The term "heweth" is an archaic English word derived from the verb "hew," which means to cut, chop, or shape something with a tool such as an axe or sword. In the context of the Bible, "heweth" is often used to describe the act of cutting down trees, shaping stones, or even the symbolic cutting down of people or nations as a form of divine judgment or discipline.

Biblical Usage:

1. Idolatry and Judgment:
The act of hewing is frequently associated with the destruction of idols and the judgment of nations. In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites to hew down the altars and sacred pillars of the pagan nations they encounter. This act symbolizes the eradication of idolatry and the purification of the land for the worship of Yahweh. For example, in Deuteronomy 12:3 , it is written: "Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn up their Asherah poles; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places."

2. Prophetic Imagery:
The prophets often use the imagery of hewing to convey messages of judgment and repentance. In Hosea 6:5 , the Lord declares, "Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning." Here, the act of hewing is metaphorical, representing the cutting and shaping of the people through prophetic words and divine judgment.

3. Construction and Craftsmanship:
Hewing is also associated with construction and craftsmanship in the Bible. The building of the Temple and other significant structures involved the hewing of stones and timber. In 1 Kings 5:18 , it is noted: "So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the construction of the temple." This highlights the skill and labor involved in creating a dwelling place for God.

4. Moral and Spiritual Lessons:
The concept of hewing can also be applied to moral and spiritual lessons. Just as a craftsman hews stone or wood to create something useful and beautiful, God shapes and disciplines His people to conform them to His will. This process can be painful, but it is ultimately for the purpose of growth and refinement.

Theological Significance:

The act of hewing in the Bible carries deep theological significance. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His authority to judge and purify His creation. The imagery of hewing underscores the seriousness of idolatry and disobedience, while also pointing to the hope of restoration and renewal through divine intervention. The process of being "hewn" by God, whether through judgment or discipline, is an integral part of the believer's journey toward holiness and alignment with God's purposes.

The Heavenly Workers and the Earthly Watchers
... hatred; but the hand that forged, and tempered, and sharpened the blade is that
which smites with it; and the axe must not boast itself against him that heweth ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the heavenly workers and the.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... And there is no one that shall escape or gainsay me, and open the mouth and chatter.
Shall the axe boast itself without him that heweth therewith? ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

The Theme of Acts
... We are but the reeds through which His breath makes music. And 'shall the axe boast
itself,' either 'against' or apart from 'Him that heweth therewith'? III. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the theme of acts.htm

Divine Sovereignty.
... 15. Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall
the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlv divine sovereignty.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

Heweth (6 Occurrences)
...Heweth (6 Occurrences). ... (See JPS). Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoso heweth out stones shall
be hurt therewith; 'and' he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. (ASV). ...
/h/heweth.htm - 8k

Hews (4 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 29:7 The voice of the LORD heweth out flames of fire. (See NAS).
Isaiah 10:15 Should the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? ...
/h/hews.htm - 7k

Quarrieth (1 Occurrence)
... Quarrieth (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt
therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. (See JPS). ...
/q/quarrieth.htm - 6k

Lifts (26 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 10:15 Should the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith?
Should the saw magnify itself against him that moveth it? ...
/l/lifts.htm - 13k

Graveth (1 Occurrence)
... and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that
heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for ...
/g/graveth.htm - 6k

Wieldeth (1 Occurrence)
... Wieldeth (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that
heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? ...
/w/wieldeth.htm - 6k

Wield (8 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB JPS NIV). Isaiah 10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that
heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? ...
/w/wield.htm - 9k

Moveth (18 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Isaiah 10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith?
shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? ...
/m/moveth.htm - 11k

Magnify (25 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith?
or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? ...
/m/magnify.htm - 15k

Bereaved (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 15:33 And Samuel saith, 'As thy sword bereaved women -- so is thy mother
bereaved above women;' and Samuel heweth Agag in pieces before Jehovah in ...
/b/bereaved.htm - 12k

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