Encyclopedia entry
Hay
Properly so called, was not in use among the Hebrews; straw was used instead. They cut the grass green as it was needed. The word rendered “hay” in Prov. 27:25 means the first shoots of the grass. In Isa. 15:6 the Revised Version has correctly “grass,” where the Authorized Version has “hay.”
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
(Heb. chatsir), the rendering of the Authorized Version in (Proverbs 27:25) and Isai 15:6 Of the Hebrew term, which occurs frequently in the Old Testament, and denotes “grass” of any kind. It is quite probable that the modern Orientals do not make hay in our sense of the term; but it is certain that the ancients did mow their grass, and probably made use of the dry material. See (Psalms 37:2) We may remark that there is an express Hebrew term for “dry grass” or “hay,” viz. chashash, which, in the only two places where the word occurs, (Isaiah 5:24; 33:11) is rendered “chaff” in the Authorized Version.
In the Bible
3
Verses where Hay is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Corinthians 3:12
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,
- Isaiah 15:6
The waters of Nimrim are dried up, and the grass is withered; the vegetation is gone, and the greenery is no more.
- Proverbs 27:25
When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered,
Scripture on Hay
5
Hay references
5
Voices on Hay
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.