Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, reapers played a crucial role in the agricultural society of ancient Israel. The term "reaper" refers to those who harvest crops, particularly grain, by cutting and gathering them. This task was essential for sustaining the community, as it ensured the collection of food resources necessary for survival.
Old Testament ContextReapers are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, highlighting their importance in the agrarian culture of Israel. The process of reaping was often a communal activity, involving both men and women. In the Book of Ruth, we see a vivid depiction of reapers at work. Ruth, a Moabite widow, gleans in the fields of Boaz during the barley harvest. The narrative provides insight into the customs and practices of reaping, as well as the social dynamics between landowners and laborers. Boaz instructs his reapers to allow Ruth to glean among the sheaves and even to leave extra grain for her (
Ruth 2:15-16).
The reaping process was not only a physical task but also held spiritual significance. The Law of Moses included provisions for the poor and the foreigner, instructing landowners not to reap to the very edges of their fields or gather the gleanings of their harvest, so that the needy could collect what was left (
Leviticus 19:9-10). This practice underscored the values of charity and community responsibility.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the imagery of reaping is often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. Jesus frequently employed agricultural metaphors in His teachings, drawing on the familiar experiences of His audience. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the metaphor of reaping to describe the final judgment: "The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels" (
Matthew 13:39). This passage illustrates the separation of the righteous from the wicked, akin to the sorting of wheat from chaff.
The Apostle Paul also uses the concept of reaping to teach about the consequences of one's actions. In
Galatians 6:7-8 , he writes, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Here, reaping serves as a metaphor for the moral and spiritual outcomes of human behavior.
Symbolism and Spiritual LessonsReapers symbolize diligence, provision, and the cyclical nature of life. The act of reaping is a reminder of the divine order established by God, where sowing and harvesting are integral to sustaining life. The biblical portrayal of reapers also emphasizes the importance of community, generosity, and the moral responsibility to care for the less fortunate.
In a spiritual sense, the metaphor of reaping encourages believers to consider the fruits of their labor, both in the physical and spiritual realms. It serves as a call to live righteously, to sow seeds of faith and goodness, and to anticipate the ultimate harvest at the end of the age, when God will gather His people into His eternal kingdom.
Greek
2327. theristes -- a reaper... Word Origin from therizo Definition a reaper NASB Word Usage
reapers (2). reaper.
From therizo; a harvester -- reaper. see GREEK therizo.
...Strong's Hebrew
7114b. qatsar -- to reap, harvest... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to reap, harvest NASB Word Usage harvest (2),
harvests (1), reap (18), reaped (2), reaper (3),
reapers (7), reaping (1).
...Library
Ruth the Gleaner.
... Rising one morning before the clouds were red over Hebron, she went down into the
valley where the harvesters were at work, and followed thereapers and binders...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is...
... It was to that harvest that the Lord of the harvest came, to that harvest He sent
reapers; but to the Gentiles He sent notreapers, but sowers....
The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner
... the custom in Israel when they reaped the grain not to gather all the stalks, but
to leave some for the poor people, who followed after thereapers with their...
Ruth
... RUTH ii.4. And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto thereapers, The
Lord be with you.... And he said to hisreapers, The Lord be with you....
The Devotion of Ruth
... So she went to pick up grain in the field after thereapers; and it was her good
fortune to pick up grain in that part of the field which belonged to Boaz, who...
Ruth.
... He had a field of barley where thereapers were at work, and Ruth asked Naomi if
she should not go and glean after thereapers, to get grain, for they were poor...
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 19, Etc. , Where the Lord...
... And what saith He? "In the time of harvest I will say to thereapers, Gather ye
together first the tares, to burn them, but gather the wheat into My barn." Why...
Ruth, the Gleaner
... and work there. The poor were always allowed to follow thereapers and glean
the stray ears of corn that fell unnoticed. She might...
How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth...
... into Booz's field; and after some thee Booz came thither, and when he saw the damsel,
he inquired of his servant that was set over thereapers concerning the...
Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested...
... She went and came Near to thereapers, to glean after them: And lo, it was
her hap to light among Thereapers, which to Boaz did belong....
Thesaurus
Reapers (15 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Reapers (15 Occurrences). Matthew 9:37 Then He said to
His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the
reapers are few; (WEY).
...Gleaning (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Glean. 2. (n.) The act of gathering afterreapers; that
which is collected by gleaning. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GLEANING....
Bo'az (24 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:3 She went, and came and gleaned in the field after thereapers: and she
happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the...
Boaz (25 Occurrences)
... and protection to her, bidding her remain with his female workers, and charging
the men not to illtreat her, and also giving her of thereapers' food at...
Owner (56 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Owner (56 Occurrences). Matthew 9:38 therefore entreat
the Owner of the Harvest to send outreapers into His fields." (WEY)....
Entreat (55 Occurrences)
... in WEY NAS). Matthew 9:38 therefore entreat the Owner of the Harvest to
send outreapers into His fields." (WEY). Matthew 26:53 Or...
Abundant (124 Occurrences)
... do not also the tax-gatherers so? (YLT). Matthew 9:37 Then He said to His disciples,
"The harvest is abundant, but thereapers are few; (WEY YLT)....
Reaper (7 Occurrences)
... John 4:36 The reaper gets pay and gathers in a crop in preparation for the Life
of the Ages, that so the sower and thereapers may rejoice together....
Field (390 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 9:38 therefore entreat the Owner
of the Harvest to send outreapers into His fields." (Root in WEY BBE NIV)....
Glean (12 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To collect with patient and minute labor; to pick out; to obtain.
4. (vi) To gather stalks or ears of grain left byreapers....
Resources
What is the meaning of gleaning in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Ruth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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