In the context of the Bible, the term "fans" does not refer to modern-day objects used for cooling or to describe enthusiastic supporters. Instead, it is associated with agricultural practices, particularly in the process of winnowing grain. The fan, or winnowing fork, was an essential tool used in ancient times to separate the wheat from the chaff. This process is often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe divine judgment and purification.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 41:16 · "You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel." In this passage, the act of winnowing is used to illustrate God's power to disperse and judge the enemies of Israel, emphasizing His sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of His people.

2. Jeremiah 15:7 · "I will winnow them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children; I will destroy My people, since they did not return from their ways." Here, the winnowing fork symbolizes God's judgment upon His people for their unfaithfulness and refusal to repent. The imagery of winnowing conveys the thoroughness and inevitability of divine judgment.

3. Matthew 3:12 · "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." John the Baptist uses the metaphor of winnowing to describe the coming judgment by Jesus Christ. The wheat represents the righteous who will be gathered into God's kingdom, while the chaff symbolizes the wicked who will face destruction.

4. Luke 3:17 · "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." This parallel passage to Matthew 3:12 reiterates the theme of separation and judgment, underscoring the role of Christ as the righteous judge.

Symbolism and Themes:

The use of the fan or winnowing fork in Scripture is rich with symbolism. It represents the process of separation, purification, and judgment. The act of winnowing involves tossing the grain into the air so that the wind can blow away the lighter chaff, leaving the valuable wheat behind. This imagery is powerful in conveying the idea of God discerning and separating the righteous from the wicked.

In a broader theological context, the concept of winnowing reflects the holiness and justice of God. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the importance of living a life that aligns with God's will. The metaphor also points to the eschatological hope of believers, who anticipate being gathered into God's eternal kingdom.

Practical Application:

For believers, the biblical imagery of winnowing serves as a call to self-examination and spiritual readiness. It encourages Christians to live lives marked by faithfulness and obedience, knowing that God will ultimately judge the hearts and actions of all people. The assurance of being gathered as wheat into God's barn provides comfort and motivation to pursue holiness in anticipation of Christ's return.

The Right to the Ordinary Safeguards of Good Health
... We got our umbrellas, palm-leaf fans, and tract bags, and started off. ... Daughter,
get the teachers fans. Oh, you have brought them with you! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 3 the right to.htm

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... Oarsmen wore chaplets on the head or garlands around the loins, and half-clad
slave-girls were scattered about with fans of dyed plumes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

The Consulship of Eutropius
... That a thing accustomed for years to flap fine ladies with peacocks' fans should
sway the world's imperial fasces! Shades of the Decii! shades of the Camilli! ...
/.../chapter xxiv the consulship of.htm

Power --Its Source
... Solomon says: "A living dog is better than a dead lion." When the Spirit imparts
this life, He does not leave us to droop and die, but constantly fans the flame ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter i powerits source.htm

The Galleys
... whom before Vincent's arrival the hour of the Sunday Mass had seemed too long for
God's service and who had spent it chattering behind their fans, began also ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 4 the galleys.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... green butts of them are left, bound to each other by natural matting: but overhead
they range out nobly in leafstalks ten feet long, and fans full twelve feet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

Responsiveness to Christ.
... and intensifies it. Conversion drops a coal into the breast; the fuller
grace fans it into a flame. SOUNDING STRINGS. There is a ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter vii responsiveness to christ.htm

Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
... The world, however, is perverse and wicked; this he incites against us, fans and
stirs the fire, that he may hinder and drive us back, cause us to fall, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thy will be done on.htm

The Lady Miriam
... The young man spoke of war and fellowship with a monarch as if he had
been a lady's page and gossiped of fans and new perfumes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter vi the lady miriam.htm

Up, Up, My Soul! with Gladness Rise,
... Richer the gifts thy God bestows. Than morning beauty can disclose. III. Sweet as
the breath that fans the bowers,. And stirs the leaves and opening flowers,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns from the east/up up my soul with.htm

Fans (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fans (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 54:16 See, I have made
the iron-worker, blowing on the burning coals, and making ...
/f/fans.htm - 6k

Fantasies (4 Occurrences)

/f/fantasies.htm - 7k

Fanner
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who fans. 2. (n.) A fan wheel; a fan blower.
See under Fan. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAN, FANNER. ...
/f/fanner.htm - 7k

Fanning (1 Occurrence)

/f/fanning.htm - 6k

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