Tillage refers to the preparation of soil for growing crops, a practice deeply rooted in the agrarian culture of biblical times. The concept of tillage is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing both physical labor and spiritual diligence.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Genesis 2:15 · "Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it."
This verse highlights the divine mandate given to humanity to engage in tillage, underscoring the importance of stewardship and responsibility over creation. The act of cultivating the land is seen as a partnership with God in maintaining the order and productivity of the earth.

2. Proverbs 12:11 · "He who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment."
Here, tillage is associated with wisdom and provision. The diligent farmer who engages in tillage is contrasted with those who pursue vain pursuits, emphasizing the value of hard work and the blessings that come from it.

3. Isaiah 28:24-26 · "Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? Does he not plant wheat in rows, barley in its place, and spelt as its border? For his God instructs and teaches him the right way."
This passage illustrates the wisdom and guidance provided by God in the process of tillage. It reflects the understanding that successful farming requires knowledge and discernment, which are gifts from God.

4. Hosea 10:12 · "Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain."
Tillage is used metaphorically to describe spiritual renewal and repentance. The breaking up of unplowed ground symbolizes the preparation of one's heart to receive God's righteousness and blessings.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, tillage was a vital part of daily life and survival. The agrarian society depended heavily on the cultivation of crops such as wheat, barley, and various fruits. The process of tillage involved plowing, sowing, and harvesting, often requiring significant labor and skill. Tools such as the plow and harrow were essential for breaking up the soil and preparing it for planting.

The biblical emphasis on tillage reflects the broader theme of human cooperation with divine providence. The land was seen as a gift from God, and its cultivation was an act of obedience and faithfulness. The cycles of sowing and reaping were reminders of God's provision and the natural order established by Him.

Spiritual Lessons

Tillage in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual growth and discipline. Just as the soil must be prepared to yield a fruitful harvest, so must the human heart be cultivated to produce spiritual fruit. This involves breaking up the hardened ground of sin and complacency, sowing seeds of righteousness, and nurturing one's relationship with God.

The biblical portrayal of tillage encourages believers to engage in diligent work, both physically and spiritually, trusting in God's guidance and provision. It calls for a life of active faith, where one's efforts are aligned with divine purposes, leading to a harvest of blessings and spiritual fulfillment.1. (n.) The operation, practice, or art of tilling or preparing land for seed, and keeping the ground in a proper state for the growth of crops.

2. (n.) A place tilled or cultivated; cultivated land.

TILLAGE

til'-aj.

See AGRICULTURE.

5215. niyr -- a lamp
... fallow ground, plowing, tillage Or nir {neer}; from niyr; properly, plowing, ie
(concretely) freshly plowed land -- fallow ground, plowing, tillage. ...
/hebrew/5215.htm - 5k

5656. abodah -- labor, service
... 1), work (18), workers (1). act, bondage, bondservant, effect, labor,
ministering, office, service, tillage,. Or mabowdah {ab-o-daw ...
/hebrew/5656.htm - 6k

The Tillage of the Poor
... THE PROVERBS THE TILLAGE OF THE POOR. 'Much food is in the tillage of
the poor.'"Proverbs 13:23. Palestine was a land of small ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the tillage of the poor.htm

Relation of Faith and Unbelief to the Supernatural Powers of Jesus ...
... Now it seems to me that, as in the case of material things, tillage is not sufficient
in itself for the gathering in of the fruits, unless the air cooperates ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/19 relation of faith and.htm

The Testimony of Jesus Christ
... Mark 10:4). Georgia is tillage; georgion is the field where the tillage
is carried on. (1 Corinthians 3:9 only). Gymnasia denotes ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the testimony of jesus christ.htm

More and More
... Is it adequate to the labor expended? Is the tillage remunerative? ... Here and there
a withered ear is a poor recompense for the tillage of infinite love. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/more and more.htm

Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... And he [1031] who was for him as a shepherd, because he loved fields and merchandise
and vineyards and oliveyards and tillage, did not wish to become his ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration x of pastors.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... THE MANY-SIDED CONTRAST OF WISDOM AND FOLLY. THE POOR RICH AND THE RICH POOR. THE
TILLAGE OF THE POOR. SIN THE MOCKER. HOLLOW LAUGHTER, SOLID JOY. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/

A Revival Sermon
... Even where no tillage had been exercised upon it the land was so fruitful, that
the bees who sucked the sweetness from the wild flowers produced such masses of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a revival sermon.htm

The Physical Theory Continued Further Reasons Advanced against the ...
... the controller of the months by its governance; the stars also, certain indications
as they are of those seasons which are to be observed in the tillage of our ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter v the physical theory continued.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... classes of the people. In the unsettled state of the country, tillage had
been to some extent neglected. Furthermore, because of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

On the Sunday Called "Episozomenes," to those who had Come to ...
... For before the sin of Adam, when he enjoyed much freedom, a certain tillage of the
ground was enjoined upon him; not indeed a laborious or a troublesome one ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xix on the sunday.htm

Tillage (7 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TILLAGE. til'-aj. ...Tillage (7 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians
3:9 for of God we are fellow-workmen; God's tillage, God's building ye are. ...
/t/tillage.htm - 8k

Field (390 Occurrences)
... but unenclosed. It is applied to any cultivated ground or pasture (Genesis
29:2; 31:4; 34:7), or tillage (Genesis 37:7; 47:24). It ...
/f/field.htm - 44k

Tilled (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:26 and over them that did the work of the field for tillage
of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub; (See NAS). ...
/t/tilled.htm - 8k

Ezri (1 Occurrence)
... Help of Jehovah, the son of Chelub. He superintended, under David, those who "did
the work of the field for tillage" (1 Chronicles 27:26). Int. ...
/e/ezri.htm - 7k

Agricultural (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) of or pertaining to agriculture; connected with, or engaged in, tillage;
as, the agricultural class; agricultural implements, wages, etc. ...
/a/agricultural.htm - 6k

Kelub (1 Occurrence)
... Kelub (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 27:26 Over those who did the work of the field
for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: (See NIV). ...
/k/kelub.htm - 6k

Loftiness (10 Occurrences)
... the great King. (See NIV). Proverbs 21:4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of
heart, Tillage of the wicked 'is' sin. (YLT). Isaiah 2:11 ...
/l/loftiness.htm - 10k

Workman (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A man employed in labor, whether in tillage
or manufactures; a worker. 2. (n.) Hence, especially ...
/w/workman.htm - 17k

Farmer (17 Occurrences)
... a tenant. 3. (n.) One who is devoted to the tillage of the soil; one who
cultivates a farm; an agriculturist; a husbandman. 4. (n ...
/f/farmer.htm - 11k

Tilling (4 Occurrences)
... Tilling (4 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 27:26 and over them that did the work of the
field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub; (See RSV). ...
/t/tilling.htm - 7k

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