Earing
An Old English Word for Plowing
The word "earing" appears in the King James Version as a translation of the Hebrew word harish, which simply means "plowing." In 1611 English, "to ear" meant "to plow" or "to till the ground," derived from the Old English "erian" and the Latin "arare" (from which we also get the word "arable"). Modern translations uniformly replace "earing" with "plowing," as the original English meaning has been completely lost to contemporary readers.
Joseph's Prophecy in Egypt (Genesis 45:6)
The first occurrence of "earing" comes during one of the most dramatic moments in the book of Genesis. After revealing his identity to his brothers, Joseph explains why they should not be distressed about having sold him into slavery. He tells them, "For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest" (Genesis 45:6, KJV). Modern translations render this as "there will be neither plowing nor harvest."
Joseph's words convey the severity of the famine: for five more years, the entire agricultural cycle would be suspended. There would be no plowing of fields and no gathering of crops. This dire prediction underscored the urgency of moving Jacob's family to Egypt, where Joseph had stored grain in preparation. The collapse of agriculture was not merely an economic disaster but a threat to survival itself.
The Sabbath and Plowing (Exodus 34:21)
The second use of "earing" appears in the context of Sabbath law. Exodus 34:21 commands, "Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest" (KJV). Modern translations read, "even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest."
This command is remarkable for its specificity. The Sabbath rest was not to be set aside even during the busiest and most critical periods of the agricultural year. Plowing season and harvest were times when every available hour of daylight mattered, and the temptation to work through the Sabbath would have been strongest. By commanding rest even during earing and harvest, God taught Israel that their provision depended on his faithfulness, not on their relentless labor.
Agriculture in Ancient Israel
Plowing in ancient Israel typically took place in the autumn months after the early rains softened the sun-baked soil. Farmers used wooden plows tipped with iron or bronze, pulled by oxen (1 Kings 19:19; Isaiah 30:24). The plowing season was followed by sowing, and then the spring harvest. This annual cycle defined the rhythm of life for the vast majority of the population and was deeply embedded in Israel's religious calendar.
The festivals of Israel — Passover, Pentecost (Weeks), and Tabernacles (Booths) — were all tied to the agricultural year. Plowing prepared the ground for the grain that would be offered as firstfruits at Pentecost, and the harvest was celebrated at Tabernacles. Every stage of farming was understood as dependent on God's blessing of rain and fertile soil (Deuteronomy 11:13-14).
The Metaphor of Plowing in Scripture
Beyond its literal meaning, plowing became a powerful metaphor in biblical literature. Hosea 10:12 urged Israel to "break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord." Jeremiah 4:3 issued a similar call: "Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns." In both cases, plowing represents spiritual preparation — the hard work of repentance that must precede the harvest of righteousness. Jesus himself used the image of plowing to describe the demands of discipleship: "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).
Why Archaic Words Matter
The presence of words like "earing" in the KJV reminds Bible readers of the ongoing need for translation that communicates clearly to each generation. While the KJV remains a literary treasure, its archaic vocabulary can obscure the text's meaning. Understanding that "earing" simply means "plowing" unlocks these passages and connects modern readers to the agricultural world that shaped so much of biblical life and theology.
Biblical Context
The word 'earing' (plowing) appears in Genesis 45:6, where Joseph warns that famine will prevent plowing and harvest for five more years, and in Exodus 34:21, where God commands Sabbath rest even during plowing season. Related references to plowing appear in Deuteronomy 21:4, 1 Samuel 8:12, and Isaiah 30:24.
Theological Significance
The command to rest from earing (plowing) on the Sabbath teaches that God's people must trust his provision rather than relying solely on their own labor. Even during the most critical agricultural periods, Israel was called to demonstrate faith by ceasing work. Joseph's prophecy about the end of earing during the famine reveals God's sovereign control over the natural order and his ability to provide through unexpected means.
Historical Background
Plowing in the ancient Near East was typically done with a simple scratch plow (ard) pulled by a pair of oxen. Iron plow tips became common in Israel during the Iron Age (after 1200 BC), improving agricultural productivity. The agricultural calendar governed nearly every aspect of life in ancient Israel, and the Gezer Calendar (10th century BC), one of the oldest known Hebrew inscriptions, lists the months of the year by their agricultural activities, beginning with the olive harvest and including plowing and grain planting.