Manure

Summary

Organic material used to enrich soil in ancient agriculture, including animal dung, ashes, and plant matter.

☩Agricultural Practice

In Jesus' parable of the barren fig tree, the gardener pleads for time to 'dig about it, and dung it' (Luke 13:8). The Talmud describes various fertilizing methods: 'They lay dung to moisten and enrich the soil; dig about the roots of trees; pluck up the suckers; take off the leaves; sprinkle ashes; and smoke under the trees to kill vermin.' Salt was also used as manure (Matthew 5:13; Luke 14:34-35).

☩Sources of Fertilizer

The Israelites used various organic materials: ashes, straw (teben), stubble (kash), husks or chaff (mots), and animal dung. Since they had few horses and swine, their manure came primarily from oxen, camels, asses, sheep, and goats. Cow and camel dung was often used for fuel rather than fertilizer, reducing supply. The dung of sacrifices was required to be burned (Exodus 29:14).

☩Temple Blood as Fertilizer

The Talmud records that surplus blood from Temple sacrifices—that poured at the altar's foot after sprinkling—was conducted by underground channel outside the city and sold to gardeners for their gardens. Gardeners could use it upon paying the price of a trespass-offering, since it had been dedicated at the altar.

☩Figurative Usage

Manure symbolizes contempt and judgment. Isaiah prophesied of Moab: 'And Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill' (Isaiah 25:10). Bodies left unburied would become 'as dung upon the face of the earth' (Jeremiah 8:2; 9:22; 16:4; 25:33). Salt losing its savor becomes worthless—'neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill' (Luke 14:35).

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Manure," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).