Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextPlucking, in biblical terms, generally refers to the act of picking or pulling out something, often with the fingers. This action is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, symbolizing both physical actions and metaphorical lessons. The term is used in agricultural, judicial, and spiritual contexts, reflecting the diverse applications of the concept in biblical times.
Agricultural ContextIn the agrarian society of ancient Israel, plucking was a common activity related to the harvest. The act of plucking grain or fruit was a necessary part of gathering food. In the Book of Deuteronomy, the law permitted individuals to pluck grain by hand from a neighbor's field to satisfy immediate hunger, but not to use a sickle (
Deuteronomy 23:25): "When you enter your neighbor’s grainfield, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but you must not put a sickle to your neighbor’s grain."
Sabbath ObservanceThe act of plucking grain on the Sabbath became a point of contention in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' disciples were criticized by the Pharisees for plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath, which was considered work and thus a violation of Sabbath law (
Matthew 12:1-2): "At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, 'Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.'"
Jesus responded by highlighting the principle of mercy over sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of human need over ritualistic observance (
Matthew 12:7): "If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent."
Judicial and Metaphorical UsePlucking is also used metaphorically in the Bible to describe divine judgment or removal. In the prophetic literature, God is depicted as plucking up nations or individuals as a form of judgment or correction.
Jeremiah 12:14 states, "This is what the LORD says: 'As for all My wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave My people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them.'"
In the New Testament, Jesus uses the metaphor of plucking in a spiritual sense, warning against sin and the need for radical action to avoid it. In
Matthew 5:29 , He teaches, "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."
Spiritual ImplicationsThe concept of plucking also carries spiritual implications, particularly in the context of divine protection and care. In
John 10:28-29 , Jesus assures His followers of their security in Him: "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand."
This assurance highlights the protective power of God, emphasizing that believers are secure in their relationship with Him, unable to be plucked away by external forces.
ConclusionThe act of plucking, whether literal or metaphorical, serves as a multifaceted symbol in the Bible. It illustrates principles of provision, mercy, judgment, and divine protection, reflecting the broader themes of God's interaction with humanity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pluck.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PLUCKING OFF THE HAIRpluk'-ing.
SeeHAIR, 7;PUNISHMENTS.
HAIR, PLUCKING OF THE
SeePUNISHMENTS.
Library
The Two Sabbath-Controversies - thePlucking of the Ears of Corn...
... CHAPTER XXXV. THE TWO SABBATH-CONTROVERSIES - THEPLUCKING OF THE EARS OF CORN BY
THE DISCIPLES, AND THE HEALING OF THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND....
Plucking Grain on the Sabbath.
... BEGINNINGS OF CONTROVERSYPLUCKING GRAIN ON THE SABBATH. At that season
Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and...
The Pharisees Attack the Disciples forPlucking Corn on the...
... Section 172. The Pharisees attack the Disciples forplucking Corn on the
Sabbath."Christ defends them. (Luke, vi., 1; Matt., xii., 18.)....
Works which Hallow the Sabbath
... gathered the ears of corn on the edge of a made path as they went, the point of
the Pharisees' objection was that they broke the Sabbath byplucking, which was...
Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... Suchplucking of the grain was allowed by the law (Deuteronomy 23:25) and is still
practiced by hungry travelers in Palestine, which is, and has always been...
Whether Christ Ought to have Suffered on the Cross?
... Secondly, because this kind of death was especially suitable in order to atone for
the sin of our first parent, which was theplucking of the apple from the...
Description of the Symbol of the Hands among the Manich??ans.
... plan, and will ask you, who are so liberal in your promises of evidence and truth,
to tell me first what harm is done to a tree, I say not byplucking a leaf...
How to Make Use of Christ, as Truth, for Comfort, when Truth is...
... turning upside down. God was breaking down that, which he had built; and
plucking up that which he had planted. Tribulation and...
A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... disgraceful sight. The shaving of the chin to the skin is reprehensible,
approaching toplucking out the hair and smoothing. For...
Against Men who Embellish Themselves.
... There must be therefore noplucking out, contrary to God's appointment,
which has counted [1604] them in according to His will....
Thesaurus
Plucking (8 Occurrences)... & vb. n.) of Pluck. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
PLUCKING OFF THE HAIR.
pluk'-ing. See HAIR, 7; PUNISHMENTS. HAIR,
PLUCKING OF THE. See PUNISHMENTS.
...Pluck (41 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The act ofplucking; a pull; a twitch.... 9. (n.) The act ofplucking, or the
state of being plucked, at college. See Pluck, vt, 4. 10. (n.) The lyrie....
Passing (177 Occurrences)
... Mark 2:23 And it came to pass -- he is going along on the sabbaths through the
corn-fields -- and his disciples began to make a way,plucking the ears, (See NAS...
Cornfields (3 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Mark 2:23 And it came to pass that he went on the sabbath through the cornfields;
and his disciples began to walk on,plucking the ears. (DBY)....
Punishments (31 Occurrences)
... (13)Plucking Off the HairPlucking off the hair is alluded to as a mode of punishment
in Nehemiah 13:25 Isaiah 50:6. (14) Prison Garments Prison garments were...
Hair (135 Occurrences)
... See also WEAVING. HLE Luering.PLUCKING OFF THE HAIR. pluk'-ing. See HAIR, 7;
PUNISHMENTS. HAIR,PLUCKING OF THE. See PUNISHMENTS. Multi-Version Concordance...
Off (5363 Occurrences)
...PLUCKING OFF THE HAIR. pluk'-ing. See HAIR, 7; PUNISHMENTS. Multi-Version Concordance
Off (5363 Occurrences). Off is found 5363 times in 12 translations....
Gesture
... and American)); as a solemn pledge the hand was placed under the thigh of the person
to whom it was given (Genesis 24:2; Genesis 47:29);plucking the hand out...
Wheatfields (3 Occurrences)
... Luke 6:1 Now on the second-first Sabbath while He was passing through the wheatfields,
His disciples wereplucking the ears and rubbing them with their hands...
Mourn (87 Occurrences)
... sackcloth (Genesis 37:34; Psalm 35:13), sprinkling dust or ashes on the person
(2 Samuel 13:19; Jeremiah 6:26; Job 2:12), shaving the head andplucking out the...
Resources
Questions about "The Passion of the Christ" movie | GotQuestions.orgWhen can music be considered 'Christian music'? | GotQuestions.orgPlucking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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