What are…
darts in the Bible

In the Bible (particularly the King James Version, where the term appears most directly), a “dart” is a pointed missile weapon—essentially a light short spear, javelin, or arrow—designed to be thrown by hand or launched from a bow.

It functioned as an ancient instrument of war or hunting, capable of piercing flesh and causing swift, often fatal damage. The word “dart” is an older English rendering of Hebrew and Greek terms for such projectiles (e.g., Hebrew chets for arrow/dart or massa' for missile; Greek belos for dart/arrow/missile).

This term shows up in 7 verses across the KJV (the primary translation using the word “dart” or “darts”). It carries both literal (physical weapon) and figurative (symbolic) meanings, with the most famous and spiritually significant use appearing in the New Testament in reference to the “armor of God.”

“Fiery darts” are so called in allusion to shooting arrows while they are on fire or armed with some combustible material.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. —Ephesians 6:16 KJV