Definition and Agricultural Context:
Harrowing is an agricultural practice involving the breaking up and smoothing of soil after it has been plowed. This process is essential for preparing the ground for sowing seeds, ensuring that the soil is fine and even, which promotes better seed germination and growth. In biblical times, harrowing would have been done using simple tools, often drawn by animals, to achieve the desired soil texture.

Biblical References:
While the specific term "harrowing" is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the concept is closely related to agricultural practices that are frequently referenced throughout Scripture. The Bible often uses agricultural metaphors to convey spiritual truths, reflecting the agrarian society in which it was written.

Spiritual Symbolism:
Harrowing, as part of the broader agricultural process, can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual preparation and refinement. Just as soil must be prepared to receive seeds, the human heart must be prepared to receive the Word of God. This preparation involves breaking up the "fallow ground" of the heart, a concept mentioned in Hosea 10:12 : "Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain."

Related Concepts:
1. Plowing and Sowing: Harrowing follows plowing and precedes sowing. Plowing turns over the soil, while harrowing refines it. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9), Jesus describes different types of soil, symbolizing the varied receptiveness of human hearts to the Gospel. Harrowing can be seen as the process of making the heart receptive.

2. Discipline and Growth: Hebrews 12:11 states, "No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it." Just as harrowing is necessary for a fruitful harvest, spiritual discipline prepares believers for growth and righteousness.

3. Repentance and Renewal: The act of harrowing can also symbolize repentance, where the hardness of sin is broken up to allow for spiritual renewal. Joel 2:13 urges, "Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion."

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Israel, agriculture was a central part of life, and the imagery of farming was deeply embedded in the culture. The process of harrowing would have been familiar to the original audience of the biblical texts, making it a powerful metaphor for spiritual truths. The reliance on the land for sustenance made the preparation of soil a critical task, underscoring the importance of readiness and diligence in both physical and spiritual realms.

Conclusion:
Harrowing, though not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, is an integral part of the agricultural process that serves as a rich metaphor for spiritual preparation and growth. Through the imagery of breaking up and refining the soil, Scripture calls believers to prepare their hearts for the reception of God's Word, emphasizing themes of repentance, discipline, and readiness for spiritual fruitfulness.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Harrow.

The Blood of the Testament
... a commentary upon his threatening, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt
insurely die." He meant Adam and Eve to witness the harrowing appearance, as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

The Eccentricity of Religion
... What makes it seemly to dig up this harrowing memory today, and emphasize a thought
which we cannot but feel lies on the borderland of blasphemy? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/the eccentricity of religion.htm

The Master.
... have no higher solace, no better remedy for their grief, than thus to water with
unavailing tears the trophies of death; or to read the harrowing record which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/x the master.htm

Orphanages.
... I remember hearing, on my arrival at Benares, the most harrowing account of the
fearful sufferings of the people over a great extent of country. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xiii orphanages.htm

July 5. "A Garden Enclosed" (Song of Solomon iv. 12).
... The ground has to be prepared, to be broken up by ploughing, to be mellowed by
harrowing, all the stones removed, the roots of all natural growth dug up, for ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /july 5 a garden enclosed.htm

A Comparison of the Blessedness of the Righteous, who have not yet ...
... that even now we not unbecomingly call those blessed whom we see leading a righteous
and holy life, in hope of immortality, who have no harrowing remorse of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 12 a comparison of the.htm

Modern Examples of Prayer (Continued)
... When Christ comes in with His peace, all tormenting fears are gone, trepidation
and harrowing anxieties capitulate to the reign of peace, and all disturbing ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/xii modern examples of prayer.htm

Compassion for Souls
... his wrath world without end! To-day your hearts are moved as you hear the
harrowing details of war. They have been dreadful indeed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/compassion for souls.htm

The Note of Accusation.
... It was very terrible, no doubt, very harrowing, and often as unpleasant to listen
to as to utter, but such preaching was justified by its results. ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter i the note of.htm

"Married to the God"
... hearts. Friends, we cannot modify truth, we cannot write half vividly enough;
and as for harrowing hearts, oh that we could do it! ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxiv married to the.htm

Harrowing (1 Occurrence)
... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Harrow. Multi-Version Concordance Harrowing (1 Occurrence).
Isaiah 28:24 Doth he that ploweth to sow plow continually? ...
/h/harrowing.htm - 6k

Harrow (3 Occurrences)
... As to whether it corresponded to our modern harrowing is a question. ... See d is always
sown before plowing, so that harrowing to cover the seed is unnecessary. ...
/h/harrow.htm - 10k

Stiffnecked (9 Occurrences)
... It was especially used for such agricultural purposes as harrowing and plowing
(Judges 14:18 1 Corinthians 9:9). The plow was usually drawn by two oxen. ...
/s/stiffnecked.htm - 11k

Stiff-necked (18 Occurrences)
... It was especially used for such agricultural purposes as harrowing and plowing
(Judges 14:18 1 Corinthians 9:9). The plow was usually drawn by two oxen. ...
/s/stiff-necked.htm - 14k

Sowing (28 Occurrences)
... good. (See NAS). Isaiah 28:24 Is the plowman never done with plowing to sow,
with the opening and harrowing of his ground? (See RSV). ...
/s/sowing.htm - 14k

Agriculture
...Harrowing-in as we know it is not practiced today, except on some of the larger
plains, and probably was not used in Palestine in earlier times. See HARROW. ...
/a/agriculture.htm - 27k

Harrows (2 Occurrences)

/h/harrows.htm - 7k

Harroweth (1 Occurrence)

/h/harroweth.htm - 6k

Herod (45 Occurrences)
... He died, in the full flush of his power, of a death, which, in its harrowing details
reminds us of the fate of his grandfather (Acts 12:20-23; Ant, XIX, viii, 2 ...
/h/herod.htm - 57k

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