Original Word: קַרְדֹּם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: qardom
Pronunciation: kar-DOME
Phonetic Spelling: (kar-dome')
KJV: ax
NASB: axe, axes
Word Origin: [perhaps from H6923 (קָדַם - meet) in the sense of striking upon]

1. an axe

ax

Perhaps from qadam in the sense of striking upon; an axe -- ax.

see HEBREW qadam

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
an axe
NASB Translation
axe (3), axes (2).

[קַרְדֹּם] noun [masculine] axe (√ unknown; compare Late Hebrew קַרְדֹּם double hoe,one side of which could split wood, Vogelst^{Land writhsch.37}; Arabic , adze is loan-word according to Frä⁸⁴); — suffix קַרְדֻמּוֺ 1 Samuel 13:20 + Judges 9:48 (so probably read for הַקַּרְדֻּמוֺתּ, A ᵐ5^L τ. ἀξίνημ, GFM Bu Now); plural קַרְדֻּמִּים 1 Samuel 13:21, קַרְדֻּמוֺת Jeremiah 46:22; Psalm 74:5

Physical Description and Function in Ancient Israel

The קַרְדֹּם was a hand-held axe or hatchet consisting of a wooden shaft fitted with an iron or bronze blade. In daily life it served three primary purposes: (1) felling timber for building and fuel, (2) shaping wood for implements and fortifications, and (3) limited use as an improvised weapon when circumstances demanded. The tool’s presence in agricultural, military, and cultic contexts underscores its versatility in Israelite society.

Occurrences in Scripture

• Judges 9:48 – During the siege of the tower at Shechem, “Abimelech took an axe in his hand, cut off a branch, lifted it to his shoulder, and said to the troops with him, ‘Follow me! Do what you have seen me do.’”. The axe enables rapid gathering of fuel for the judgment that soon engulfs the rebellious city.
• 1 Samuel 13:20-21 – Israel, disarmed by Philistine policy, must pay to have “axes” sharpened, revealing both Philistine domination and Israel’s dependence on iron technology.
• Psalm 74:5 – Invading forces desecrating the sanctuary are compared to “men wielding axes in a thicket of trees,” portraying brutal destruction of what is holy.
• Jeremiah 46:22 – Babylon’s army comes against Egypt “with axes, like woodcutters,” an image of unstoppable, methodical judgment.

Historical and Cultural Background

By the late Bronze and early Iron Ages, iron blades had largely replaced earlier bronze ones, greatly increasing cutting efficiency. Yet ironworking remained in the hands of specialist smiths, often controlled by dominant powers (1 Samuel 13). The axe’s dual role—as a constructive implement in peaceful times and a destructive instrument in war—mirrors the broader realities of Near-Eastern life, where the same tool could build homes or tear down enemy strongholds.

Symbolic and Theological Themes

Judgment and Destruction

Whenever the קַרְדֹּם appears, something is about to be cut down—whether trees, a city, or a nation. The tool becomes a visual aid for divine judgment. Jeremiah’s oracle against Egypt and Asaph’s lament in Psalm 74 both portray pagan forces wielding axes, yet the prophets make clear that these armies, like the tool itself, are instruments in the sovereign hand of God.

Dependence and Oppression

In 1 Samuel 13 the need to pay Philistine smiths to sharpen axes exposes Israel’s submission to foreign rule. This historical note underscores the cost of spiritual compromise: when God’s people relinquish obedience, they forfeit their cutting edge and must turn to the world for what should be theirs by covenant privilege.

Preparation and Readiness

An axe must be kept sharp (compare Ecclesiastes 10:10). The five texts collectively stress the wisdom of foresight—Abimelech gathers wood before assault, Israelites seek to sharpen tools before harvest, and Babylon arrives prepared to fell the pride of Egypt. The principle carries over to spiritual life: discipleship requires continual honing through Scripture, prayer, and obedience.

Lessons for Faith and Practice

1. Steward the Tools God Provides – Whether ministry gifts, resources, or opportunities, they grow dull without regular maintenance.
2. Expect Accountability – Just as an axe can clear deadwood, God will remove what is unfruitful (see Matthew 3:10; although Greek, the illustration harmonizes with the Hebrew imagery).
3. Trust God’s Sovereignty in Conflict – Forces that appear as ruthless “woodcutters” (Jeremiah 46:22) still operate under divine oversight; history moves according to His redemptive plan.
4. Guard the Sanctity of Worship – Psalm 74’s picture of intruders swinging axes in the sanctuary warns against allowing worldly ideologies to chip away at reverence for God.

Conclusion

The קַרְדֹּם is more than an ancient carpenter’s tool; it is Scripture’s reminder that what builds can also destroy, depending on whose hand wields it. In every season—construction, harvest, warfare, or worship—the axe invites God’s people to sharpen their devotion, stand firm against oppression, and trust the One who ultimately fells every proud tree that exalts itself against His glory.

הַקַּרְדֻּמּ֜וֹת הקרדמות וּבְקַרְדֻּמּוֹת֙ וּלְהַקַּרְדֻּמִּ֑ים ובקרדמות ולהקרדמים קַרְדֻּמּ֔וֹ קַרְדֻּמּֽוֹת׃ קרדמו קרדמות׃ hakkardumMot haq·qar·dum·mō·wṯ haqqardummōwṯ kardumMo kardumMot qar·dum·mō·wṯ qar·dum·mōw qardummōw qardummōwṯ ū·ḇə·qar·dum·mō·wṯ ū·lə·haq·qar·dum·mîm ūḇəqardummōwṯ ulehakkardumMim ūləhaqqardummîm uvekardummOtInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts