English · KJV
H4281

מַחֲרֵשָׁה

machărêshâh /makh-ar-ay-shaw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom חָרַשׁ
Meaningprobably a pick-axe
KJV usagemattock.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of machărêshâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word machărêshâh, represented by H4281, is defined as a mattock and is likely derived from a root meaning to engrave or plow. It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses, with both occurrences found in the same chapter of the Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The context for H4281 is a specific moment of Israelite vulnerability under Philistine oppression. In this narrative, the Israelites H3478 were disarmed and lacked blacksmiths, forcing them to go down H3381 to the Philistines H6430 for basic services. The scripture states they went "to sharpen H3913 every man H376 his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock" 1 Samuel 13:20. A specific charge was levied for this work, as they "had a file H6477 for the mattocks H4281" and other farm implements 1 Samuel 13:21.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a clearer picture of the agricultural and historical setting:

  • H4282 machăresheth (share): This term for another part of a plow appears alongside mattock in the list of tools the Israelites needed sharpened by the Philistines 1 Samuel 13:20.
  • H855 'êth (coulter, plowshare): Also listed with the mattock, this digging implement was essential for farming, highlighting Israel's dependence on their enemies for agricultural readiness 1 Samuel 13:20-21.
  • H3913 lâṭash (sharpen): This is the key action the Israelites sought for their mattocks and other tools, an ability the Philistines monopolized to maintain control 1 Samuel 13:20.
  • H6430 Pᵉlishtîy (Philistine): The appearance of this word establishes the context of national conflict and subjugation, as they are the ones who controlled the sharpening of Israel's tools 1 Samuel 13:20.

Theological Significance

While not a word with direct theological weight, the significance of H4281 is found in the narrative it helps construct.

  • National Subjugation: The need to have a simple mattock sharpened by an enemy demonstrates the depth of Israel's disarmament and oppression under the Philistines 1 Samuel 13:20.
  • Control of Technology: The Philistines maintained a monopoly on smithing, a critical technology for both agriculture and warfare. By controlling the sharpening of tools like the mattock, they kept Israel dependent and unable to forge weapons.
  • Everyday Hardship: The mention of a mattock illustrates how Philistine rule affected the daily life and livelihood of the common Israelite H376, impacting their ability to cultivate the land.

Summary

In summary, H4281 refers to a mattock, a common agricultural tool. Though it appears only twice, its usage in 1 Samuel 13 is highly significant. It serves as a powerful symbol of Israel's weakness and dependence on the Philistines, illustrating how an enemy's control over basic technology could disarm a nation and disrupt the very foundation of its agrarian society.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מַחֲרַשְׁתּ
  • מַּחֲרֵשֹׁת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel H3381 יָרַד a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, H6430 פְּלִשְׁתִּי patrial from פְּלֶשֶׁת; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth; Philistine. H3913 לָטַשׁ a primitive root; properly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e. to sharpen; instructer, sharp(-en), whet. H376 אִישׁ contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male pe H6477 פְּצִירָה from פָּצַר; bluntness; [phrase] file.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

2 verses, all in 1 Samuel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.