Psalms 120:4
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Original Language Analysis
חִצֵּ֣י
arrows
H2671
חִצֵּ֣י
arrows
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
שְׁנוּנִ֑ים
Sharp
H8150
שְׁנוּנִ֑ים
Sharp
Strong's:
H8150
Word #:
3 of 6
to point (transitive or intransitive); intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate
Cross References
Psalms 45:5Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.Proverbs 19:9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.Proverbs 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.Proverbs 16:27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.Proverbs 19:5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Historical Context
Arrows and fire were common weapons in ancient warfare. The combination emphasizes both offensive assault (arrows) and total destruction (fire). Juniper/broom trees grew abundantly in the wilderness and were highly valued for fuel. The imagery would resonate with an agricultural society familiar with these elements of daily and military life.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the imagery of 'sharp arrows' and 'coals of juniper' communicate both immediacy and duration of judgment?
- What does this poetic justice reveal about God's character as righteous judge?
- How does the principle of proportionate punishment (measure for measure) apply to sins of speech?
- In what ways does New Testament teaching about judgment affirm or nuance this Old Testament perspective?
- How should awareness of divine judgment against deceit shape our own speech patterns?
Analysis & Commentary
God's judgment against the deceitful tongue is described with vivid military imagery: 'Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.' The 'sharp arrows' represent God's precise, inescapable judgment - arrows find their target at distance, suggesting that liars cannot escape divine justice. The 'coals of juniper' (or 'broom tree' in some translations) reference wood known for intense, long-lasting heat. Juniper coals were prized for their enduring fire. The imagery suggests that divine judgment will be both sharp/sudden (arrows) and prolonged/consuming (coals). This poetic justice reflects the principle of lex talionis (law of retaliation) - the deceitful tongue that spreads verbal fire will experience consuming fire in return. The punishment fits the crime: as false words wounded, so sharp arrows wound; as slander spread like fire, so judicial fire consumes.