I hadn’t planned on discussing them, but I think it might be worth taking a moment to look at some of the other characters in Genesis. When Isaac gave Esau a “consolation blessing” (after Jacob stole the real one), Isaac’s description of Esau’s hard life included “you will live by the sword.” This was not a thing to look forward to, but a description of a life without shalom, without peace.

Later we see the case of Simeon and Levi, when they avenged their sister’s honor by killing the men of Shechem. Genesis 34:25 speaks of them taking “their swords,” which seems to indicate that swords were a normal part of their equipment. Later, Jacob refers to having taken Shechem with his bow and his sword (Genesis 48:22), that being the only land that belonged to the family (Genesis 33:19 and Joshua 24:32 refer tot hat land as having been purchased).

Jacob made it clear at the time that he was not in agreement with Simeon and Levi’s actions, and late in life he cursed them for it, saying, “their swords are weapons of violence.” The Levites would later redeem themselves (at the incident of the golden calf), but the Simeonites would pass into oblivion.

It seems likely that the Egyptians would have disarmed the Israelites during the years of slavery, so we shouldn’t expect to see any use of weaponry until after the exodus.