Definition and Purpose:
A plough, also spelled plow, is an agricultural implement used for cutting, lifting, turning over, and partly pulverizing soil. It is a crucial tool in preparing the ground for sowing seeds, ensuring that the soil is aerated and free from weeds. The plough has been a fundamental instrument in farming since ancient times, playing a significant role in the agrarian societies of the biblical world.

Biblical References:
The plough is mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing labor, preparation, and the cultivation of the land. In the Old Testament, the plough is a symbol of peace and productivity. For instance, in Isaiah 2:4 , it is prophesied that in the last days, "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks." This imagery signifies a time when instruments of war will be transformed into tools for agriculture, highlighting a future era of peace and prosperity.

In 1 Samuel 13:20 , the text notes the dependence of the Israelites on the Philistines for sharpening their ploughshares, indicating the importance of the plough in daily life and the challenges faced by the Israelites due to their lack of ironworking technology: "So all Israel went down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his ax, or his sickle."

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons:
The plough is often used metaphorically in Scripture to convey spiritual truths. In Luke 9:62 , Jesus uses the imagery of a plough to teach about commitment to the Kingdom of God: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." This passage emphasizes the importance of dedication and forward focus in the Christian life, illustrating that just as a farmer must keep his eyes ahead to plough a straight furrow, so must a believer remain steadfast in their spiritual journey.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Israel, ploughs were typically made of wood, sometimes reinforced with metal tips. The plough was drawn by oxen or other draft animals, which were yoked together to provide the necessary strength to break the ground. The use of ploughs was essential for the agricultural economy of Israel, as the land needed to be prepared for the planting of crops such as wheat and barley.

The plough's significance is also seen in the laws concerning agriculture. For example, Deuteronomy 22:10 instructs, "Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together." This command reflects the practical and ethical considerations of farming, ensuring that animals of unequal strength are not unfairly burdened.

Theological Implications:
The plough serves as a reminder of humanity's role as stewards of God's creation. The act of ploughing represents the partnership between divine provision and human responsibility. As farmers prepare the soil, they rely on God's provision of rain and growth, illustrating the cooperation between divine sovereignty and human effort.

In summary, the plough is a multifaceted symbol in the Bible, representing both the physical act of preparing the land and the spiritual act of preparing one's heart for God's work. It underscores themes of peace, commitment, and stewardship, reflecting the agrarian context of biblical times and the enduring spiritual lessons derived from it.

Ploughing in Canaan.
... And the long handles with which our labourers guide their ploughs"where are they?
The strong horses, too, harnessed one behind the other, are missing. Yes! ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/ploughing in canaan.htm

The Husbandman and his Operations
... operations. He ploughs, but that is not all. He ... grain. Is he inconsistent
because he ploughs in winter and reaps in harvest? Does ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the husbandman and his operations.htm

How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
... not plough by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in summer, and it shall
not be given unto him (Proverbs 20:4). For indeed the sluggard ploughs not by ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xv how the slothful.htm

Of Circumcision and the Supercession of the Old Law.
... judge among the nations,""that is, among us, who have been called out of the
nations,""and they shall join to beat their glaives into ploughs, and their ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter iii of circumcision and the.htm

A Sermon of the Reverend Father Master Hugh Latimer, Preached in ...
... would clean give over ploughing; they would leave off their labour, and fall to
lording outright, and let the plough stand: and then both ploughs not walking ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon of the reverend.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas.
... And he said: In wood, ploughs, and yokes, and balances, [2316] and boats, and boats'
oars, and masts, and blocks; in stone, slabs, [2317] and temples, and ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/acts of the holy apostle.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas, when He came into India, and ...
... The apostle says: In wood, ploughs, yokes, balances, pulleys, and boats, and oars,
and masts; and in stone, monuments, temples, royal palaces. ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/acts of the holy apostle 2.htm

Lessons from the Angelus
... first thirty years of his life, the Scriptures were not in His hands so much as
the hammer and the plane; He was making chairs and tables and ploughs and yokes ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/a life for a life/lessons from the angelus.htm

The Child Moses.
... Others, again, were driven out to the fields to drag wooden ploughs up and down
like cattle, to dig with small wooden spades, and to clear the land of stones ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child moses.htm

How Jesus Made a Short Piece of Wood of the Same Length as a ...
... One. And Jesus reached the age of eight years. Joseph was a master builder,
[1770] and used to make ploughs and ox-yokes. And one ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of thomas/chapter xi how jesus made a.htm

Ploughs (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ploughs (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 13:20 But all
the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their ...
/p/ploughs.htm - 7k

Blades (5 Occurrences)
... Blades (5 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 13:20 But all the Israelites had to go to the
Philistines to get their ploughs and blades and axes and hooks made sharp; (BBE). ...
/b/blades.htm - 7k

Ox-driving (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Samuel 13:21 For they had instruments for putting an edge on their ploughs and
blades and forks and axes, and for putting iron points on their ox-driving rods ...
/o/ox-driving.htm - 6k

Thresher (1 Occurrence)
... Of course, it was written in our interest, because it is His will that when a
plough-man ploughs, and a thresher threshes, it should be in the hope of sharing ...
/t/thresher.htm - 7k

Points (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 13:21 For they had instruments for putting an edge on their ploughs and
blades and forks and axes, and for putting iron points on their ox-driving rods ...
/p/points.htm - 13k

Ploughshare (1 Occurrence)

/p/ploughshare.htm - 6k

Ploughmen (3 Occurrences)

/p/ploughmen.htm - 7k

Agriculture
... of agriculture. Ploughs of a simple construction were known in the time
of Moses (Deuteronomy 22:10; Comp. Job 1:14). They were ...
/a/agriculture.htm - 27k

Axes (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 13:20 But all the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their
ploughs and blades and axes and hooks made sharp; (BBE NIV). ...
/a/axes.htm - 9k

Sharing (18 Occurrences)
... Of course, it was written in our interest, because it is His will that when a
plough-man ploughs, and a thresher threshes, it should be in the hope of sharing ...
/s/sharing.htm - 11k

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