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מַחֲרֵשָׁה

𐤌𐤇𐤓𐤔𐤄

machărêshâh

H4281 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חרשׁ to cut in, to inscribe, to plow

Definition

A tool used for working the soil, specifically a plow or ploughshare; refers to the metal blade of a plow or in some cases a similar agricultural implement for breaking ground. By extension, used broadly for farming equipment involved in soil preparation.

Semantic Range

plow, ploughshare, plough blade, agricultural implement for soil preparation, instrument for cutting furrows

Root / Etymology

From the root חָרַשׁ (charash), meaning 'to cut in, inscribe; to plow.' The term מַחֲרֵשָׁה (machărêshâh) is a noun formation, deriving from this root with the addition of the mem-prefix, commonly forming instrumental nouns in Hebrew, thus indicating an implement for cutting or furrowing the soil.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical texts, מַחֲרֵשָׁה refers primarily to an agricultural plow, the tool used by Israelites for turning the soil before sowing. Documentation is sparse, found mainly in 1 Samuel 13:20–21, in a passage occurring during the early monarchy, listing it among agricultural tools that required Philistine smiths to sharpen. The semantic scope covers both the entire plow as a tool and, more narrowly, the plowshare (the metal blade affixed to it). There is historical overlap with other Hebrew agricultural terms (e.g., אֵת for 'hoe' or 'shovel'), but מַחֲרֵשָׁה denotes the implement specifically designed for furrowing. Unlike some later English translations that introduce terms like 'mattock' or 'pick-axe,' the original context is focused on tillage implements. In Iron Age Israelite economy, the plow was essential for agriculture, and the fiscal or military control of such tools (as in the 1 Samuel passage) implies both economic and strategic significance. Later biblical and post-biblical literature expands or preserves the term for similar implements. Modern usage may anachronistically conflate it with any earth-breaking tool, but the biblical context is specific to plowing.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָרַשׁ; probably a pick-axe; mattock.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חרשׁ (ḥ-r-sh) — to cut in, to inscribe, to plow

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2792 חֶרֶשׁ Craftsman
H2794 חֹרֵשׁ crafting artisan of
H2796 חָרָשׁ craftsman of
H2798 חֲרָשִׁים craftsmen
H2799 חֲרֹשֶׁת and in the workshop-of

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4281-01 לַ/מַּֽחֲרֵשֹׁת֙ lamachareshot HRd/Ncfpa for the plowshares for plow-blades 1
H4281-02 מַחֲרֵשָׁתֽ/וֹ machareshato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his sickle his plow-blade 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4281-02 1 Samuel 13:20 מַחֲרֵשָׁתֽ/וֹ machareshato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his sickle his plow-blade
H4281-01 1 Samuel 13:21 לַ/מַּֽחֲרֵשֹׁת֙ lamachareshot HRd/Ncfpa for the plowshares for plow-blades
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