Bible Dictionary
Saw
A saw was a tool with a toothed blade, used for cutting wood and possibly other materials. Biblical references also mention sawn stones and the use of saws or similar instruments in warfare.
Definition
A saw is a toothed tool used for cutting. Ancient saws discovered in Egypt were generally single-handed, with bronze blades attached to handles by leather thongs. Biblical references also speak of sawn stones and of saws used in connection with David’s captives.
Biblical Usage
Scripture mentions sawn stones used in the temple and describes David’s captives as placed under or in saws. The wording does not necessarily imply torture in one passage, though another reference strongly suggests cutting.
Historical Background
Egyptian saw teeth commonly inclined toward the handle, unlike those of modern Western saws. There is no evidence in the supplied material that Egyptian saws were used on stone.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Egyptian saws, so far as has yet been discovered, are single-handed. As is the case in modern Oriental saws, the teeth usually incline toward the handle, instead of away from it like ours. They have, in most cases, bronze blades, apparently attached to the handles by leathern thongs. No evidence exists of the use of the saw applied to stone in Egypt, but we read of sawn stones used in the temple. (1 Kings 7:9) The saws “under” or “in” which David is said to have placed his captives were of iron. The expression in (2 Samuel 12:31) does not necessarily imply torture, but the word “cut” in (1 Chronicles 20:3) can hardly be understood otherwise.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>so.</p><p>See TOOLS.</p>