In biblical times, bowmen, or archers, played a significant role in warfare and hunting. The bow and arrow were essential tools for survival and defense, and their use is frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures. The skill of archery was highly valued, and bowmen were often part of the military forces of ancient Israel and its neighboring nations.

Biblical References

The earliest mention of bowmen in the Bible is found in Genesis 21:20, where Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, is described as growing up in the wilderness and becoming an archer: "God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer."

In the context of warfare, bowmen were crucial in battles. The tribe of Benjamin was particularly noted for its skilled archers. In 1 Chronicles 12:2, the Benjaminites who joined David at Ziklag are described as "armed with bows and able to shoot arrows or to sling stones with either hand."

The use of archers in battle is also depicted in 2 Chronicles 14:8, where King Asa of Judah had an army that included "300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin bearing regular shields and drawing the bow."

The prophetic literature also makes mention of bowmen. In Jeremiah 50:29, the prophet calls for the archers to come against Babylon: "Summon the archers against Babylon, all who draw the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape."

Symbolism and Metaphor

The bow and arrow are often used metaphorically in the Bible to describe God's judgment and power. In Habakkuk 3:9, the prophet speaks of God's readiness to execute judgment: "You brandished Your bow; You called for many arrows. Selah."

Similarly, in Psalm 7:12-13, the imagery of God as an archer is used to convey His readiness to judge the wicked: "If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He ordains His arrows with fire."

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, the bow was a common weapon used by various civilizations, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians. The design and construction of bows varied, with some being simple wooden bows and others being more complex composite bows made from a combination of wood, horn, and sinew.

The effectiveness of bowmen in battle depended on their skill and the quality of their equipment. Archers were often positioned strategically in battle formations to maximize their impact, and their ability to strike from a distance made them valuable assets in both offensive and defensive operations.

Conclusion

Bowmen were integral to the military and cultural life of ancient Israel and its neighbors. Their presence in the biblical narrative highlights the importance of archery as both a practical skill and a powerful metaphor for divine action.(n.) Plural of Bowman.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 Dark was Lifting as Vergilius Entered the Field of Mars. ...
... "For a time, at least, Rome will be dear to him.". There were forty men riding
in the troop, all lancers, saving a few slingers and bowmen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 11 the dark was.htm

Antichrist in Jeremiah
... Fearful will be the devastations his fury shall accomplish: "The whole city shall
flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/2 antichrist in jeremiah.htm

Oracles on the Scythians. (With Some Others: iv. 5-vi. 29. )
... From the noise of the horse and the bowmen, IV.29 All the land(217) is in flight,
They are into the caves, huddle in thickets,(218) Are up on the crags. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 oracles on the scythians.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... The light infantry was composed chiefly of bowmen"pidatu"the celebrated archers
of Egypt, whose long bows and arrows, used with deadly skill, speedily ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Songs of Deliverance
... But I should not wonder if since that first race of archers called sins has died
out, some of you have been much molested by another tribe of bowmen, who a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/songs of deliverance.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... Then with loud shouts the men of Israel rushed across the vale of oaks, shooting
their arrows as they ran, for they were good bowmen. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

The Poet.
... From the noise of the horse and the bowmen All the land is in flight, They are into
the caves, huddle in thickets, And are up on the crags.(59) Every town of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture ii the poet.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... boy. Suppose it to be a time of war centuries back. Old English warfare
was then conducted by bowmen to a great extent. Here is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... But now a handful of hoplites from one of the towns of the continent, and that not
the most renowned for its prowess, without cavalry or bowmen, had rushed ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... The whole city fleeth from the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; They go into the
thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: Every city is forsaken, And not a man ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Bowmen (13 Occurrences)
...Bowmen (13 Occurrences). ... 1 Chronicles 8:40 And the sons of Ulam were men of war,
bowmen, and had a great number of sons and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. ...
/b/bowmen.htm - 10k

Bowman (5 Occurrences)
... the use of the bow. The battle of Gilboa was clearly lost through the superior
skill of the Philistine bowmen. This seems to have ...
/b/bowman.htm - 9k

Arrows (59 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 35:23 And the bowmen sent their arrows at King Josiah, and the king
said to his servants, Take me away, for I am badly wounded. (BBE). ...
/a/arrows.htm - 25k

Assyria (124 Occurrences)
... the Old Testament. The army consisted of cavalry, infantry, bowmen and
slingers, as well as of a corps of charioteers. After the ...
/a/assyria.htm - 101k

Warriors (75 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 8:40 And the sons of Ulam were men of war, bowmen, and
had a great number of sons and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. ...
/w/warriors.htm - 27k

Uplifted (26 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:29 Send for the archers to come together against Babylon, all the bowmen;
put up your tents against her on every side; let no one get away: give ...
/u/uplifted.htm - 14k

Woodland (13 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 4:29 All the land is in flight because of the noise of the horsemen and
the bowmen; they have taken cover in the woodland and up on the rocks: every ...
/w/woodland.htm - 11k

Fowler (3 Occurrences)
... were confined in hidden cages so that their voices would call others of their kind
to the spot and they could be killed by arrows of concealed bowmen or the ...
/f/fowler.htm - 11k

Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)
... In Sennacherib's inscriptions, however, the battle with "the king(s) of Mucuru
(Egypt) and the bowmen, chariots, and cavalry of Meruhha" (Meroe or Ethiopia ...
/t/tirhakah.htm - 11k

Roads (34 Occurrences)
... Don't you know their evidences, (See RSV). Job 30:13 They have made waste my roads,
with a view to my destruction; his bowmen come round about me; (BBE). ...
/r/roads.htm - 16k

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