Mattock
Artifactsâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The mattock is a heavy agricultural tool characterized by a blade set at right angles to the handle, used for digging, hoeing, and breaking up hard ground, with various Hebrew terms translating to 'pick-axe', 'sword', 'ax', or 'chopping instrument' depending on context.
What is the meaning of Mattock in the Bible?
The mattock is a heavy agricultural tool characterized by a blade set at right angles to the handle, used for digging, hoeing, and breaking up hard ground, with various Hebrew terms translating to 'pick-axe', 'sword', 'ax', or 'chopping instrument' depending on context.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the mattock clarifies biblical metaphors regarding labor, judgment, and the physical effort required for cultivation, such as Isaiah's reference to God using a mattock to clear vineyards, illustrating the tangible reality of ancient agrarian life.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Mattock in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Mattock clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.