Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the term "garner" refers to a storehouse or granary where grain and other agricultural produce are collected and stored. The concept of a garner is deeply rooted in the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where the storage of grain was essential for survival, especially during times of famine or drought.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Hebrew word often translated as "garner" is "אסם" (asam), which appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. In
Proverbs 3:9-10 , the text states, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." Here, the "barns" or "garners" symbolize God's provision and blessing upon those who honor Him with their resources.
In the narrative of Joseph in Egypt, the concept of a garner is central. Joseph, interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, advises the collection and storage of grain during the seven years of plenty to prepare for the subsequent seven years of famine (
Genesis 41:34-36). This act of storing grain in garners not only saved Egypt but also surrounding nations, including Joseph's own family, highlighting the garner's role in God's providential care.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the Greek word "ἀποθήκη" (apothēkē) is used, which also means a storehouse or barn. In
Matthew 3:12 , John the Baptist 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." This imagery of gathering wheat into the garner signifies the separation of the righteous from the wicked, a theme that resonates with the eschatological teachings of Jesus.
Similarly, in the parable of the rich fool in
Luke 12:18 , the rich man plans to tear down his barns and build larger ones to store all his grain and goods. This parable serves as a caution against placing trust in material wealth rather than in God, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly treasures compared to eternal riches.
Symbolic and Theological SignificanceThe garner, as a symbol, represents God's provision and the importance of wise stewardship. It underscores the biblical principle of preparing for the future while trusting in God's faithfulness. The garner also serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths, such as the gathering of believers into God's kingdom and the ultimate judgment where the righteous are separated from the unrighteous.
In a broader theological context, the garner reflects the biblical theme of harvest, which is often used to describe the ingathering of souls at the end of the age. This eschatological perspective is evident in passages like
Matthew 13:30 , where Jesus speaks of the harvest at the end of the age, when the wheat will be gathered into the barn.
Overall, the concept of the garner in the Bible is rich with meaning, encompassing themes of provision, judgment, and the eternal destiny of humanity.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Hebrews `otsar, a treasure; a store of goods laid up, and hence also the place where they are deposited (Joel 1:17;2 Chronicles 32:27, rendered "treasury").
(2.) Hebrews mezev, a cell, storeroom (Psalm 144:13); Gr. apotheke, a place for storing anything, a granary (Matthew 3:12;Luke 3:17).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A granary; a building or place where grain is stored for preservation.
2. (v. t.) To gather for preservation; to store, as in a granary; to treasure.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GARNERgar'-ner (mazu; apotheke):
"Garners," derived from zawah, "to gather," occurs inPsalm 144:13; 'otsar is similarly translated inJoel 1:17. In the New Testament apotheke is twice translated "garner" (Matthew 3:12Luke 3:17).
The same word is translated "barns" inMatthew 6:26;Matthew 13:30Luke 12:18, 24.
Greek
596. apotheke -- a place for putting away, hence a storehouse... barn, granary, storehouse. From apotithemi; a repository, ie Granary -- barn,
garner. see GREEK apotithemi. (apothekas) -- 2 Occurrences.
...Strong's Hebrew
214. otsar -- treasure, store, a treasury, storehouse... armory, cellar,
garner, storehouse, treasure-house. From 'atsar; a depository --
armory, cellar,
garner, store(-house), treasure(-house) (-y). see HEBREW 'atsar
...4200. mazu -- a granary
... garners (1).garner. Probably from an unused root meaning to gather in; a granary --
garner. 4199, 4200. mazu. 4201 . Strong's Numbers.
622. asaph -- to gather, remove
... 1), bring (1), brought (2), brought together (1), collect (1), collected (2), collects
(1), cure (4), destroy (1), disappear (1), drew (1),garner (1), gather...
Library
John's Witness to Jesus, and God's
... Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and will gather
the wheat into Hisgarner; but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable...
Daily Bread.
... Once more the Father, the Feeder, has given bread to strengthen man's heart, and
we turn from the corn stored in thegarner, to God's owngarner the Church...
The Reaping of the vine.
... wheat into my barn." Thus the tares were to be gathered first"not before the righteous
are gathered, but before the wheat is placed in thegarner: the new...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xiii. 21 and 23, Where the...
... When the Winnower shall come with His fan in His Hand, "He will cleanse His floor,
and lay up the wheat into thegarner; but the chaff He will burn with...
Answer to Another Objection, Showing that the Destruction of...
... of the whole world must also pass away, when the time of its disappearance has come,
in order that the fruit indeed may be gathered into thegarner, but the...
St. Peter
... Peter. For Satan gained little by sifting St. Peter. He sifted out the chaff: but
the wheat was left behind safe for God'sgarner. The chaff was St....
The Preaching of John. Ch. 3:1-20
... you in the Holy Spirit and in fire: 17 whose fan is in his hand, thoroughly to cleanse
his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into hisgarner; but the...
Psalm XLVIII.
... But will it also belong to thegarner?... Be thorns ungrateful, let them grow
by the showers: for the fire they grow, not for thegarner....
Powerful Persuasives
... reply he made to all who applied to him, "Go to Joseph." It would have been no use
saying, "Go to Joseph," if Joseph had not the keys of thegarner; but he had...
Everybody's Sermon
... How does it tell us of the joy of the redeemed if we, being saved, shall at last
be carried like shocks of corn fully ripe into thegarner....
Thesaurus
Garner (4 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
GARNER. gar
... 17. In the New Testament apotheke
is twice translated "
garner" (Matthew 3:12 Luke 3:17).
...Throughly (10 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and
gather his wheat into thegarner; but he will burn up the chaff with...
Purge (35 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and
gather his wheat into thegarner; but he will burn up the chaff with...
Grain (413 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GRAIN. gran. See AGRICULTURE;GARNER. PARCHED
CORN (GRAIN). parcht. See FOOD. Multi-Version Concordance Grain (413 Occurrences...
Garmite (1 Occurrence)
Garnered (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofGarner. Multi-Version Concordance
Garnered (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 62:9 but those who have...
Winnowing-fan (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 3:17 whose winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his
threshing-floor, and will gather the wheat into hisgarner, but the chaff he...
Winnowed (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:26 "'You wicked and slothful servant,' replied his master, 'did you know
that I reap where I have not sown, andgarner what I have not winnowed?...
Fan (8 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and
gather his wheat into thegarner; but he will burn up the chaff with...
Treasurer (6 Occurrences)
... 2. Storehouse: "Storehouse," not the thing stored but the place of storage; 'otsar
means depository, cellar,garner, armory, store or treasure-house....
Resources
What is the meaning of “Cast your bread upon the waters” in Ecclesiastes 11:1? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about hypocrisy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about tattoos? | GotQuestions.orgGarner: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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