Harrow

(Heb. harits), a tribulum or sharp threshing sledge; a frame armed on the under side with rollers or sharp spikes (2 Sam. 12:31; 1 Chr. 20:3). Heb. verb sadad, to harrow a field, break its clods (Job 39:10; Isa. 28:4; Hos. 10: 11). Its form is unknown. It may have resembled the instrument still in use in Egypt.

The word so rendered, (2 Samuel 12:31; 1 Chronicles 20:3) is probably a threshing-machine. The verb rendered “to harrow,” (Job 39:10; Isaiah 28:24; Hosea 10:11) expresses apparently the breaking of the clods, and is so far analogous to our harrowing—but whether done by any such machine as we call a “harrow” is very doubtful.

HAR'ROW. The verb meaning "to break the clods" is employed in Job 39:10; Isa 28:24; and Hos 10:11, and is believed to indicate the use, occasionally at least, of an instrument analogous to our harrow. This may have been a plank or log of wood, upon which stones were heaped and the laborer sat, and which was drawn over the ground by oxen, to break in pieces the clods and level the surface; or the present custom may have been employed: "In modern Palestine oxen are sometimes turned in to trample the clods, and in some parts of Asia a brush of thorn is dragged over the surface, but all these processes, if used, occur (not after, but) before the seed is committed to the soil." -Smith: Bib. Diet. The word rendered "harrow" in 2 Sam 12:31; 1 Chr 20:3, means a Threshing-instrument, which see.

HAR'ROW. The verb meaning "to break the clods" is employed in Job 39:10; Isa 28:24; and Hos 10:11, and is believed to indicate the use, occasionally at least, of an instrument analogous to our harrow. This may have been a plank or log of wood, upon which stones were heaped and the laborer sat, and which was drawn over the ground by oxen, to break in pieces the clods and level the surface; or the present custom may have been employed: "In modern Palestine oxen are sometimes turned in to trample the clods, and in some parts of Asia a brush of thorn is dragged over the surface, but all these processes, if used, occur (not after, but) before the seed is committed to the soil." -Smith: Bib. Diet. The word rendered "harrow" in 2 Sam 12:31; 1 Chr 20:3, means a Threshing-instrument, which see.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. An implement of agriculture, usually formed of pieces of timber or metal crossing each other, and set with iron or wooden teeth. It is drawn over plowed land to level it and break the clods, to stir the soil and make it fine, or to cover seed when sown.

2. An obstacle formed by turning an ordinary harrow upside down, the frame being buried. Bush harrow, a kind of light harrow made of bushes, for harrowing grass lands and covering seeds, or to finish the work of a toothed harrow. -- Drill harrow. See under 6th Drill. -- Under the harrow, subjected to actual torture with a toothed instrument, or to great affliction or oppression.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To draw a harrow over, as for the purpose of breaking clods and leveling the surface, or for covering seed; as, to harrow land. Will he harrow the valleys after thee Job xxxix. 10.

2. To break or tear, as with a harrow; to wound; to lacerate; to torment or distress; to vex. My aged muscles harrowed up with whips. Rowe. I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul. Shak.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To pillage; to harry; to oppress. [Obs.] Spenser. Meaning thereby to harrow his people. Bacon

Part of speech: interjection (interj.)

Help! Halloo! An exclamation of distress; a call for succor;- the ancient Norman hue and cry. "Harrow and well away!" Spenser. Harrow! alas! here lies my fellow slain. Chaucer.