Plough

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

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,"  Joel 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,"  Isaiah 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,"  Luke 9:62 .

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) A well-known implement, drawn by horses, mules, oxen, or other power, for turning up the soil to prepare it for bearing crops; also used to furrow or break up the soil for other purposes; as, the subsoil plow; the draining plow.

(2): ( n.) Fig.: Agriculture; husbandry.

(3): ( n.) A carucate of land; a plowland.

(4): ( n.) To cut a groove in, as in a plank, or the edge of a board; especially, a rectangular groove to receive the end of a shelf or tread, the edge of a panel, a tongue, etc.

(5): ( n.) An implement for trimming or shaving off the edges of books.

(6): ( n.) Same as Charles's Wain.

(7): ( n. & v.) See Plow.

(8): ( n.) A joiner's plane for making grooves; a grooving plane.

(9): ( v. t.) To furrow; to make furrows, grooves, or ridges in; to run through, as in sailing.

(10): ( v. t.) To turn up, break up, or trench, with a plow; to till with, or as with, a plow; as, to plow the ground; to plow a field.

(11): ( v. i.) To labor with, or as with, a plow; to till or turn up the soil with a plow; to prepare the soil or bed for anything.

(12): ( v. t.) To trim, or shave off the edges of, as a book or paper, with a plow. See Plow, n., 5.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A slight and inefficient instrument in the East, but used from the earliest times,  Genesis 45:6   Deuteronomy 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,  Isaiah 2:4   Joel 3:10 . As the handle was single, and with attention was easily managed by one hand,  Luke 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,  Judges 3:31   1 Samuel 13:21   Acts 9:5 . Ploughs were drawn by oxen asses, and heifers,  Deuteronomy 22:10   Judges 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.

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Plough ( ἄροτρον).—The plough is mentioned but once in NT ( Luke 9:62), and the act of ploughing twice ( Luke 17:7,  1 Corinthians 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.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

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.  1 Samuel 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 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.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 45:6 Exodus 34:21  Deuteronomy 21:4Agriculture

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

PLOUGH . See Agriculture, § 1 .

King James Dictionary

PLOUGH. See Plow.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Plough'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/p/plough.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Plow

[AGRICULTURE]