In biblical times, agriculture was a central aspect of life, and the practice of mowing, or cutting down grass and grain, was a significant activity. The term "mowings" refers to the act of cutting grass or grain, particularly for the purpose of harvesting. This practice is mentioned in the Bible, highlighting its importance in the agrarian society of ancient Israel.

Biblical References:

1. Amos 7:1 : "This is what the Lord GOD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts just after the king’s harvest, as the late spring crop was coming up." In this passage, the "king’s harvest" or "mowings" refers to the first cutting of grass or grain, which was often reserved for the king as a form of tax or tribute. The timing of the locusts' arrival after this harvest underscores the threat they posed to the remaining crops, emphasizing the vulnerability of the agricultural cycle to natural disasters.

2. Jeremiah 9:22 : "Speak: ‘This is what the LORD declares: The corpses of men will fall like dung on the open field, like cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather them.’” Here, the imagery of "cut grain" left behind by the reaper serves as a metaphor for the devastation and desolation that would come upon the people. The comparison to mowings highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the impending judgment.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, mowing was a critical part of the agricultural process. The first mowing, often referred to as the "king's mowings," was a time when the initial growth of crops was harvested. This was typically done in the spring, and the produce was often used to pay taxes or as offerings. The subsequent mowings would provide food for the people and fodder for livestock.

The practice of mowing was not only an agricultural activity but also had social and economic implications. It was a time of labor and community effort, as families and neighbors would come together to harvest the fields. The success of the mowings was crucial for the sustenance of the community, and any threat to the harvest, such as locusts or drought, was a cause for concern and often seen as a divine judgment or test.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, mowings can be seen as a symbol of God's provision and the dependence of humanity on His creation. The cycles of sowing, growing, and harvesting reflect the rhythms of life ordained by God. The biblical references to mowings often carry a deeper spiritual message, reminding the faithful of the need for reliance on God and the consequences of turning away from His commandments.

In prophetic literature, mowings are sometimes used metaphorically to describe judgment or blessing. The imagery of harvest, with its connotations of gathering and separation, is a powerful tool in conveying messages of divine justice and mercy. The act of mowing, therefore, becomes a reminder of the ultimate harvest at the end of the age, when God will gather His people and execute His final judgment.

"Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?"
... They fell before their persecutors, the Romanists, like mowings in the month of
June"one swathe of martyrs, and then another, and then another; but though ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/is the spirit of the.htm

Mowings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mowings (1 Occurrence). Amos 7:1 Thus hath the
Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers ...
/m/mowings.htm - 6k

Mowing (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews gez), rendered in Psalm 72:6 "mown grass." The
expression "king's mowings" (Amos 7:1) refers to some royal right of early ...
/m/mowing.htm - 8k

Mown (2 Occurrences)
... 72:6 the good king's rule is said to be "like rain upon the mown grass," to start
the new growth (compare 2 Samuel 23:4 Hosea 6:3). "The king's mowings" (Amos 7 ...
/m/mown.htm - 8k

Grass (92 Occurrences)
... 72:6 the good king's rule is said to be "like rain upon the mown grass," to start
the new growth (compare 2 Samuel 23:4 Hosea 6:3). "The king's mowings" (Amos 7 ...
/g/grass.htm - 43k

Locust-swarm (1 Occurrence)
... shewed me, and lo, He is forming locusts at the beginning of the ascending of the
latter growth, and lo, the latter growth 'is' after the mowings of the king ...
/l/locust-swarm.htm - 6k

Grasshoppers (11 Occurrences)
... me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the
latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. ...
/g/grasshoppers.htm - 10k

Ascending (16 Occurrences)
... shewed me, and lo, He is forming locusts at the beginning of the ascending of the
latter growth, and lo, the latter growth 'is' after the mowings of the king ...
/a/ascending.htm - 11k

Forming (27 Occurrences)
... shewed me, and lo, He is forming locusts at the beginning of the ascending of the
latter growth, and lo, the latter growth 'is' after the mowings of the king ...
/f/forming.htm - 14k

Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... taken from the poor" (5:11; compare 2:6-8). In 7:1 he incidentally refers to a custom
which has grown up of rendering to the king the first mowings of grass. ...
/t/taxing.htm - 35k

Tax (43 Occurrences)
... taken from the poor" (5:11; compare 2:6-8). In 7:1 he incidentally refers to a custom
which has grown up of rendering to the king the first mowings of grass. ...
/t/tax.htm - 47k

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