1 samuel 13:21 - The price was one payim each to sharpen mattocks, plowshares, pitchforks, axes, and goads.
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What does "1 samuel 13:21" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 13:21, describes a deliberate economic and technological disadvantage imposed upon the Israelites by the Philistines. Let's break down the meaning:
"The price was one payim each...": A "payim" was a unit of currency (or more likely, a measure of weight in silver) used in ancient Israel. It's generally considered to be a relatively high price. So, the Israelites had to pay a significant amount of money.
"...to sharpen mattocks, plowshares, pitchforks, axes, and goads.": These are all agricultural and working tools:
Mattocks: Heavy tools used for digging and breaking up soil.
Plowshares: The cutting blades of plows, used for tilling the soil for planting.
Pitchforks: Used for lifting and tossing hay, grain, or other agricultural materials.
Axes: Used for cutting wood.
Goads: Long, pointed sticks used to drive animals, especially oxen pulling plows.
Overall Meaning:
The Philistines, who occupied the land at the time, controlled the ironworking technology. By charging exorbitant prices for sharpening these essential tools, they effectively:
Crippled the Israelite economy: Farmers had to pay a steep price just to maintain their tools. This reduced their profits and made it difficult to compete.
Maintained a technological advantage: The Philistines controlled the means of production and repair of iron tools. This kept the Israelites dependent on them and prevented them from developing their own ironworking skills.
Weakened Israelite military power: This economic and technological disadvantage extended to weaponry. With limited access to iron and blacksmithing, the Israelites were poorly equipped for battle compared to the Philistines. The preceding verses (1 Samuel 13:19-20) explicitly state that the Philistines prevented the Israelites from having blacksmiths in their land, lest they make swords or spears.
In essence, the verse highlights the Philistines' strategy of subjugation. By controlling access to essential technology and resources, they kept the Israelites weak and dependent. This sets the stage for the later conflicts between the two peoples.
1 samuel 13:21 - The price was one payim each to sharpen mattocks, plowshares, pitchforks, axes, and goads.
What does "1 samuel 13:21" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 13:21, describes a deliberate economic and technological disadvantage imposed upon the Israelites by the Philistines. Let's break down the meaning:
"The price was one payim each...": A "payim" was a unit of currency (or more likely, a measure of weight in silver) used in ancient Israel. It's generally considered to be a relatively high price. So, the Israelites had to pay a significant amount of money.
"...to sharpen mattocks, plowshares, pitchforks, axes, and goads.": These are all agricultural and working tools:
Mattocks: Heavy tools used for digging and breaking up soil.
Plowshares: The cutting blades of plows, used for tilling the soil for planting.
Pitchforks: Used for lifting and tossing hay, grain, or other agricultural materials.
Axes: Used for cutting wood.
Goads: Long, pointed sticks used to drive animals, especially oxen pulling plows.
Overall Meaning:
The Philistines, who occupied the land at the time, controlled the ironworking technology. By charging exorbitant prices for sharpening these essential tools, they effectively:
Crippled the Israelite economy: Farmers had to pay a steep price just to maintain their tools. This reduced their profits and made it difficult to compete.
Maintained a technological advantage: The Philistines controlled the means of production and repair of iron tools. This kept the Israelites dependent on them and prevented them from developing their own ironworking skills.
Weakened Israelite military power: This economic and technological disadvantage extended to weaponry. With limited access to iron and blacksmithing, the Israelites were poorly equipped for battle compared to the Philistines. The preceding verses (1 Samuel 13:19-20) explicitly state that the Philistines prevented the Israelites from having blacksmiths in their land, lest they make swords or spears.
In essence, the verse highlights the Philistines' strategy of subjugation. By controlling access to essential technology and resources, they kept the Israelites weak and dependent. This sets the stage for the later conflicts between the two peoples.