Literal references to swords are found through Bible History, beginning right from the Garden of Eden, not long after The Seven Days Of Creation, to Revelation where they are used to symbolize people and events of end-time Prophecy. The sword was also often used as an analogy for Divine judgment and wrath upon the wicked. A few examples -

• "After He drove the man out, He placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." (Genesis 3:24). See Where Was The Garden Of Eden? and Cain And Abel

• "Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or our enemies?" "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of The Lord I have now come. Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" The commander of The Lord's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." (Joshua 5:13-15)

• "So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him (see David And Goliath). David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword." (1 Samuel 17:50-51)

• "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Proverbs 12:18)

• "Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would The Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" (Matthew 26:50-54). See The Fateful Night and Peter

• "For The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight." (Hebrews 4:12-13). See Christian Living

• "In His right hand he held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance ... Then He placed His right hand on me and said, "Do not be afraid. I Am The First and The Last. I Am The Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever. I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:16-18). See Jesus Christ and Rock Of Ages

Fact Finder: Is the sword used figuratively in the Christian's Armor Of God?
Ephesians 6:17

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