The term "corn-floor" in biblical contexts refers to the threshing floor, a critical component of ancient agricultural practices in the Near East. The threshing floor was a flat, hard surface where harvested grain was threshed and winnowed to separate the edible kernels from the chaff. This process was essential for preparing grain for consumption and storage.

Biblical References and Significance

The corn-floor is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, often symbolizing abundance, judgment, and divine provision. In the Old Testament, the threshing floor is frequently associated with God's blessings and the sustenance of His people. For instance, in the book of Ruth, Ruth gleans on the threshing floor of Boaz, which ultimately leads to her becoming part of the lineage of King David and, by extension, Jesus Christ (Ruth 3:6-14).

In the prophetic literature, the corn-floor is sometimes used metaphorically to describe God's judgment. The prophet Hosea, for example, uses the imagery of a threshing floor to convey the impending judgment on Israel due to their unfaithfulness: "Threshing floors and winepresses will not feed the people, and the new wine will fail them" (Hosea 9:2). This imagery underscores the idea that without God's blessing, even the most fertile land will not yield sustenance.

The corn-floor also appears in the narrative of King David. In 2 Samuel 24:18-25, David purchases the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite to build an altar to the Lord, halting a plague that had struck Israel. This site later becomes the location for Solomon's Temple, highlighting the corn-floor's role as a place of divine encounter and worship.

Cultural and Religious Context

Threshing floors were typically located outside the city gates or on elevated ground to take advantage of the wind for winnowing. The process involved spreading the sheaves on the floor and using oxen or threshing sledges to separate the grain. Winnowing followed, where the grain was tossed into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff.

In the religious life of Israel, the corn-floor was not only a place of labor but also a site of celebration and thanksgiving. The Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, was a harvest festival that marked the end of the grain harvest and was celebrated with offerings of the firstfruits (Leviticus 23:15-21). This festival underscored the dependence of the Israelites on God's provision and their gratitude for His sustenance.

Symbolism and Theological Themes

Theologically, the corn-floor represents themes of provision, judgment, and redemption. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in providing for His people and the importance of obedience and faithfulness in return. The imagery of the threshing floor as a place of separation and purification also points to the eschatological themes found in the New Testament, where John the Baptist speaks of Jesus as the one who will "clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12).

In summary, the corn-floor in biblical literature is a multifaceted symbol that encompasses agricultural, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. It is a place where God's provision is realized, His judgment is executed, and His redemptive purposes are foreshadowed.1715. dagan -- corn, grain (of cereals)
... corn floor, wheat. From dagah; properly, increase, ie Grain -- corn ((floor)), wheat.
see HEBREW dagah. 1714, 1715. dagan. 1716 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1715.htm - 6k

The Case of the Christian under the Hiding of God's Face.
... to such, yet was taught to look farther, and describes them as preferable to, and
therefore plainly distinct from "the blessings of the corn-floor or the wine ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxiv the case of.htm

The Lord Reigneth
... But it is a small thing to belong only to the visible church, for it is compared
to a corn-floor (Matthew 3:12) on which chaff is mingled with the wheat; to a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvi the lord reigneth.htm

The Third Continental Journey.
... We were desired to mount a ladder to a loft like a corn-floor, badly tiled in,
and divided into four parts by boards about five feet high. ...
/.../chapter xii the third continental.htm

Cornfloor (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A thrashing floor. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CORNFLOOR. ... Multi-Version Concordance Cornfloor (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/cornfloor.htm - 7k

Corn-floor (1 Occurrence)
Corn-floor. Cornfloor, Corn-floor. Cornices . Multi-Version Concordance ... (DBY
JPS WBS). Cornfloor, Corn-floor. Cornices . Reference Bible.
/c/corn-floor.htm - 6k

Exultingly (2 Occurrences)
... Hosea 9:1 Rejoice not, Israel, exultingly, as the peoples; for thou hast gone a
whoring from thy God, thou hast loved harlot's hire upon every corn-floor. ...
/e/exultingly.htm - 6k

Corn-fields (2 Occurrences)
Corn-fields. Cornfields, Corn-fields. Cornfloor . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Cornfields, Corn-fields. Cornfloor . Reference Bible.
/c/corn-fields.htm - 7k

Cornices (1 Occurrence)

/c/cornices.htm - 6k

Apostatized (1 Occurrence)
... Hosea 9:1 Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast apostatized
from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every corn-floor. (WBS). ...
/a/apostatized.htm - 6k

Exult (50 Occurrences)
... 9:1 Rejoice not, O Israel, unto exultation, like the peoples, for thou hast gone
astray from thy God, thou hast loved a harlot's hire upon every corn-floor. ...
/e/exult.htm - 20k

Harlots (11 Occurrences)
... 9:1 Rejoice not, O Israel, unto exultation, like the peoples, for thou hast gone
astray from thy God, thou hast loved a harlot's hire upon every corn-floor. ...
/h/harlots.htm - 10k

Harlot's (10 Occurrences)
... Hosea 9:1 Rejoice not, Israel, exultingly, as the peoples; for thou hast gone a
whoring from thy God, thou hast loved harlot's hire upon every corn-floor. ...
/h/harlot's.htm - 9k

Corn (107 Occurrences)
... Hosea 9:1 Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a
whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor. ...
/c/corn.htm - 41k

What is a threshing floor? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Araunah the Jebusite? | GotQuestions.org

Did God create the universe? | GotQuestions.org

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