The Bronze Bow is set in Palestine 2,000 years ago during the reign of the Roman emperor Tiberius and the period of Jesus Christ's ministry. The inhabitants of Palestine live under Roman rule; many see the Romans as foreign military occupiers, while others exploit the economic opportunities the Roman Empire presents. The Romans do little to win the affection of the Hebrew people in Palestine. Jews must always show respect to Roman soldiers: if soldiers demand food, the Jews must provide it; if a Roman soldier needs assistance, the Jews must stop whatever they are doing and help immediately. The Romans even have a law requiring ordinary people to carry soldiers' burdens during journeys if the soldiers demand it. For those who benefit from the opportunities the vast empire offers to merchants and civil servants, the burdens of military occupation seem less severe, but even many of those who prosper would prefer a genuinely Hebrew government. The novel’s narrative centers on those determined to expel the Romans from Palestine.

The Bronze Bow features four distinct settings: the mountains beyond the village of Ketzah, Ketzah itself, and the cities of Capernaum and Bethsaida. The mountains are home to the thieves and cutthroats who follow Rosh, who some believe will lead a successful revolt against the Romans and King Herod's puppet government. These mountains are dry, dusty, and rocky, but their caves offer refuge from civil and military authorities, making them a haven from oppression for many local Jews. Ketzah is located in a fertile valley filled with olive trees and flowers; the village is named after the ketzah plant, whose blue flowers produce seeds sold as food seasoning. This village is the home of the novel’s main character, Daniel bar Jamin.

Capernaum, a real city in biblical Palestine, is situated on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Its large, dark stone houses contrast sharply with Ketzah's mud-roofed homes. Bustling and seemingly always full of life, Capernaum is the economic hub of the area. Farmers from the region sell their goods in town; fishermen work along the shores of the Sea of Galilee next to Capernaum; and caravans bring in goods from across the Roman world. In the novel, Bethsaida is not very distinguishable from Capernaum, although it is smaller and its houses are not as large and grand. Nevertheless, its brief role in the novel is significant. It is in Bethsaida that Daniel begins his spiritual transformation after hearing of miracles performed by Jesus.

Speare's writing in The Bronze Bow exhibits the same fluidity, elegance, and clarity seen in her other acclaimed novels. The meticulously researched narrative vividly portrays everyday life in ancient Palestine, with Speare skillfully integrating these details into the story's action.

The title The Bronze Bow serves as the novel's central symbol. It originates from the biblical Song of David, as cited in chapter 7: “God is my strong refuge, / and has made my way safe. / He made my feet like hinds’ feet, / and set me secure on the heights. / He trains my hands for war, / so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” Daniel misinterprets this quotation, commenting, “It couldn’t really be bronze. The strongest man could not bend a bow of bronze.” Joel also misreads it, suggesting, “Perhaps just the tips were metal.” However, Malthace grasps the true meaning: “No. I think it was really bronze. I think David meant a bow that a man couldn’t bend—that when God strengthens us we can do something that seems impossible.”

The image of the bronze bow appears repeatedly, even in a brooch that Daniel crafts for Malthace. To Daniel, the bronze bow signifies war and represents God's promise to give his people the strength to defeat their enemies. In this interpretation, Daniel is only partially correct, as the bronze bow actually symbolizes him. Daniel is the rigid avenger, and while others mistake his unyielding hatred for strength of character, his inability to discern right from wrong reveals his inner weakness. When he finally learns to "bend" and show more compassion towards others, he gains the strength to bring happiness to the important people in his life. The bronze bow is a potent symbol, encapsulating the struggle between violence and war, and understanding and peace.

Given the current unrest in the Middle East, The Bronze Bow's portrayal of military oppression in ancient Palestine could ignite discussions about the contemporary situation in Palestine, as well as broader conversations on human rights. Although the Romans introduced improved sanitation, better roads, and wealth to a region plagued by nearly constant conflict, they also became oppressors. Readers may wish to explore the significant issues of oppression and the universal desire for freedom.

The religious elements in The Bronze Bow might spark debate. The novel is undeniably steeped in Christian theology, but its central theme—that succumbing to hatred is unwise—is a concept shared by many religions and philosophies. By the novel’s conclusion, Daniel isn't necessarily a converted Christian; rather, he has adopted Christ's perspective on love, hate, and life's priorities.

The portrayal of Christ in the novel could also provoke controversy among readers. Speare's depiction presents Jesus as a weary man, weighed down by concerns, rather than an infallible superhero vanquishing evil at every turn. With profound wisdom and an exceptional understanding of human nature, he performs miracles of physical and spiritual healing that pose little threat to the Roman rulers. Some readers might find this realistic portrayal of Christ irreverent, though Speare aims to examine Christ's appeal to his contemporaries.

Daniel bar Jamin is an unconventional protagonist for a young adult novel. He is filled with bitterness, cruelty, and anger. Early in the story, Daniel recounts the events that led to his embitterment and his escape to the mountains. His uncle was arrested by the Romans for not paying taxes, and because he resisted, the Romans refused to release him, even after Daniel’s father, Jamin, gathered enough money to cover the taxes. In a state of grief and desperation, the uncle’s wife pleaded with Jamin to help. Although Jamin was a peaceful man, he agreed to a reckless plan to ambush the Romans as they transported his uncle. The ambush failed disastrously, resulting in Jamin's capture and subsequent crucifixion. Daniel’s mother watched Jamin suffer on the cross for two days and died from grief a few weeks later. Daniel’s sister, Leah, who was only five at the time, witnessed her father’s crucifixion and has since been terrified to leave the house. At just eight years old, Daniel swore to hate and kill Romans for the rest of his life. As the novel begins, eighteen-year-old Daniel is still consumed by this hatred.

Sadly, Daniel’s hatred only seems to harm innocent people. While working as an apprentice blacksmith, he escapes to the mountains and joins a band of thieves led by the infamous outlaw Rosh. By fleeing, he abandons his grandmother to care for his troubled sister, and the effort to support her ailing granddaughter deteriorates his grandmother’s health. Daniel is self-righteous about this, believing his vow of revenge is more important than the comfort and well-being of his family. Additionally, he views his sister’s fear of the outside world as disgraceful.

Daniel idolizes Rosh to the point of imitation, failing to see through Rosh’s facade of being a nationalist leader preparing for war against the Romans. He does not recognize that Rosh often endangers others' lives for trivial reasons. Rosh is a charismatic figure, and when he speaks of using the wealth from raiding caravans and burglarizing homes to fund an army to drive out the Romans, even the most hardened criminals in his gang seem convinced.

Daniel’s misguided trust in Rosh, a man driven by self-interest, leads him to become manipulatively ruthless. To appease Rosh and fuel his own deep-seated hatred, Daniel coerces friends into committing acts of betrayal and risking their lives needlessly. For example, he convinces his friend Joel to spy on people in Capernaum. Using Joel’s intelligence, Rosh identifies the perfect time to rob the wealthy homes in Capernaum. Joel, who is more of an intellectual and lacks physical strength or cunning, ends up arrested and sentenced to slavery. It is only when Rosh refuses to help save Joel that Daniel realizes Rosh’s true nature. In an attempt to rectify the wrong done to Joel, Daniel inadvertently causes the deaths of some young villagers he had rallied into forming an underground resistance in Ketzah. The silent giant, nicknamed “Samson,” also sacrifices his life, saving Daniel from certain death at the hands of the Romans during a botched rescue attempt for Joel. Although Joel is saved, many suffer due to Daniel’s poor decisions.

Despite his flaws, Daniel remains a captivating character. He embodies The Bronze Bow’s central theme: the futility of vengeful hatred. Throughout the story, Daniel’s hatred harms the innocent around him. He denies his sister visits from a young Roman soldier, one of her few friends, and refuses to acknowledge her fears, driving her to further isolation. Daniel’s hatred also takes a toll on himself. He forgoes the comfort of friendship and companionship upon returning to Ketzah; his scowls and rudeness would likely scare off all customers if not for the necessity of his blacksmith work in a village with few blacksmiths. Furthermore, he denies himself the love of Joel’s sister, Malthace, a compassionate and intelligent young woman. He prioritizes his vow of revenge above all else, nurturing his hatred instead of his family, friendships, and potential romantic relationship.

By the time he begins attending Jesus Christ’s talks, Daniel starts to recognize the emptiness of his life. His hatred has clouded his judgment, making him view the selfish thief Rosh as a hero and the kind Roman soldier who befriends Leah as a villain. The harrowing fight to free Joel ultimately convinces Daniel that he has been living a destructive life. Once he lets go of his hatred, he discovers that Jesus' example offers a more fulfilling way of life. Although his transformation into a compassionate, forgiving man at the novel’s end seems sudden, it aligns with The Bronze Bow’s intricate theme.

None of the other characters is as well-developed as Daniel. Rosh is subtly portrayed through Daniel’s perspective. Initially, Daniel views Rosh as a commendable leader, almost a father figure, providing refuge for those escaping the Romans. Rosh’s act of freeing enslaved people from caravans appears noble, but his true character emerges when he instructs Daniel to retrieve his knife and selectively frees only the strong enslaved man, Samson, abandoning the others to their dire fate. Daniel’s justifications for Rosh grow increasingly unconvincing, especially the belief that people should welcome suffering at the hands of Rosh and his bandits because it supposedly advances the cause of freedom.

Joel bar Hezron and his twin sister, Malthace, also known as “Thacia,” serve as contrasts to Daniel. Both wish to aid in overthrowing Roman rule, but their lives are richer than Daniel’s. Joel appears destined to become a rabbi like his father and is inherently peaceful. He laments his lack of bravery and determination, striving to support the cause of freedom in his own way. While he admires Daniel’s readiness to act, Joel’s gentleness and thoughtfulness render him more steady and dependable than Daniel. Malthace, who perceives the good man hidden within Daniel, risks being a clichéd female love interest—the woman who recognizes the hero’s inner goodness is a common trope in literature. Nevertheless, Malthace has enough individuality to be appealing in her own right. Her affection for Daniel develops gradually throughout the book, making it believable and suggesting that there truly is something worth loving in Daniel.

The character of Jesus in The Bronze Bow might be challenging for some readers. Although Speare’s perspective is clearly Christian, she minimally addresses Christian doctrine. The miracles occur offstage, and Jesus' followers, such as Simon the Zealot, are portrayed as regular people. Speare depicts Jesus as a strong yet weary man, weighed down by his own expectations and those of his followers. Wise and gentle, he assists those who seek his help.

His main followers are very protective of his well-being, ensuring he gets rest during meals and sleep; otherwise, he would continue to provide counsel and aid despite his fatigue. Jesus appears frequently in the novel, and Daniel seeks his guidance near the book's conclusion. During his conversation with Jesus, Daniel grapples with his conscience, realizing that his thirst for revenge has led him to commit many wrongs. For example, with Jesus’s encouragement, he understands that Samson was not an annoyance but a loyal friend. Jesus says of Samson, “He did not give you vengeance. He gave you love. There is no greater love than that, that a man should lay down his life for his friend. Think, Daniel, can you repay such love with hate?”

Jesus highlights Speare’s central theme, that “it is hate that is the enemy.”