Sword/Dagger

Swords are the weapons most frequently mentioned in the Bible. Normally they were long, broad knives with a handle. Some swords had two sharp edges, some only one. They were usually carried by the soldier in a sheath on his left side. A dagger is a smaller sword. A sword is often used in the Bible as a word picture for the judgment of God or for violence of any kind. Jesus said, “All who take the sword will perish by the sword” (

esv). A sword is also used as a word picture of the power of the Word of God.