Topical Encyclopedia
Mowing, in the context of the Bible, refers to the cutting down of grass or grain, an agricultural practice that was essential in ancient agrarian societies. This activity is mentioned in several passages, highlighting its significance in the daily life and economy of the people in biblical times.
Biblical References:1.
Psalm 72:6 : "May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth." This verse uses the imagery of a mown field to describe the blessings and refreshment brought by a righteous ruler. The comparison to rain on a mown field suggests renewal and prosperity, as the freshly cut grass or grain would benefit from the rain, leading to new growth.
2.
Amos 7:1 : "This is what the Lord GOD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts just after the king’s harvest, as the second crop was coming up." Although the term "mowing" is not directly used in this verse, the context of harvest and the threat of locusts highlights the vulnerability of crops after mowing or reaping. The timing of the locusts' arrival, after the king's mowing, underscores the dependence on divine protection for agricultural success.
3.
Deuteronomy 24:19 : "When you reap the harvest in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." While this verse specifically addresses reaping, it reflects the broader agricultural practices, including mowing, and the social responsibility to care for the less fortunate. The act of leaving behind part of the harvest for the needy is a demonstration of God's justice and mercy.
Cultural and Agricultural Context:In ancient Israel, mowing was a critical part of the agricultural cycle. It involved cutting down grass or grain, which was then gathered for various uses, including feeding livestock and providing sustenance for the community. The timing of mowing was crucial, as it needed to be done when the crops were ripe but before adverse weather or pests could damage them.
The process of mowing was labor-intensive and required tools such as sickles. It was often a communal activity, with families and neighbors working together to complete the task efficiently. The success of mowing and subsequent harvests was seen as a blessing from God, and the people were encouraged to acknowledge His provision through offerings and by caring for the marginalized.
Spiritual Significance:Mowing, as depicted in the Bible, carries spiritual connotations of provision, renewal, and divine blessing. It serves as a metaphor for God's care and sustenance, as well as the responsibility of His people to steward the resources He provides. The imagery of mowing and harvest is frequently used to illustrate spiritual truths, such as the importance of diligence, the inevitability of divine judgment, and the hope of spiritual renewal.
In summary, mowing in the biblical context is more than an agricultural practice; it is a symbol of God's provision and the community's responsibility to live in accordance with His commandments, ensuring justice and mercy for all members of society.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
MowingAs the great heat of the climate in Palestine and other similarly situated countries soon dries up the herbage itself, hay-making in our sense of the term is not in use. The "king's mowings," (Amos 7:1) may perhaps refer to some royal right of early pasturage for the use of the cavalry.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Hebrews gez), rendered in
Psalm 72:6 "mown grass." The expression "king's mowings" (
Amos 7:1) refers to some royal right of early pasturage, the first crop of grass for the cavalry (Comp.
1 Kings 18:5).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Mow.
2. (n.) The act of one who, or the operation of that which, mows.
3. (n.) Land from which grass is cut; meadow land.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MOWING; MOWN GRASSmo'-ing, (gez, "a shearing," "cut grass"): InPsalm 72:6 the good king's rule is said to be "like rain upon the mown grass," to start the new growth (compare2 Samuel 23:4Hosea 6:3). "The king's mowings" (Amos 7:1) were the portion of the spring herbage taken as tribute by the kings of Israel to feed their horses (compare1 Samuel 8:15;; 18:5). "After the king's mowings" would denote the time when everybody else might turn to reap their greenstuffs (BTP, II, 109). The term "mower" (qatsar, "to dock off," "shorten") inPsalm 129:7 the King James Version is rendered "reaper" in the Revised Version (British and American), and inJames 5:4 the Revised Version (British and American) has "mow" for amao (the King James Version "reap").
SeeHARVEST;REAPING.
M. O. Evans
Strong's Hebrew
1488. gez -- a shearing,mowing... 1487, 1488. gez. 1489 . a shearing,
mowing. Transliteration: gez Phonetic Spelling:
(gaze) Short Definition: fleece.
... fleece,
mowing, mown grass.
...Library
Some Miscellaneous Matters Respecting the Face of the Land.
... You might see the ploughing andmowing of their fields, the dressing of their vines,
and their vintage, to be done by the rules of the scribes, as well as by...
How the Britons, Being Ravaged by the Scots and Picts, Sought...
... perceived that the Roman soldiers were gone, immediately coming by sea, broke into
the borders, trampled and overran all places, and like menmowing ripe corn...
Of the Devastation of the World and Change of the Empires.
... with a river. Then the sword will traverse the world,mowing down everything,
and laying low all things as a crop. And"my mind...
Hay-Time.
... Nor call your time your own; Around you, see, the scythe of death. Ismowing thousands
down. And you, who hitherto are spared,. Must shortly yield your lives;...
Repentance and Restitution.
... He was not only convinced that he was wrong; but he went off into the fields, hoeing,
ormowing or whatever it was. That is Christ's definition of repentance....
Darkness Before the Dawn
... Let us never despair; but, on the contrary, let us brush the tears from our eyes,
and begin to look for the light of themowing, for "the morning cometh," and...
The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church
... so that when they came they said it was a land that did eat up the inhabitants thereof,
for God himself with the sword and the pestilence wasmowing down their...
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in his Names.
... of Charles G. Finney, an obscure country lawyer, and sent him through New York State,
then through New England, then through England,mowing down strong men by...
Of Removing Tithes.
... But, in another case, it was afterwards held, that the right to tithe of hay accrues
uponmowing the grass; and that the subsequent application of it, while in...
The Master's Profession --The Disciple's Pursuit
... He felt that it would be too presumptuous a thing for him to be in front, where
the cannon balls weremowing down men on the right hand and on the left, and...
Thesaurus
Mowing (1 Occurrence)... 3. (n.) Land from which grass is cut; meadow land. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MOWING; MOWN GRASS.
... MO Evans. Multi-Version Concordance
Mowing (1 Occurrence
...Mown (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (pp) of Mow. 2. (pp & a.) Cut down bymowing, as grass; deprived of grass by
mowing; as, a mown field. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.MOWING; MOWN GRASS....
Grass (92 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews hatsir, ripe grass fit formowing (1 Kings
18:5; Job 40:15; Psalm 104:14).... EWG Masterman.MOWING; MOWN GRASS....
Mower (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who, or that which, mows; amowing machine; as,
a lawn mower. Multi-Version Concordance Mower (1 Occurrence)....
Tore (59 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp.) of Tear. 2. (v.) imp. of Tear. 3. (n.) The dead grass that remains
onmowing land in winter and spring. 4. (n.) Same as Torus....
Mow (1 Occurrence)
... 8. (vt) To cut down; to cause to fall in rows or masses, as inmowing grass; --
with down; as, a discharge of grapeshot mows down whole ranks of men....
Mowings (1 Occurrence)
Resources
What does the Bible say about retaliation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is fatalism? What is determinism? | GotQuestions.orgMowing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
