In biblical terminology, the term "shafts" can refer to various objects, often related to weaponry or construction, and is used metaphorically in Scripture. The concept of shafts is primarily associated with arrows, spears, and architectural elements.

Arrows and Spears:

The most common biblical reference to shafts pertains to arrows and spears. In ancient warfare, arrows were a primary weapon, and the shaft was the long, straight part of the arrow, typically made from wood. The Bible frequently uses arrows metaphorically to describe God's judgment or the attacks of enemies. For instance, in Psalm 7:13 , it is written, "He has prepared His deadly weapons; He ordains His arrows with fire." Here, the imagery of fiery arrows underscores the intensity and swiftness of divine retribution.

Similarly, the shaft of a spear is mentioned in the context of battle. In 1 Samuel 17:7 , describing Goliath's weaponry, it states, "The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels." This description highlights the formidable nature of Goliath's spear, emphasizing the threat he posed to the Israelites.

Architectural Elements:

In the context of construction, shafts can refer to structural components, such as pillars or columns. While the term "shaft" itself may not be explicitly used in this context in most English translations, the concept is present in descriptions of temple architecture. For example, the pillars of Solomon's Temple, Jachin and Boaz, are described in 1 Kings 7:15-21. These pillars served not only as structural supports but also as symbols of stability and strength.

Metaphorical Usage:

The Bible also employs the imagery of shafts metaphorically to convey deeper spiritual truths. In Job 6:4 , Job laments, "For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me." Here, the "arrows" or "shafts" symbolize the intense suffering and divine testing Job experiences, illustrating the profound impact of his trials.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical symbolism, shafts often represent precision, direction, and purpose. Whether in the form of arrows that fly straight and true or pillars that uphold a structure, shafts convey the idea of intentionality and strength. This symbolism can be applied to the believer's life, where the Word of God is seen as a guiding arrow, providing direction and purpose.

In summary, the concept of shafts in the Bible encompasses both literal and metaphorical meanings, ranging from weapons of war to elements of construction, and serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment, strength, and guidance.4135. mul -- to circumcise
... root Definition to circumcise NASB Word Usage circumcise (4), circumcised (25),
circumcising (1), cut off (3), shafts (1), surely be circumcised (1). ...
/hebrew/4135.htm - 6k

1814. dalaq -- to burn, hotly pursue
... root Definition to burn, hotly pursue NASB Word Usage burning (1), chased (1), chasing
(1), fiery shafts (1), hotly pursue (1), hotly pursued (1), inflame (1 ...
/hebrew/1814.htm - 6k

But Now, Since My Pleading Has Steered Its Course Out of These ...
... Luscius Lanuvinus or an Asinius Pollio of the race of the Cornelii, if I repel the
attacks of a man of boastful and curious spirit, and aim all my shafts at a ...
/.../30 but now since my.htm

The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of ...
... Pour out now all your venom; fling against this name of ours all your shafts of
calumny: I shall stay no longer to refute them; but they shall by and by be ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter x name christians are.htm

How, I Ask, Can You, Seeing that Your Commentaries Contain Such ...
... how many heads of accusation he would have set down, how many volumes he would have
compiled, how he would be assailing me with all the arms and shafts of that ...
/.../24 how i ask can.htm

Death to Sin through Christ
... Any one who has been wounded and made sore by sin"its bitter shafts sinking deep
into his moral being-one who has known its bitterness and felt the poison ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xxiii death to sin through.htm

Hugh the Builder
... setting suns. The stone roof is supported upon small semi-octagonal vaulting
shafts, ending in truncated corbels. This fondness ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter viii hugh the builder.htm

The Dream of St. Ursula
... see everything in it It is lighted by two doubly-arched windows, the arches being
painted crimson round their edges, and the capitals of the shafts that bear ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ruskin/saint ursula/ii the dream of st.htm

Change not Always Improvement.
... The now veteran (stain of the) Hydra's and of the Centaurs' blood upon the shafts
was gradually eradicated by the pumice-stone, familiar to the hair-pin! ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter iv change not always improvement.htm

There is a Definite Moment at which the Seed is Ripe...
... The seeds stand together as they ripen, like arrows in a quiver, with their
points downwards, and their feathered shafts straight up. ...
/.../trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 6 there is a.htm

The Last Season
... 1. Death is harmless to the people of God; its shafts leave no sting in them.
Why then are you afraid that your sickness may be unto death? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/xii the last season.htm

Knox and the Scottish Revolution, 1559
... Giles had been broken by a mob, and thrown into a sewer; "the impure crowd of priests
and monks" had fled, throwing away the shafts of the crosses they bore ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter x knox and the.htm

Shafts (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shafts (6 Occurrences). ... Psalms 7:13 He hath also prepared
for him the instruments of death; He maketh his arrows fiery 'shafts'. ...
/s/shafts.htm - 7k

Shaft (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The long handle of a spear or similar weapon; hence, the weapon itself;
(Fig.) anything regarded as a shaft to be thrown or darted; as, shafts of light ...
/s/shaft.htm - 13k

Peacock
... moderate size with an arched tip, its cheeks are bare, the eyes not large, but very
luminous, a crest of 24 feathers 2 inches long, with naked shafts and broad ...
/p/peacock.htm - 11k

Quiver (9 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Lamentations 3:13 He has caused
the shafts of his quiver to enter into my kidneys. (WEB ...
/q/quiver.htm - 11k

Litter (1 Occurrence)
... rays. Mule litters were made with pairs of shafts projecting before and behind,
between which the animals were yoked (Isaiah 66:20). ...
/l/litter.htm - 9k

Greece (15 Occurrences)
... the story of Athena's birth full-armed from the brain of Zeus, of Circe's magic
potion, of Poseidon's chariot on the waves, and of Apollo's shafts are familiar ...
/g/greece.htm - 59k

Fill (126 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One of the thills or shafts of a carriage.
2. (v.) To make full; to supply with as much as can ...
/f/fill.htm - 36k

Fir (22 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 3:5), the decks of ships (Ezek. 27:5), floorings and
spear-shafts (Nahum 2:3, RV). The true fir (abies) is not found ...
/f/fir.htm - 19k

Tongs (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. pl.) An instrument, usually of metal, consisting of
two parts, or long shafts, jointed together at or near one end, or united by ...
/t/tongs.htm - 9k

Mine (2991 Occurrences)
... The shafts frequently extended into the ground a distance of 180 to 200 ft. The
rock when too hard to be dug out was first cracked by having fires built on it. ...
/m/mine.htm - 10k

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