Definition and Usage:
The term "whet" generally means to sharpen or stimulate. In a biblical context, it is often used metaphorically to describe the sharpening of one's skills, mind, or spirit. The act of whetting can also imply preparation or readiness for a task or challenge.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 32:41 : "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." In this verse, the act of sharpening a sword is used metaphorically to describe God's preparation for executing judgment. The imagery of a whetted sword underscores the readiness and precision of divine justice.

2. Psalm 7:12 : "If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow." Here, the whetting of the sword symbolizes God's impending judgment against the unrepentant. The sharpening of the sword serves as a warning of the seriousness and inevitability of divine retribution.

3. Proverbs 27:17 : "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." This well-known proverb uses the concept of whetting to illustrate the mutual benefit and growth that comes from interpersonal relationships. Just as iron is used to sharpen iron, individuals can help refine and improve each other's character and wisdom through interaction and accountability.

Theological Implications:

The concept of whetting in the Bible often carries a dual implication of preparation and judgment. It serves as a reminder of the necessity for spiritual readiness and the importance of repentance. The whetting of a sword, as seen in Deuteronomy and Psalms, is a powerful image of God's readiness to act in justice and righteousness.

In a broader sense, the idea of whetting can also be applied to the Christian life. Believers are called to be spiritually sharp and prepared, continually honing their faith and understanding through prayer, study, and fellowship. The metaphor of iron sharpening iron in Proverbs highlights the role of community and relationships in this process, emphasizing the importance of mutual edification and growth within the body of Christ.

Practical Application:

For Christians, the concept of whetting serves as a call to vigilance and preparedness. It encourages believers to actively engage in spiritual disciplines that sharpen their faith and understanding. Additionally, it underscores the value of community and accountability in fostering spiritual growth and maturity. By allowing themselves to be "sharpened" by others, Christians can better equip themselves to face the challenges of life and fulfill their God-given purposes.1. (v. t.) To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet the appetite or the courage.

2. (v. t.) To rub or on with some substance, as a piece of stone, for the purpose of sharpening; to sharpen by attrition; as, to whet a knife.

3. (n.) The act of whetting.

4. (n.) That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer.

3913. latash -- to hammer, sharpen, whet
... latash. 3914 . to hammer, sharpen, whet. Transliteration: latash Phonetic Spelling:
(law-tash') Short Definition: sharpen. ... instructor, sharpen, whet. ...
/hebrew/3913.htm - 6k

8150. shanan -- to whet, sharpen
... shanan. 8151 . to whet, sharpen. Transliteration: shanan Phonetic Spelling:
(shaw-nan') Short Definition: sharp. ... prick, sharpen, teach diligently, whet. ...
/hebrew/8150.htm - 6k

7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling
... make, make somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly esteem,
thing), X slight(-ly), be swift(-er), (be, be more, make, re-)vile, whet. ...
/hebrew/7043.htm - 6k

Turn or Burn
... REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. "If he turn not, he will
whet his sword; he hath bent his bow and made it ready.""Psalm 7:12. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/turn or burn.htm

This is He who Took a Bodily Form in the virgin
... Bitter were thy nails, and sharp; bitter thy tongue, which thou didst whet; bitter
was Judas, to whom thou gavest hire; bitter thy false witnesses, whom thou ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/v this is he who.htm

Psalm LXIV.
... 4. "For they have whet like a sword their tongues" (ver.3). Which saith another
Psalm also, "Sons of men; their teeth are arms and arrows, and their tongue is ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxiv.htm

Psalm LII.
... whereof is said, "How beautiful are the feet of them that tell of peace, that tell
of good things!" [1894] Therefore like a razor let Doeg whet his tongue, let ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lii.htm

Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
... Drunkenness! Does it not jingle the burglar's key? Does it not whet the
assassin's knife? Does it not cock the highwayman's pistol? ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/talmage a bloody monster.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... The havock which he had already made, served only to whet his eagerness; and he
longed for an opportunity of more extensive mischief, that he might diffuse the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xii the conversion of.htm

Meditations for Household Piety.
... in his word, and train them up in his fear and service: "These words which I command
thee this day shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt whet them continually ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations for household piety.htm

Frequent Communion is an Effectunl Means of Getting all Vertues ...
... 99. The Preparation for the exterior Souls, is to be Confessed and retire from the
Creatures, before the Communion to stand still and consider whet is to be ...
/.../chap xiii frequent communion is.htm

The Way to the City
... to repeat, under another metaphor, the same idea which has been presented in a previous
verse, where we read: 'If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the way to the city.htm

Hebrews iv. 13-Nov
... [2831] "If ye turn not," it is said, "He will whet His sword, He hath bent His bow
and made it ready." ( Psalm 7:12.) For if now, after so long a time, and ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily vii hebrews iv 13-nov.htm

Whet (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to
stimulate; as, to whet the appetite or the courage. ...Whet (5 Occurrences). ...
/w/whet.htm - 8k

Bend (29 Occurrences)
... (Root in DBY YLT NAS). Psalms 7:12 If a man turn not, He will whet His
sword, He hath bent His bow, and made it ready; (See NIV). ...
/b/bend.htm - 16k

Whether (239 Occurrences)
... Exodus 11:7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog whet his tongue,
against man or beast; that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a ...
/w/whether.htm - 37k

Grind (12 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To wear down, polish, or sharpen, by friction; to make smooth, sharp, or
pointed; to whet, as a knife or drill; to rub against one another, as teeth ...
/g/grind.htm - 11k

Grasps (5 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:41 if I whet my glittering sword, My hand take hold on judgment;
I will render vengeance to my adversaries, and will recompense those who hate me ...
/g/grasps.htm - 7k

Glittering (12 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:41 if I whet my glittering sword, My hand take hold on judgment;
I will render vengeance to my adversaries, and will recompense those who hate me ...
/g/glittering.htm - 11k

Wherewithal (2 Occurrences)

/w/wherewithal.htm - 7k

Flashing (12 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:41 if I whet my glittering sword, My hand take hold on judgment;
I will render vengeance to my adversaries, and will recompense those who hate me ...
/f/flashing.htm - 10k

Requite (42 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:41 if I whet my glittering sword, My hand take hold on judgment;
I will render vengeance to my adversaries, and will recompense those who hate me ...
/r/requite.htm - 18k

Poisoned (7 Occurrences)
... behaviour. (BBE). Psalms 64:3 Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have
aimed their arrows, even bitter words, (See JPS). Jeremiah ...
/p/poisoned.htm - 8k

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