Bible Dictionary
Fallow-ground
Fallow-ground is uncultivated land that has become covered with weeds and thorns. The prophetic command to break it up figuratively calls people to abandon sinful ways and prepare their hearts to receive God’s word and righteousness.
Definition
Fallow-ground is land left uncultivated until it becomes overgrown with thorns and weeds. Before sowing, the cultivator breaks it up and clears it so that the seed may grow.
Biblical Usage
The command to break up fallow ground in Hosea and Jeremiah figuratively calls people to abandon evil ways, repent, and clear their hearts so that the seed of righteousness may bear fruit.
Historical Background
Land was allowed to lie fallow so that it might become more fruitful, but the neglected field soon required cultivation and clearing before it could be sown again.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The expression, “Break up your fallow ground” (Hos. 10:12; Jer. 4:3) means, “Do not sow your seed among thorns”, i.e., break off all your evil habits; clear your hearts of weeds, in order that they may be prepared for the seed of righteousness. Land was allowed to lie fallow that it might become more fruitful; but when in this condition, it soon became overgrown with thorns and weeds. The cultivator of the soil was careful to “break up” his fallow ground, i.e., to clear the field of weeds, before sowing seed in it. So says the prophet, “Break off your evil ways, repent of your sins, cease to do evil, and then the good seed of the word will have room to grow and bear fruit.”