Topical Encyclopedia
A threshingfloor in biblical times was a critical agricultural site where the process of threshing grain took place. This process involved separating the edible part of the grain from the chaff, typically using tools like a flail or by having animals tread over the grain. Threshingfloors were often located on elevated, open areas to take advantage of the wind, which would carry away the lighter chaff when the grain was tossed into the air.
Biblical SignificanceThreshingfloors hold significant symbolic and historical importance in the Bible. They are often associated with divine encounters, judgment, and provision. One of the most notable threshingfloors in Scripture is the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite, which King David purchased to build an altar to the LORD. This site later became the location for Solomon's Temple. In
2 Samuel 24:18-25 , the narrative describes how David, instructed by the prophet Gad, built an altar on Araunah's threshingfloor to stop a plague sent as judgment upon Israel. The passage highlights the threshingfloor as a place of sacrifice and divine mercy.
Symbolism and ImageryThreshingfloors are often used metaphorically in the Bible to represent judgment and purification. The process of separating wheat from chaff is likened to God's judgment, where the righteous are distinguished from the wicked. In
Matthew 3:12 , John the Baptist speaks of Jesus, 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 underscores the theme of divine judgment and the ultimate separation of good from evil.
Cultural and Religious PracticesThreshingfloors were not only agricultural sites but also places of social and religious activity. The Book of Ruth provides a glimpse into the cultural practices associated with threshingfloors. In
Ruth 3:6-9 , Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshingfloor, following Naomi's instructions to seek his protection and propose marriage. This event highlights the threshingfloor as a place of significant personal and covenantal interactions.
Historical ContextIn ancient Israel, threshingfloors were communal spaces, often shared by multiple families or communities. They were typically circular and made of hard-packed earth or stone. The location and construction of a threshingfloor were crucial for effective threshing, as the wind played a vital role in the winnowing process. The communal nature of threshingfloors also made them places of gathering and social exchange.
Spiritual LessonsThe imagery of the threshingfloor in Scripture serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the refining process He undertakes in the lives of His people. Just as grain is threshed to separate the valuable from the worthless, believers are called to undergo spiritual refinement, allowing God to remove impurities and produce a harvest of righteousness. The threshingfloor thus becomes a symbol of transformation and divine purpose in the life of a believer.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHIDON, THE THRESHING-FLOOR OFki'-don, (goren kidhon; Septuagint B, omits; A has Cheilo): The place where Uzza perished because he touched the ark (1 Chronicles 13:9). In2 Samuel 6:6 it is called the threshing-floor of Nachon. No name resembling either of these has been discovered.
THRESHING-FLOOR
thresh'-ing-flor (goren; halon; 'iddar, occurs inDaniel 2:35): The location and method of making threshing-floors have already been described under AGRICULTURE. These floors have come into prominence because of the Biblical events which occurred on or near them. Joseph with his kinsmen and Egyptian followers halted for seven days at the threshing-floor of Atad to lament the death of Jacob (Genesis 50:10). Probably there was a group of floors furnishing a convenient spot for a caravan to stop. Travelers today welcome the sight of a threshing-floor at their halting-place. The hard, level spot is a much preferable to the surrounding stony fields for their tents.
David built an altar on Ornan's (Araunah's) threshing-floor (2 Samuel 24:18-241 Chronicles 21:18-27), which later became the site of the Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). David probably chose this place for his altar because it was on an elevation, and the ground was already level and prepared by rolling. Uzzah died near the threshing-floor of Nacon for touching the ark (2 Samuel 6:6). Ruth reveals herself to Boaz on his threshing-floor (Ruth 3:6-9).
Threshing-floors are in danger of being robbed (1 Samuel 23:1). For this reason, someone always sleeps on the floor until the grain is removed (Ruth 3:7). In Syria, at the threshing season, it is customary for the family to move out to the vicinity of the threshing-floor. A booth is constructed for shade; the mother prepares the meals and takes her turn with the father and children at riding on the sledge.
The instruments of the threshing-floor referred to in2 Samuel 24:22 were probably:
(1) the wooden drag or sledge, charuts or moragh, Arabic lauch eddiras;
(2) the fan (fork), mizreh, Arabic midra, for separating straw from wheat;
(3) shovel, meghraphah, Arabic mirfashat, for tossing the wheat into the air in winnowing;
(4) broom, maT'aTe', for sweeping the floor between threshing and for collecting the wheat after winnowing;
(5) goad, malmedh, Arabic messas;
(6) the yoke, `ol, Arabic tauk;
(7) sieve, kebharah, Arabic gharbal;
(8) dung catcher, Arabic milkat.
Strong's Hebrew
147. iddar -- a threshing floor... threshing floor. (Aramaic) intensive, from a root corresponding to 'adar; ample,
ie A threshing-floor --
threshingfloor. see HEBREW 'adar. 146, 147.
...Library
One Worker Preparing for Another
... 1 CHRONICLES 21:25-30; 22. David was commanded to go to Ornan, or Araunah, the
Jebusite, to rear an altar unto the Lord in histhreshingfloor....
The Best of All, God is with Us
... according to our iniquities.". 15, 16. And the angel of the LORD stood by the
threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. And David lifted up...
Ep. cxcvii. A Letter of Condolence on the Death of his Sister...
... be most heavy, namely to have lived with such a soul, and to send her away and store
her up in the safe garners, like a shock of thethreshingfloor gathered in...
The Son of the Maker is Like unto his Father as Maker!
... Ruth lay down by a man in thethreshingfloor for Thy sake; her love made her
bold for Thy sake, O Thou that teachest all penitents boldness....
Thesaurus
Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences)... Arabic milkat. Multi-Version Concordance
Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences).
Genesis 50:10 And they came to the
threshingfloor of Atad
...Nachon's (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Samuel 6:6 And when they came to Nachon'sthreshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his
hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it....
Nachon (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 6:6 And when they came to Nachon'sthreshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his
hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it....
Jeb'usite (8 Occurrences)
... in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father; for which provision
had been made in the Place of David, in thethreshingfloor of Ornan the...
Winnoweth (2 Occurrences)
... Ruth 3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold,
he winnoweth barley to night in thethreshingfloor. (KJV JPS ASV WBS)....
Mori'ah (2 Occurrences)
... in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father; for which provision
had been made in the Place of David, in thethreshingfloor of Ornan the...
Threshing-floor (36 Occurrences)
Threshing-floor.Threshingfloor, Threshing-floor. Threshingfloors . Int.... (See
JPS ASV DBY YLT).Threshingfloor, Threshing-floor. Threshingfloors ....
Shook (33 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Samuel 6:6 And when they came to Nachon'sthreshingfloor, Uzzah put
forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it....
Mourning (85 Occurrences)
... Genesis 50:10 And they came to thethreshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan,
and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a...
Repented (49 Occurrences)
... thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by thethreshingfloor of Ornan
the Jebusite. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). 2 Chronicles...
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