Mattock
Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897) · International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
THE DICTIONARY — Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)
(1.) Hebrews ma’eder, an instrument for dressing or pruning a vineyard (Isaiah 7:25); a weeding-hoe. (2.) Hebrews mahareshah (1 Samuel 13:1), perhaps the ploughshare or coulter. (3.) Hebrews herebh, marg. of text (2 Chronicles 34:6). Authorized Version, “with their mattocks,” marg. “mauls.” The Revised Version renders “in their ruins,” marg. “with their axes.” The Hebrew text is probably corrupt.
THE FULL ARTICLE — from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915), general editor James Orr — public domain, printed whole.
mat'-ok: The translation of 3 Hebrew words:
(1) machereshah, probably "a pick-axe" (1Sa 13:20,21; compare 1Sa 13:21 margin);
(2) cherebh, "sword," "ax," "tool" (2Ch 34:6 the King James Version, "with their mattocks," the King James Version margin "mauls," the Revised Version (British and American) "in their ruins," the Revised Version margin "with their axes");
(3) ma`-der, "a hoe," "rake," "chopping instrument" (Isa 7:25). Vines were usually grown on terraces on the hills of Palestine, and then the mattock was in constant use. The usual mattock is a pick with one end broad, the other pointed.