A sledge, in biblical terms, refers to a type of threshing instrument used in ancient agricultural practices. It is a heavy, flat implement, often made of wood or metal, with sharp stones or iron teeth embedded on the underside. The primary function of a sledge was to separate grain from chaff by being dragged over harvested crops, typically on a threshing floor.

Biblical References:

The concept of a sledge is mentioned in the context of threshing and judgment in the Bible. One of the most notable references is found in the book of Isaiah:

· Isaiah 41:15 : "Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff."

In this passage, the sledge is used metaphorically to describe the power and effectiveness that God will bestow upon His people, enabling them to overcome formidable obstacles. The imagery of a "new and sharp" sledge with "many teeth" emphasizes the thoroughness and decisiveness of the action.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern agriculture, threshing was a critical step in the process of preparing grain for consumption. The sledge was an essential tool for this task, as it efficiently separated the edible parts of the grain from the inedible husks. The use of a sledge required a flat, hard surface, known as a threshing floor, where the harvested stalks of grain would be spread out. Oxen or other animals would often pull the sledge over the grain, applying pressure to break the husks and release the seeds.

The design of the sledge varied, but it typically consisted of a wooden platform with sharp stones or metal blades affixed to the bottom. This construction allowed the sledge to cut through the stalks and husks effectively. The process of threshing with a sledge was labor-intensive but crucial for ensuring a successful harvest.

Symbolism and Theological Significance:

The sledge, as depicted in Isaiah, carries significant symbolic weight. It represents the transformative power of God working through His people. The imagery of a sledge threshing mountains and reducing hills to chaff conveys the idea of divine intervention and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes over seemingly insurmountable challenges.

In a broader theological context, the sledge can be seen as a symbol of judgment and purification. Just as the sledge separates grain from chaff, God's judgment discerns and separates righteousness from wickedness. This metaphor underscores the themes of divine justice and the refining process that believers undergo in their spiritual journey.

Conclusion:

The sledge, while a practical agricultural tool, holds rich metaphorical meaning within the biblical narrative. Its use in scripture highlights themes of power, judgment, and transformation, reflecting the broader spiritual truths of God's interaction with His creation.1. (n.) A strong vehicle with low runners or low wheels; or one without wheels or runners, made of plank slightly turned up at one end, used for transporting loads upon the snow, ice, or bare ground; a sled.

2. (n.) A hurdle on which, formerly, traitors were drawn to the place of execution.

3. (n.) A sleigh.

4. (n.) A game at cards; -- called also old sledge, and all fours.

5. (v. i. & t.) To travel or convey in a sledge or sledges.

6. (n.) A large, heavy hammer, usually wielded with both hands; -- called also sledge hammer.

4173. morag -- a threshing sled
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a threshing sled NASB Word Usage threshing
sledge (1), threshing sledges (2). threshing instrument. ...
/hebrew/4173.htm - 6k

2757. charits -- a cut, thing cut, sharp instrument
... Or charits {khaw-reets'}; from charats; properly, incisure or (passively) incised
(compare charuwts); hence, a threshing-sledge (with sharp teeth): also a ...
/hebrew/2757.htm - 6k

3597. kelappoth -- an axe
... hammer. From an unused root meaning to clap or strike with noise; a club or
sledge-hammer -- hammer. 3596, 3597. kelappoth. 3598 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3597.htm - 5k

2742. charuwts -- sharp, diligent
... of charats; properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or
feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp ...
/hebrew/2742.htm - 6k

2742a. charuts -- sharp, diligent
... Word Origin pass. part. of charats Definition sharp, diligent NASB Word Usage diligence
(1), diligent (4), sharp (2), threshing sledge (2). 2742, 2742a. ...
/hebrew/2742a.htm - 5k

The Power that Never Fails.
... quarries. They pick little grooves for the iron wedges, and then with great
sledge-hammers drive these wedges into the hard rock. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the power that never fails.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... was made in the form of a boat"representing the bark of Osiris, with his ark, and
two guardians, Isis and Nephthys"and was placed upon a sledge, which was ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... other. A mother, with three children, was once riding in a sledge in a desolate
region, when a pack of wolves came running after her. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

The Narwhal
... Over the boundless deserts of snow they are borne rapidly along by their faithful
dogs, which are harnessed to a sledge, six or seven to the team, and which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /the narwhal.htm

The Indwelling and Outgoing Works of God.
... his plans, the general studying his opportunities, the sturdy sailor nimbly climbing
the mast of his ship, or yonder blacksmith raising the sledge to strike ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/iii the indwelling and outgoing.htm

If You Give a Grape to Him when Hungry...
... What, if you go on to ask what a wheel is, or a sledge, [3555] a winnowing-fan,
jar, tub, an oil-mill, ploughshare, or sieve, a mill-stone, ploughtail, or ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/23 if you give a.htm

'Lying Vanities'
... Browning tells a hideous story of a mother flinging, one after another, her infants
to the wolves as she urged her sledge over the snowy plain. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/lying vanities.htm

Phrases for Talkers
... and zest Gracious solicitude Punctiliously civil and polite An air of sphinx-like
mystery Consumed by zeal Awaited with lively interest Sledge-hammer blows ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/phrases for talkers.htm

A Willing People and an Immutable Leader
... His hearers too will discern it. Some of them will feel as if they were
sitting under a sledge hammer, beating on their hearts. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/a willing people and an.htm

Two Forms of one Saying
... and reluctances; when we are able to go to our tasks of whatever sort they are and
to do them, though our hearts are beating like sledge-hammers; when we say ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two forms of one saying.htm

Sledge (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A game at cards; -- called also old sledge, and all fours. 5. (vi & t.)
To travel or convey in a sledge or sledges. ...Sledge (3 Occurrences). ...
/s/sledge.htm - 7k

Threshing-sledge (2 Occurrences)
Threshing-sledge. Threshing-place, Threshing-sledge. Threshing-sledges .
Multi-Version Concordance Threshing-sledge (2 Occurrences). ...
/t/threshing-sledge.htm - 7k

Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences)
... A booth is constructed for shade; the mother prepares the meals and takes her
turn with the father and children at riding on the sledge. ...
/t/threshingfloor.htm - 15k

Threshing-floor (36 Occurrences)
... A booth is constructed for shade; the mother prepares the meals and takes her
turn with the father and children at riding on the sledge. ...
/t/threshing-floor.htm - 21k

Slays (7 Occurrences)

/s/slays.htm - 8k

Harrow (3 Occurrences)
... (Hebrews harits), a tribulum or sharp threshing sledge; a frame armed on the under
side with rollers or sharp spikes (2 Samuel 12:31; 1 Chronicles 20:3). ...
/h/harrow.htm - 10k

Undersides (1 Occurrence)
... Undersides (1 Occurrence). Job 41:30 His undersides are like sharp potsherds,
leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge. (WEB NIV). ...
/u/undersides.htm - 6k

Jagged (1 Occurrence)
... Jagged (1 Occurrence). Job 41:30 His undersides are like sharp potsherds, leaving
a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge. (See NIV). ...
/j/jagged.htm - 6k

Threshing-place (1 Occurrence)
Threshing-place. Threshingplace, Threshing-place. Threshing-sledge .
Multi-Version Concordance ... (WBS). Threshingplace, Threshing-place. Threshing-sledge > ...
/t/threshing-place.htm - 6k

Tribulation (43 Occurrences)
... distress," "tribulation"; Septuagint for tsar and tsarah; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin
Bible, 390-405 AD) tribulatio pressura (from tribulum, "a threshing sledge"). ...
/t/tribulation.htm - 24k

Who was Araunah the Jebusite? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the symbolism in Amos, e.g., sledges with iron teeth (Amos 1:3), murdered pregnant women (Amos 1:13), burning bones (Amos 2:1), destroyed roots (Amos 2:9), and hooks (Amos 4:2)? | GotQuestions.org

Sledge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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