Original Word: אַשְׁפָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: ashpah
Pronunciation: ash-PAW
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-paw')
KJV: quiver
NASB: quiver
Word Origin: [perhaps (feminine) from the same as H825 (אַשָּׁף - conjurers) (in the sense of covering)]

1. a quiver or arrow-case

quiver

Perhaps (feminine) from the same as 'ashshaph (in the sense of covering); a quiver or arrow-case -- quiver.

see HEBREW 'ashshaph

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a quiver (for arrows)
NASB Translation
quiver (6).

אַשְׁמָּה noun feminine quiver for arrows (Assyrian išpatu Dl^{K 29}) ׳א literal as part of warlike equipment Job 39:23; Isaiah 22:6; figurative in simile of sons of one's youth as arrows (weapons which the father may wield) Psalm 127:5 אַשְׁרֵי הַגֶּבֶר אֲשֶׁר מִלֵּא אֶתאַֿשְׁמָּתוֺ מֵהֶם the happiness of the man that hath filled his quiver with them ! of Yahweh's quiver, in metaphor of prophet as arrow of ׳י Isaiah 49:2 וַיְשִׂימֵנִי לְחַץ בָּרוּר בְּאַשְׁמָּתוֺ הִסְתִּירָ֑נִי and he made me into a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me; also of quiver in which ׳י has his arrows of chastisement, בְּנֵי אַשְׁמָּתוֺ, i.e. his arrows Lamentations 3:13 ("" חֵץ Lamentations 3:12).

אַשְׁמּה quiver, see under the word

Overview

אַשְׁפָּה speaks of the quiver, the case that holds arrows. While physically a leather or wooden container slung over the shoulder or fastened to the chariot, its biblical usage extends far beyond military hardware, becoming a vivid image for divine judgment, covenant blessing, and prophetic mission.

Occurrences in Scripture

• Job 39:23 – “The quiver rattles against him, along with the flashing spear and lance.”
• Psalm 127:5 – “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies at the gate.”
• Isaiah 22:6 – “Elam took up a quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.”
• Isaiah 49:2 – “He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.”
• Jeremiah 5:16 – “Their quivers are like an open grave; they are all mighty warriors.”
• Lamentations 3:13 – Though the renders the verse, “He pierced my kidneys with His arrows,” the underlying text includes אַשְׁפָּה, portraying the LORD as the Archer whose quiver is never empty.

Symbolic Themes

1. Readiness and Strength. In Job 39:23 the rattling quiver marks the warhorse’s eagerness for battle; in Psalm 127:5 a full quiver pictures a father’s preparedness through many sons.
2. Divine Instrumentality. Isaiah 49:2 elevates the figure from human warfare to messianic calling. The Servant is not merely the arrow but also “hidden…in His quiver,” available for the precise moment of God’s strategic release.
3. Judgment. Jeremiah 5:16 likens the Babylonians’ quivers to “an open grave,” reminding Judah that the LORD can use foreign warriors as His arrows of chastisement. In Lamentations 3 the prophet feels those same arrows lodged within, underscoring the personal pain of corporate sin.
4. Nations in God’s Hand. Isaiah 22:6 shows Elam marshalled under divine sovereignty; even pagan forces assemble with quiver in hand only because the LORD allows it.

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient Near-Eastern quivers were crafted from animal hide, wood, or metal and held on average twenty to thirty arrows. They could be slung on the back (foot soldiers), hung at the side (cavalry), or fastened to chariots. Their rattle signaled movement, as in the Job passage, while the number of arrows provided a measure of tactical endurance. In family life, the image of a stocked quiver (Psalm 127) tapped into daily realities: arrows took time to fashion, just as sons required patient training.

Prophetic and Messianic Overtones

Isaiah 49 presents the Servant as a concealed arrow. Hiddenness speaks of divine timing; polishing speaks of sinlessness and effectiveness. The quiver imagery anticipates Jesus Christ, who emerged from obscurity at the exact kairos, cutting through spiritual strongholds with a word “sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).

Practical and Ministry Applications

• Parenting and Discipleship: Children and spiritual protégés are arrows to be shaped, aimed, and released for Kingdom purposes. A “full quiver” motivates intentional investment rather than passive upbringing.
• Spiritual Warfare: Believers fight with spiritual arrows—prayer, the Word, gospel proclamation. Readiness requires a stocked “quiver” of Scripture memorization and constant communion with the Lord.
• Trust in Sovereignty: Whether facing hostile powers (Jeremiah 5) or personal affliction (Lamentations 3), God’s quiver imagery assures that nothing reaches the saint apart from His measured intent.

Summary

אַשְׁפָּה gathers multiple strands of biblical truth: strength in numbers, precision in mission, certainty of judgment, and security under divine strategy. From the family gate to the cosmic battlefield, the quiver reminds the faithful that every arrow—and every servant—belongs ultimately to the LORD of hosts.

אַשְׁפָּ֑ה אַשְׁפָּ֔ה אַשְׁפָּת֖וֹ אַשְׁפָּת֗וֹ אַשְׁפָּתֽוֹ׃ אשפה אשפתו אשפתו׃ בְּאַשְׁפָּת֖וֹ באשפתו ’aš·pā·ṯōw ’aš·pāh ’ašpāh ’ašpāṯōw ashPah ashpaTo bə’ašpāṯōw bə·’aš·pā·ṯōw beashpaToInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts