Plow in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE
plou (charash; arotrioo): No implement of the Bible is more
frequently illustrated today than the plow. This is partly
because there is every reason to believe that the plows
still used throughout Egypt, Israel, and Syria are
counterparts of the ancient ones. The first plows were
probably an adaptation of the ancient Egyptian hoe, where
the handle was lengthened in order that animals might be
hitched to it. To make it easier to break up the ground, it
was pointed, and handles were added by which it could be
guided. The ancient plow probably varied in type in
different sections of the country, as it does today. In one
form a young tree Of oak or other strong wood of a diameter
of 3 or 4 inches is cut off just below a good-sized branch
and again 15 or 20 inches above. The upper end of the
severed trunk is pointed and forms the share. Between this
and the side branch is fitted a brace. The branch is cut off
10 or 12 ft. from the trunk and forms the pole. A lighter
stick, about 3 ft. long, projects upward from the share and
forms the handle. The plow used in Syria is of slightly
different construction. The handle and share are one
continuous piece, so cut that there is a slight bend at the
middle. The share is pointed and is used bare in the plains,
or in more stony regions is shod with iron. The pole is of 2
pieces joined end to end. The thicker end of the pole is
notched, so that it may be attached firmly to the share. The
whole plow is so light that it can be easily carried on a
man's shoulder. These plows literally scratch the soil, as
the Hebrew word implies. They do not turn over the ground as
the modern implement does. The plowman guides the plow with
one hand, and with the other sometimes goads the oxen, and
at other times with the chisel end of his goad breaks away
the lumps of earth or other material which impedes the
progress of his plow.
See YOKE.
In addition to the words which are found above, the
following terms occur: `abhadh (literally, "to serve"),
"worked" or "plowed" (Dt 21:4); palach (literally, "to break
open," Ps 141:7).
One special law is mentioned in connection with plowing,
namely that an ox and an ass should not be yoked together
(Dt 22:10), a prohibition which is utterly disregarded
today. Oxen were principally used for plowing (Job 1:14).
Often several yokes of oxen followed each other plowing
parallel furrows across the field, a sight still common on
the plains of Syria (1 Ki 19:19). Plowing was done by bond
servants (Lk 17:7; compare `abhadh, Dt 21:4). Plowing cannot
be done before the rains (Jer 14:4); on the other hand the
soil is too sticky to plow in the winter time (Prov 20:4).
The law requiring one day of rest in every seven days
included plowing time (Ex 34:21).
Figurative: "The plowers plowed upon my back" typified deep
affliction (Ps 129:3; compare 141:7). "Plow iniquity" is
urged in the sense of "plant iniquity." Doing evil was sure
to bring evil consequences (Job 4:8; compare Mic 3:12). As
surely as planting comes after plowing, so surely will
Yahweh carry out His decree of destruction (Isa 28:23-25).
"Judah shall plow," i.e. become enslaved (Hos 10:11);
compare "Foreigners shall be your plowmen" (Isa 61:5). "Will
one plow there with oxen?" (Am 6:12), "neither plowing nor
harvest" (Gen 45:6) are figures of desolation. Zion plowed
as a field, i.e. utterly destroyed (Jer 26:18). The plowman
shall overtake the reaper, i.e. the soil shall be so fertile
as to require no rest--typical of great abundance (Am 9:13).
No opportunity to plow because of lack of rain is a desolate
picture of drought (Jer 14:4). As the plowman expects to
share in the fruits of the harvest, so might an apostle
expect his temporal needs to be provided for (1 Cor 9:10).
"If ye had not plowed with my heifer," i.e. used my wife,
was Samson's reply to those who had secured the answer to
his riddle from her (Jdg 14:18). "Beat their swords into
plowshares" (or hoes) (Isa 2:4; Mic 4:3) typified peace;
"beat your plowshares into swords"--war (Joel 3:10). "Having
put his hand to the plow, and looking back," i.e. longing
for evil things when one has set his face toward doing what
is right, unfits a man for the kingdom of God (Lk 9:62;
compare Gen 19:26; Phil 3:13).
Read More about Plow in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE