מֶגְרָפָה (mig.ra.phah)
mig.ra.phah
clod
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun megrafa appears only once in the Old Testament, in Joel 1:17. Its meaning is somewhat obscure, with scholars debating whether it refers to the tool itself or the result of its use. Most translations understand it as a shovel, specifically the kind used by farmers to move earth or grain.
Some sources suggest an alternative reading where the word describes a clod of dirt thrown by that shovel. This nuance fits the context of Joel’s lament over the failed harvest, where seeds lie shriveled in the ground and granaries are ruined. The image is one of agricultural devastation, where even the basic instruments of labor cannot bring relief.
Because the word is so rare and its exact sense remains uncertain, translators must rely on context to choose between "shovel" or "clod." In either case, it serves as a concrete symbol of the brokenness facing Judah. The scarcity of the term highlights how specific and localized this disaster feels, focusing attention on the immediate loss rather than abstract concepts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read of seeds rotting beneath heavy clods of earth, it is easy to feel the weight of that loss. This single Hebrew word describes a lump of dirt, likely from a shovel or hoe, lying on top of ruined grain. It paints a picture of labor interrupted and harvest lost, capturing the specific grief of a people facing famine.
Yet this image reminds us that God sees the details of our struggle. He does not overlook the small, heavy burdens we carry when life feels stagnant or broken. Even in seasons where our efforts seem buried under circumstances beyond our control, His attention remains fixed on us.
We can bring these moments of frustration to Him with honesty. There is comfort in knowing that the Creator of the harvest understands both the toil of the field and the sorrow of the empty granary. He walks with us through the dust, offering hope where there seems to be only loss.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- shovels/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֶגְרְפֹ֣תֵי/הֶ֔ם1×
Key Verses
-
Joel 1:17
The seeds rot under their clods. The granaries are laid desolate. The barns are broken down, for the grain has withered.
This verse uses the word to depict seeds trapped and rotting under heavy earth, emphasizing the total failure of the harvest.