Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, mills were essential tools for daily life, primarily used for grinding grain into flour. The process of milling was typically carried out using two stones: a larger, stationary lower stone called the "nether stone" and a smaller, movable upper stone known as the "upper millstone." These stones were crucial for sustaining life, as they enabled the production of bread, a staple food in ancient Israelite society.The importance of millstones is underscored in the Mosaic Law, which explicitly forbids taking either the upper or lower millstone as a pledge. Deuteronomy 24:6 states, "Do not take a pair of millstones or even the upper one as security for a debt, because that would be taking a man’s livelihood as security." This commandment highlights the essential nature of millstones in daily sustenance and the broader principle of protecting an individual's means of survival. The prohibition against taking millstones in pledge reflects the broader biblical concern for justice and compassion, particularly towards the poor and vulnerable. By safeguarding a person's ability to produce food, the law ensures that debtors are not deprived of their basic means of living. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on mercy and the protection of human dignity, as seen throughout the Old and New Testaments. Millstones also appear in various biblical narratives and teachings, often symbolizing judgment or destruction. For instance, in Judges 9:53, a woman drops an upper millstone on Abimelech's head, leading to his death. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of a millstone to convey the severity of causing others to sin: "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). The use of millstones in these contexts underscores their weight and significance, both literally and metaphorically. They serve as a powerful symbol of sustenance, justice, and divine retribution, reflecting the multifaceted role they played in the ancient world and in biblical teaching. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 24:6No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he takes a man's life to pledge. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Justinian. What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and ... Resources How should a Christian view climate change? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is PETA? Can a Christian support PETA? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Mills used for Grinding: Manna in the Wilderness Mills: (Ceasing) of Desolation Mills: (Grinding At) of Degradation Mills: Female Servants Usually Employed At Mills: Male Captives often Employed At Mills: Stones Used in not to be Taken in Pledge Mills: Stones Used in Often Thrown Down on Enemies During Sieges Related Terms |
    |