Bible Dictionaries
Field

Holman Bible Dictionary

Unenclosed land. In the Hebrew definition of field, both the use of land (pasture, Genesis 29:2; Genesis 31:4; cropland, Genesis 37:7; Genesis 47:24; hunting ground, Genesis 27:3 ,Genesis 27:3,27:5 ) and the terrain [mountaintops, Numbers 21:20 (literal translation, “field of Moabi”); Judges 9:32 ,Judges 9:32,9:36;] were insignificant. The crucial distinction is between what is enclosed and what is open. A field may be contrasted with a tent (Numbers 19:14 ,Numbers 19:14,19:16 ), a camp (Leviticus 14:3 ,Leviticus 14:3,14:7 ), vineyards which were customarily enclosed (Exodus 22:5; Leviticus 25:3-4 ), or with a walled city (Leviticus 14:53; Deuteronomy 28:3 ,Deuteronomy 28:3,28:16 ). Villages without walls were regarded as fields (Leviticus 25:31 ). Fields were likewise distinguished from barren wasteland (Ezekiel 33:27 ). Fields were marked with landmarks (Deuteronomy 19:14 ).

The NRSV translated the Hebrew term shedemah , one of the words generally translated field, as vineyard at Deuteronomy 32:32 . The REB rendered the term differently each place it was used (terraces, Deuteronomy 32:32; slope, 2 Kings 23:4; vineyard, Isaiah 16:8; field, Jeremiah 31:40; orchards, Habakkuk 3:17 ).