Pointed pieces of wood, shot from a bow, used in hunting and warfare. In the hands of skilful archers they are accurate and deadly weapons. Figuratively, they represent conviction and judgments from God, or the hurtful words of men and women.
Characteristics of arrows
Deadly
Psalm 64:3 See also Deuteronomy 32:42; Psalm 7:13; Ezekiel 5:16
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,
Accurate
Then Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.
Sharp and piercing
Psalm 45:5 See also 2 Kings 9:24; Job 20:24; Psalm 120:4; Isaiah 5:28
Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.
Arrows used as a sign
To warn David
Of victory over Aram
Of divination by the Babylonians
Arrows referred to figuratively
To describe conviction from God
Psalm 38:2 See also Job 6:4, Job 34:6; Lamentations 3:12–13
For Your arrows have pierced me deeply, and Your hand has pressed down on me.
To describe judgment from God
Psalm 64:7 See also Deuteronomy 32:23, Deuteronomy 32:42; Psalm 45:5; Ezekiel 5:16
But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.
To describe false accusations
Psalm 64:3–4 See also Psalm 11:2, Psalm 57:4
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows, ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.
To describe false testimony
Proverbs 25:18 See also Proverbs 26:18–19; Jeremiah 9:3, Jeremiah 9:8
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
To describe attacks of Satan
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
As lightning
Psalm 77:17 See also 2 Samuel 22:15; Psalm 144:6; Zechariah 9:14
The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth.
As sons as a blessing from God
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.