The term "whetted" refers to the process of sharpening a blade or tool, making it keen and ready for use. In the biblical context, it is often used metaphorically to describe the preparation or readiness of a person or an instrument for a specific purpose, often in the context of judgment or warfare.

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 passage, God speaks of sharpening His sword as a metaphor for preparing to execute judgment and justice upon His enemies. The imagery of a whetted sword underscores the certainty and precision of divine retribution.

2. Psalm 7:12 : "If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow." Here, the psalmist conveys the urgency of repentance, warning that God's judgment is imminent and His instruments of justice are ready. The whetting of the sword symbolizes the readiness of God to act against unrepentant sinners.

3. Job 16:9 : "His anger has torn me and hunted me down; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary sharpens His gaze on me." Although the term "whetted" is not directly used, the concept of sharpening is present in the adversary's intense focus and preparation to attack. This reflects the broader theme of being prepared for conflict or confrontation.

Theological Implications:

In Scripture, the act of whetting is often associated with divine judgment and the readiness of God to execute His will. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the seriousness with which He approaches justice. The imagery of a whetted sword or tool is a call to awareness for believers, emphasizing the need for repentance and alignment with God's will to avoid the consequences of His righteous judgment.

Practical Application:

For believers, the concept of whetting can also be applied to spiritual preparedness. Just as a sword must be sharpened to be effective, Christians are called to be spiritually vigilant and ready to engage in spiritual warfare. This involves regular prayer, study of Scripture, and living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ. The metaphor of a whetted instrument serves as a reminder to remain sharp and ready for the challenges and opportunities to serve God in daily life.(imp. & p. p.) of Whet.

On the Conception of Our Lady, Also on Her Birth
... growing man with a diligence which is like unto a sharp steel, and of which I have
already spoken, he will be sharpened like a sharp knife, and whetted by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon iii on the conception.htm

The Exile Continued.
... He pours out broken words of hot and righteous indignation: "Destructions doth thy
tongue devise, Like a razor whetted"O thou worker of deceit.". * * *. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

Death.
... It hath been whetted by sin, by the law, and by a formal profession, and therefore
must and will make deep gashes, not only in the natural life, but in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiv death.htm

On Eutropius, the Eunuch, Patrician and Consul.
... And now the hippodromes, having exhausted thy wealth, have whetted the sword against
thee, but the Church which experienced thy untimely wrath is hurrying in ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i on eutropius the.htm

Introductory Note.
... The appetite whetted by this taste of good things has been partially gratified by
the publication in English of two extended treatises from his hand"one ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/introductory note.htm

How Eurycles Calumniated the Sons of Mariamne; and How Euaratus of ...
... from him, and would preserve his light [of life] by way of retribution for his kind
entertainment; for that a sword had been long whetted, and Alexander's ...
/.../chapter 26 how eurycles calumniated.htm

Letter ii.
... Indeed, that murderer from the beginning who speaks in Eunomius has carefully whetted
the sword against himself; for if he had not been so bold against the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter ii.htm

Of the Council of Antioch and what was done There against the Holy ...
... Against this teaching the men who had the plague of Arius in their hearts whetted
their tongues, and started an ingenious slander, declaring that the divine ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxvii of the council of.htm

To the Bishops of Cilicia.
... the ignorance or contentiousness of these few men"if they really are guilty, and
if they are not, like ourselves, suffering from the whetted tongues of false ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/lxxxiv to the bishops of.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... that he who is severed from the saving faith must be headless like Goliath, being
severed from the true head by his own sword which he had whetted against the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

Whetted (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Whet. Multi-Version Concordance Whetted
(2 Occurrences). ... it is made glittering, it is whetted for the slaughter. (DBY). ...
/w/whetted.htm - 7k

Glittering (12 Occurrences)
... sword against all their gates: ah! it is made glittering, it is whetted for
the slaughter. (DBY JPS NAS RSV). Nahum 3:3 the horseman ...
/g/glittering.htm - 11k

Which (32437 Occurrences)

/w/which.htm - 7k

Makke'dah (8 Occurrences)
... Joshua 10:21 that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace;
none whetted his tongue against any of the children of Israel. (See RSV). ...
/m/makke'dah.htm - 8k

Stumbling-blocks (8 Occurrences)
... threatening sword against all their gates: ah! it is made glittering, it is
whetted for the slaughter. (DBY). Zephaniah 1:3 I will take ...
/s/stumbling-blocks.htm - 9k

Whether (239 Occurrences)

/w/whether.htm - 37k

Whetted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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