hew

Everyday

1. To cut or chop wood or stone with a sharp tool or axe. tree →
2. (old use) To cut down or chop through with a sword or axe. tree →

In the lessons

in tales, workers or knights cut down trees or chop through a bridge or gate

Examples

• The woodcutter hews the logs for the fire. tree →
• They hewed away at the bridge beams. tree →
• Hew down the bridge quickly! tree →

Note

nothing for maths

In Jewish tradition

God commands that Moses hew a second pair of stone tablets, and that idols and pillars of other nations be cut down. It can also mean to cut to pieces with a sword, as Samuel did to Agag, and the prophet uses it for God cutting down the sea monster Rahab.

Interpretation. The rabbis note that Moses cut the second tablets himself, while God made the first. This is read as a sign that human effort is needed to make a covenant last. Isaiah's Rahab is read as a picture of Egypt, defeated at the sea.

Examples

• So I made an ark of acacia-wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in my hand. (Torah DEU.10.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• But thus shall ye deal with them: ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire. (Torah DEU.7.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• At that time the LORD said unto me: 'Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto Me into the mount; and make thee an ark of wood. (Torah DEU.10.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal. (Prophets 1SA.15.33, JPS 1917) tree →
• Art thou not it that hewed Rahab in pieces, that pierced the dragon? (Prophets ISA.51.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• for he took away the strange altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim; (Writings 2CH.14.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

nothing for maths