Definition and Context
Wielding, in a biblical context, refers to the act of handling or using a tool, weapon, or instrument with skill and control. The term is often associated with the use of swords or other implements in both literal and metaphorical senses. In Scripture, wielding can symbolize authority, power, and the execution of judgment or protection.

Biblical References

1. Wielding the Sword
The imagery of wielding a sword is prevalent throughout the Bible, often symbolizing divine judgment or the authority given to individuals by God. In the Old Testament, wielding a sword is frequently associated with warfare and the defense of God's people. For example, in Judges 7:20, Gideon's men wield their swords as part of God's deliverance of Israel from the Midianites: "The three companies blew their trumpets and shattered their jars. They held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands and shouted, 'A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!'"

2. Spiritual Warfare
In the New Testament, the concept of wielding takes on a spiritual dimension. Ephesians 6:17 speaks of the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Here, wielding the sword represents the believer's use of Scripture in spiritual battles. The Word of God is depicted as a powerful tool for defense and offense against spiritual forces of evil.

3. Authority and Judgment
Wielding is also associated with authority and the execution of judgment. Romans 13:4 describes the governing authorities as God's servants, "for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." This passage highlights the role of wielding authority in maintaining justice and order.

4. Metaphorical Use
Beyond the literal use of weapons, wielding can also be metaphorical, representing the exercise of influence or power. In Proverbs 12:18, the tongue is likened to a sword: "There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Here, the act of wielding words is contrasted between harm and healing, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with the power of speech.

Theological Implications

Wielding, as depicted in the Bible, underscores the importance of using power and authority responsibly and in alignment with God's will. Whether in physical combat, spiritual warfare, or the exercise of authority, the act of wielding is portrayed as a significant responsibility entrusted to individuals by God. The biblical narrative encourages believers to wield their God-given tools—be it the Word, authority, or influence—with wisdom, justice, and righteousness.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Wield.

2. (n.) Power; authority; rule.

5130. nuph -- to move to and fro, wave, sprinkle
... 6), shake...back and forth (1), shakes (1), shed abroad (1), sprinkled (1), wave
(13), waved (1), waving (1), wield (3), wielded (1), wielding (1), wields (1). ...
/hebrew/5130.htm - 6k

1869. darak -- to tread, march
... 2), tramples down (1), tread (8), treader (1), treader treads (1), treading (1),
treads (5), trod (3), trod them down (1), trodden (4), walk (3), wielding (1). ...
/hebrew/1869.htm - 6k

8610. taphas -- to lay hold of, wield
... 1), play (1), profane (1), seize (5), seized (13), seizes (1), surely be captured
(1), take (3), taken over (1), took (3), took hold (3), wielding (1), wields ...
/hebrew/8610.htm - 6k

The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Present Exaltation of ...
... him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee" (Jude 1:9). Sufficient
has been said to show that Satan is a creature wielding tremendous power. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/v the redeemers return is.htm

Our Ally
... side"a Person whose instrument is the revealed truth ensphered and in germ in the
facts of Christ's incarnation and life"a divine Person, wielding the truth ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/our ally.htm

Stephen's vision
... hand of God,' is the energy of His unlimited power, and that, therefore, the deepest
meaning of the expression 'to be at His right hand,' is wielding the might ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/stephens vision.htm

Providential Overruling.
... The same hand that was once nailed to the cross, is now wielding the sceptre on
the throne,""all power given unto thee in heaven and in earth." How can I ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/13th day providential overruling.htm

A Call to Prayer and Testimony
... the out-gathering of his chosen he carries on with quenchless zeal, never staying
his divine intercession, never withholding his hands from wielding that "all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a call to prayer and.htm

Conclusion, the Romans Owe not their Imperial Power to their Gods ...
... Surely those who were aggrandized with the power of wielding empire might always
have been able to keep an eye, as it were, [1089] on their own cities. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xvii conclusion the romans.htm

Attributes of Love.
... And O! what a glorious thought, that infinite benevolence is wielding, and will
forever wield, infinite natural attributes for the promotion of good! ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xiii attributes of love.htm

For the Love of Christ.
... Help me to watch, Lord! day and night, This blessed treasure shielding From unyielding
Foes, who 'gainst us the might Of Satan's realm are wielding! ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for the love of christ.htm

The Sower.
... Grasping the facts and laws of his own material world, and wielding them with steady
aim as instruments in the establishment of his spiritual kingdom, in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/i the sower.htm

Two visitors by Night
... Nor could he be otherwise than conscious that among the hungers, fevers, appetites,
and malignities around him he was wielding the power of a true man. ...
/.../chapter iv two visitors by.htm

Wielding (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wielding (4 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Psalms 74:5 They behaved
like men wielding axes, cutting through a thicket of trees. (WEB NIV). ...
/w/wielding.htm - 7k

Axe (19 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/a/axe.htm - 18k

Lays (30 Occurrences)
... in every place where the appointed staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon
him, it shall be with tabrets and harps; and in battles of wielding will He ...
/l/lays.htm - 13k

Weak (102 Occurrences)
... (vi) Not prevalent or effective, or not felt to be prevalent; not potent; feeble.
19. (vi) Lacking in elements of political strength; not wielding or having ...
/w/weak.htm - 38k

Wields (2 Occurrences)

/w/wields.htm - 7k

Wieldeth (1 Occurrence)

/w/wieldeth.htm - 6k

Wield (8 Occurrences)
... Zebulun. (See NAS). Psalms 74:5 They behaved like men wielding axes, cutting
through a thicket of trees. (Root in WEB JPS NIV). Isaiah ...
/w/wield.htm - 9k

Fights (9 Occurrences)
... in every place where the appointed staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon
him, it shall be with tabrets and harps; and in battles of wielding will He ...
/f/fights.htm - 9k

Thicket (9 Occurrences)
... net. (DBY). Psalms 74:5 They behaved like men wielding axes, cutting through
a thicket of trees. (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NIV). Jeremiah ...
/t/thicket.htm - 10k

Man (26072 Occurrences)
... features are found, whoever wields temporal and spiritual power in any degree similar
to that in which the man of sin is here described as wielding it, he, be ...
/m/man.htm - 56k

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