The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase ( Genesis 21:20 ; 27:3 ; 48:22 ). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow ( 1 Chronicles 8:40 ; 12:2 ; 2 Chr 14:8 ; 17:17 ); so also were the Elamites ( Isaiah 22:6 ) and the Lydians ( Jeremiah 46:9 ). The Hebrew word commonly used for bow means properly to tread ( 1 Chronicles 5:18 ; 8:40 ), and hence it is concluded that the foot was employed in bending the bow. Bows of steel (correctly "copper") are mentioned ( 2 Samuel 22:35 ; Psalms 18:34 ).
"The use of the bow" in 2 Samuel 1:18 (A.V.) ought to be "the song of the bow," as in the Revised Version.
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.