The Hebrew word maʻănâh, represented by H4618, is derived from a root meaning depression or tilling. It carries a dual meaning of furrow and acre. It appears 3 times across 2 unique verses, illustrating concepts tied to both agriculture and affliction.
In the biblical narrative, H4618 is used in two distinct contexts. Metaphorically, it is used to describe profound suffering, where enemies are depicted as plowers who "made long their furrows" upon a person's back Psalms 129:3. Literally, it defines a measurement of land. The first slaughter by Jonathan and his armourbearer occurred within the space of about half an acre of land, a space defined as the area a yoke of oxen could plow 1 Samuel 14:14.
Several related words help clarify the agricultural and contextual meaning of H4618:
- H2790 chârash (to plow): As the verb for plowing, this word is directly paired with H4618 to create the vivid image of plowers carving furrows into a back Psalms 129:3. It also describes the act of plowing a field with oxen 1 Kings 19:19.
- H1354 gab (back): This is the term for the "back" upon which the furrows of affliction are made, highlighting the personal nature of the suffering described Psalms 129:3. It can also refer to bodies or an eminent place (Job 13:12, Ezekiel 16:24).
- H6776 tsemed (yoke): This word for a "yoke" of oxen is used to define the area of an acre in 1 Samuel 14:14, connecting H4618 directly to the standard of animal labor. It is also used to count livestock Job 1:3.
The significance of H4618 is found in its powerful and specific applications.
- A Metaphor for Persecution: The image of furrows being plowed on a back is a graphic depiction of deep, repeated, and painful injury inflicted by oppressors. It transforms an agricultural term into a symbol of intense personal suffering Psalms 129:3.
- A Standard for Defining Events: As an "acre," the word provides a tangible, earthly measure for a pivotal military event. It grounds the "slaughter" in a specific, relatable plot of land, linking human action to a physical space 1 Samuel 14:14.
- The Confluence of Labor and Suffering: The word bridges the gap between the toil of tilling the ground and the pain of human affliction, showing how the language of everyday work can be used to express the deepest of sorrows.
In summary, H4618 is a concise term that carries both a literal, agricultural meaning and a profound, metaphorical one. Though used sparingly, it effectively portrays either a specific measure of land (acre) or the deep scars of persecution (furrow). The word powerfully illustrates how the common realities of land and labor were used in scripture to frame both historical events and intense personal trials.
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