Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Threshing
Subjects in this Topic:
(prop. äåּùׁ ; but sometimes äַãְøַéêְ , to tread out, ἀëïÜåéí ; and occasionally çָáִè ). The Hebrews made use of three different-processes for separating the grain from the stalk (comp. Isa_28:27 sq.), an operation always carried on in the open air. SEE STRAW.
1. In the earliest period, and even later for small quantities, especially in the former part of the harvest season, and for the frailer kinds of grain, the seed was beaten out with sticks ( çָáִè , Sept. ῥáâäßæåéí ). This was a process applied to other agricultural products (Jerome, ad Isaiah loc. cit.), as well as to field grain (Jdg_6:11;. Rth_2:17; Isa_28:27; comp. Columel. 2, 21; Strabo, 4:201). It is a method still in use in the East (Robinson, 2, 650; 3, 233). SEE HARVEST.
2. Usually, however, horned cattle (Mishna, Shebiith, 5, 8, as still in Egypt, Arabia, and Syria), seldom asses or (in modern times) horses (Shaw, p. 124; Buckingham, p. 288), were driven around, usually yoked in pairs or several abreast, and these, by means of their hoofs (Mic_4:13), cut up and separated the chaff and straw from the grain (Isa_28:28; Jer_50:11; Hos_10:11; comp. Varro, De Re Rust. 1, 51; Homer, 11. 20:495 sq.; Pliny, 18:72). So also in ancient Egypt (Wilkinson, 2nd ser. 1, 87, 90). SEE THRESHING-FLOOR.
3. The most, effectual method of threshing was by means of threshing- machines ( îåֹøִâ çִøåּåֹ [Arab. noraj], or simply çָøåּåֹ , Isa_28:27; Isa_41:15; Job_41:22; also áִּøְ÷ָï , Jdg_8:7; Jdg_8:16; see Gesen. Thesaur. p. 244; ôñßâïëïí , tribulum, Pliny, 18:72; Talm. èøéáì ). These consisted sometimes of a wooden plank (trahea, or traha) set with sharp stones or iron points, which was dragged over the sheaves (Rashi, on Isa_41:15; comp. Varro, 1, 52; Columel. 2, 21; Virgil, Georg. 1, 164), sometimes of a sort of cart or wheeled sledge (plostellum Phanicum; comp. Jerome, ad Isa_25:10; Isa_28:27). Such a wagon is mentioned in Isa_28:27 sq. ( àåֹôִï òֲâָìָä and âִּìְâִּì òֲâָìָä ). SEE THRESHING- INSTRUMENT.
Cattle were used for this vehicle, as usually still among the Arabians (Wellsted, 1, 194); and the Mosaic law forbade the yoking-together of various kinds of beasts, as well as the muzzling of the animals (Deu_25:4; Josephus, Ant. 4:8, 21; 1Co_9:9; Talmud, Kelim, 16:7; comp. Elian, Anim. 4:25), a usage prevalent among the ancient Egyptians and other nations (Bochart, Hieroz. 1, 401; comp. Michaelis, Mos. Recht, 3, 130). SEE MUZZLE.
Threshing is frequently employed by the Hebrew poets as a figure of the divine or providential chastisements, especially national invasion (Isa_41:15; Jer_51:33; Mic_4:13; Hab_3:12). In one passage (Isa_21:10), the bruised grain is made an image of the captive Jews. See generally Schöttgen, Triturce et Fullonice Antiquitates (Tr. ad Rh. 1727; Lips. 1763); Paulsen, Ackersbau, p. 110 sq. SEE AGRICULTURE.