This term translates different Hebrew words; thus, for example, the pointed stick that farmers use to excite the oxen in plowing. Ecclesiastes compares the words of the wise to the thorn (Eccl. 12:11).
The book of Samuel uses it to make known the extent to which the Hebrews were oppressed by the Philistines, who even to sharpen their stings had to resort to the enemy people who dominated the Hebrew lands (1 Sam. 13:21).
In the book of Judges it appears as a weapon (Judg. 3:31). In the conversion scene of Saint Paul the phrase "it is hard to kick against the prick" indicates man's vain resistance to divine grace when God calls him (Acts 9:5).
In the beautiful hymn to his resurrection, the apostle mocks the sting of death, which the Christian need not fear because Christ has conquered it (1 Cor. 15:55).
Meaning of STING
In the conversion scene of Saint Paul the phrase "it is hard to kick against the prick" indicates man's vain resistance to divine grace when God calls him.
