Topical Bible: Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Hedging

Bible > Topical > Agriculture or Farming

◄ Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Hedging ►

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, agriculture was a central aspect of life and culture, and the practice of hedging was an important operation within farming. Hedging involved creating barriers or enclosures around fields and vineyards to protect crops from animals, thieves, and natural elements. This practice is referenced in various passages throughout the Bible, illustrating its significance in ancient agricultural practices.

Biblical References to Hedging

The concept of hedging is mentioned in several biblical passages, often symbolizing protection and care. In the Book of Job, Satan challenges God regarding Job's faithfulness, saying, "Have You not placed a hedge around him and his household and everything he owns?" (Job 1:10). Here, the hedge represents divine protection and blessing, suggesting that just as a farmer would protect his crops, God protects His faithful.

In Isaiah 5:5, the removal of a hedge is used metaphorically to describe judgment: "Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled." This passage highlights the vulnerability of a vineyard without its protective barrier, emphasizing the importance of hedging in safeguarding agricultural investments.

Hedging Techniques and Materials

Hedging in biblical times likely involved the use of natural materials such as stones, thorny bushes, or wooden fences. These materials were readily available and effective in deterring animals and intruders. The use of thorns is particularly noted in the Bible, as seen in Hosea 2:6: "Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so that she cannot find her way." Thorns provided a natural deterrent due to their sharpness and density.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

Beyond its practical applications, hedging carries symbolic and spiritual meanings in the Bible. It often represents God's protection and the boundaries He sets for His people. In Psalm 80:12-13, the psalmist laments the removal of God's protective hedge: "Why have You broken down its walls, so that all who pass by pick its fruit? The boar from the forest ravages it, and the creatures of the field feed upon it." This imagery underscores the consequences of losing divine protection and the chaos that ensues when boundaries are removed.

Hedging in Parables and Teachings

Jesus also used the concept of hedging in His parables to convey spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, He describes a landowner who "planted a vineyard, put a wall around it, dug a winepress, and built a watchtower" (Mark 12:1). The wall, or hedge, signifies the care and investment the landowner made to ensure the vineyard's productivity and safety, paralleling God's care for His people.

Conclusion

Hedging, as an agricultural operation, was vital in biblical times for protecting crops and ensuring successful harvests. Its frequent mention in Scripture highlights not only its practical importance but also its rich symbolic and spiritual connotations. Through hedging, the Bible communicates themes of protection, divine care, and the necessity of boundaries in both physical and spiritual realms.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 5:2,5
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the middle of it, and also made a wine press therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook