Archery, the art of using a bow to shoot arrows, is a significant aspect of warfare depicted in the Bible. It is both a literal and metaphorical tool, symbolizing strength, skill, and divine judgment. The use of archery in biblical times reflects the military strategies and technologies of ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Biblical References and Historical Context

Archery is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, highlighting its importance in ancient warfare. The bow and arrow were essential weapons for both offensive and defensive military tactics. Archers were valued for their ability to strike from a distance, providing a strategic advantage in battle.

One of the earliest references to archery in the Bible is found in Genesis 21:20, where Ishmael, the son of Abraham, is described as an archer: "God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer." This passage underscores the skill and survival associated with archery.

In 1 Samuel 31:3, the death of King Saul is attributed to archers: "When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically." This account illustrates the lethal effectiveness of archers in combat and their role in determining the outcomes of battles.

The tribe of Benjamin was renowned for its skilled archers. In 1 Chronicles 12:2, the Benjamites are described as "armed with bows and able to shoot arrows or to sling stones with either hand." This ambidextrous ability highlights the exceptional prowess and training of these warriors.

Symbolism and Metaphorical Use

Archery is also used metaphorically in the Bible to convey divine judgment and the power of God. In Psalm 7:12-13, God's judgment is depicted with the imagery of a warrior preparing for battle: "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."

The bow and arrow symbolize God's readiness to execute justice and His sovereign control over the affairs of humanity. This imagery serves as a reminder of the divine authority and the consequences of disobedience.

Notable Archers and Battles

Several notable biblical figures are associated with archery. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, is celebrated for his archery skills. In 2 Samuel 1:22, the prowess of Jonathan and Saul is praised: "From the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, and the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied."

The battle strategies involving archers are evident in various biblical narratives. In 2 Kings 9:24, Jehu uses a bow to strike down King Joram: "Then Jehu drew his bow with all his strength and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot." This account demonstrates the precision and decisive impact of archery in warfare.

Conclusion

Archery in the Bible is a multifaceted theme, encompassing historical, symbolic, and spiritual dimensions. It reflects the martial culture of ancient Israel and neighboring nations, while also serving as a powerful metaphor for divine action and judgment. Through the accounts of skilled archers and their pivotal roles in battles, the Bible underscores the significance of archery in the broader narrative of God's interaction with His people.Genesis 49:23
The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
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Judges 5:11
They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.
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1 Samuel 31:3
And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
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Isaiah 22:3
All your rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in you are bound together, which have fled from far.
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Jeremiah 4:29
The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up on the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.
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Jeremiah 51:3
Against him that bends let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifts himself up in his brigandine: and spare you not her young men; destroy you utterly all her host.
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Zechariah 10:4
Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
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Science and the Savages
... have cleared the scientific mind of any belief in the legendary war of 70 ... eccentric
incident can never have happened in the whole history of archery, or that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xi science and the savages.htm

'The Hands of the Mighty God of Jacob'
... his enemies, and from the hand of Saul': 'He teacheth my hands to war, so that a ...
a bow into his hand, and given him his first lesson in archery, directing his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the hands of the mighty.htm

But I First Say a Word Also About the Crown Itself. ...
... one is sacred to Apollo or Bacchus"to the former as the god of archery, to the ... the
mother of the ??nead??, the mistress also of the god of war, who, through ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter xii but i first.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welch.
... use a sword, that they might see he came for peace and not for war, and so ... practices;
and amongst the rest, he used to go to the bow-butts and archery, on the ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 5.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... of war centuries back. Old English warfare was then conducted by bowmen to a great
extent. Here is a youth who is to be initiated in the art of archery, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm

Book ii.
... of our times of rest; while those that can use their swords in war, and can ... fights
with men; that some of them are harpers, or delight in archery; and besides ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book ii.htm

Analysis of the Westminster Confession.
... Puritans (or 'Precisians'), and to make 'the bodies more able for war' when his ... any
lawfull recreation, Such as dauncing, either men or women, Archery for men ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 95 analysis of the.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... letted, or discouraged from dancing, either men or women; archery, leaping, vaulting ...
Sports shall be seized, and publicly burnt.' During the civil war this Act ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

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