What does the Bible say about ploughing?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents ploughing as honest labor and as a vivid picture of God preparing human hearts to receive his Word and bear righteous fruit. Jeremiah 4:3 and Hosea 10:12 call God’s people to break up fallow ground, turning from hardened sin and seeking the Lord in repentance and faith. Proverbs 20:4 warns against sloth that refuses the work required in season, while Genesis 5:29 remembers farming’s toil under the curse. Jesus teaches single-hearted discipleship in Luke 9:62: one who puts his hand to the plough must not look back. Even the imagery of Psalm 129:3 shows that God sees the deep wounds inflicted on his people and will vindicate them.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- The breaking up or tilling of the earth Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:12
- Noah the supposed inventor of Genesis 5:29
- Performed
- By a plough Luke 9:62
- With oxen 1 Samuel 14:14; Job 1:14
- During the cold winter season Proverbs 20:4
- In long and straight furrows Psalms 129:3
- Generally by servants Isaiah 61:5; Luke 17:7
- Sometimes by the owner of the land himself 1 Kings 19:19
- With an ox and an ass yoked together forbidden to the Jews Deuteronomy 22:10
- Difficulty of, on rocky ground Amos 6:12
- Followed by harrowing and sowing Isaiah 28:24; Isaiah 28:25
- Illustrative
- Of repentance and reformation Jeremiah 4:3
- Of peace and prosperity Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3
- Of a severe course of affliction Hosea 10:11
- Of a course of sin Job 4:8; Hosea 10:13
- Of the labour ministers 1 Corinthians 9:10
- (Attention and constancy required in,) of continued devotedness Luke 9:62
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