HAMMER

ham'-er:

The Hebrew maqqebheth, 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. paTTish (compare Arabic, fatis), occurs in Isaiah 41:7; Jeremiah 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 Judges 5:26, where the word, halmuth, occurs. From the context, the instrument mentioned was probably not a hammer. In Psalms 74:6, kelaph, is better translated "axes," not "hammers."

See TOOLS.

James A. Patch

Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'HAMMER'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.