3039. likmaó

Lexical Summary

likmaó: To winnow, to crush, to scatter

Original Word: λικμάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: likmaó
Pronunciation: lik-MAH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (lik-mah'-o)
KJV: grind to powder
NASB: like dust, scatter like dust
Word Origin: [from likmos, the equivalent of liknon (a winnowing fan or basket)]

1. to winnow
2. (by analogy), to triturate

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

grind to powder.

From likmos, the equivalent of liknon (a winnowing fan or basket); to winnow, i.e. (by analogy), to triturate -- grind to powder.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from likmos (a winnowing fan)
Definition
to winnow, to scatter
NASB Translation
like dust (2), scatter...like dust (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3039: λικμάω

λικμάω, λικμῷ: future λικμήσω; (λιμός a winnowing-van);

1. to winnow, cleanse away the chaff from grain by winnowing (Homer, Xenophon, Plutarch, others; the Sept.).

2. in a sense unknown to secular authors, to scatter (opposed to συνάγω, Jeremiah 31:10 (or Jeremiah 38); add, Isaiah 17:13; Amos 9:9).

3. to crush to pieces, grind to powder: τινα, Matthew 21:44 (R G L brackets WH brackets); Luke 20:18; cf. Daniel 2:44 (Theod.); Wis. 11:19 (18). (But in Daniel, the passage cited it represents the Aphel of סוּף,finem facere, and on Sap. l. c. see Grimm. Many decline to follow the rendering of the Vulg. (conterere, comminuere), but refer the examples under this head to the preceding.)

Topical Lexicon

Background in Ancient Agriculture

In the agrarian world of biblical times, harvested grain was spread on a threshing floor, beaten to separate kernel from husk, and then tossed into the air with a winnowing fork. The light chaff blew away while the heavier, valuable grain fell back to the floor. The verb behind Strong’s Greek 3039 evokes that decisive final stage of grain processing, picturing something so thoroughly driven by the wind that nothing useful remains.

Scriptural Usage

The Greek verb appears twice in the New Testament, both times in the phrase λικμήσει αὐτόν, “it will scatter him like dust” (Matthew 21:44; Luke 20:18). Jesus concludes His cornerstone parable with these sober words:

“Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” (Matthew 21:44).

The imagery moves from breaking (initial judgment) to scattering like chaff (final, irreversible judgment).

Old Testament Foundations

Even though the Greek verb itself is absent from the Septuagint, its concept permeates the Hebrew Scriptures:
• Job 21:18 pictures the wicked as “straw before the wind.”
• Psalm 1:4 contrasts the righteous tree with “the chaff that the wind drives away.”
• Isaiah 17:13; Jeremiah 51:33; Daniel 2:35 all employ threshing or winnowing to depict divine judgment.

These passages prepare the reader to understand Jesus’ words: the Messiah’s kingdom will sift humanity as surely as a farmer separates wheat from husk.

Theological Implications of Winnowing Imagery

1. Finality of Judgment – Unlike threshing, which can be reversed if grain is re-gathered, winnowing is conclusive. Once the kernel and chaff are separated, their destinies diverge permanently.
2. Impossibility of Human Resistance – Chaff cannot withstand the wind. Likewise, no human structure—political, religious, or personal—can resist Christ when He executes judgment.
3. Exclusivity of Lasting Value – Only what is united with Christ endures. Everything else is ultimately “scattered like dust.”

Christological Significance

Jesus identifies Himself as both the foundation stone (Isaiah 28:16) and the winnowing force. To stumble over Him now is painful but potentially redemptive (“broken to pieces” can lead to repentance). To be crushed and scattered by Him later is irrevocable. The verb thus reinforces the absolute lordship of Christ: He alone determines final destinies.

Pastoral and Practical Applications

• Call to Repentance – The stark alternative between being broken and being scattered urges immediate submission to Christ.
• Assurance for Believers – Just as grain is preserved, those in Christ are secure; judgment will not blow them away.
• Motivation for Evangelism – Knowing that friends, neighbors, and nations face the winnowing of the King fuels urgent gospel proclamation.

Historical Reception in Church Teaching

Early church fathers such as Irenaeus and Tertullian used the threshing-winnowing motif to describe the separation of true believers from heretical movements. Reformers likewise applied the image to distinguish genuine faith from empty religiosity. Throughout church history, hymn writers (“His fan is in His hand”) and preachers have drawn on this verb to underscore the certainty of final judgment.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 3039 conveys more than agricultural technique; it announces the Messiah’s decisive, purifying judgment. In two strategically placed sayings, Jesus presses hearers to choose: be humbled now or be scattered later. The word thus stands as a vivid reminder that every life will be sifted, and only what is united to the Cornerstone will remain when the divine winnowing is complete.

Forms and Transliterations

ελίκμησα ελιμαγχόνησέ λελικμημένη λελικμωμένον λικμά λικμάται λικμήσας λικμησει λικμήσει λικμήσεις λικμήσω λικμήτωρ λικμώ λιμά likmesei likmēsei likmḗsei

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 21:44 V-FIA-3S
GRK: ἂν πέσῃ λικμήσει αὐτόν
NAS: it falls, it will scatter him like dust.
KJV: it will grind him to powder.
INT: anyhow it shall fall it will grind to powder him

Luke 20:18 V-FIA-3S
GRK: ἂν πέσῃ λικμήσει αὐτόν
NAS: it falls, it will scatter him like dust.
KJV: it will grind him to powder.
INT: anyhow it might fall it will grind to powder him

Strong's Greek 3039
2 Occurrences

λικμήσει — 2 Occ.