Mattock - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

MATTOCK

mat'-ok:

The translation of 3 Hebrew words:

(1) machereshah, probably "a pick-axe" (1 Samuel 13:20,21; compare 1 Samuel 13:21 margin);

(2) cherebh, "sword," "ax," "tool" (2 Chronicles 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" (Isaiah 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.

Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'MATTOCK'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.