plough Summary and Overview

first referred to in Gen. 45:6, where the Authorized Version has "earing," but the Revised Version "ploughing;" next in Ex. 34:21 and Deut. 21:4. The plough was originally drawn by oxen, but sometimes also by asses and by men. (See AGRICULTURE T0000124.)

The ploughs of ancient Egypt consisted of a share-often pointed with iron or bronze--two handles and a pole which was inserted into the base of the two handles. Ploughs in Israel have usually but one handle with a pole joined to it near the ground and drawn by oxen, cows or camels.

PLOUGH . There can be no doubt that the ancient Hebrew plough was substantially like that still used in Syria, so unchangeable are the customs of the East. It was very light and simple, perhaps merely a crotched stick, having a wooden share shod with one of those triangular or heart-shaped points of iron which the inhabitants of the Palestine towns still do a great business in sharpening. 1 Sam 13:20. A single upright held by one hand, Luke 9:62, while the goad was carried in the other, guided this primitive instrument, which turned the earth equally on both sides. The coulter is not now used in Oriental ploughing, and probably never was, so that in the above passage of First Samuel some other implement must be intended. Eastern Plough. The slight scratching which constitutes Eastern ploughing never requires more than one pair of cattle, and often a single cow or ass or camel was doubtless used, as now. In ignorance or disregard of Deut 22:10 the modern Syrians often use the ox and ass unequally yoked. Sometimes several teams work together and move in succession across the field, as did Elisha and his servants. 1 Kgs 19:19. The writer has seen eleven yoke thus ploughing in the same Jordan valley. Land was probably, as now, often broken up before the rainy season, that it might be rendered absorbent. Steep places were tilled with mattocks. Isa 7:25. Fields were frequently ploughed twice. It seems to be, more than formerly, the practice in Palestine to drop the seed in the furrow just before a plough which covers it. Ploughing is mentioned as early as the time of Job. It is also spoken of in Gen 45:6, for "earing" (akin to "arable") properly means "ploughing." 1 Sam 8:12. The prophecies of Isa 2:4 and Joel 3:10 are not here to be overlooked.