Threshing by Beating
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Threshing by beating is an ancient agricultural practice referenced in the Bible, used to separate grain from the chaff. This method involves striking the harvested stalks of grain to loosen the edible kernels from the husks and straw. Threshing by beating is one of several methods mentioned in Scripture, reflecting the agrarian society of biblical times.

Biblical References and Context

Threshing is a significant activity in the Bible, often used metaphorically to describe judgment, purification, and the separation of good from evil. The process of threshing by beating is specifically mentioned in several passages, illustrating its importance in the daily life and economy of ancient Israel.

In the Book of Ruth, the threshing floor is a central setting. Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor, a place where grain is processed and stored. This setting underscores the importance of threshing in the agricultural cycle and its role in the community's sustenance (Ruth 3:2-9).

The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of threshing to convey God's judgment and deliverance. In Isaiah 28:27-28 , it is written: "For caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; but caraway is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod. Grain for bread must be ground, but it is not endlessly threshed; though the wheels of the cart roll over it, the horses do not crush it." This passage highlights the careful and varied methods of threshing, emphasizing that different grains require different techniques, including beating.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Threshing by beating was a labor-intensive process, typically performed by hand using flails or sticks. This method was suitable for smaller quantities of grain or for grains that required gentle handling to avoid damage. The practice reflects the subsistence farming of ancient Israel, where families and communities relied on their harvests for survival.

Threshing floors, where this activity took place, were often located on elevated, windy sites to facilitate the winnowing process that followed threshing. After beating the grain, the mixture of kernels and chaff would be tossed into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff while the heavier grain fell back to the ground.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

Threshing by beating carries rich symbolic meaning in the Bible. It represents the process of purification and refinement, where the valuable is separated from the worthless. This symbolism is evident in the prophetic literature, where God is depicted as the divine thresher, separating the righteous from the wicked.

In the New Testament, John the Baptist uses the imagery of threshing to describe the coming judgment of Christ. In Matthew 3:12 , he declares, "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." This metaphor underscores the eschatological theme of separation and the ultimate gathering of God's people.

Threshing by beating, therefore, is not only a practical agricultural technique but also a profound biblical metaphor for divine judgment and the sanctification of believers. Through this imagery, the Bible communicates themes of justice, purity, and the hope of redemption.
Nave's Topical Index
Ruth 2:17
So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew
2251. chabat -- to beat off, beat out
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to beat off, beat out NASB Word Usage beat
(2), beaten (1), beating (1), threshing (1). beat off, out, thresh. ...
/hebrew/2251.htm - 6k
Library

The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The
... 1. When Jerubbaal, as we read, was beating out wheat [783] under an oak, he received ...
hast said, behold I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor, and ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/the choice of gideon was.htm

An Exhortation to the People Respecting Fortitude and Patience...
... Let us wait for the sheaves of the threshing floor; for if we be sober, we ... here;
there were floods there, and there were floods here; here the beating of winds ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iv an exhortation to.htm

On the Words, and in one Holy Catholic Church, and in the ...
... and shall man when reaped from this world not remain for the threshing? ... eyes, and
sensitive nose, and hearing ears, and speaking tongue, and beating heart, and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xviii on the words.htm

Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down ...
... binding sheaves, threshing, winnowing, sifting (selecting), grinding, sifting in
a sieve, kneading, baking; shearing the wool, washing it, beating it, dyeing it ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvii the ordinances and.htm

Matt. Iv. 12
... did, mentioning an axe, and a tree cut down; a fan, and a threshing-floor, and ... this
too was for the time no small proof of virtue, their beating poverty with ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xiv matt iv 12.htm

The vineyard and Its Keepers
... From beating they go on to killing, and stoning is a specially savage form of ... will
He not crush the mightiest opponent as the dust of the summer threshing-floor ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the vineyard and its keepers.htm

The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr.
... In him the threshing preceded (if it may be said, for the thing is ... interpretation,
that the remains of fear still set my exulting heart beating with excessive ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/the life and passion of.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... dashing against it with much vehemence, nor the wild winds beating against it ... nor
climate, nor anything of that kind; they prepared no threshing floor, they ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... on how teachers are entitled to support, saying the mouth of the threshing ox should ...
I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday after epiphany.htm

The Census of Israel
... top of Nebo to die, the people followed him up the hill, the women beating on their ...
What if you should lie on the threshing-floor in the great heap before the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

Resources
What is the meaning of the symbolism in Amos, e.g., sledges with iron teeth (Amos 1:3), murdered pregnant women (Amos 1:13), burning bones (Amos 2:1), destroyed roots (Amos 2:9), and hooks (Amos 4:2)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about halos? | GotQuestions.org

What did the Israelites do during a mourning period (Deuteronomy 34:8)? | GotQuestions.org

Threshing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Threshing

Threshing by Beating

Threshing by Treading

Threshing of the Church in Her Conquests

Threshing of the Judgments of God

Threshing of the Labours of Ministers

Threshing was Performed by a Rod or Staff

Threshing was Performed by Cart Wheels

Threshing was Performed by Instruments With Teeth

Threshing was Performed by the Feet of Horses and Oxen

Threshing with Instruments of Iron

Threshing with Instruments of Wood

Threshing with Instruments with a Cart Wheel

Threshing: (An Instrument For, With Teeth) of the Church Overcoming

Threshing: (Dust Made By) of Complete Destruction

Threshing: (Gathering the Sheaves For) of Preparing the Enemies of

Threshing: Cattle Employed In, not to be Muzzled

Threshing: Continued Until the Vintage in Years of Abundance

Threshing: Floor For, in Barns

Threshing: Floor of Araunah Purchased by David for a Place of Sacrifice

Threshing: Floors For

Threshing: Followed by a Winnowing With a Shovel or Fan

Threshing: The Place for used for Winnowing the Corn

Threshing: The Place for was Large and Roomy

Threshing: The Place For: Called the Barn-Floor

Threshing: The Place For: Called the Corn-Floor

Threshing: The Place For: Called the Floor

Threshing: The Place For: Called the Threshing Floor

Threshing: The Place For: Fulness of, Promised As a Blessing

Threshing: The Place For: Generally on High Ground

Threshing: The Place For: Often Robbed

Threshing: The Place For: Scarcity In, a Punishment

Threshing: The Place For: Sometimes Beside the Wine-Press for Concealment

Threshing: The Place For: The Jews Slept On, During the Time of

Threshing: The Removing or Separating Corn Form the Straw

Related Terms

Threshing-floor (36 Occurrences)

Threshing-floors (2 Occurrences)

Threshing-sledge (2 Occurrences)

Threshing-place (1 Occurrence)

Threshing-instruments (1 Occurrence)

Threshing-wain (1 Occurrence)

Threshing-sledges (1 Occurrence)

Araunah (14 Occurrences)

Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences)

Ornan (10 Occurrences)

Winepress (19 Occurrences)

Jeb'usite (8 Occurrences)

Winnowing (7 Occurrences)

Wine-vat (7 Occurrences)

Chidon (1 Occurrence)

Chaff (24 Occurrences)

Vat (7 Occurrences)

Thresh (7 Occurrences)

Arau'nah (6 Occurrences)

Sheaves (13 Occurrences)

Sheaf (11 Occurrences)

Floor (69 Occurrences)

Agriculture

Wine-press (11 Occurrences)

Floors (12 Occurrences)

Threshed (7 Occurrences)

Drives (17 Occurrences)

Moriah (2 Occurrences)

Afflicting (8 Occurrences)

Stubble (18 Occurrences)

Sledge (3 Occurrences)

Sledges (3 Occurrences)

Jebusite (39 Occurrences)

Wheel (20 Occurrences)

Wheat (56 Occurrences)

Instruments (136 Occurrences)

Keilah (16 Occurrences)

Nacon (1 Occurrence)

Nearly (13 Occurrences)

Unquenchable (5 Occurrences)

Upset (9 Occurrences)

Grind (12 Occurrences)

Winnows (3 Occurrences)

Winnowing-shovel (2 Occurrences)

Fork (8 Occurrences)

Thoroughly (48 Occurrences)

Thrones (19 Occurrences)

Relented (9 Occurrences)

Relax (5 Occurrences)

Erect (17 Occurrences)

Muzzle (4 Occurrences)

Burn (206 Occurrences)

Barn (6 Occurrences)

Cummin (3 Occurrences)

Abel-mizraim (1 Occurrence)

Abelmizraim (1 Occurrence)

Store (134 Occurrences)

Storehouse (12 Occurrences)

Secu (1 Occurrence)

Stumbled (47 Occurrences)

Straw (21 Occurrences)

Shovel (3 Occurrences)

Pleases (51 Occurrences)

Gather (251 Occurrences)

Edges (28 Occurrences)

Calamity (108 Occurrences)

Uzzah (10 Occurrences)

Open (586 Occurrences)

Withdraw (52 Occurrences)

Restrained (51 Occurrences)

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)

Gathering (71 Occurrences)

Cart (12 Occurrences)

Disaster (131 Occurrences)

Heave-offering (55 Occurrences)

Heifer (22 Occurrences)

Released (52 Occurrences)

Reckoned (98 Occurrences)

Threshing and Harvest
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