Hedges and Ditches

A hedge or wall usually built around a vineyard. An Eastern vineyard is usually surrounded with a ditch, and the earth from the digging of it is thrown along the inner side of the ditch, and upon this a fence of posts, branches, and twigs is built with thorn-branches on top. Oftentimes a wall of either stones or sun-dried mud takes the place of the fence. This serves as protection from foxes, jackals, or other animals, as well as from any thieves. In the parable of JESUS, the owner of the vineyard "hedged it round about" (Matthew 21:33). The Psalmist recounted what would happen to a vineyard whose hedges were broken down: "Why hast thou then broken down the hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it" (Psalm 80:12, 13). The lover in the Song of Solomon speaks of "the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines" (Song of Solomon 2:15). [Manners And Customs of Bible Lands]

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