מַחֲרֵשָׁה (ma.cha.re.shah)
ma.cha.re.shah
plowshare
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun maḥărešâ refers specifically to the iron blade attached to a plow, known in English as the plowshare. This small but essential component cuts into the earth to turn over the soil, preparing it for planting. Its function is fundamental to ancient agriculture, representing the initial and often difficult work of breaking up hard ground so that life can grow.
Although this word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, its occurrence in 1 Samuel 13:20-21 carries significant narrative weight. The text describes how the Philistines controlled the iron trade, forcing Israelites to go to their neighbors to sharpen their plowshares, sickles, axes, and hoes. This detail highlights a moment of military and economic vulnerability, where even basic farming tools were unavailable due to foreign domination.
The rarity of the term in Scripture underscores its symbolic potential when it does appear. It serves as a concrete marker of daily life and subsistence, reminding readers that the ability to cultivate the land was not always guaranteed. The word anchors the biblical narrative in the physical realities of ancient Near Eastern society, where access to metal tools determined both survival and sovereignty.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for plowshare appears in a moment of deep vulnerability for ancient Israel. Under Philistine rule, the people could not even maintain their own farming tools. They had to travel to enemy territory just to sharpen the iron blades that turned the soil. This detail shows how foreign domination touched the most basic needs of daily life, making survival difficult and dependent on those who held power.
Yet this image also points to a deeper hope. The plowshare is not an instrument of war but of creation. It breaks hard ground so that seeds can take root and food can grow. In our own lives, we often face seasons where the 'ground' feels hard or blocked by outside forces. We may feel unable to cultivate peace, joy, or stability in our hearts.
Scripture reminds us that God is the one who prepares the heart for harvest. When we feel restricted or controlled by circumstances beyond our reach, we can trust that He works in the hidden places of our lives. Just as the plowshare turns earth into fertile soil, God’s grace can break up hard hearts and prepare them to receive His love and provision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- plowshare/ his2×
- for the/ plowshares1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַחֲרַשְׁתּ֤/וֹ1×
- מַחֲרֵשָׁתֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- לַ/מַּֽחֲרֵשֹׁת֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 13:20
but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, each man to sharpen his own plowshare, mattock, ax, and sickle.
This verse highlights the total dependence of Israel on their enemies for basic agricultural maintenance, showing how political oppression disrupted daily life.
-
I Samuel 13:21
The price was one payim each to sharpen mattocks, plowshares, pitchforks, axes, and goads.
The mention of specific prices underscores the economic burden placed on the people, turning essential farming tools into commodities controlled by foreign powers.