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by Merry Walker on May 24th, 2005
The share of a plow is the metal wedge or cutting edge that loosens the soil.
The implication in turning swords into plowshares is turning from warfare to the necessities of living (i.e., growing food). Up until relatively recently in history, there were few standing armies, and troops were often recruited or conscripted from the serfs, peasants, and yeomen. This left fewer hands in the fields to plant, grow, and harvest food. So aside from the poetic concept behind the phrase, there's also a strong historical context.
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Comments
Thanks for the detail! I knew what the phrase meant, but I just wanted to know what the thing itself--a "plowshare"--is :-)
by HungryGuy on May 24th, 2005