The spade, a tool commonly used for digging and turning soil, is referenced in the Bible as an essential implement for agricultural and military purposes. In biblical times, the spade was a vital instrument for the agrarian society of ancient Israel, reflecting the importance of agriculture in daily life and survival.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 23:13 : "And you must have a spade among your tools, and when you relieve yourself, you shall dig a hole and cover up your excrement." This verse highlights the practical use of the spade for sanitation purposes, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in the Israelite camp. The instruction reflects God's concern for the health and orderliness of His people, even in their most mundane activities.

2. Isaiah 2:4 : "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war." While the spade is not directly mentioned in this passage, the transformation of weapons into agricultural tools symbolizes a future era of peace and productivity. The imagery suggests a return to the land and the cultivation of life, where tools like the spade would play a crucial role.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, the spade was typically made of wood or metal, with a flat blade and a long handle. It was used not only for agricultural tasks such as planting and harvesting but also for construction and military fortifications. The spade's design allowed for efficient digging and turning of the soil, which was essential for preparing the ground for sowing seeds.

The use of the spade in biblical times also had spiritual connotations. The act of digging and preparing the soil can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual preparation and readiness. Just as the soil must be tilled and made ready for planting, so must the heart be prepared to receive the word of God.

Symbolism and Theological Significance:

The spade, as a tool for cultivation, symbolizes human cooperation with God's creation. It represents the partnership between divine providence and human effort in bringing forth the fruits of the earth. This cooperation is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God provides the resources and conditions for growth, while humans are called to work and steward the land responsibly.

Moreover, the spade's role in sanitation, as mentioned in Deuteronomy, underscores the biblical principle of holiness and separation from impurity. The Israelites were instructed to maintain cleanliness as a reflection of their covenant relationship with God, who is holy and pure.

In summary, the spade in the Bible serves as a practical tool with deep spiritual implications. It is a reminder of the interconnectedness of physical labor, spiritual readiness, and the call to live in harmony with God's creation.1. (n.) A hart or stag three years old.

2. (n.) A castrated man or beast.

3. (n.) An implement for digging or cutting the ground, consisting usually of an oblong and nearly rectangular blade of iron, with a handle like that of a shovel.

4. (n.) One of that suit of cards each of which bears one or more figures resembling a spade.

5. (n.) A cutting instrument used in flensing a whale.

6. (v. t.) To dig with a spade; to pare off the sward of, as land, with a spade.

240. azen -- implements, tools
... weapon. From 'azan; a spade or paddle (as having a broad end) -- weapon. see
HEBREW 'azan. 239, 240. azen. 241 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/240.htm - 6k

4053. megraphah -- a shovel
... clod. From garaph; something thrown off (by the spade), ie A clod -- clod. see HEBREW
garaph. 4052, 4053. megraphah. 4054 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4053.htm - 6k

3489. yathed -- a peg, pin
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a peg, pin NASB Word Usage peg
(6), pegs (11), pin (3), spade (1), stakes (1), tent peg (3). ...
/hebrew/3489.htm - 6k

Secret Study of the Holy Scriptures.
... Let me quote a few sentences from the Duke of Argyll's paper:". THE WORK OF THE
SPADE. ... That weapon is the spade. And what has it been unearthing? ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iii secret study of.htm

"There, Baby!" Said Diamond; "I'M So Happy that I Can Only Sing ...
... troop. They all scurried away, but soon returned, one after another, each
with a pickaxe on his shoulder and a spade in his hand. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 25 there baby said.htm

Fearlessness.
... You can call a spade "a spade" or you can designate it as "an iron utensil employed
for excavating purposes," but if you want folks to understand what you are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter vi fearlessness.htm

Spiritual Farming. --No. 3 Cultivation.
... have not pressed upon them with the force it deserves, the necessity of what the
Bible calls "breaking up the fallow ground." What the plough and spade do for ...
/.../champness/broken bread/x spiritual farming no 3 cultivation.htm

On the Negative Spirit
... is already dying. The tradition of calling a spade a spade starts very
early in our literature and comes down very late. But the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/ii on the negative spirit.htm

A Provision Ground
... longed to gather some hints as to the possibility of carrying out in the West Indian
islands that system of 'Petite Culture'"of small spade farming" which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvi a provision ground.htm

Clairvoyance
... intellectual work. A yellow primrose is just a yellow primrose; a spade is
a spade; a ledger is a ledger; a lexicon is a lexicon. To ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/clairvoyance.htm

"He Has Trusted Me," Said the Cardinal, -- "I have Found Him...
... birds from their hidden nests, and sent them flying to and fro through the clear
air uttering sharp chirrups of terror,"and, leaning on his spade, he paused ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/v he has trusted me.htm

1870-1871. Workers' Meetings at Home of Industry --Training Home ...
... scheme for rescuing these dear children if only for their health's sake; the pure
air, the early hours for rising, the outdoor and spade exercise, the ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter iii 1870-1871 workers meetings.htm

Kate Lee's Secret
... In conflict between these powers there will always be the sacrifices of war to reckon
upon, the spade work, the tunnelling, the weariness; surprises of the ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/xiii kate lees secret.htm

Spade (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) One of that suit of cards each of which bears one or more figures resembling
a spade. ... Multi-Version Concordance Spade (5 Occurrences). ...
/s/spade.htm - 8k

Dig (24 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To turn up, or delve in, (earth) with a spade or a hoe; to open, loosen,
or break up (the soil) with a spade, or other sharp instrument; to pierce, open ...
/d/dig.htm - 14k

Spit (15 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The depth to which a spade goes in digging; a spade; a spadeful. ... 5. (n.)
To spade; to dig. 6. (vi) To attend to a spit; to use a spit. 7. (imp. ...
/s/spit.htm - 13k

Blackberries (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:6 And I will make it waste; its branches will not be touched with the knife,
or the earth worked with the spade; but blackberries and thorns will come ...
/b/blackberries.htm - 7k

Spittle (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) See Spital. 2. (vt) To dig or stir with
a small spade. 3. (n.) A small sort of spade. 4. (n.) The ...
/s/spittle.htm - 9k

Spacious (10 Occurrences)

/s/spacious.htm - 9k

Spades (9 Occurrences)

/s/spades.htm - 9k

Knife (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:6 And I will make it waste; its branches will not be touched with the knife,
or the earth worked with the spade; but blackberries and thorns will come ...
/k/knife.htm - 13k

Grains (6 Occurrences)
... Joel 1:17 The grains have become small and dry under the spade; the store-houses
are made waste, the grain-stores are broken down; for the grain is dry and dead ...
/g/grains.htm - 8k

Grain-stores (1 Occurrence)
... Joel 1:17 The grains have become small and dry under the spade; the store-houses
are made waste, the grain-stores are broken down; for the grain is dry and dead ...
/g/grain-stores.htm - 6k

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