Quiver
Quiver
is the rendering in the A. V. of two very different Hebrew words. The English word "quiver" is a variation of "cover" (from the French couvrir), and therefore answers to the second of the two Hebrew words. SEE ARMOR.
1. תּלַי, tell. This occurs only in Ge 27:3 — "take thy weapons (literally "thy things"), thy quiver and thy bow." It is derived (by Gesenius, Thesaur. p. 1504, and Furst, Handworterb. ii, 528) from a root which has the force of hanging. The passage itself affords no clue to its meaning. It may therefore signify either a quiver or a suspended weapon-for instance, such a sword as in our own language. was formerly called a "hanger." Between these two significations the interpreters are divided. The Sept., Vulg., and Targum Pseudo-Jon. adhere to the former; Onkelos, the Peshito and Arabic versions, to the latter.
⇒Bible concordance for QUIVER.
2. אִשׁפָּה, acshpah. The root of this word is uncertain (Gesenius, Thesaur. p. 161). From two of its occurrences, its force would seem to be that of containing or concealing (Ps 127:5; Isa 49:2). It is connected with arrows only in La 3:13. Its other occurrences are Job 39:23; Isa 22:6; and Jer 5:16. In each of these the Sept. translates it by "quiver" (φαρέτρα), with two exceptions, Job 39:23, and Ps 127:5, in the former of which they render it by "bow," in the latter by ἐπιθυμία.
The quiver is a case or box for arrows, which was slung over the shoulder in such a position that a soldier could with ease draw out the arrows when he wanted them (Isa 49:2; Jer 5:16). There is nothing in the Bible to indicate either its form or material, or in what way it was carried. The quivers of the Assyrians warriors, on the other hand, wore them slung nearly horizonltal. drawing out the arrows from beneath the arm (Wilkinson, Anc. Egypt. abridgm. i. 354). The quiver was about four inches in diameter, supported by a belt passing over the shoulder and across the breast to the opposite side. When not in actual use, it was shifted behind, or hung at the side of the chariot, like that of the Assyrians. SEE CHARIOT. Among the ancient Greeks, the quiver was principally made of hide or leather, and was adorned with gold, painting, and braiding. It had a lid (πῶμα), and was suspended from the right shoulder by a belt passing over the breast and behind the back. Its most common position was on the left hip, and is so seen in the annexed figures, the right-hand one representing an Amazon, and the left-hand an Asiatic archer.
"Quiver" is also used figuratively for house, and arrows for children (Ps 127:5). SEE ARCHER.
