| > | | | | features of some of the near eastern straight |
| Straight Swords of the Near East Swords of the | | | | swords used would be the narrow groove down |
| Arabs and Israelites have long been a fascination | | | | the center of the blade, and the lack of a sword |
| of mine. While it is easy to get swept up and | | | | guard. This near eastern straight sword is a |
| focus only on the scimitar, and other shorter, | | | | modern-day example of what appears to be an |
| lighter swords, there are several significant | | | | ancient design, which is mentioned in the prophecy |
| examples of straight swords in the Near East that | | | | of the War Scroll. |
| deserve attention. The most significant | | | | The prophecy of the swords to be used by the |
| archaeological find of recent note in this particular | | | | forces of light against the forces of darkness in a |
| category of near eastern straight swords is the | | | | final apocalyptic battle described in the Dead Sea |
| Vered Jericho Sword, excavated by Avrahim | | | | Scrolls shows not only the ideal sword of the |
| Eitan near Jericho. Another modern-day example | | | | ancient near east, but also describes a design in |
| of near eastern straight sword would be the | | | | use today. The near eastern straight sword of |
| swords used by Shia Muslims during their Ashura | | | | this final apocalyptic battle have been minutely |
| rituals. A final example can be found, not in | | | | described from translation as follows: |
| present day but in the future - i.e. the swords | | | | "The swords shall be of purified iron, refined in a |
| mentioned in the Dead Sea Scroll known as the | | | | crucible and whitened like a mirror, work of a |
| War Scroll. | | | | skilful craftsman; and it will have shapes of an ear |
| The Vered Jericho sword is unique example of a | | | | of wheat, of pure gold, encrusted in it on both |
| near eastern straight sword. This particular near | | | | sides. And it will have two straight channels right |
| eastern straight sword is described as being about | | | | to the tip, two on each side. Length of the sword: |
| 3 feet long, and about 3 inches wide. Made of iron, | | | | one cubit and a half. And its width: four fingers. |
| it has a hilt made of bronze, but also has a | | | | The scabbard will be four thumbs; it will have four |
| wooden grip. It is singularly amazing that a sword | | | | palms up to the scabbard and diagonally, the |
| of this age was found intact, as the archaeological | | | | scabbard from one part to the other (will be) five |
| strata from which it came dated at approximately | | | | palms. The hilt of the sword will be of select horn, |
| 620 B.C. (Shanks) | | | | craftwork, with a pattern in many colours: gold, |
| The use of near eastern straight swords can also | | | | silver and precious stones (Martinez)." |
| be seen in the blood rituals of modern day Shia | | | | (PART I OF II: Upcoming - Near Eastern Straight |
| Muslims. The ritual of Ashura, held on the 10th of | | | | Swords and the Crusades!) |
| Muharram, involves the ritual use of swords to | | | | Ali, Sayed Akbar "Yesterday was Hobson |
| lament the death the Prophet Muhammad's | | | | Yobson" Jan 8 2009, May 15, 2009, |
| grandson, Hussein, who was murdered | | | | syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com |
| approximately 1300 years ago. The Shia ritual | | | | 2009_01_01_archive.html |
| involves bloodletting to commemorate his death | | | | Martinez, Florentino Garcia, The Dead Sea Scrolls |
| and is seen as a promise by the Shias to never | | | | Translated, 2nd ed. (Leiden: Brill, 1996), 99. |
| put down their swords until they have vanquished | | | | Shanks, Hershel "BAR Interviews Avraham Eitan," |
| their enemies (Ali). One of the most interesting | | | | Biblical Archaeological Review 12/4 (1986): 30-38. |