מְגֵרָה
a saw
Definition
The Hebrew noun מְגֵרָה (mᵉgêrâh) refers to a saw, a tool with a toothed blade used for cutting hard materials like wood or stone. In its three biblical occurrences, it is consistently used as an instrument of forced labor or harsh treatment. In 2 Samuel 12:31 and the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 20:3, King David puts the Ammonite captives to work with saws, among other tools, indicating its use as an implement of subjugation. In 1 Kings 7:9, the word appears in the context of construction, describing how the stones for Solomon's palace were cut and shaped, likely with large saws.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively in historical narratives describing royal construction and warfare. It appears in contexts of forced labor (2 Samuel 12:31, 1 Chronicles 20:3) and monumental building projects (1 Kings 7:9). The pattern shows the saw as a tool of both oppression, in the hands of a conqueror, and grand achievement, in the service of a king's palace.
Etymology
Derived from the root גָּרַר (gārar, H1641), meaning 'to drag, drag away, or saw.' This root conveys the pulling or grating motion inherent in using a saw. The noun form מְגֵרָה specifically denotes the tool that performs this dragging/cutting action.
Semantic Range
While a common tool, its biblical usage carries theological weight regarding power, justice, and human dignity. Its association with forced labor (2 Samuel 12:31) raises ethical questions about the treatment of captives and the potential for cruelty, even by figures like David. Conversely, its use in building God's temple complex (1 Kings 7:9) shows it as an instrument for creating a dwelling place for God's glory, highlighting how ordinary tools can serve sacred purposes.
In the ancient Near East, saws were typically made of bronze or iron with teeth set to cut on the pull stroke. Their use in cutting stone for royal buildings (1 Kings 7:9) indicates advanced construction techniques. The mention of saws in contexts of punishment or forced labor reflects a harsh reality of warfare and conquest, where captives were often used as a labor resource for state projects.
מַגְזֵרָה (magzērâ, H4051) — a cutting instrument, often translated as 'axe' or 'knife,' used for pruning or chopping rather than sawing.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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