In biblical literature, the concept of "sharpened" is often used metaphorically to describe the preparation, readiness, and effectiveness of tools, weapons, or even words. The imagery of sharpening conveys a sense of precision, potency, and heightened capability, which can be applied to both physical and spiritual contexts.

Old Testament References

1. Weapons and Tools: The act of sharpening is frequently associated with weapons, particularly swords and arrows, symbolizing readiness for battle or judgment. In Ezekiel 21:9-10 , the prophet declares, "A sword, a sword is sharpened and polished—sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning!" This passage illustrates the imminent judgment of God, with the sharpened sword representing His decisive and unavoidable action.

2. Metaphorical Use: The metaphor of sharpening extends beyond physical weapons to describe the power of words and wisdom. Proverbs 27:17 states, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." This verse highlights the mutual benefit and growth that comes from constructive interaction and accountability among individuals, emphasizing the importance of community and fellowship in spiritual development.

3. Divine Judgment: In Deuteronomy 32:41 , God declares, "When I sharpen My flashing sword and My hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me." Here, the sharpening of the sword signifies God's readiness to execute justice and uphold righteousness, underscoring His sovereignty and the certainty of His retribution against evil.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "sharpened," the concept is implicitly present in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The Word of God is often likened to a sword, as seen in Hebrews 4:12 : "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This passage emphasizes the penetrating and discerning power of Scripture, capable of revealing and transforming the innermost aspects of human nature.

Spiritual Application

The notion of being "sharpened" spiritually is integral to the Christian life. Believers are called to be vigilant and prepared, equipped with the Word of God and the armor of faith to withstand spiritual battles. Ephesians 6:17 instructs, "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." This exhortation encourages Christians to be spiritually sharpened, ready to engage in the fight against sin and darkness with the truth and power of God's Word.

In summary, the biblical concept of "sharpened" serves as a powerful metaphor for readiness, effectiveness, and the transformative power of God's Word and judgment. It calls believers to be prepared, both in their personal spiritual lives and in their interactions with others, reflecting the precision and potency of a life aligned with divine truth.1366. distomos -- double-mouthed, two-edged
... 1366 -- properly, two-mouthed (having two edges), like a "two-edged" sword with
both sides of the blade sharpened to an edge; (figuratively) what penetrates at ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1366.htm - 7k2303. chaddud -- sharpened, sharp, pointed
... 2302b, 2303. chaddud. 2304 . sharpened, sharp, pointed. Transliteration:
chaddud Phonetic Spelling: (khad-dood') Short Definition: sharp. ...
/hebrew/2303.htm - 6k

2300. chadad -- to be sharp, keen
... 2299, 2300. chadad. 2301 . to be sharp, keen. Transliteration: chadad Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-dad') Short Definition: sharpened. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2300.htm - 6k

8150. shanan -- to whet, sharpen
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to whet, sharpen NASB Word Usage pierced (1),
sharp (4), sharpen (2), sharpened (1), teach them diligently (1). ...
/hebrew/8150.htm - 6k

7044. qalal -- burnished
... burnished, polished. From qalal; brightened (as if sharpened) -- burnished, polished.
see HEBREW qalal. 7043, 7044. qalal. 7045 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7044.htm - 6k

Ezekiel's Discourse
... A sword, A sword, It is sharpened, And also furbished: It is sharpened that it may
make a slaughter; It is furbished that it may be as lightning! ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi ezekiels discourse.htm

But Why Should I Prolong this Discussion? I Shall Take no Notice ...
... shall take no notice of his reproaches and railings; I shall make no answer to his
violent attacks, that daily task of his, for which Porphyry sharpened his pen ...
/.../13 but why should i.htm

Psalm CXLIX.
... 8. "And swords [5988] sharpened on both sides in their hands." This sort of weapon
contains a great mystical meaning, in that it is sharp on both sides. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlix.htm

The Waves of Time
... And how it calls upon us for a sharpened attention, that we miss not any of the
blessings and gifts which God is meaning to bestow upon us through the ministry ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the waves of time.htm

Hell.
... But then, as sin is such a sting in itself, so it is heightened, sharpened, made
more keen and sharp, by those circumstances that attend it in every act; for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxviii hell.htm

The Children of the Poor.
... He has been pitched into the sea of events to sink or swim, and those sharpened
faculties are the tentacles put forth by an effort of nature in order to secure ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse vii the children of.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Birth and Achievements of Christ.
... See we, then, whether that which has another action be not another sword,"that is,
the Divine word of God, doubly sharpened [1279] with the two Testaments of ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter ix of the prophecies of.htm

History of Public Speaking
... Then all the blood in my veins is stirred, my understanding is sharpened, and all
dismal thoughts and temptations are dissipated." What the great Reformer ...
/.../kleiser/successful methods of public speaking/history of public speaking.htm

His Conversion
... figure of speech is borrowed from a custom of Eastern countries: the ox-driver wields
a long pole, at the end of which is fixed a piece of sharpened iron, with ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iii his conversion.htm

A Look Ahead
... help many. And the knife had to be freshly sharpened, and used with strong
decisive hand, if healing and life were to come. And ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/1 a look ahead.htm

Sharpened (13 Occurrences)
...Sharpened (13 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Psalms 64:3 Who have sharpened their tongue
like a sword, and have aimed their arrow, a bitter word; (DBY YLT NAS). ...
/s/sharpened.htm - 10k

Sharpen (8 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:41 If I have sharpened my gleaming sword, And my hand take hold of
judgment, I will render vengeance to mine adversaries, And will recompense ...
/s/sharpen.htm - 9k

Furbished (4 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 21:9 Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says Yahweh: Say, A sword, a sword,
it is sharpened, and also furbished; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/f/furbished.htm - 7k

Brightness (36 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:41 If I have sharpened the brightness of My sword, And My hand doth
lay hold on judgment, I turn back vengeance to Mine adversaries, And to ...
/b/brightness.htm - 18k

Poison (17 Occurrences)
... Psalm 140:3, "They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; adders' poison is
under their lips," indicates, what is still a common belief, that the forked ...
/p/poison.htm - 17k

Viper's (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). Psalms 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like
a serpent. Viper's poison is under their lips. Selah. (WEB). ...
/v/viper's.htm - 7k

Viper (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Psalms 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues
like a serpent. Viper's poison is under their lips. Selah. ...
/v/viper.htm - 10k

Vipers (10 Occurrences)
... vipers. (DBY). Psalms 140:3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent;
Adders poison is under their lips. Selah (See JPS RSV NIV). ...
/v/vipers.htm - 9k

Venom (8 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Psalms 140:3 They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; Adders
poison is under their lips. Selah (See JPS). Habakkuk ...
/v/venom.htm - 8k

Killer (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 21:11 It is given to be furbished, that it may be handled: the sword, it
is sharpened, yes, it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the killer. ...
/k/killer.htm - 6k

What does it mean that iron sharpens iron? | GotQuestions.org

What happened at the Council of Constantinople? | GotQuestions.org

What were the Lateran Councils? | GotQuestions.org

Sharpened: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus