What is an oar in the Bible?

An oar is a long pole with a flat blade, used for rowing and steering ancient boats and ships. It was a crucial tool for propulsion and navigation on the seas and rivers mentioned throughout scripture.

Where are oars mentioned in the Bible?

Oars are mentioned in poetic and prophetic books, often symbolizing maritime power or the noise of a fleet. A key reference is Ezekiel 27:29, which describes the distress of sailors: 'And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships...'

Why is the oar significant in biblical imagery?

The oar symbolizes human skill, labor, and control over travel and trade on the water. In prophecy, it can represent the downfall of proud maritime nations, as their oarsmen abandon ship (Ezekiel 27:29), showing that even human ingenuity is subject to God's judgment.

Pro Sign In Sign Up Free

EncyclopediaOar

TheologyO

Oar

Oar or. ⇒See a list of verses on OAR in the Bible. See SHIPS AND BOATS,II , 2, (3). ⇒See the definition of oar in the KJV Dictionary

Explore “Oar” in Scripture

Search for this term across Bible translations in the Biblexika reader.

Open Bible Reader Back to Encyclopedia

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources