiences of archery, a common skill and practice in biblical times, especially among warriors and hunters.

Biblical Reference:

The term "bow-shot" is specifically mentioned in Genesis 21:16. In this passage, Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah and the mother of Ishmael, finds herself in a dire situation. After being sent away by Abraham, she wanders in the wilderness of Beersheba with her son Ishmael. When their water supply is exhausted, Hagar, in despair, places Ishmael under one of the bushes and distances herself from him to avoid witnessing his death. The text states:

"Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, 'I cannot watch the boy die.' And as she sat there nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept." (Genesis 21:16)

In this context, "a bowshot away" serves as a poignant measure of distance, illustrating Hagar's emotional turmoil and her desire to separate herself from the impending tragedy. The use of "bow-shot" here underscores the human element of the narrative, as it conveys both a physical and emotional distance.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, the bow and arrow were essential tools for both hunting and warfare. The ability to shoot an arrow accurately and over a considerable distance was a valued skill. The term "bow-shot" would have been readily understood by the original audience of the biblical text, as it was a familiar measure of distance based on everyday life and survival.

The bow itself is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, often symbolizing strength, warfare, and divine judgment. For instance, in 2 Samuel 1:18, David's lament over Saul and Jonathan includes a reference to teaching the "Song of the Bow," highlighting the importance of archery in Israelite culture.

Symbolic Significance:

Beyond its literal meaning, the "bow-shot" can also be seen as a metaphor for separation and the limits of human endurance. In the account of Hagar and Ishmael, the distance of a bow-shot represents Hagar's attempt to cope with her overwhelming grief and helplessness. It is a measure of her despair, yet also of her hope, as she cries out to God in her distress.

The narrative continues with God's intervention, as He hears the boy's cries and provides a well of water for Hagar and Ishmael, ensuring their survival. This divine response highlights God's compassion and faithfulness, even in moments of human desperation.

In summary, the term "bow-shot" in the Bible serves as a vivid descriptor of distance, deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East. It carries both literal and symbolic meanings, enriching the narrative and offering insights into the human experience and divine interaction.2909. tachah -- to hurl, shoot
... root Definition to hurl, shoot NASB Word Usage bowshot* (1). bowshot. A primitive
root; to stretch a bow, as an archer -- (bow-)shot. 2908, 2909. ...
/hebrew/2909.htm - 5k

7198. qesheth -- a bow
... Word Origin perhaps from qush Definition a bow NASB Word Usage archers* (3), arrows
(1), bow (54), bowman* (1), bowmen (1), bows (13), bowshot* (1), rainbow (1 ...
/hebrew/7198.htm - 6k

The Story of Perpetua.
... And when they had gone out of the gate about the length of a bow-shot, there met
them a God-fearing woman; and she, seeing Paul dragged along in irons, had ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostles peter and paul/the story of perpetua.htm

The House of Offense
... ride around the walls. Though they were the full length of a bow-shot from
me, I knew what they talked about. Now, this young Nicanor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xi the house of.htm

The Swift Decay of Love
... a frightful contradiction of that grey altar and the twelve encircling stones which
they had so lately reared, and which stood unregarded, a bowshot off, as a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift decay of love.htm

Chapter xxi
... was spent, and she cast the lad under one of the bushes, and she went and seated
herself opposite him making the distance about that of a bowshot, for she said ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

Compassion for Souls
... her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot; for she ... If Ishmael
had died, and the water had been within bow-shot, and yet unseen till too ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/compassion for souls.htm

Samson Conquered
... But the man who knows what he is at, and has his mark, speeds to it "Like an arrow
from a bow shot by an archer strong." Nought can turn him aside from his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/samson conquered.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... And when the water was consumed that was in the bottle, she left the child under
a tree that was there and went thence as far as a bow shot and sat her down ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... [156] Their way led them only a bow-shot's distance from his cave. I saw the Holy
Family wandering through a sandy desert, weary and careworn. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

A Faithful Friend
... at you and with you; the dog of hell will never cease his howlings till you reach
the other side of Jordan; no place in this world is out of bow-shot of that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/a faithful friend.htm

A Faithful Friend
... at you and with you; the dog of hell will never cease his howlings, till you reach
the other side of Jordan; no place in this world is out of bow-shot of that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/a faithful friend.htm

Bowshot (1 Occurrence)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BOWSHOT. ...Bowshot (1 Occurrence). Genesis 21:16 And she
went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot. ...
/b/bowshot.htm - 7k

Bow-shot (1 Occurrence)
Bow-shot. Bowshot, Bow-shot. Bowstring . Multi-Version Concordance Bow-shot
(1 Occurrence). ... (DBY JPS WBS YLT). Bowshot, Bow-shot. Bowstring . Reference ...
/b/bow-shot.htm - 6k

Bows (28 Occurrences)

/b/bows.htm - 15k

Nearby (14 Occurrences)
... the earth, (See NIV). Genesis 21:16 She went and sat down opposite him,
a good way off, about a bowshot away. For she said, "Don ...
/n/nearby.htm - 10k

Over-against (156 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:16 And she goeth and sitteth by herself over-against, afar off, about
a bow-shot, for she said, 'Let me not look on the death of the lad;' and she ...
/o/over-against.htm - 38k

Lad (66 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:16 And she goeth and sitteth by herself over-against, afar off, about
a bow-shot, for she said, 'Let me not look on the death of the lad;' and she ...
/l/lad.htm - 27k

Lifteth (69 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:16 And she goeth and sitteth by herself over-against, afar off, about
a bow-shot, for she said, 'Let me not look on the death of the lad;' and she ...
/l/lifteth.htm - 27k

Weepeth (29 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:16 And she goeth and sitteth by herself over-against, afar off, about
a bow-shot, for she said, 'Let me not look on the death of the lad;' and she ...
/w/weepeth.htm - 15k

Wept (78 Occurrences)
... she made desolate. (See RSV). Genesis 21:16 She went and sat down opposite
him, a good way off, about a bowshot away. For she said ...
/w/wept.htm - 31k

Bowstring (2 Occurrences)

/b/bowstring.htm - 7k

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