Plough
PLOUGH
A slight and inefficient instrument in the East, but used from the earliest times, Gen 45:6 Deu 22:10 Job 1:14 . See cut in MEROM.The plough now generally used in Syria consists substantially of but three parts; the beam or pole fastened to the yoke; the ploughshare; and the handle. The two latter parts, and even all three, are sometimes formed of a single branch of a tree with two limbs projecting in opposite directions. The ploughshare is sometimes defended by a strip of iron, Isa 2:4 Joe 3:10 . As the handle was single, and with attention was easily managed by one hand, Luk 9:62, the ploughman brandished in the other a formidable goad, six or eight feet long, armed at the point with a pike, and at the heavy end, which was two inches thick, with a small iron spade for clearing the share from clay, Jdg 3:31 1Sa 13:21 Mal 9:5 . Ploughs were drawn by oxen asses, and heifers, Deu 22:10 Jdg 14:18 ; at this day camels and cows are also used in Palestine. Ploughing commenced soon after the autumnal rains had set in, towards the last of October.
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Plough
(charash’, , toplough; whence machareshah’, , and nacharesheth, , 1Sa 13:20; two instruments used in agriculture. One of these is perhaps the ploughshare, the other the coulter. SEE EAR ). Egypt, from the earliest times, has laid claim to the honor of the invention of this important implement, and as it was undoubtedly one of the first countries brought under culture by the hand of man after the flood, the claim may be well founded. Agriculture was also early practiced among the Hebrews, and, from their agreement in so many other matters, it is likely that the implements of the two nations were very nearly the same. The ancient Egyptian plough was entirely of wood, and of very simple form, like that still used in Egypt. It consisted of a share, two handles, and the pole or beam, which last was inserted into the lower end of the stilt, or the base of the handles, and was strengthened by a rope connecting it with the heel. It had no coulter, nor were wheels applied to any Egyptian plough; but it is probable that the point was shod with a metal sock either of bronze or iron. It was drawn by two oxen, and the ploughman guided and drove them with a long goad, without the assistance of reins, which are used by the modern Egyptians. He was sometimes accompanied by another man, who drove the animals, while he managed the two handles of the plough; and sometimes the whip was substituted for the more usual goad. The mode of yoking the beasts was exceedingly simple. Across the extremity of the pole a wooden yoke or cross-bar, about fifty-five inches or five feet in length, was fastened by a strap, lashed backwards and forwards over a prominence projecting from the center of the yoke, which corresponded to a similar peg or knob at the end of the pole; and occasionally, in addition to these, was a ring passing over them, as in some Greek chariots. At either end of the yoke was a flat or slightly concave projection, of semicircular form, which rested on a pad placed upon the withers of the animal; and through a hole on either side of it passed a thong for suspending the shoulder-pieces, which formed the collar. These were two wooden bars, forked at about half their length, padded so as to protect the shoulder from friction, and connected at the lower end by a strong broad band passing under the throat. SEE YOKE.
Sometimes the draught, instead of being from the shoulder, was from the head, the yoke being tied to the base of the horns; and in religious ceremonies oxen frequently drew the bier, or the sacred shrine, by a rope fastened to the upper part of the horns, without either yoke or pole (Wilkinson, Anc. Egypt. 2, 14 sq.). According to modern travelers the plough now used in Palestine differs in some respects from the ancient implement above described. It is lightly built with the least possible skill or expense, consisting of two poles, which cross each other near the ground. That nearest the oxen is fastened to the yoke, while the other serves, the one end as the handle, the other as the ploughshare. It is drawn by oxen, camels, cows, or heifers (Hackett, Script. Illust. p. 153 sq.; Thomson, Lanuad and Book, 1, 207 sq.). In Asia Minor substantially the same custom and implements prevail (Van Lennep, Bible Lands, p. 75 sq.). SEE AGRICULTURE.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Plough
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)
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Plough
PLOUGH ().The plough is mentioned but once in NT (Luk 9:62), and the act of ploughing twice (Luk 17:7, 1Co 9:10). The Eastern plough appears to have changed but little since ancient times, the oldest representations closely resembling the implement now in use. It is almost entirely of wood, and is of slight construction, the furrow drawn being only 4 or 5 inches deep in light soil. It consists of a pole about 8 ft. long, in two pieces, with a joint in the middle. Through the butt-end is passed downward and made fast a piece of wood about 5 ft. long, the upper end sloping backward to form the handle. The under end is sharpened, and armed with a piece of iron. This serves as both coulter and share. The handle is grasped with the left hand, the right holding the goad to drive and guide the oxen. To the thin end of the pole is attached a crossbar with yokes which drop upon the necks of the oxen, and are fastened by the yoke-bands. See also art. Agriculture in vol. i., and in Hasting’s Dictionary of the Bible , i. 49b (where the plough is figured).
W. Ewing.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Plough
PLOUGH.See Agriculture, 1.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Plough
Plow
[AGRICULTURE]
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Plough
Plough. The plough of the east was very light and simple, perhaps merely a forked 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 use. 1Sa 13:20. A single upright held by one hand, Luk 9:62, while the goad was carried in the other, guided this primitive instrument, which turned the earth equally on both sides. 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.
Fuente: People’s Dictionary of the Bible
Plough
Plough. 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 Palestine have usually, but one handle with a pole joined to it, near the ground, and are drawn by oxen, cows or camels.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Plough
The Syrian plough, which was probably used in all the regions around, is a very simple frame, and commonly so light, that a man of moderate strength might carry it in one hand. Volney states that in Syria it is often nothing else than the branch of a tree cut below a bifurcation, and used without wheels. It is drawn by asses and cows, seldom by oxen. And Dr. Russel informs us, the ploughing of Syria is performed often by a little cow, at most with two, and sometimes only by an ass. In Persia it is for the most part drawn by one ox only, and not unfrequently even by an ass, although it is more ponderous than in Palestine. With such an imperfect instrument, the Syrian husbandman can do little more than scratch the surface of his field, or clear away the stones or weeds that encumber it, and prevent the seed from reaching the soil. The ploughshare is a piece of iron, broad, but not large, which tips the end of the shaft. So much does it resemble the short sword used by the ancient warriors, that it may with very little trouble, be converted into that deadly weapon; and when the work of destruction is over, reduced again into its former shape, and applied to the purposes of agriculture. In allusion to the first operation, the Prophet Joel summons the nations to leave their peaceful employments in the cultivated field, and buckle on their armour: Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears, Joe 3:10. This beautiful image the Prophet Isaiah has reversed, and applied to the establishment of that profound and lasting peace which is to bless the church of Christ in the latter days: And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more, Isa 2:4. The plough used in Syria is so light and simple in its construction, that the husbandman is under the necessity of guiding it with great care, bending over it, and loading it with his own weight, else the share would glide along the surface without making any incision. His mind should be wholly intent on his work, at once to press the plough into the ground, and direct it in a straight line. Let the ploughman, said Hesiod, attend to his charge, and look before him; not turn aside to look on his associates, but make straight furrows, and have his mind attentive to his work. And Pliny: Unless the ploughman stoop forward, to press his plough into the soil, and conduct it properly, he will turn it aside. To such careful and incessant exertion, our Lord alludes in that declaration, No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of heaven, Luk 9:62.