Lexical Summary aloaó: To thresh, to tread out Original Word: ἀλοάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance thresh, tread out the corn. From the same as halon; to tread out grain -- thresh, tread out the corn. see GREEK halon NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom halón Definition to thresh NASB Translation thresher (1), threshing (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 248: ἀλοάωἀλοάω, (ῶ; (connected with ἡ ἅλως or ἡ ἀλωή, the floor on which grain is trodden or threshed out); to thresh, (Ammon. τό ἐπί τῇ ἅλω πατεῖν καί τρίβειν τάς στάχυας): 1 Corinthians 9:(9),10; 1 Timothy 5:18 (Deuteronomy 25:4). In secular authors from Aristophanes, Plato down. Topical Lexicon Meaning and imagery The verb denoted by Strong’s Greek 248 evokes the scene of an ox steadily circling a threshing floor, breaking husk from kernel so the grain may be gathered. It is earthy, rhythmic labor that turns potential into provision. Scripture uses that picture to highlight the dignity of work, the expectation of a harvest, and the moral obligation to allow the laborer to benefit from his toil. Occurrences in the New Testament • 1 Corinthians 9:9–10 connects the threshing ox with apostles who sow spiritual seed. In each text the verb appears in participial form—“while threshing”—underscoring an ongoing activity rather than a one-time act. Old Testament background Deuteronomy 25:4 establishes the foundational precept: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Ancient threshing floors were communal spaces where unmuzzled animals ate small portions of the grain they released. The law upheld both humane treatment of the beast and just compensation for the owner’s service. By elevating so ordinary a scene, the Torah revealed God’s concern for fairness in every realm of life. Paul’s use in defense of gospel workers Paul argues that the Mosaic statute carried an intentional, forward-looking application: “Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, it was written for us, because the plowman should plow in hope, and the thresher should also thresh in hope of sharing in the harvest” (1 Corinthians 9:10). The apostle does not dismiss the literal care of animals; instead he insists that what is true for beasts of burden is even more true for those entrusted with the word of life. By joining the threshing image with “the worker is worthy of his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18), Paul sets a precedent for churches to provide material support to faithful ministers. Theological significance 1. Continuity of revelation: A single principle runs from Law to Gospel—God rewards labor and condemns exploitation. Historical culture of threshing In first-century agriculture, a threshing floor was a leveled, hardened surface, often on a hillside for the benefit of afternoon breezes. Oxen pulled sledges or simply trampled the stalks. Allowing the animals to eat was pragmatic as well as ethical: a well-fed ox worked longer and more efficiently. Paul’s audience immediately grasped the logic; to muzzle the creature would be to rob oneself of a better harvest. Practical application in ministry • Financial and material care for pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers is not mere courtesy but biblical mandate. Broader canonical echoes The image resonates with Jesus’ words, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37) and with prophetic pictures of threshing as both blessing (Ruth 3:2) and judgment (Isaiah 41:15). Together they frame Christian service as urgent, rewarding, and accountable. Summary Strong’s Greek 248 portrays the relentless, hopeful motion of threshing—an apt metaphor for gospel ministry. Grounded in Mosaic compassion and fulfilled in apostolic practice, it teaches the church to honor its workers, expect a harvest, and trust the God who ensures that no faithful laborer, whether ox or apostle, toils in vain. Forms and Transliterations αλόα αλοηθήσεται αλοήσεις αλοήσουσι αλοων αλοών ἀλοῶν αλοωντα αλοώντα ἀλοῶντα αλοώντας aloon aloôn aloōn aloō̂n aloonta aloônta aloōnta aloō̂ntaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 9:9 V-PPA-AMSGRK: κημώσεις βοῦν ἀλοῶντα μὴ τῶν NAS: THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING. God KJV: the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. INT: you will muzzle an ox treading out grain not For the 1 Corinthians 9:10 V-PPA-NMS 1 Timothy 5:18 V-PPA-AMS Strong's Greek 248 |
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