Topical Encyclopedia Threshing, in biblical times, was a critical agricultural process where harvested grain was separated from the chaff. This activity typically took place on a threshing floor, a flat, hard surface where the grain could be spread out and threshed, often by oxen or other animals treading over it. The significance of threshing floors in the biblical narrative extends beyond their agricultural function, as they often became sites of social and economic activity, and, at times, vulnerability.Biblical Context and Significance Threshing floors were essential to the agrarian society of ancient Israel, serving as communal spaces where the fruits of labor were processed and prepared for storage or sale. The importance of these sites is underscored by their frequent mention in Scripture, often as places of divine encounter or significant events. For instance, the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite became the site where King David built an altar to the LORD, as recorded in 2 Samuel 24:18-25. Vulnerability to Theft The open and accessible nature of threshing floors made them susceptible to theft and robbery. During the threshing season, these areas would be filled with valuable grain, attracting those who sought to take advantage of the situation. The Bible provides instances where threshing floors were targeted by robbers, highlighting the challenges faced by those who labored there. In the book of Judges, the Midianites are described as oppressors who would invade the land of Israel, destroying crops and seizing produce. Judges 6:3-4 states, "Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys." This passage illustrates the constant threat of robbery that loomed over the threshing floors, as marauding bands would often plunder the hard-earned produce of the Israelites. Protection and Divine Intervention The vulnerability of threshing floors to robbery also serves as a backdrop for divine intervention and protection. In the account of Gideon, found in Judges 6, the angel of the LORD appears to Gideon while he is threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. This encounter leads to Gideon's calling as a judge and deliverer of Israel, demonstrating God's providence and protection over His people even in times of threat and insecurity. Symbolic and Prophetic Imagery Threshing floors also carry symbolic and prophetic significance in Scripture. They are often used metaphorically to describe judgment and purification. For example, in the prophecy of John the Baptist, he speaks of the coming Messiah, saying, "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" (Matthew 3:12). This imagery underscores the threshing floor as a place of separation and divine judgment. In summary, threshing floors in the Bible are depicted as essential yet vulnerable places, often targeted by robbers due to their agricultural value. They serve as settings for divine encounters, symbols of judgment, and reminders of God's protection over His people amidst adversity. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 23:1Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing floors. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Destruction of Jerusalem. The Destruction of Jerusalem Psalm CXLVII. A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ... In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ... A Stanza of Deliverance A Sermon for the Time Present 1 Cor. Ix. 1 Two Essential Things And ii. Resources What is a threshing floor? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Araunah the Jebusite? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of chaff in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Threshing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics 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: 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-sledges (1 Occurrence) Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences) Winnowing-shovel (2 Occurrences) |
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