1) a sting, as that of bees, scorpions, locusts. Since animals
    wound by their sting and even cause death, Paul attributes
    death, personified as a sting, i.e. a deadly weapon
 2) an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden
    2a) hence the proverb, "to kick against the goad", i.e. to offer
        vain and perilous or ruinous resistance