Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5372 knife

The knife as a domestic cutting implement

Used for general purposes

Proverbs 23:2; Proverbs 30:14; Jeremiah 36:23 cutting a scroll

Knives used for shaving

Leviticus 19:27; Leviticus 21:5; Judges 16:17; Isaiah 15:2; Ezekiel 7:18; Micah 1:16

Knives used in religious ceremonies

In circumcision

Flint rather than metal knives were used because of their sharpness:

Exodus 4:25; Joshua 5:2-3

In sacrifice

Genesis 15:10; Genesis 22:10; Exodus 29:17; Leviticus 8:20

Knives used for wounding

For self-mutilation

This practice was associated with pagan worship, sometimes as an expression of mourning:

Leviticus 19:28; Leviticus 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1-2; 1 Kings 18:28; Jeremiah 16:6; Jeremiah 41:5; Jeremiah 47:5; Jeremiah 48:37

In mutilation of others

As a punishment:

Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:17-20; Deuteronomy 25:12

Against prisoners of war:

Judges 1:6; Judges 16:21

As a threat:

1 Samuel 11:7

Knives used in figures of speech

For self-discipline

Proverbs 23:2; Matthew 5:29-30; Matthew 18:8-9; Mark 9:43-47

As a symbol of pruning

Isaiah 18:5; John 15:1-2

As a symbol of wickedness

Proverbs 30:14

See also

4327  flint
5130  beard
5155  hair
5346  injury
5419  mourning
5482  punishment
5571  surgery
5572  sword
5583  tools
7334  circumcision
7402  offerings
7435  sacrifice, in OT