“Swords of the Sultan” / The 3 Swords of Muscat

  This monument, of 3 veiny hands holding swords, watches over the Qurum-Ruwi road in the capital city, Muscat, and it really captures your attention.  I decided to climb up the steep and thorny hill to get a few night shots.  I wonder…when was it constructed? by whom? what does it symbolize?  There are 404 passages of Scripture which contain the word “sword” (in the Authorized King James Version, that is) and here are a few of my favorite “sword passages”: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)   “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17)    “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household…And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:34-38)  “They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.” (Song of Solomon 3:8)  Here’s a pretty blurry view of Muscat (Qurum area) from the “3 swords monument”.  My advice to anyone thinking of climbing this hill for some pics-Do it in the daytime!