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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Pen-knife</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/p/pen-knife.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/jeremiah/36-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/p/pen-knife.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Pen-knife</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/p/penknife.htm" title="Penknife">◄</a> Pen-knife <a href="/topical/naves/p/penknife--general_scriptures_concerning.htm" title="Penknife: General Scriptures Concerning">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>A pen-knife, as referenced in the Bible, is a small cutting instrument that was traditionally used for sharpening quills, which were then used as writing instruments. The term "pen-knife" appears in the context of the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Jeremiah.<br><br><b>Biblical Reference:</b><br><br>The most notable mention of a pen-knife is found in <a href="/jeremiah/36-23.htm">Jeremiah 36:23</a>. In this passage, King Jehoiakim of Judah uses a pen-knife to cut and destroy a scroll containing the words of the Lord as dictated by the prophet Jeremiah. The verse reads: "And as Jehudi read three or four columns, the king cut them off with a penknife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was consumed by the fire."<br><br><b>Historical and Cultural Context:</b><br><br>In ancient times, writing was a meticulous process that involved the use of quills or reeds dipped in ink. These writing instruments required regular sharpening to maintain a fine point for clear and precise writing. The pen-knife was an essential tool for scribes and scholars, allowing them to prepare their quills for writing on materials such as papyrus, parchment, or vellum.<br><br>The act of King Jehoiakim cutting the scroll with a pen-knife is significant, as it symbolizes his rejection of God's message delivered through Jeremiah. This act of defiance highlights the king's disregard for divine instruction and his attempt to assert his own authority over the prophetic word.<br><br><b>Symbolic Interpretation:</b><br><br>From a theological perspective, the use of the pen-knife in this narrative can be seen as a metaphor for the rejection of God's word. The physical destruction of the scroll represents a deeper spiritual rebellion against God's authority and a refusal to heed His warnings. This event serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring divine guidance and the futility of attempting to silence God's message.<br><br><b>Application in Christian Thought:</b><br><br>In Christian teachings, the account of Jehoiakim and the pen-knife serves as a reminder of the importance of reverence for Scripture. It underscores the belief that God's word is enduring and cannot be nullified by human actions. The narrative encourages believers to approach the Bible with humility and a willingness to accept its teachings, even when they challenge personal or societal norms.<br><br>The pen-knife, though a small and seemingly insignificant tool, plays a pivotal role in this biblical account, illustrating how everyday objects can carry profound spiritual significance when viewed through the lens of Scripture.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/5608.htm"><span class="l">5608. saphar -- to count, recount, relate</span></a><br><b>...</b> commune, account; declare, number, <b>penknife</b>, reckon, scribe, show forth,<br> speak,. A primitive root; properly, to score with a mark <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/5608.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/8593.htm"><span class="l">8593. taar -- a razor, sheath</span></a><br><b>...</b> <b>penknife</b>, razor, scabbard, shave, sheath. From arah; a knife or razor (as making<br> bare): also a scabbard (as being bare, ie Empty) -- (<b>pen</b>-)<b>knife</b>, razor, scabbard <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/8593.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/finney/lectures_to_professing_christians/he_that_is_unjust_in.htm"><span class="l">He that is Unjust in the Least is Unjust Also in Much. Luke 16:10.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> One will find a <b>penknife</b>, perhaps, or a pencil case, and never make the least inquiry,<br> even among those he has reason to believe were the losers. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/he that is unjust in.htm</font><p><a href="/library/macdonald/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind/chapter_1_i_have_been.htm"><span class="l">I have Been Asked to Tell You About the Back of the North Wind. .. <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> For one side of the room was built only of boards, and the boards were so old<br> that you might run a <b>penknife</b> through into the north wind. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 1 i have been.htm</font><p><a href="/library/chesterton/whats_wrong_with_the_world/chapter_7_as_i_have.htm"><span class="l">As I have Said, I Propose to Take Only one Central Instance...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> affections of the family; the two sexes, whether happy or unhappy, are glued together<br> too tightly for us to get the blade of a legal <b>penknife</b> in between them. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 7 as i have.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jerome/the_principal_works_of_st_jerome/letter_xxxi_to_eustochium.htm"><span class="l">Letter xxxi. To Eustochium.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [735] Rend not the letter written on your heart [736] as the profane king<br> cut with his <b>penknife</b> that delivered to him by Baruch. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxxi to eustochium.htm</font><p><a href="/library/cassian/the_works_of_john_cassian_/chapter_xix_an_illustration_to.htm"><span class="l">An Illustration to Help in Forming an Opinion on those who are <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> when we were living in solitude a feeling of irritation would creep over us against<br> our pen because it was too large or too small; against our <b>penknife</b> when it <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xix an illustration to.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_17_1871/the_northern_iron_and_the.htm"><span class="l">The Northern Iron and the Steel</span></a> <br><b>...</b> work cannot be done. You cannot cut granite with a <b>pen</b>-<b>knife</b>, nor drill<br> a hole in a rock with an auger of silk. Some forces are <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the northern iron and the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/howie/biographia_scoticana_scots_worthies/the_life_of_mr_thomas.htm"><span class="l">The Life of Mr. Thomas Hog.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Upon this suggestion, he resented the temptation and the tempter with indignation;<br> his <b>pen</b>-<b>knife</b> (at which the enemy pointed) lying well sharpened upon the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr thomas.htm</font><p><a href="/library/smith/jeremiah/1_from_megiddo_to_carchemish.htm"><span class="l">From Megiddo to Carchemish, 608-605.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> of duty; his son was luxurious, unscrupulous, bloody, and withal petty"fussing with<br> cedar, and cutting up the Prophet's roll piece by piece with a <b>pen</b>-<b>knife</b>! <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 from megiddo to carchemish.htm</font><p><a href="/library/watson/the_beatitudes_an_exposition_of_matthew_51-12/9_the_hindrances_to_mourning.htm"><span class="l">The Hindrances to Mourning</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Every sin is sinful, therefore damnable. A <b>penknife</b> or stiletto makes but a little<br> wound, but either of them may kill as well as a greater weapon. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/9 the hindrances to mourning.htm</font><p><a href="/library/macneil/the_spirit-filled_life/chapter_xi_cleansing.htm"><span class="l">Cleansing.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> In their daring ignorance some have actually taken the <b>penknife</b>, like Judah's foolish<br> king, and cut a whole petition out of the prayer which the Lord taught <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter xi cleansing.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/p/penknife.htm"><span class="l"><b>Penknife</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. <b>PENKNIFE</b>. pen'-nif (Jeremiah 36:23). See<br> PEN. Multi-Version Concordance <b>Penknife</b> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/penknife.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/pen-knife.htm"><span class="l"><b>Pen</b>-<b>knife</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>Pen</b>-<b>knife</b>. <b>Penknife</b>, <b>Pen</b>-<b>knife</b>. Penned . Multi-Version Concordance <b>Pen</b>-<b>knife</b><br> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b> (WBS). <b>Penknife</b>, <b>Pen</b>-<b>knife</b>. Penned . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/pen-knife.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/k/knife.htm"><span class="l">Knife (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> but of many different forms and names for different uses; as, table knife, drawing<br> knife, putty knife, pallet knife, pocketknife, <b>penknife</b>, chopping knife, etc <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/k/knife.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/pen.htm"><span class="l">Pen (16 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> the book. In Jeremiah 36:23 it says that the king cut the roll with the<br><b>penknife</b> (literally, the scribe's knife). This whole scene <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/pen.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/penitent.htm"><span class="l">Penitent (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/penitent.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/j/jehudi.htm"><span class="l">Jehudi (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Jeremiah 36:23 It happened, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the<br> king cut it with the <b>penknife</b>, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/j/jehudi.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/fireplace.htm"><span class="l">Fireplace (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 36:23 And it came about that whenever Jehudi, in his reading, had got through three<br> or four divisions, the king, cutting them with his <b>penknife</b>, put them into <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/fireplace.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/penned.htm"><span class="l">Penned (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/penned.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/baruch.htm"><span class="l">Baruch (24 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> the counsellors of the king at a private interview; and then to the king himself,<br> who, after hearing a part of the roll, cut it with a <b>penknife</b>, and threw it <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/baruch.htm - 46k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/brazier.htm"><span class="l">Brazier (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Jeremiah 36:23 It happened, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the<br> king cut it with the <b>penknife</b>, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/brazier.htm - 7k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/I-am-the-door.html">What did Jesus mean when He said “I am the door” (John 10:7)? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/jot-tittle.html">What is a jot? What is a tittle? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/True-Shepherd.html">How is Jesus the “True Shepherd” in John 10:1-5? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Pen-knife (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/36-23.htm">Jeremiah 36:23</a></span><br />And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the scribe's <span class="boldtext">pen-knife</span>, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.<br /><span class="source">(WBS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/p/pen-knife.htm">Pen-knife</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pen-knife.htm">Pen-knife (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/knife.htm">Knife (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pen.htm">Pen (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/penitent.htm">Penitent (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jehudi.htm">Jehudi (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fireplace.htm">Fireplace (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/penned.htm">Penned (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/baruch.htm">Baruch (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/brazier.htm">Brazier (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/leaves.htm">Leaves (55 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reading.htm">Reading (58 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/scroll.htm">Scroll (70 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/roll.htm">Roll (57 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hearth.htm">Hearth (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/divisions.htm">Divisions (92 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/writing.htm">Writing (194 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/p/penknife.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Penknife"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Penknife" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/p/penknife--general_scriptures_concerning.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Penknife: General Scriptures Concerning"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Penknife: General Scriptures Concerning" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>