In biblical times, the spade was an essential tool used for various agricultural and construction purposes. While the Bible does not frequently mention spades explicitly, the tool's function and significance can be inferred from the context of ancient Near Eastern practices and the broader biblical narrative.

Agricultural Use

The spade was primarily used for tilling the soil, preparing it for planting crops. In a predominantly agrarian society, such as that of ancient Israel, tools like the spade were vital for survival and prosperity. The Bible often uses agricultural metaphors to convey spiritual truths, and the preparation of soil can be seen as analogous to preparing one's heart to receive God's word. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus speaks of different types of soil representing the condition of human hearts (Matthew 13:3-9).

Construction and Maintenance

Spades were also used in construction and maintenance work. The Israelites, during their wilderness journey and later in the Promised Land, would have used spades for digging foundations and trenches, as well as for other construction-related tasks. The building of the Tabernacle and later the Temple would have required such tools, although the Bible does not specify the use of spades in these projects.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

While the spade itself is not directly mentioned in a symbolic context, the act of digging or preparing ground can carry spiritual implications. In Jeremiah 4:3 , the prophet exhorts the people, "Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns." This metaphorical use of agricultural imagery underscores the importance of spiritual readiness and repentance.

Military Use

In a military context, spades could have been used for digging defensive structures such as trenches or fortifications. While the Bible does not specifically mention spades in warfare, the preparation of defensive positions would have been a common practice in ancient military strategy. The Israelites, under divine guidance, often engaged in battles where preparation and strategy were crucial, as seen in the conquest narratives of the Book of Joshua.

Cultural and Historical Context

Understanding the role of the spade in biblical times requires an appreciation of the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East. Archaeological findings have provided insights into the types of tools used during this period, including spades made from wood and metal. These tools were essential for daily life and survival, reflecting the agrarian and construction needs of the time.

In summary, while the Bible does not frequently mention spades explicitly, their role in agriculture, construction, and potentially military contexts can be inferred from the broader biblical narrative and historical context. The spade serves as a reminder of the practical and spiritual preparations necessary for fulfilling God's purposes.

The Child Moses.
... They were taken in gangs, guarded by soldiers, to the place where the brown river
clay was thick; there they dug it out with spades, trod it with their feet ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child moses.htm

The Judgment of Drunkards and Mockers
... It is very coarse language, but fine words are the Devil's veils for coarse sins;
and it is needful sometimes to call spades spades, and not to be ashamed to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the judgment of drunkards and.htm

Brother Hugh
... hypergeometrical noses. But temptation is not to be kept out by the diet of
Adam and of Esau, by locked doors, spades, and inkpots. The ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ii brother hugh.htm

The Release of Saint George.
... themselves.". The Fairy having thus spoken, supplied the Knight and his Squire
with hammers, chisels, spades, mattocks, and crowbars. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eleven the release of.htm

"Make this Valley Full of Ditches. " 2 Kings, iii. , 16
... Do we look as if a revival would be welcomed? Does the enemy know that he may expect
an attack, or is he chuckling over our rusty spades and swords? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xvii make this valley full.htm

The Opening of the Side of Jesus.
... Six archers soon after made their appearance, bringing with them ladders, spades,
ropes, and large iron staves for the purpose of breaking the legs of the ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xlviii the opening of.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... Really, it is hard to draw the moral line between cards bearing aces and spades,
and cards with the likenesses of Dr. Busby's son and servant, Doll the ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

The Goths
... There are other Gothic women whose husbands have not been content to sweat over
spades, whose homes are adorned with the spoils of cities that their husbands ...
/.../gathering clouds a tale of the days of st chrysostom/chapter xxv the goths.htm

Love and Obedience
... It would have been endless work to wheel out the filth in wheelbarrows loaded by
spades: turn the stream in, and it will sweep away all the foulness. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/love and obedience.htm

The Tangled Web
... He retired to his camp and in a short time soldiers appeared with tape, stakes,
sledges and spades and laid out an immense circle, all but compassing the great ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvii the tangled web.htm

Spades (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Spades (9 Occurrences). Exodus 27:3 And make all
its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the ...
/s/spades.htm - 9k

Meat-hooks (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE). ...
/m/meat-hooks.htm - 8k

Fire-trays (6 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE). ...
/f/fire-trays.htm - 8k

Polished (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:45 And the pots and the spades and the basins; all the vessels which Hiram
made for King Solomon, for the house of the Lord, were of polished brass. ...
/p/polished.htm - 13k

Baskets (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades and basins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE). ...
/b/baskets.htm - 12k

Scissors (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:14 And the pots and the spades and the scissors for the lights and the
spoons, and all the brass vessels used in the Lord's house, they took away. ...
/s/scissors.htm - 8k

Spain (2 Occurrences)

/s/spain.htm - 8k

Spade (5 Occurrences)

/s/spade.htm - 8k

Lights (71 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:14 And the pots and the spades and the scissors for the lights and the
spoons, and all the brass vessels used in the Lord's house, they took away. ...
/l/lights.htm - 27k

Queen (59 Occurrences)
... of chessmen. 6. (n.) A playing card bearing the picture of a queen; as,
the queen of spades. 7. (n.) A male homosexual, esp. one ...
/q/queen.htm - 44k

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