Sling
SLING
An instrument much used in war before the invention of firearms. It was a formidable weapon in hands like those of David and the Benjamites, Jdg 20:16 1Sa 17:48-50 1Ch 12:2 2Ch 26:14 .
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Sling
(, kela; Sept. ; Vulg. funda), an implement which has in all ages been the favorite weapon of the shepherds of Syria (1Sa 17:40), and hence was adopted by the Israelitish army as the most effective weapon for light armed troops. The Benjamites were particularly expert in their use of it; even the left handed could sling stones at a hair and not miss (Jdg 20:16; comp. 1Ch 12:2). According to the Targum of Jonathan and the Syriac, it was the weapon of the Cherethites and Pelethites. It was advantageously used in attacking and defending towns (2Ki 3:25; Josephus, War, 4, 1, 3), and in skirmishing (ibid. 2, 17, 5). Other eastern nations availed therhselves of it, as the Syrians (1Ma 9:11), who also invented a kind of artificial sling (1Ma 6:51), the Assyrians (Jdg 9:7; Layard, Nin. and Bab. 2, 344), the Egyptians (Wilkinson, 1, 357), and the Persians (Xenophon, Anab. 3, 3, 18). The construction of the weapon hardly needs description. It consisted of a couple of strings of sinew, or some fibrous substance, attached to a leathern receptacle for the stone in the center, which was termed the kaph (), i.e. pan (1Sa 25:29). The sling was swung once or twice round the head, and the stone was then discharged by letting go one of the strings. Sling stones () were selected for their smoothness (1Sa 17:40), and were recognized as one of the ordinary munitions of war (2Ch 26:14). In action the stones were either carried in a bag round the neck (1Sa 17:40), or were heaped up at the feet of the combatant (Layard, Nin. and Bab. 2, 344). The violence with which the stone was projected supplied a vivid image of sudden and forcible removal (Jer 10:18). The rapidity of the whirling motion of the sling round the head was emblematic of inquietude (1Sa 25:29, the souls of.thine enemies shall he whirl round in the midst of the pan of a sling), while the sling stones represented the enemies of God (Zec 9:15, they shall tread under foot the sling stones). The term margemah () in Pro 26:8 is of doubtful meaning. Gesenius (Thesaur. p. 1263) explains of a heap of stones, as in the margin of the A.V., the Sept.; Ewald and Hitzig, of a sling, as in the text. The simple weapon with which David killed the giant Philistine was the natural attendant of a shepherd, whose duty it was to keep at a distance and drive off anything attempting to molest his flocks. The sling would be familiar to all shepherds and keepers of sheep, and, therefore, the bold metaphor of Abigail has a natural propriety in the mouth of the wife of a man whose possessions in flocks were so great as those of Nabal (1Sa 25:29).
Later in the monarchy, slingers formed part of the regular army (2Ki 3:25), though it would seem that the slings there mentioned must have been more ponderous than in earlier times, and that those which could break down the fortifications of so strong a place as Kir-haraseth must have been more like the engines which king Uzziah contrived to shoot great stones (2Ch 26:15). In 2Ch 26:14 of the same chapter we find an allusion (concealed in the A.V. by two interpolated words) to stones specially adapted for slings, Uzziah prepared throughout all the host shields and spears, bows and sling stones.
Shepherd life in Syria and Arabia affords peculiar facilities for the cultivation and acquirement of this art; and Burckhardt notes of the modern Bedawin that the shepherds who tend flocks at a distance from the camp are armed with short lances, and also with slings, which they use very dexterously in throwing stones as large as a man’s fist (Notes on the Bed. 1, 57). Thomson speaks of the extraordinary skill of the lads of Hasbeya with this weapon (Land and Book, 2, 372). In various other countries the use of the sling was much practiced in ancient times; the inhabitants of the Baleares (Majorca and Minorca) were particularly distinguished for it. SEE ARMOR.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Sling
With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1 Sam. 17:40, 49). There were 700 Benjamites who were so skilled in its use that with the left hand they “could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss” (Judg. 20:16; 1 Chr. 12:2). It was used by the Israelites in war (2 Kings 3:25). (See ARMS
The words in Prov. 26:8, “As he that bindeth a stone in a sling,” etc. (Authorized Version), should rather, as in the Revised Version, be “As a bag of gems in a heap of stones,” etc.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Sling
(See ARMS.) 1Sa 17:40. Smooth stones were preferred. The Benjamites’ expertness with it was famed (Jdg 20:16; 1Ch 12:2). Suited for skirmishing, and for striking the besieged (2Ki 3:25; 2Ch 26:14). Two strings attached to a leather center, the hollow receptacle of the stone, composed it. 1Sa 25:29, “the soul of thine enemies Itc will hurl away in the cup (kaph) of the sling.” It was swung round the head, then one string was let go and the stone hurled out.
Image of “sudden and violent removal” (Jer 10:18). Translated Zec 9:15, “they (the Jews) shall tread under foot the sling stones” hurled at them by the foe, and falling harmless at their feet (Job 41:28). Their foes shall be as such sling stones when fallen under foot; in contrast to God’s people (Zec 9:16), “the (precious) stones of a crown.” In Pro 26:8, “as he that bindeth a stone in a sling” (margemah, distinct from qela’ a “sling”), the stone bound is useless to the slinger; so “honour” is useless when “given to a feel” (Ewald). Maurer translated “hurleth.” Chaldean, Syriac, and Arabic support KJV; the Vulgate supports margin, “as he that putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones.” KJV is best.
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Sling
SLING.See Armour Arms, 1 (e).
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Sling
See ARMOR, III., 2.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Sling
A simple weapon with which stones were thrown. It could easily be formed of a piece of leather with a small hole in the centre, and having two strings attached. A stone was placed in the hole in the leather, and swung round forcibly, when, by releasing one of the strings, the stone would fly away. It was used by shepherds to keep off such animals as wolves; David had one with which he smote Goliath. We read of some who were so skilled in its use as to throw a stone to a hair’s breadth. It is mentioned among the weapons of war. Jdg 20:16; 1Sa 17:40; 1Sa 17:50; 2Ki 3:25; 2Ch 26:14. On the Egyptian monuments men are portrayed using the sling.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Sling
Used for throwing stones
Pro 26:8
David slays Goliath with
1Sa 17:40-50
Dextrous use of
Jdg 20:16
Used in war
Jdg 20:16; 2Ki 3:25; 2Ch 26:14 Armies; Arms
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Sling
Sling. See Arms.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Sling
1Sa 25:29 (a) The thought presented here is that GOD will preserve His servant safely, holding him in His own powerful hand. The enemies of GOD will be destroyed by the Lord, taken out of the way, and be completely defeated.
Pro 26:8 (a) This strange illustration describes the foolishness of giving no freedom to the stone which is to be thrown, and in giving a place of prominence to one who cannot fill it.