The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase (Genesis 21:20; 27:3; 48:22). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow (1 Chronicles 8:40; 12:2; 2 Chronicles 14:8; 17:17); so also were the Elamites (Isaiah 22:6) and the Lydians (Jeremiah 46:9). The Hebrew word commonly used for bow means properly to tread (1 Chronicles 5:18; 8:40), and hence it is concluded that the foot was employed in bending the bow. Bows of steel (correctly "copper") are mentioned (2 Samuel 22:35; Psalm 18:34).

The arrows were carried in a quiver (Genesis 27:3; Isaiah 22:6; 49:2; Psalm 127:5). They were apparently sometimes shot with some burning material attached to them (Psalm 120:4).

The bow is a symbol of victory (Psalm 7:12). It denotes also falsehood, deceit (Psalm 64:3, 4; Hosea 7:16; Jeremiah 9:3).

"The use of the bow" in 2 Samuel 1:18 (A.V.) ought to be "the song of the bow," as in the Revised Version.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (v. t.) To cause to deviate from straightness; to bend; to inflect; to make crooked or curved.

2. (v. t.) To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.

3. (v. t.) To bend or incline, as the head or body, in token of respect, gratitude, assent, homage, or condescension.

4. (v. t.) To cause to bend down; to prostrate; to depress,;/ to crush; to subdue.

5. (v. t.) To express by bowing; as, to bow one's thanks.

6. (v. i.) To bend; to curve.

7. (v. i.) To stop.

8. (v. i.) To bend the head, knee, or body, in token of reverence or submission; -- often with down.

9. (v. i.) To incline the head in token of salutation, civility, or assent; to make bow.

10. (n.) An inclination of the head, or a bending of the body, in token of reverence, respect, civility, or submission; an obeisance; as, a bow of deep humility.

11. (v. t.) Anything bent, or in the form of a curve, as the rainbow.

12. (n.) A weapon made of a strip of wood, or other elastic material, with a cord connecting the two ends, by means of which an arrow is propelled.

13. (n.) An ornamental knot, with projecting loops, formed by doubling a ribbon or string.

14. (n.) The U-shaped piece which embraces the neck of an ox and fastens it to the yoke.

15. (n.) An appliance consisting of an elastic rod, with a number of horse hairs stretched from end to end of it, used in playing on a stringed instrument.

16. (n.) An arcograph.

17. (v. t.) Any instrument consisting of an elastic rod, with ends connected by a string, employed for giving reciprocating motion to a drill, or for preparing and arranging the hair, fur, etc., used by hatters.

18. (n.) A rude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking the sun's altitude at sea.

19. (sing. or pl.) Two pieces of wood which form the arched forward part of a saddletree.

20. (v. i.) To play (music) with a bow.

21. (v. i.) To manage the bow.

22. (n.) The bending or rounded part of a ship forward; the stream or prow.

23. (n.) One who rows in the forward part of a boat; the bow oar.