Goads are agricultural implements used primarily for driving and guiding livestock, particularly oxen, during plowing or other farm work. In biblical times, a goad was typically a long, pointed stick, sometimes with a metal tip, used to prod animals to move in the desired direction. The concept of the goad is both literal and metaphorical in the Bible, symbolizing guidance, discipline, and sometimes divine prompting.

Biblical References:

1. Judges 3:31 · The goad is mentioned in the context of Shamgar, one of the judges of Israel. "After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. He struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad, and he too saved Israel." This passage highlights the goad as a tool of deliverance, demonstrating how God can use ordinary implements for extraordinary purposes.

2. 1 Samuel 13:21 · This verse provides insight into the everyday use of goads in ancient Israel: "The charge was a pim for the plowshares and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the forks and axes and for repointing the oxgoads." Here, the goad is part of the essential farming equipment, underscoring its importance in agrarian society.

3. Ecclesiastes 12:11 · The goad is used metaphorically to describe the words of the wise: "The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails given by one Shepherd." This metaphor suggests that wisdom can prod and guide individuals toward righteous living, much like a goad directs livestock.

4. Acts 9:5 · In the New Testament, during Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus, Jesus uses the metaphor of the goad: "‘Who are You, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. ‘It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’" This phrase implies resistance to divine guidance and the futility of opposing God's will.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, the goad symbolizes the necessity of guidance and correction. Just as a farmer uses a goad to direct oxen, God uses various means to guide His people. The metaphorical use of goads in Scripture often points to the wisdom and discipline required to follow God's path. The imagery of "kicking against the goads" in Acts 9:5 suggests the struggle and pain that come from resisting divine direction.

The goad also represents the power of seemingly insignificant tools in God's hands. Shamgar's use of an oxgoad to defeat the Philistines illustrates how God can empower individuals to achieve great victories with simple means. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, where God often chooses the humble and the lowly to accomplish His purposes.

In summary, goads in the Bible serve as a reminder of the importance of guidance, the value of wisdom, and the power of God to use ordinary instruments for His extraordinary plans.2759. kentron -- a sharp point
... death. Word Origin from kenteo (to prick) Definition a sharp point NASB
Word Usage goads (1), sting (2), stings (1). prick, sting. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2759.htm - 6k1861b. darebonah -- a goad
... a goad. Transliteration: darebonah Short Definition: goads. Word Origin from the
same as dorban Definition a goad NASB Word Usage goads (1). 1861a, 1861b. ...
/hebrew/1861b.htm - 5k

The Third Beatitude
... The ox that kicks against the goads only does two things thereby; it does not get
away from them, but it wounds its own hocks, and it drives the sharp points ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the third beatitude.htm

Of the Judgment and Punishment of the Wicked
... There shall the slothful be pricked forward with burning goads, and the
gluttons be tormented with intolerable hunger and thirst. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxiv of the judgment.htm

From the Second Book of the Commentary on the Gospel According to ...
... For, also, according to the Preacher, all the Scriptures are "words of the wise
like goads, and as nails firmly fixed which were given by agreement from one ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/from the second book of.htm

A Similitude How we Should Perform the First Degree of Our Inward ...
... It stirs and goads and drives the heart and all the powers of the soul until they
boil; that is, until they thank and praise God in the way of which I have ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xv a similitude how.htm

Harmony of the Old and New Covenants.
... is the Holy Spirit, since "the words of the wise," whether they be of those before
the advent, or at the time of the advent, or after it, "are as goads, and as ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/4 harmony of the old.htm

Paul's Account of what He Saw and Heard on his Way to Damascus
... It is hard for you to kick against the goads." I asked, "Who art thou, Lord?"
and the Lord answered, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls account of what he.htm

Conflict Between the Constantinopolitans and Alexandrians on ...
... would prick.' But Theophilus gave this answer without reflecting on the saying of
the wise Solomon, [880] that the words of the wise are as goads'; and those ...
/.../chapter xvii conflict between the constantinopolitans.htm

But Thou, Lord, Abidest for Ever, yet not for ever Art Thou Angry ...
... ever art Thou angry with us; because Thou pitiest our dust and ashes, and it was
pleasing in Thy sight to reform my deformities; and by inward goads didst Thou ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter viii but thou lord.htm

Now was the Day Come Wherein I was in Deed to be Freed of My...
... For my remembrance recalls me, and pleasant is it to me, O Lord, to confess to Thee,
by what inward goads Thou tamedst me; and how Thou hast evened me ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iv now was the.htm

Epistle xxviii. To Sebastian, Bishop of Rhisinum [In Dalmatia].
... to receive no letters from your Blessedness, yet I also do not forget my own
forgetfulness; I blame my negligence, I stir up my sluggishness with goads of love ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxviii to sebastian bishop.htm

Goads (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Goads (4 Occurrences). ... And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goads. (WBS). ...
/g/goads.htm - 7k

Goad (2 Occurrences)
... If 1 Samuel 13:21 is correctly translated, the goads were kept sharpened by files.
Figurative: "The words of the wise are as goads" (Ecclesiastes 12:11). ...
/g/goad.htm - 9k

Kick (8 Occurrences)
... are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Leviticus 26:15 ...
/k/kick.htm - 10k

Nails (16 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 12:11 The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened
are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one ...
/n/nails.htm - 12k

Goah (1 Occurrence)

/g/goah.htm - 7k

Well-driven (1 Occurrence)
... Ecclesiastes 12:11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails well fastened
are those that are composed in collections; they are given from one shepherd. ...
/w/well-driven.htm - 6k

File (1 Occurrence)
... File (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 13:21 yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for
the plowshares, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads. ...
/f/file.htm - 9k

Filing (1 Occurrence)
... Filing (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 13:21 yet they had a file for the mattocks, and
for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads. ...
/f/filing.htm - 6k

Fences (6 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Ecclesiastes 12:11 Words of the wise 'are' as goads, and as fences planted
'by' the masters of collections, they have been given by one shepherd. ...
/f/fences.htm - 8k

Forks (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Samuel 13:21 yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for
the plowshares, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads. ...
/f/forks.htm - 8k

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