Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the harrow was an agricultural implement used to break up and smooth out the soil after it had been plowed. This tool was essential for preparing the ground for sowing seeds, ensuring that the soil was fine and even, which facilitated better seed germination and growth. The harrow is mentioned in the context of ancient farming practices, reflecting the agrarian society in which many biblical narratives are set.
Biblical References:While the specific term "harrow" is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, the concept of preparing the soil is implicit in various agricultural metaphors and parables. The process of harrowing can be associated with the broader biblical theme of preparing one's heart and life for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
In
Isaiah 28:24-25 , the prophet uses agricultural imagery to convey spiritual truths: "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 plots, and spelt as their border?" This passage highlights the careful and deliberate preparation required before planting, symbolizing the need for readiness and receptivity in spiritual matters.
Symbolism and Spiritual Application:The harrow, as a tool for soil preparation, symbolizes the necessary work of breaking up the "fallow ground" of the heart, as mentioned in
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." This metaphorical use of agricultural imagery calls believers to repentance and spiritual renewal, urging them to prepare their hearts for the reception of God's word and blessings.
In the New Testament, Jesus often used agricultural parables to teach spiritual truths. The Parable of the Sower (
Matthew 13:3-9) illustrates the importance of the condition of the "soil"—the heart—in receiving the seed of God's word. While the harrow is not explicitly mentioned, the preparation of the soil is a critical step in ensuring that the seed can take root and produce a bountiful harvest.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Israel, agriculture was the backbone of daily life and economy. The use of tools like the harrow was vital for successful farming. The Israelites were well-acquainted with the rhythms of planting and harvesting, and these practices were deeply woven into their cultural and religious life. The imagery of farming, including the use of the harrow, provided a rich source of metaphor for the prophets and teachers of Israel, who sought to communicate divine truths in relatable terms.
The harrow, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol in biblical literature, representing the preparation and readiness required for spiritual growth and the reception of divine truth. Through the imagery of agriculture, the Bible communicates the necessity of a receptive and prepared heart, ready to receive and nurture the seeds of faith and righteousness.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Hebrews harits), a tribulum or sharp threshing sledge; a frame armed on the under side with rollers or sharp spikes (
2 Samuel 12:31;
1 Chronicles 20:3).
Hebrews verb sadad, to harrow a field, break its clods (Job 39:10;Isaiah 28:4;Hosea 10:11). Its form is unknown. It may have resembled the instrument still in use in Egypt.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An implement of agriculture, usually formed of pieces of timber or metal crossing each other, and set with iron or wooden teeth. It is drawn over plowed land to level it and break the clods, to stir the soil and make it fine, or to cover seed when sown.
2. (n.) An obstacle formed by turning an ordinary harrow upside down, the frame being buried.
3. (n.) To draw a harrow over, as for the purpose of breaking clods and leveling the surface, or for covering seed; as, to harrow land.
4. (n.) To break or tear, as with a harrow; to wound; to lacerate; to torment or distress; to vex.
5. (interj.) Help! Halloo! An exclamation of distress; a call for succor;-the ancient Norman hue and cry.
6. (v. t.) To pillage; to harry; to oppress.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HARROWhar'-o (sadhadh): Sadhadh occurs in 3 passages (Job 39:10Isaiah 28:24Hosea 10:11). In the first 2 it is translated "harrow," in the last "break the clods." That this was a separate operation from plowing, and that it was performed with an instrument drawn by animals, seems certain. As to whether it corresponded to our modern harrowing is a question. The reasons for this uncertainty are:
(1) the ancient Egyptians have left no records of its use;
(2) at the present time, in those parts of Palestine and Syria where foreign methods have not been introduced, harrowing is not commonly known, although the writer has been told that in some districts the ground is leveled after plowing with the threshing-sledge or a log drawn by oxen. Cross-plowing is resorted to for breaking up the lumpy soil, especially where the ground has been baked during the long rainless summer. Lumps not reduced in this way are further broken up with a hoe or pick. See d is always sown before plowing, so that harrowing to cover the seed is unnecessary. SeeAGRICULTURE. Figuratively used of affliction, discipline, etc. (Isaiah 28:24).
James A. Patch
Strong's Hebrew
7702. sadad -- toharrow... sadad. 7703 . to
harrow. Transliteration: sadad Phonetic Spelling: (saw-dad')
Short Definition:
harrow.
... root Definition to
harrow NASB Word Usage
harrow (3).
...2757. charits -- a cut, thing cut, sharp instrument
... Word Origin from charats Definition a cut, thing cut, sharp instrument NASB Word
Usage cuts (1), sharp instruments (1), sharp...instruments (1). cheese,harrow....
Library
Scientific Education: Notes of an After-Dinner Speech.
... And I say it with gratitude and great respect for those eminent persons, that the
head masters of our public schools, Eton,Harrow, Winchester, have addressed...
Spiritual Farming --No. 4 Sowing.
... No preacher has done his work thoroughly who does not use theharrow. There are
some so-called teachers, who don't know what the gospelharrow is....
The Word Success Can of Course be Used in Two Senses. ...
... education has been working, in the sense that the fresh-faced, foolish boy in "Etons"
does embody the ideal for which the headmasters ofHarrow and Winchester...
How to Work for God with Success.
... You must plough andharrow and put your seed in carefully, and in proper proportion,
and at the right time, and then you must water and weed and wait for the...
In Travel-Worn Garb Vergilius Went Early to See the King. ...
... Theharrow of pain and passion had roughened his face with wrinkles. His manner
was alert and watchful. "Have you seen my son?" he inquired, quickly....
There is one Thing at Least of which There is Never So Much as A.....
... There must be an educational specialist in loco parentis. But the master atHarrow
is in loco parentis; the master in Hoxton is rather contra parentem....
For this Deep and Disabling Reason Therefore, Its Cynical and...
... In the elementary schools we have all the ethical prejudices and exaggerations of
Eton andHarrow carefully copied for people to whom they do not even roughly...
The Religion of Man
... Now just so do many people smooth down andharrow their souls with confessions and
penances and religious doings, but the evil roots of noisome weeds are left...
A Present Religion
... The thought of slain bodies and of murdered men must alwaysharrow up the soul;
but because we hear of these things in the distance, there are few Englishmen...
To the Venerable Religious, Brother Antonio of Nizza, of the Order...
... So many a time the soul receives consolation, and then later feels itself deprived
thereof by God; and another experience willharrow it, which will give less...
Thesaurus
Drag (19 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To break, as land, by drawing a drag or
harrow over it; to
harrow; to draw
a drag along the bottom of, as a stream or other water; hence, to search, as
...Bush (14 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To use a bushharrow on (land), for covering seeds sown; toharrow with
a bush; as, to bush a piece of land; to bush seeds into the ground....
Agriculture
... When the soil was prepared, the seed was sown broadcast over the field (Matthew
13:3-8). The "harrow" mentioned in Job 39:10 was not used to cover the seeds...
Harrow (3 Occurrences)
... 20:3). Hebrews verb sadad, toharrow a field, break its clods (Job 39:10;
Isaiah 28:4; Hosea 10:11). Its form is unknown. It may...
Unicorn (6 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Job 39:10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow?
or will heharrow the valleys after thee? (KJV WBS)....
Wild-ox (6 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV). Job 39:10 Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow?
Or will heharrow the valleys after thee? (See JPS ASV)....
Fallow (5 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) To plow,harrow, and break up, as land, without seeding, for the purpose
of destroying weeds and insects, and rendering it mellow; as, it is profitable...
Tormentor (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) An implement for reducing a stiff soil, resembling aharrow, but running
upon wheels. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TORMENTOR....
Reem (5 Occurrences)
... Doth he lodge by thy crib? (YLT). Job 39:10 Dost thou bind a Reem in a furrow
'with' his thick band? Doth heharrow valleys after thee? (YLT)....
Ploweth (2 Occurrences)
... Sheol. (ASV). Isaiah 28:24 Doth he that ploweth to sow plow continually?
doth he 'continually' open andharrow his ground? (ASV)....
Resources
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