but in such a way as to signify that it was a limit rarely attained. (Genesis 26:12; Matthew 13:8)
Sowing a field with divers seed was forbidden. (22:9) Reaping and Threshing.—The wheat etc.,
was reaped by the sickle or pulled by the roots. It was bound in sheaves. The sheaves or heaps were
carted, (Amos 2:13) to the floor—a circular spot of hard ground, probably, as now, from 50 to 80
or 100 feet in diameter. (Genesis 1:10,11; 2 Samuel 24:16,18) On these the oxen, etc., forbidden
to be muzzled, (25:4) trampled out the grain. At a later time the Jews used a threshing sledge called
morag, (Isaiah 41:15; 2 Samuel 24:22; 1 Chronicles 21:23) probably resembling the noreg, still
employed in Egypt—a stage with three rollers ridged with iron, which, aided by the driver’s weight
crushed out, often injuring, the grain, as well as cut or tore the straw, which thus became fit for
fodder. Lighter grains were beaten out with a stick. (Isaiah 28:27) The use of animal manure was
frequent. (Psalms 83:10; 2 Kings 9:37; Jeremiah 8:2) etc. Winnowing.—The shovel and fan, (Isaiah
30:24) indicate the process of winnowing—a conspicuous part of ancient husbandry. (Psalms 35:5;
Job 21:18; Isaiah 17:13) Evening was the favorite time, (Ruth 3:2) when there was mostly a breeze.
The fan, (Matthew 3:12) was perhaps a broad shovel which threw the grain up against the wind.
The last process was the shaking in a sieve to separate dirt and refuse. (Amos 9:9) Fields and floors
were not commonly enclosed; vineyard mostly were, with a tower and other buildings. (Numbers
22:24; Psalms 80:13; Isaiah 5:5; Matthew 21:33) comp. Judg 6:11 The gardens also and orchards
were enclosed, frequently by banks of mud from ditches. With regard to occupancy, a tenant might
pay a fixed money rent, (Song of Solomon 8:11) or a stipulated share of the fruits. (2 Samuel 9:10;
Matthew 21:34) A passer by might eat any quantity of corn or grapes, but not reap or carry off fruit.
(23:24,25; Matthew 12:1) The rights of the corner to be left, and of gleaning [Corner; Gleaning],
formed the poor man’s claim on the soil for support. For his benefit, too, a sheaf forgotten in carrying
to the floor was to be left; so also with regard to the vineyard’ and the olive grove. (Leviticus
19:9,10; 24:19)
Agrippa
[Herod]
Agur
(a gatherer, i.e. together of wise men), The son of Jakeh, an unknown Hebrew sage who uttered
or collected the sayings of wisdom recorded in Prov 30.
Ahab
(uncle).
•Son of Omri, seventh king of Israel, reigned B.C. 919-896. He married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal
king of Tyre; and in obedience to her wishes, caused temple to be built to Baal in Samaria itself;
and an oracular grove to be consecrated to Astarte. See (1 Kings 18:19) One of Ahab’s chief tastes
was for splendid architecture which he showed by building an ivory house and several cities.
Desiring to add to his pleasure-grounds at Jezreel the vineyard of his neighbor Naboth, he proposed
to buy it or give land in exchange for it; and when this was refused by Naboth in accordance with
the Levitical law, (Leviticus 25:23) a false accusation of blasphemy was brought against him, and
he was murdered, and Ahab took possession of the coveted fields. (2 Kings 9:26) Thereupon Elijah
declared that the entire extirpation of Ahab’s house was the penalty appointed for his long course
of wickedness. [Elijah] The execution, however, of the sentence was delayed in consequence of
Ahab’s deep repentance. (1 Kings 21:1) ... Ahab undertook three campaigns against Ben-hadad
II. king of Damascus, two defensive and one offensive. In the first Ben-hadad laid siege to Samaria,
but was repulsed with great loss. (1 Kings 20:1-21) Next year Ben-hadad again invaded Israel by
frankie
(Frankie)
#1