Plow

plou (חרשׁ, ḥārash; ἀροτριόω, arotrióō): No implement of the Bible is more frequently illustrated today than the plow. This is partly because there is every reason to believe that the plows still used throughout Egypt, Palestine, and Syria are counterparts of the ancient ones. The first plows were probably an adaptation of the ancient Egyptian hoe, where the handle was lengthened in order that animals might be hitched to it. To make it easier to break up the ground, it was pointed, and handles were added by which it could be guided. The ancient plow probably varied in type in different sections of the country, as it does today. In one form a young tree Of oak or other strong wood of a diameter of 3 or 4 inches is cut off just below a good-sized branch and again 15 or 20 inches above. The upper end of the severed trunk is pointed and forms the share. Between this and the side branch is fitted a brace. The branch is cut off 10 or 12 ft. from the trunk and forms the pole. A lighter stick, about 3 ft. long, projects upward from the share and forms the handle. The plow used in Syria is of slightly different construction. The handle and share are one continuous piece, so cut that there is a slight bend at the middle. The share is pointed and is used bare in the plains, or in more stony regions is shod with iron. The pole is of 2 pieces joined end to end. The thicker end of the pole is notched, so that it may be attached firmly to the share. The whole plow is so light that it can be easily carried on a man's shoulder. These plows literally scratch the soil, as the Hebrew word implies. They do not turn over the ground as the modern implement does. The plowman guides the plow with one hand, and with the other sometimes goads the oxen, and at other times with the chisel end of his goad breaks away the lumps of earth or other material which impedes the progress of his plow. See YOKE.

In addition to the words which are found above, the following terms occur: עבד, ‛ābhadh (literally, “to serve”), “worked” or “plowed” (Deu_21:4); פּלח, pālaḥ (literally, “to break open,” Psa_141:7).

One special law is mentioned in connection with plowing, namely that an ox and an ass should not be yoked together (Deu_22:10), a prohibition which is utterly disregarded today. Oxen were principally used for plowing (Job_1:14). Often several yokes of oxen followed each other plowing parallel furrows across the field, a sight still common on the plains of Syria (1Ki_19:19). Plowing was done by bond servants (Luk_17:7; compare ‛ābhadh, Deu_21:4). Plowing cannot be done before the rains (Jer_14:4); on the other hand the soil is too sticky to plow in the winter time (Pro_20:4). The law requiring one day of rest in every seven days included plowing time (Exo_34:21).

Figurative: “The plowers plowed upon my back” typified deep affliction (Psa_129:3; compare Psa_141:7). “Plow iniquity” is urged in the sense of “plant iniquity.” Doing evil was sure to bring evil consequences (Job_4:8; compare Mic_3:12). As surely as planting comes after plowing, so surely will Yahweh carry out His decree of destruction (Isa_28:23-25). “Judah shall plow,” i.e. become enslaved (Hos_10:11); compare “Foreigners shall be your plowmen” (Isa_61:5). “Will one plow there with oxen?” (Amo_6:12), “neither plowing nor harvest” (Gen_45:6) are figures of desolation. Zion plowed as a field, i.e. utterly destroyed (Jer_26:18). The plowman shall overtake the reaper, i.e. the soil shall be so fertile as to require no rest - typical of great abundance (Amo_9:13). No opportunity to plow because of lack of rain is a desolate picture of drought (Jer_14:4). As the plowman expects to share in the fruits of the harvest, so might an apostle expect his temporal needs to be provided for (1Co_9:10). “If ye had not plowed with my heifer,” i.e. used my wife, was Samson's reply to those who had secured the answer to his riddle from her (Jdg_14:18). “Beat their swords into plowshares” (or hoes) (Isa_2:4; Mic_4:3) typified peace; “beat your plowshares into swords” - war (Joe_3:10). “Having put his hand to the plow, and looking back,” i.e. longing for evil things when one has set his face toward doing what is right, unfits a man for the kingdom of God (Luk_9:62; compare Gen_19:26; Phi_3:13).

Job 1:14 

 the oxen were ploughing: the five hundred yoke of oxen Job had, Job_1:3, which were all out in the fields, and employed in ploughing them; and to plough with such was usual in those times and countries, as it now is in some places; see 1Ki_19:19 

and the asses feeding beside them; beside the oxen, where they were ploughing, in pasture ground, adjoining to the arable land; and beside the servants that were ploughing with the oxen: "at their hands" (b); as it may be literally rendered, just by them, under their eye and care; or "in their places" (c); where they should be, and where they used to feed (d); these were the five hundred asses, male and female, reckoned among Job's substance, Job_1:3, which were brought hither to feed, and some for the servants to ride on; this ploughed land being at some distance from Job's house; and others to carry the seed that was was to be sown here: now the situation and employment of these creatures are particularly mentioned, to show that they were in their proper places, and at their proper work; and that what befell them was not owing to the want of care of them, or to the indolence and negligence of the servants. 

nd found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth; which may be understood either of twelve couple of oxen drawing one plough; which was a large number, but will not seem strange when it is observed, that Abelmeholah, where Elisha was ploughing, lay in the vale of Jordan, which was a clayey stiff ground, and required such a number of oxen to plough it up, especially at the first tilling of it, as this might be (a); compare 1Ki_4:12 A late traveller (b) observes, that at Damegraed, in upper Egypt on the Nile, six oxen yoked to plough had a great deal of difficulty to turn up the ground; or else, as the Jewish writers generally understand it, there were twelve ploughs, and a yoke of oxen to each, and a ploughman to attend everyone, and Elisha attended the twelfth; or was with one of the twelve, as the Targum, and might have the oversight of them all; Kimchi thinks, and so Abarbiuel after him, that this signified that he should be leader of the twelve tribes of Israel: 

and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him; the skirts of it. 

(z) Travels, &c. p. 204. (a) See Fuller's Pisgah-Sight, &c. B. 2. ch. 8. p. 175. (b) Norden's Travels in Egypt and Arabia, vol. 2. p. 85.