Bible Encyclopedias
Hammer

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ham´ẽr : The Hebrew מקּבת , maḳḳebheth , occurs in Judges 4:21 , where it refers to the mallet (probably wooden) used to drive tent-pins into the ground. The same word occurs in 1 Kings 6:7; Isaiah 44:12; Jeremiah 10:4 as applied to a workman's hammer. פטּישׁ , paṭṭı̄sh (compare Arabic, faṭı̄s ), occurs in Isaiah 41:7; Jeremiah 23:29; Jeremiah 50:23 . It was probably a blacksmith's hammer or heavy hammer used for breaking rock. There is doubt about the rendering of Judges 5:26 , where the word, הלמוּת , halmūth , occurs. From the context, the instrument mentioned was probably not a hammer. In Psalm 74:6 , כּילף , kēlāph , is better translated "axes," not "hammers." See TOOLS .