A bit holder for a ploughing bit, particularly a bottom bit of a coal plough, includes an insert pocket 12 which is open at the top side 11 for receiving and supporting a bit stem of the ploughing bit and which pocket 12 is bounded on its edges by two lateral supporting walls 20, 30, a front supporting wall 13 and a rear supporting wall 14 with the rear supporting wall 14 projecting above the front supporting wall 13. In order to minimise the wear effect on the contact surfaces between bit stem and bit holder, the lateral supporting wall 20 facing away from the working face when the plough is in use projects above the front supporting wall 13 and the other lateral supporting wall 30 and forms an extended lateral support for the bit stem with respect to the other supporting wall 30.