In biblical times, plowmen played a crucial role in the agrarian society of ancient Israel and the surrounding regions. The plowman was responsible for preparing the soil for planting, a task that was essential for the sustenance and economic stability of the community. The imagery of the plowman is used throughout the Bible to convey themes of labor, diligence, and the anticipation of harvest.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 45:6 · The role of agriculture and, by extension, the plowman is highlighted during the time of Joseph in Egypt. The land experienced seven years of famine, preceded by seven years of plenty, during which plowmen would have been active in preparing the fields for the abundant harvests.

2. 1 Samuel 13:20-21 · This passage illustrates the dependence on plowmen and their tools, as the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles. The plowman’s tools were vital for the cultivation of the land, underscoring the importance of their work in daily life.

3. Isaiah 28:24-25 · The prophet Isaiah uses the metaphor of the plowman to describe God’s wisdom in dealing with His people. Just as a plowman does not plow continually but prepares the soil for sowing, so God prepares His people for His purposes: "Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously break up and cultivate the soil? When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?"

4. Amos 9:13 · The prophet Amos speaks of a time of great blessing and abundance, where "the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes, him who sows seed." This imagery suggests a period of extraordinary fertility and divine favor, where the cycle of planting and harvesting is so rapid that the plowman and reaper work simultaneously.

5. Luke 9:62 · Jesus uses the metaphor of the plowman to teach about commitment to the Kingdom of God: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." This emphasizes the need for steadfastness and focus in the Christian life, akin to the plowman who must keep his eyes forward to plow a straight furrow.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, plowing was typically done with a wooden plow pulled by oxen. The plowman had to be skilled in guiding the animals and ensuring that the furrows were straight and deep enough for planting. The work was labor-intensive and required patience and perseverance, qualities that are often highlighted in biblical teachings.

The plowman’s task was not only practical but also held spiritual significance. The act of plowing and preparing the soil was a metaphor for spiritual preparation and readiness to receive God’s word. Just as the soil must be broken and turned to receive seed, so must the human heart be prepared to receive divine truth.

Symbolism and Theological Themes:

The plowman symbolizes diligence, preparation, and the hope of future harvest. In a spiritual sense, the plowman’s work is akin to the believer’s journey of faith, requiring dedication and focus. The biblical references to plowmen often carry a prophetic or eschatological message, pointing to a time of divine intervention and blessing.

The imagery of the plowman also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of human labor and divine providence. While the plowman prepares the ground, it is ultimately God who provides the growth and harvest. This reflects the biblical principle that human effort must be coupled with reliance on God’s provision and timing.3009. yagab -- to till, be a husbandman
... 3008, 3009. yagab. 3010 . to till, be a husbandman. Transliteration: yagab
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-gab') Short Definition: plowmen. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/3009.htm - 5k

406. ikkar -- a plowman, husbandman
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a plowman, husbandman NASB Word Usage
farmer (3), farmers (3), plowmen (1). husbandman, ploughman. ...
/hebrew/406.htm - 5k

Rhapsody
... heads. Because of the ground which is chapt, for that no rain hath been in
the land, the plowmen are ashamed, they cover their heads. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/rhapsody.htm

Moab is My Washpot
... to our advantage; fulfilling that ancient promise, "And strangers shall stand and
feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/moab is my washpot.htm

"My Times are in Thy Hand"
... How beautiful it is to read in the book of Isaiah, "And strangers shall stand and
feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/my times are in thy.htm

Plowmen (5 Occurrences)
...Plowmen (5 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Isaiah 61:5 Strangers shall stand and feed your
flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. ...
/p/plowmen.htm - 7k

Vinedressers (4 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV). Isaiah 61:5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,
and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. ...
/v/vinedressers.htm - 7k

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)
... (WBS YLT). Isaiah 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners
shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers. (ASV WBS YLT). ...
/v/vine-dressers.htm - 11k

Plow (11 Occurrences)
... "Judah shall plow," ie become enslaved (Hosea 10:11); compare "Foreigners shall
be your plowmen" (Isaiah 61:5). "Will one plow there with oxen?" (Amos 6:12 ...
/p/plow.htm - 15k

Plows (3 Occurrences)

/p/plows.htm - 7k

Plowman (3 Occurrences)

/p/plowman.htm - 7k

Chapt (1 Occurrence)
... Chapt (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 14:4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no
rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads. ...
/c/chapt.htm - 7k

Cracked (6 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Jeremiah 14:4 Because of the ground which is cracked, because no rain
has been in the land, the plowmen are disappointed, they cover their heads. ...
/c/cracked.htm - 8k

Disappointed (69 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Jeremiah 14:4 Because of the ground which is cracked, because no rain has
been in the land, the plowmen are disappointed, they cover their heads. (WEB). ...
/d/disappointed.htm - 26k

Vineyards (55 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 61:5 And strangers shall stand
and feed your flocks, and aliens shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. ...
/v/vineyards.htm - 25k

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