used in the Authorized Version of
Deuteronomy 19:5 ;
20:19 ;
1 Kings 6:7 , as the translation of a Hebrew word which means "chopping." It was used for felling trees (
Isaiah 10:34 ) and hewing timber for building. It is the rendering of a different word in Jud
Judges 13:20 Judges 13:21 ,
Psalms 74:5 , which refers to its sharpness. In
2 Kings 6:5 it is the translation of a word used with reference to its being made of iron. In
Isaiah 44:12 the Revised Version renders by "axe" the Hebrew
maatsad , which means a "hewing" instrument. In the Authorized Version it is rendered "tongs." It is also used in
Jeremiah 10:3 , and rendered "axe." The "battle-axe" (army of Medes and Persians) mentioned in
Jeremiah 51:20 was probably, as noted in the margin of the Revised Version, a "maul" or heavy mace. In
Psalms 74:6 the word so rendered means "feller." (See the figurative expression in
Matthew 3:10 ;
Luke 3:9 .)
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.