Arrows, as depicted in the Bible, are often symbolic of warfare, judgment, and divine retribution. They are frequently mentioned in both literal and metaphorical contexts, illustrating their significance in ancient warfare and their symbolic representation of God's power and judgment.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Literal Use in Warfare: Arrows were a common weapon in ancient warfare, used by archers to strike enemies from a distance. The Bible provides numerous accounts of battles where arrows played a crucial role. For instance, in 1 Samuel 31:3, during the battle against the Philistines, "The battle intensified against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was severely wounded by the archers" . This highlights the deadly nature of arrows in combat.

2. Symbol of Divine Judgment: Arrows are often used metaphorically to describe God's judgment and wrath. In Deuteronomy 32:23, God warns of His impending judgment on Israel, saying, "I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them" . Here, arrows symbolize the various calamities and judgments that God would unleash upon a disobedient nation.

3. Arrows of the Wicked: The wicked are sometimes depicted as using arrows to harm the righteous. Psalm 11:2 states, "For behold, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart" . This imagery conveys the stealth and malice with which the wicked attack the innocent.

4. Protection from Arrows: Despite their deadly nature, the Bible also speaks of divine protection against arrows. In Psalm 91:5, the psalmist assures the faithful, "You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day" (BSProverbs 26:18
As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Church as She Should Be
... royal treasure of gospel truth against its deadly foes ... They are weapons so destructive
to theology that it ... dies, pierced through the heart by the arrows of time ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

part i
... During prayer there sometimes occur moments of deadly darkness and spiritual anguish
arising from unbelief of the heart (for unbelief is darkness). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... from the inundations which are too destructive in their ... the green growth, and give
off deadly emanations ... herd of onagers pursued by dogs and wounded by arrows.]. ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... that the defenders were almost out of reach of the arrows or slings ... Nergal became
the feverish and destructive summer sun.* Merodach was transformed into the ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... the goddess of bravery and of combat; she alone had broken the weapons of the ... She
bent the bow, and let fly the arrows towards the four cardinal points, which ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... something strange and baleful"a serpent, a scorpion, a plant of deadly nightshade
or ... morning, the men went forth with their bows and their arrows, and began ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Holy War,
... between the renewed soul and its deadly enemies are ... or wheeled chariots, no fire
and arrows, but other ... say, 'soul take thine ease,' inglorious, destructive ease ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... Armed with such weapons, he fearlessly from his dungeon ... he could not resist the arrows
of truth ... to know what errors, and doctrines destructive to Christianity ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... the captain; from thence, both he and them that are with him shoot arrows at those ...
toward the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force: but ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

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