Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical contexts, the term "rubbed" is often associated with actions involving the preparation or handling of grain, particularly in the context of Sabbath observance and agricultural practices. The act of rubbing grain is mentioned in the Gospels, where it becomes a point of contention between Jesus and the Pharisees.
Biblical Reference:One of the key passages where "rubbed" is mentioned is in the Gospel of Luke. In
Luke 6:1 , it is written: "One Sabbath, Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them." This action of rubbing the grain in their hands was a common method to separate the edible part of the grain from the chaff, making it ready for consumption.
Cultural and Religious Context:In the Jewish tradition, the Sabbath is a day of rest, and work is prohibited. The Pharisees, who were strict adherents to the Law, considered the disciples' act of rubbing grain as a form of work, thus violating the Sabbath. This incident highlights the tension between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the interpretation and application of the Law. Jesus responds to their criticism by emphasizing the spirit of the Law over the letter, pointing to the example of David eating the consecrated bread when he was hungry (
Luke 6:3-4).
Theological Implications:The act of rubbing grain on the Sabbath raises important theological questions about the nature of the Law and the purpose of the Sabbath. Jesus' response to the Pharisees underscores His authority over the Sabbath and His role as the Lord of the Sabbath (
Luke 6:5). This incident illustrates the broader theme of Jesus' ministry, where He challenges legalistic interpretations of the Law and emphasizes mercy, compassion, and the needs of individuals.
Agricultural Practices:Rubbing grain was a simple, manual process used by individuals to prepare small amounts of grain for immediate consumption. This practice reflects the agrarian lifestyle of the people in biblical times, where grain was a staple food. The act of rubbing grain by hand was a practical and efficient way to access nourishment while traveling or working in the fields.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:The narrative of the disciples rubbing grain on the Sabbath invites reflection on the balance between religious observance and human need. It challenges believers to consider the heart of God's commandments and the importance of prioritizing love and compassion over rigid adherence to rules. This account encourages a deeper understanding of the purpose of the Sabbath as a gift for rest and renewal, rather than a burden of legalistic restrictions.
In summary, the act of rubbing grain in the biblical narrative serves as a focal point for discussions on Sabbath observance, the interpretation of the Law, and the compassionate nature of Jesus' ministry. It invites believers to reflect on the true meaning of rest and the importance of meeting human needs within the framework of God's commandments.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Rub.
Greek
5596. psomion -- a fragment, morsel... morsel, crumb. Diminutive from a derivative of the base of psocho; a crumb or morsel
(as if
rubbed off), ie A mouthful -- sop. see GREEK psocho.
...931. basanos -- a touchstone (a dark stone used in testing metals)...
... 931 () was "originally (from oriental origin) a touchstone; a 'Lydian stone' used
for testing gold because pure goldrubbed on it left a peculiar mark....
3459. mulon -- mill.
... people. One person dropped a handful of grain on a lower stone, while the other
rubbed another stone back-and-forth on it to grind the grain....
Strong's Hebrew
4795. maruq -- a scraping, rubbing... purification. From maraq; properly,
rubbed; but used abstractly, a rubbing (with
perfumery) -- purification. see HEBREW maraq. 4794, 4795. maruq. 4796 .
...4414b. malach -- to salt, season
... Word Origin denominative verb from melach Definition to salt, season NASB Word Usage
rubbed with salt (1), salted (1), season (1). 4414a, 4414b....
2470. chalah -- to be weak or sick
... A primitive root (compare chuwl, chalah, chalal); properly, to berubbed or worn;
hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve...
4803. marat -- to make smooth, bare or bald, to scour, polish
... to scour, polish NASB Word Usage becomes bald (1), loses the hair (1), pluck out
the beard (1), polished (6), pulled (1), pulled out hair (1),rubbed bare (1...
Library
The Little Match Girl
... A second wasrubbed against the wall.... And she hastilyrubbed the whole bundle
of matches, for she wished to hold her grandmother fast....
Salt Without Savour
... faithful handful, who have partially apprehended the meaning of My mission, and
have caught something of the spirit of My life, you are to berubbed into that...
Explaining the Divine Life.
... Suddenly she thought, "If I daub a lot of ink on my face, perhaps she will let
me wash"; and sherubbed some on with her finger. But alas!...
Whose Image and Superscription?
... beasts that perish,' says one of the psalms, the men become who, by the acids and
the files of worldliness and sensuality and passion, have sorubbed away the...
The Lone Man who Went Before
... and farmers, dwellers in the city and country, scholars and tradesmen, crude and
refined, richly clad and ragged,"all sorts contentedlyrubbed elbows and...
How to Read the Bible
... to tear and rend. Our Lord's disciples had plucked some ears of corn, and
rubbed them between their hands. According to Pharisaic...
Jefferson -- the Reconciliation
... Version only once, and that is in the fifth chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans;
but a few years ago, when the revisers went to work, theyrubbed out the...
Call to China and Voyage Hence
... to take the place of Mohammed, who had passed away, the voice of Hohab was heard
crying out, "Attend to me, attend to me, for I am the well-rubbed Palm-stem...
The Runaway
... The servantrubbed his eyes sleepily, then gazed in astonishment at the
brilliant figure standing in the half-light beside his bed....
How Mary and Joseph Fled with Him into Egypt.
... And as He was walking through a field of corn, He stretched forth His hand, and
took of the ears, and put them over the fire, andrubbed them, and began to eat...
Thesaurus
Rubbed (10 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Rub. Multi-Version Concordance
Rubbed (10 Occurrences). John 9:6 These things saying, he
...Paste (10 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:41 And he will have the houserubbed all over inside, and the paste
which isrubbed off will be put out into an unclean place outside the town...
Dyeing
... After the ram's skin has been tanned in sumac, it is laid out on a table and a
solution of the dye, made by boiling dud in water, isrubbed on....
Dye (1 Occurrence)
... After the ram's skin has been tanned in sumac, it is laid out on a table and a
solution of the dye, made by boiling dud in water, isrubbed on....
Rubbing (7 Occurrences)
Rub (1 Occurrence)
Untempered (5 Occurrences)
... The surface isrubbed smooth and is attractive in appearance. This coating prolongs
the life of the wall but requires yearly attention if the wall is to stand....
Living-places (17 Occurrences)
... so that your altars may be broken down and made waste, and your images broken and
ended, and so that your sun-images may be cut down and your worksrubbed out....
Walls (152 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:43 And if the disease comes out again in the house after he has taken
out the stones and after the walls have beenrubbed and the new paste put on...
Filing (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of File. 2. (n.) A fragment or particlerubbed off by the act
of filing; as, iron filings. Multi-Version Concordance Filing (1 Occurrence)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about confrontation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the history of crucifixion? What was crucifixion like? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the most famous/important questions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgRubbed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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