Plough

The plough (Hebrew maharasha) was a simple implement in ancient Palestine, typically made of wood with an iron tip, light enough to be lifted with one hand while the other guided the ox or team. Early biblical law references ploughing in establishing procedures for an unsolved murder (Deut. 21:4). Elisha was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen when Elijah called him (1 Kgs. 19:19), illustrating both the scale of his household's agriculture and the solemnity of the prophetic call. The prophetic vision of peace transforms swords into ploughshares (Isa. 2:4; Mic. 4:3). Jesus used the plough to teach single-minded discipleship: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).