A pen-knife, as referenced in the Bible, is a small cutting instrument that was traditionally used for sharpening quills, which were then used as writing instruments. The term "pen-knife" appears in the context of the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Jeremiah.

Biblical Reference:

The most notable mention of a pen-knife is found in Jeremiah 36:23. In this passage, King Jehoiakim of Judah uses a pen-knife to cut and destroy a scroll containing the words of the Lord as dictated by the prophet Jeremiah. The verse reads: "And as Jehudi read three or four columns, the king cut them off with a penknife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was consumed by the fire."

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient times, writing was a meticulous process that involved the use of quills or reeds dipped in ink. These writing instruments required regular sharpening to maintain a fine point for clear and precise writing. The pen-knife was an essential tool for scribes and scholars, allowing them to prepare their quills for writing on materials such as papyrus, parchment, or vellum.

The act of King Jehoiakim cutting the scroll with a pen-knife is significant, as it symbolizes his rejection of God's message delivered through Jeremiah. This act of defiance highlights the king's disregard for divine instruction and his attempt to assert his own authority over the prophetic word.

Symbolic Interpretation:

From a theological perspective, the use of the pen-knife in this narrative can be seen as a metaphor for the rejection of God's word. The physical destruction of the scroll represents a deeper spiritual rebellion against God's authority and a refusal to heed His warnings. This event serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring divine guidance and the futility of attempting to silence God's message.

Application in Christian Thought:

In Christian teachings, the account of Jehoiakim and the pen-knife serves as a reminder of the importance of reverence for Scripture. It underscores the belief that God's word is enduring and cannot be nullified by human actions. The narrative encourages believers to approach the Bible with humility and a willingness to accept its teachings, even when they challenge personal or societal norms.

The pen-knife, though a small and seemingly insignificant tool, plays a pivotal role in this biblical account, illustrating how everyday objects can carry profound spiritual significance when viewed through the lens of Scripture.5608. saphar -- to count, recount, relate
... commune, account; declare, number, penknife, reckon, scribe, show forth,
speak,. A primitive root; properly, to score with a mark ...
/hebrew/5608.htm - 6k

8593. taar -- a razor, sheath
... penknife, razor, scabbard, shave, sheath. From arah; a knife or razor (as making
bare): also a scabbard (as being bare, ie Empty) -- (pen-)knife, razor, scabbard ...
/hebrew/8593.htm - 6k

He that is Unjust in the Least is Unjust Also in Much. Luke 16:10.
... One will find a penknife, perhaps, or a pencil case, and never make the least inquiry,
even among those he has reason to believe were the losers. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/he that is unjust in.htm

I have Been Asked to Tell You About the Back of the North Wind. .. ...
... For one side of the room was built only of boards, and the boards were so old
that you might run a penknife through into the north wind. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 1 i have been.htm

As I have Said, I Propose to Take Only one Central Instance...
... affections of the family; the two sexes, whether happy or unhappy, are glued together
too tightly for us to get the blade of a legal penknife in between them. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 7 as i have.htm

Letter xxxi. To Eustochium.
... [735] Rend not the letter written on your heart [736] as the profane king
cut with his penknife that delivered to him by Baruch. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxxi to eustochium.htm

An Illustration to Help in Forming an Opinion on those who are ...
... when we were living in solitude a feeling of irritation would creep over us against
our pen because it was too large or too small; against our penknife when it ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xix an illustration to.htm

The Northern Iron and the Steel
... work cannot be done. You cannot cut granite with a pen-knife, nor drill
a hole in a rock with an auger of silk. Some forces are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the northern iron and the.htm

The Life of Mr. Thomas Hog.
... Upon this suggestion, he resented the temptation and the tempter with indignation;
his pen-knife (at which the enemy pointed) lying well sharpened upon the ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr thomas.htm

From Megiddo to Carchemish, 608-605.
... of duty; his son was luxurious, unscrupulous, bloody, and withal petty"fussing with
cedar, and cutting up the Prophet's roll piece by piece with a pen-knife! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 from megiddo to carchemish.htm

The Hindrances to Mourning
... Every sin is sinful, therefore damnable. A penknife or stiletto makes but a little
wound, but either of them may kill as well as a greater weapon. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/9 the hindrances to mourning.htm

Cleansing.
... In their daring ignorance some have actually taken the penknife, like Judah's foolish
king, and cut a whole petition out of the prayer which the Lord taught ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter xi cleansing.htm

Penknife (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PENKNIFE. pen'-nif (Jeremiah 36:23). See
PEN. Multi-Version Concordance Penknife (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/penknife.htm - 7k

Pen-knife (1 Occurrence)
Pen-knife. Penknife, Pen-knife. Penned . Multi-Version Concordance Pen-knife
(1 Occurrence). ... (WBS). Penknife, Pen-knife. Penned . Reference Bible.
/p/pen-knife.htm - 6k

Knife (10 Occurrences)
... but of many different forms and names for different uses; as, table knife, drawing
knife, putty knife, pallet knife, pocketknife, penknife, chopping knife, etc ...
/k/knife.htm - 13k

Pen (16 Occurrences)
... the book. In Jeremiah 36:23 it says that the king cut the roll with the
penknife (literally, the scribe's knife). This whole scene ...
/p/pen.htm - 14k

Penitent (7 Occurrences)

/p/penitent.htm - 8k

Jehudi (3 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:23 It happened, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the
king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier ...
/j/jehudi.htm - 8k

Fireplace (7 Occurrences)
... 36:23 And it came about that whenever Jehudi, in his reading, had got through three
or four divisions, the king, cutting them with his penknife, put them into ...
/f/fireplace.htm - 8k

Penned (3 Occurrences)

/p/penned.htm - 7k

Baruch (24 Occurrences)
... the counsellors of the king at a private interview; and then to the king himself,
who, after hearing a part of the roll, cut it with a penknife, and threw it ...
/b/baruch.htm - 46k

Brazier (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:23 It happened, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the
king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier ...
/b/brazier.htm - 7k

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