Overview
The Bible addresses ploughing across 21 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, Hosea and Job. Closely related themes include Agriculture or Husbandry, Ox, the, Seed and Plow. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Noah, Lamech, Jonathan and Elijah.
Key Bible verses about ploughing
Old Testament
Job
Isaiah
And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. pruninghooks: or, scythes
Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?
When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place? the principal: or, the wheat in the principal place, and barley in the appointed place rie: or, spelt place: Heb. border?
And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
Hosea
And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. her: Heb. the beauty of her neck
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
New Testament
Luke
People in the Bible and ploughing
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
Studying ploughing for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 5:29, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Isaiah, Hosea and Job each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Noah, Lamech and Jonathan and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Agriculture or Husbandry, Ox, the, Seed and Plow.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about ploughing?
The Bible addresses ploughing across 21 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Isaiah, Hosea and Job. Closely related themes include Agriculture or Husbandry, Ox, the, Seed and Plow. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Noah, Lamech, Jonathan and Elijah.
How many Bible verses are about ploughing?
The Bible references ploughing in 21 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention ploughing?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 5:29: “And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed. Noah: Gr. Noe: that is Rest, or, Comfort”
Which people in the Bible are associated with ploughing?
Noah, Lamech, Jonathan, Elijah and Elisha.
Preach & teach
Outline a sermon or build a study series on ploughing.
Preach a series on Ploughing →