Bible Dictionary: Axe

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Easton's Bible Dictionary

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 Judges 9:48, 1 Samuel 13:20, 21, Psalm 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 Psalm 74:6 the word so rendered means "feller." (See the figurative expression in Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9.)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) A tool or instrument of steel, or of iron with a steel edge or blade, for felling trees, chopping and splitting wood, hewing timber, etc. It is wielded by a wooden helve or handle, so fixed in a socket or eye as to be in the same plane with the blade. The broadax, or carpenter's ax, is an ax for hewing timber, made heavier than the chopping ax, and with a broader and thinner blade and a shorter handle.

2. (n.) Alt. of Axeman.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

AX (AXE); AX-HEAD

aks; aks'hed: Nine different Hebrew words have been rendered "ax":

(1) garzen. This unquestionably was one of the larger chopping instruments, as the uses to which it was put would imply (Deuteronomy 19:5; Deuteronomy 20:19 1 Kings 6:7 Isaiah 10:15). The modern ax used by the woodchoppers in Syria has a shape much like the ancient stone and bronze axes, with the exception that it is fastened to the handle by passing the latter through a hole in the ax-head, whereas the Egyptian sculptures show that their ax-heads were held to the handles by means of thongs. The so-called battle-ax found at Tell el-Chesy was probably fastened in this way. Syrian peasants are frequently seen carrying in their belts small hatchets the heads of which are shaped like a battle-ax and which are bound to the handles by thongs.

(2) ma`atsar, is used in Isaiah 44:12 (King James Version renders "tongs") and in Jeremiah 10:3.

(3) qardom, is used in Judges 9:48 1 Samuel 13:20, 21; Psalm 74:5 Jeremiah 46:22. The present Arabic word, qudum, which is the name for the native adze, is from the same origin. The adze is the only chopping instrument of the Syrian carpenter. He uses it for many purposes, where a foreigner would use a saw or chisel or plane, and with a skill which the foreigner envies. Many students of Syrian life believe that the adze is a tool which has survived from the early Hebrew times.

(4) barzel (Deuteronomy 19:5 2 Kings 6:5): The interest associated with this word is that it literally means "iron," although the context indicates that it means "ax." If the word iron was not used here to mean "metal," then iron axes were used by the children of Israel. If iron axes existed, however, they have long since disappeared as the result of corrosion, since the only ones discovered have been of stone, copper or bronze. See METALS.

(5) maghzirah (2 Samuel 12:31) is literally, "a cutting instrument," and might be rendered, "a blade" or sickle.

(6) megherah (1 Chronicles 20:2), translated in this one passage as axes, but better translated "saws."

(7) cherebh (Ezekiel 26:9), rendered ax in this passage only. It is usually translated sword. It could also mean pick-axe.

(8) kashil (Psalm 74:6 the King James Version), literally, "a feller," hence, an axe.

(9) mapets (Jeremiah 51:20), literally, "a smiter," hence, a war club or battle-axe. The Greek word used in the New Testament is axine (Matthew 3:10 Luke 3:9).

James A. Patch

Greek

513. axine -- an axe
... axine. 514 . an axe. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: axine Phonetic
Spelling: (ax-ee'-nay) Short Definition: an axe Definition: an axe. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/513.htm - 6k

3990. pelekizo -- to cut off with an ax, esp. to behead
... to behead. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pelekizo Phonetic Spelling:
(pel-ek-id'-zo) Short Definition: I behead Definition: I behead (with an axe). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3990.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

1631. garzen -- an axe
... an axe. Transliteration: garzen Phonetic Spelling: (gar-zen') Short Definition:
axe. Word Origin from garaz Definition an axe NASB Word Usage axe (4). ax. ...
/hebrew/1631.htm - 6k

7134. qardom -- an axe
... 7133b, 7134. qardom. 7135 . an axe. Transliteration: qardom Phonetic
Spelling: (kar-dome') Short Definition: axe. Word Origin of ...
/hebrew/7134.htm - 6k

4037. magzerah -- a cutting instrument, axe
... 4036, 4037. magzerah. 4038 . a cutting instrument, axe. Transliteration: magzerah
Phonetic Spelling: (mag-zay-raw') Short Definition: axes. ... blade, axe. ...
/hebrew/4037.htm - 6k

3781. kashshil -- an axe
... kashshil. 3782 . an axe. Transliteration: kashshil Phonetic Spelling: (kash-sheel')
Short Definition: hatchet. ... an axe. From kashal; properly, a feller, ie An axe ...
/hebrew/3781.htm - 6k

4621. maatsad -- an axe
... an axe. Transliteration: maatsad Phonetic Spelling: (mah-ats-awd') Short Definition:
tool. ... ax, tongs. From an usused root meaning to hew; an axe -- ax, tongs. ...
/hebrew/4621.htm - 5k

3597. kelappoth -- an axe
... 3596, 3597. kelappoth. 3598 . an axe. Transliteration: kelappoth Phonetic
Spelling: (kay-laf') Short Definition: hammers. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3597.htm - 5k

4050. megerah -- a saw
... Word Origin from garar Definition a saw NASB Word Usage axes (1), saws (3). axe,
saw. From garar; a saw -- axe, saw. see HEBREW garar. 4049, 4050. ...
/hebrew/4050.htm - 6k

2719. chereb -- a sword
... tool (1). axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. From charab; drought;
also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as ...
/hebrew/2719.htm - 6k

1270. barzel -- iron
... Word Origin from the same as Birzoth Definition iron NASB Word Usage axe (1),
axe head (1), chains (1), iron (71), irons (1). ax head, iron. ...
/hebrew/1270.htm - 6k

4281. machareshah -- a plowshare
... 1). mattock. From charash; probably a pick-axe -- mattock. see HEBREW charash.
4280, 4281. machareshah. 4282 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4281.htm - 6k

Library

"The Axe is Laid to the Root. "
... "THE AXE IS LAID TO THE ROOT.". "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the
trees. ... Your life must be profitable to God, or you cannot escape the axe. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxi the axe is laid.htm

The Borrowed Axe. 2Ki 6:5,6
... II KINGS Hymn 39 The borrowed axe. 2Ki 6:5,6. John Newton 8,6,8,6. The borrowed
axe. 2Ki 6:5,6. The prophets sons, in time of old,. Though to appearance poor; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 39 the borrowed axe.htm

Fragment xxx. "The Axe unto the Root," He Says, Urging us to the ...
... Fragment XXX. "The axe unto the root," he says, urging us to the knowledge
of the truth� [4846] "The axe unto the root," [4847 ...
/.../fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/fragment xxx the axe unto.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... The Axe at the Root"A Testimony Against Puseyite Idolatry. A Sermon (No.695).
Delivered on Sunday Morning, June 17th, 1866, by. CH SPURGEON,. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

May one Lose the Blessing?
... The story tells us that as one of the students "was felling a beam, the axe-head
fell into the water; and he cried and said, Alas, my master! ...
/.../macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter xviii may one lose.htm

A Short Home Mission Sermon.
... 6. DID IT? THEN SUNKEN THINGS MAY RISE. The axe had fallen into the river,
to the great sorrow of the man who had used it. He was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/iv a short home mission.htm

There is but one Lord and one God, the Father and Creator of all ...
... For when his fellow-prophets were hewing wood for the construction of a tabernacle,
and when the iron [head], shaken loose from the axe, had fallen into the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvii there is but one.htm

Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
... white, and the bridegroom in his most gallant apparel, but as he went along, he
heard a sound of a file from the executioner's room, who was sharpening his axe ...
/.../liii the contemplation of death.htm

Elucidations.
... devil" which Christians have renounced. II. (Now is the axe laid to the
root, p.586.). Matthew 3:10. "Securis ad radicem arboris ...
/.../treatises attributed to cyprian on questionable authority /elucidations.htm

The World was not Formed by Angels, or by any Other Being ...
... Wherefore, we do not say that it was the axe which cut the wood, or the saw which
divided it; but one would very properly say that the man cut and divided it ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ii the world was not.htm

Thesaurus

Axe (19 Occurrences)
... In Isaiah 44:12 the Revised Version renders by "axe" the Hebrew maatsad, which means
a "hewing" instrument. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AX (AXE); AX-HEAD. ...
/a/axe.htm - 18k

Battle-axe (2 Occurrences)
Battle-axe. Battleaxe, Battle-axe. Battlebow . Easton's Bible Dictionary A
mallet or heavy war-club. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BATTLE-AXE. bat'-'-l- ...
/b/battle-axe.htm - 7k

Axe-head (1 Occurrence)
Axe-head. Axe, Axe-head. Axes . Multi-Version Concordance
Axe-head (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 6:5 But as one was felling ...
/a/axe-head.htm - 6k

Ax (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Alt. of Axe. 2. (vt & i.) To ask; to inquire or
inquire of. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AX (AXE); AX-HEAD. ...
/a/ax.htm - 14k

Axhead (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AX (AXE); AX-HEAD. aks; aks ... only. It is
usually translated sword. It could also mean pick-axe. (8 ...
/a/axhead.htm - 10k

Ax-head
Ax-head. Axhead, Ax-head. Axles . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AX (AXE);
AX-HEAD. ... It is usually translated sword. It could also mean pick-axe. ...
/a/ax-head.htm - 9k

Woods (37 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 19:5 For example, if a man goes into the woods with his neighbour for
the purpose of cutting down trees, and when he takes his axe to give a blow ...
/w/woods.htm - 18k

Trees (179 Occurrences)
... Trees (179 Occurrences). Matthew 3:10 "Even now the axe lies at the root of the
trees. ... Luke 3:9 Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. ...
/t/trees.htm - 45k

Hammer (15 Occurrences)
... nomad are driven into the ground. (4.) Hebrews mappets, rendered
"battle-axe" in Jeremiah 51:20. This was properly a "mace," which ...
/h/hammer.htm - 15k

Lieth (135 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:10 And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore
that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. ...
/l/lieth.htm - 36k

Bible Concordance

Axe (19 Occurrences)

Matthew 3:10 "Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Luke 3:9 Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 19:5 as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood, and his hand fetches a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle, and lights on his neighbor, so that he dies; he shall flee to one of these cities and live:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 20:19 When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them; for you may eat of them, and you shall not cut them down; for is the tree of the field man, that it should be besieged of you?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Judges 9:48 Abimelech got him up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder: and he said to the people who were with him, "What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done!"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 13:20 but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 23:8 These are the names of David's men of war: Ishbaal the Hachmonite, chief of the three; his axe was lifted up against eight hundred put to death at one time.
(BBE)

1 Kings 6:7 The house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready at the quarry; and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

2 Kings 6:5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water. Then he cried, and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV)

Psalms 74:5 They behaved like men wielding axes, cutting through a thicket of trees.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 74:6 But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
(Root in KJV WBS YLT NIV)

Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
(WEB NAS)

Isaiah 10:15 Should an axe brag against him who chops with it? Should a saw exalt itself above him who saws with it? As if a rod should lift those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up someone who is not wood.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 10:34 And he is cutting down the thick places of the wood with an axe, and Lebanon with its tall trees is coming down.
(BBE NAS RSV)

Isaiah 14:8 Even the trees of the wood are glad over you, the trees of Lebanon, saying, From the time of your fall no wood-cutter has come up against us with an axe.
(BBE)

Isaiah 44:12 The blacksmith takes an axe, works in the coals, fashions it with hammers, and works it with his strong arm. He is hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water, and is faint.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT)

Jeremiah 10:3 For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE YLT RSV)

Jeremiah 51:20 You are my battle axe and weapons of war: and with you will I break in pieces the nations; and with you will I destroy kingdoms;
(WEB KJV ASV BBE YLT)

Ezekiel 9:2 And six men came from the way of the higher doorway looking to the north, every man with his axe in his hand: and one man among them was clothed in linen, with a writer's inkpot at his side. And they went in and took their places by the brass altar.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Axe

Related Terms

Battle-axe (2 Occurrences)

Axe-head (1 Occurrence)

Ax (12 Occurrences)

Axhead (1 Occurrence)

Ax-head

Woods (37 Occurrences)

Trees (179 Occurrences)

Hammer (15 Occurrences)

Lieth (135 Occurrences)