SHOVEL. Two words are tr. “shovel” in the OT. The common one is יָע, H3582, which refers to a ceremonial implement used in removing the debris from the altars of the Tabernacle and Temple. As ceremonial objects they are mentioned in Exodus 27:3; 38:3; Numbers 4:14; 1 Kings 7:40, 45; 2 Kings 25:14; 2 Chronicles 4:11, 16 and Jeremiah 52:18. The term appears to be of W Sem. origin; cognates are found in Judeo-Aramaic and later periods of Heb.

Another term, רַ֫חַת, H8181, is found only in Isaiah 30:24 in connection with the word for flail, as used in winnowing grain. Such grain shovels unlike those of the altar service were made of wood. On the basis of a form in Isaiah 28:17, it has been thought that a verb יָעָה, H3589, exists in Heb. meaning “to sweep together” but this is doubtful. Both terms for shovel are prob. Heb. primary nouns and the only remote cognates are found in Arab., Christian Aram., and Ethio. The word is not found in the NT, but does appear in the Apoc.