Mattock
ArtifactsWhat 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
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Mattock were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Mattock in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Mattock clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Mattock." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/mattock/