Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, April 18th, 2024
the Third Week after Easter
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more! Bible Encyclopedias
Goad
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Search for…
or
gōd ( דּרבן , dōrebhān , מלמד , malmādh ; κέντρον , kéntron ): The goad used by the Syrian farmer is usually a straight branch of oak or other strong wood from which the bark has been stripped, and which has at one end a pointed spike and at the other a flat chisel-shaped iron. The pointed end is to prod the oxen while plowing. The flattened iron at the other end is to scrape off the earth which clogs the plowshare. The ancient goad was probably similar to this instrument. It could do villainous work in the hands of an experienced fighter ( Judges 3:31 ). If 1 Samuel 13:21 is correctly translated, the goads were kept sharpened by files.
Figurative: "The words of the wise are as goads" ( Ecclesiastes 12:11 ). The only reference to goads in the New Testament is the familiar passage, "It is hard for thee to kick against the goad" (Acts 26:14 ). It was as useless for Saul to keep on in the wrong way as for a fractious ox to attempt to leave the furrow. He would surely be brought back with a prick of the goad.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and were generously provided by the folks at WordSearch Software.
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Goad'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/g/goad.html. 1915.
