Bible Dictionary
Hammer
A heavy tool used by metalworkers, quarrymen, stonecutters, and other craftsmen. Related words may also describe a mallet or mace used as a weapon.
Definition
A hammer is a tool used by metalworkers, quarrymen, stonecutters, and other craftsmen. Biblical terms translated “hammer” may denote a heavy hammer, a workman’s mallet, or a weapon such as a mace.
Biblical Usage
Hammers appear in descriptions of gold-beating, quarrying, stonecutting, and general workmanship. A mallet is used to drive tent-pins, while another related term denotes the mace or battle-axe used figuratively of Babylon.
Historical Background
The supplied material distinguishes several Hebrew terms. One likely referred to a heavy blacksmith’s or rock-breaking hammer; another denoted a probably wooden workman’s mallet, and another a short Assyrian-style mace with an ornamented head.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Heb. pattish, used by gold-beaters (Isa. 41:7) and by quarry-men (Jer. 23:29). Metaphorically of Babylon (Jer. 50:23) or Nebuchadnezzar. (2.) Heb. makabah, a stone-cutter’s mallet (1 Kings 6:7), or of any workman (Judg. 4:21; Isa. 44:12). (3.) Heb. halmuth, a poetical word for a workman’s hammer, found only in Judg. 5:26, where it denotes the mallet with which the pins of the tent of the nomad are driven into the ground. (4.) Heb. mappets, rendered “battle-axe” in Jer. 51:20. This was properly a “mace,” which is thus described by Rawlinson: “The Assyrian mace was a short, thin weapon, and must either have been made of a very tough wood or (and this is more probable) of metal. It had an ornamented head, which was sometimes very beautifully modelled, and generally a strap or string at the lower end by which it could be grasped with greater firmness.”
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ham'-er: The Hebrew maqqebheth, occurs in Jud 4:21, where it refers to the mallet (probably wooden) used to drive tent-pins into the ground. The same word occurs in 1Ki 6:7; Isa 44:12; Jer 10:4 as applied to a workman's hammer. paTTish (compare Arabic, fatis), occurs in Isa 41:7; Jer 23:29; 50:23. It was probably a blacksmith's hammer or heavy hammer used for breaking rock. There is doubt about the rendering of Jud 5:26, where the word, halmuth, occurs. From the context, the instrument mentioned was probably not a hammer. In Ps 74:6, kelaph, is better translated "axes," not "hammers."</p><p>See TOOLS.</p><p>James A. Patch</p>