Plough in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What is a Plough?
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.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'plough' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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