Hay

Properly so called, was not in use among the Hebrews; straw was used instead. They cut the grass green as it was needed. The word rendered “hay” in Prov. 27:25 means the first shoots of the grass. In Isa. 15:6 the Revised Version has correctly “grass,” where the Authorized Version has “hay.”

(Heb. chatsir), the rendering of the Authorized Version in (Proverbs 27:25) and Isai 15:6 Of the Hebrew term, which occurs frequently in the Old Testament, and denotes “grass” of any kind. It is quite probable that the modern Orientals do not make hay in our sense of the term; but it is certain that the ancients did mow their grass, and probably made use of the dry material. See (Psalms 37:2) We may remark that there is an express Hebrew term for “dry grass” or “hay,” viz. chashash, which, in the only two places where the word occurs, (Isaiah 5:24; 33:11) is rendered “chaff” in the Authorized Version.

HAY, Prov 27:25. We are not to suppose that this word, as used in the Bible, denotes dried grass, as it does with us. The management of grass by the Hebrews as food for cattle was entirely different from ours. It was never dried and stored for winter use, but was cut green as it was wanted; and the phrase "mown grass," Ps 72:6, would be more properly rendered "grass that has just been fed off." So in Prov 27:25 the word translated "hay" means the first shoots of the grass; and the whole passage might properly be rendered, "The grass appeareth, and the green herb showeth itself, and the plants of the mountains are gathered." And in Isa 15:6 "hay" is put for "grass," and "grass" is put for the "green herb." The tenderness of grass, the rapidity of its growth, and the early period at which it is cut down and consumed afford the sacred writers some striking and beautiful illustrations. Ps 103:15; Isa 40:6; Jas 1:11. See Mowings.

HAY, Prov 27:25. We are not to suppose that this word, as used in the Bible, denotes dried grass, as it does with us. The management of grass by the Hebrews as food for cattle was entirely different from ours. It was never dried and stored for winter use, but was cut green as it was wanted; and the phrase "mown grass," Ps 72:6, would be more properly rendered "grass that has just been fed off." So in Prov 27:25 the word translated "hay" means the first shoots of the grass; and the whole passage might properly be rendered, "The grass appeareth, and the green herb showeth itself, and the plants of the mountains are gathered." And in Isa 15:6 "hay" is put for "grass," and "grass" is put for the "green herb." The tenderness of grass, the rapidity of its growth, and the early period at which it is cut down and consumed afford the sacred writers some striking and beautiful illustrations. Ps 103:15; Isa 40:6; Jas 1:11. See Mowings.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A hedge. [Obs.]

2. A net set around the haunt of an animal, especially of a rabbit. Rowe. To dance the hay, to dance in a ring. Shak.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

Grass cut and cured for fodder. Make hay while the sun shines. Camden. Hay may be dried too much as well as too little. C. L. Flint. Hay cap, a canvas covering for a haycock. -- Hay fever (Med.), nasal catarrh accompanied with fever, and sometimes with paroxysms of dyspnoea, to which some persons are subject in the spring and summer seasons. It has been attributed to the effluvium from hay, and to the pollen of certain plants. It is also called hay asthma, hay cold, and rose fever. -- Hay knife, a sharp instrument used in cutting hay out of a stack or mow. -- Hay press, a press for baling loose hay. -- Hay tea, the juice of hay extracted by boiling, used as food for cattle, etc. -- Hay tedder, a machine for spreading and turning newmown hay. See Tedder.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To lay snares for rabbits. Huloet.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To cut and cure grass for hay.