Bible Dictionary
BOWMAN
An archer or bowman. Israel used archers in warfare, though surrounding peoples such as the Philistines and Assyrians were often noted for superior skill with the bow.
Definition
A bowman is an archer, one who fights with a bow. Israel appears not to have equaled surrounding peoples in archery, while the Philistines and especially the Assyrians were noted for superior skill.
Biblical Usage
The defeat at Gilboa was attributed to the skill of Philistine bowmen. David encouraged archery practice in Judah, and Hosea speaks of the bow as Israel’s national weapon.
Historical Background
Assyrian reliefs show archers overwhelming enemies before sword and spear were used. Improvement in archery is suggested as a factor in Israel’s military revival under Jeroboam son of Joash.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>bo'-man: Israel seems not to have been equal to the surrounding peoples in the use of the bow. The battle of Gilboa was clearly lost through the superior skill of the Philistine bowmen. This seems to have moved David to encourage archery practice in Judah (2Sa 1:18; compare Driver in the place cited.). It is thought probable that the revival of Israel's military power under Jeroboam, son of Joash, was due to improvement in archery. Hosea, a contemporary, speaks of the bow as the national weapon of Israel (2Sa 1:5,7) . The most skilled bowmen of antiquity were the Assyrians (compare Isa 5:28; 37:33). From Assyrian reliefs it seems that it was their practice to overwhelm their enemies with the bow, and to use sword and spear only when the foe had been demoralized and put to flight.</p><p>See ARCHERY.</p><p>George B. Eager</p>