Beat your swords into plowshares

Posted by Bob on October 18, 2003

In Reply to: Beat your swords into plowshares posted by ESC on October 15, 2003

: : : : Can you please explain the meaning and origin of this phrase? Thank you - Sax

: : : It's from the Bible and it is talking about peace. For the various times the phrase appears in the Bible, go to Biblegateway.com and search "plowshares" under advanced search.

: : : Micah 4:3
: : : He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

: : A modern expression would be turning tanks into tractors.

: I was trying to find the words to a song that says, "We're not going to study war no more."

"We're gonna hold hands around the world,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
We're gonna hold hands around the world,
Down by the riverside,
And study war no more.
I ain't gonna study war no more,
I ain't gonna study war no more,"

"Gonna lay down my sword and shield.... down..."
"Gonna walk with the prince of peace... down..." etc.
1961 lives! Civil rights protests, with guitars.