Field

(Heb. sadeh), a cultivated field, but unenclosed. It is applied to any cultivated ground or pasture (Gen. 29:2; 31:4; 34:7), or tillage (Gen. 37:7; 47:24). It is also applied to woodland (Ps. 132:6) or mountain top (Judg. 9:32, 36; 2 Sam. 1:21). It denotes sometimes a cultivated region as opposed to the wilderness (Gen. 33:19; 36:35). Unwalled villages or scattered houses are spoken of as “in the fields” (Deut. 28:3, 16; Lev. 25:31; Mark 6:36, 56). The “open field” is a place remote from a house (Gen. 4:8; Lev. 14:7, 53; 17:5). Cultivated land of any extent was called a field (Gen. 23:13, 17; 41:8; Lev. 27:16; Ruth 4:5; Neh. 12:29).

The Hebrew sadeh is applied to any cultivated ground, and in some instances in marked opposition to the neighboring wilderness. On the other hand the sadeh is frequently contrasted with what is enclosed, whether a vineyard, a garden or a walled town. In many passages the term implies what is remote from a house, (Genesis 4:8; 24:63; 22:25) or settled habitation, as in the case of Esau. (Genesis 25:27) The separate plots of ground were marked off by stones, which might easily be removed, (19:14; 27:17) cf. Job 24:2; Prov 22:28; 23:10 The absence of fences rendered the fields liable to damage from straying cattle, (Exodus 22:5) or fire, (Exodus 22:6; 2 Samuel 14:30) hence the necessity of constantly watching flocks and herds. From the absence of enclosures, cultivated land of any size might be termed a field.

FIELD. The Hebrew word translated "field" conveys a contrary idea to ours, inasmuch as it implies the absence of enclosure. Thus the "field" is often contrasted with portions of land that are enclosed, such as a vineyard, Ex 22:5; Lev 25:3-4; a garden or a walled town, Deut 28:3,Deut 28:16; "unwalled villages or scattered houses ranked in the eye of the law as fields." Lev 25:31. "Field "means the open country apart from habitations, in Gen 25:27; Gen 37:15. Stones were used to separate one plot of ground from another; curses were threatened for removing these landmarks. Deut 19:14; Deut 27:1;Job 24:2; Prov 22:28. If such unfenced fields were pasture grounds, the herd or flock would require constant watching. Ex 22:5. A piece of ground of any size, from the mere land around a cave, Gen 23:13,Gen 23:17, to an entire inheritance, Ruth 4:5, was called a "field." In the N.T. the Greek for "fields" occasionally means farm-houses or hamlets, in distinction from villages and towns, but in the A.V. it is rendered "country." Mark 5:14; Mark 6:36,Mark 6:56. The knowledge of these unenclosed fields throws light upon the parable of the Sower. Some of the seed scattered as he draws near the end of his lot is certain to fall beyond the ploughed portion, and the birds will devour it. Again, the custom of running footpaths between, and not over, fields explains the Sabbath-walk of our Lord and his disciples. Luke 6:1. The little band did not trample down the ripened grain. They merely walked between the fields and plucked the wheat on either hand. The complaint was not brought against them because they took the wheat, but because they broke the Sabbath.

FIELD. The Hebrew word translated "field" conveys a contrary idea to ours, inasmuch as it implies the absence of enclosure. Thus the "field" is often contrasted with portions of land that are enclosed, such as a vineyard, Ex 22:5; Lev 25:3-4; a garden or a walled town, Deut 28:3,Deut 28:16; "unwalled villages or scattered houses ranked in the eye of the law as fields." Lev 25:31. "Field "means the open country apart from habitations, in Gen 25:27; Gen 37:15. Stones were used to separate one plot of ground from another; curses were threatened for removing these landmarks. Deut 19:14; Deut 27:1;Job 24:2; Prov 22:28.

If such unfenced fields were pasture grounds, the herd or flock would require constant watching. Ex 22:5. A piece of ground of any size, from the mere land around a cave, Gen 23:13,Gen 23:17, to an entire inheritance, Ruth 4:5, was called a "field." In the N.T. the Greek for "fields" occasionally means farm-houses or hamlets, in distinction from villages and towns, but in the A.V. it is rendered "country." Mark 5:14; Mark 6:36,Mark 6:56. The knowledge of these unenclosed fields throws light upon the parable of the Sower. Some of the seed scattered as he draws near the end of his lot is certain to fall beyond the ploughed portion, and the birds will devour it. Again, the custom of running footpaths between, and not over, fields explains the Sabbath-walk of our Lord and his disciples. Luke 6:1. The little band did not trample down the ripened grain. They merely walked between the fields and plucked the wheat on either hand. The complaint was not brought against them because they took the wheat, but because they broke the Sabbath.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Cleared land; land suitable for tillage or pasture; cultivated ground; the open country.

2. A piece of land of considerable size; esp., a piece inclosed for tillage or pasture. Fields which promise corn and wine. Byron.

3. A place where a battle is fought; also, the battle itself. In this glorious and well-foughten field. Shak. What though the field be lost Milton.

4. An open space; an extent; an expanse. Esp.:

5. Any blank space or ground on which figures are drawn or projected.

6. The space covered by an optical instrument at one view. Without covering, save yon field of stars. Shak. Ask of yonder argent fields above. Pope.

7. The whole surface of an escutcheon; also, so much of it is shown unconcealed by the different bearings upon it. See Illust. of Fess, where the field is represented as gules (red), while the fess is argent (silver).

8. An unresticted or favorable opportunity for action, operation, or achievement; province; room. Afforded a clear field for moral experiments. Macaulay.

9. A collective term for all the competitors in any outdoor contest or trial, or for all except the favorites in the betting.

10. That part of the grounds reserved for the players which is outside of the diamond; -- called also outfield.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To take the field. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. To stand out in the field, ready to catch, stop, or throw the ball.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To catch, stop, throw, etc. (the ball), as a fielder.