Bible Dictionary
Threshing
Threshing was the agricultural process of separating grain from its husks, commonly by trampling or beating it. Scripture also uses threshing figuratively for overcoming enemies or difficulties and for divine judgment.
Definition
Threshing is the agricultural process of separating grain from its husks, literally involving the trampling out of grain. Some produce, such as fitches and cummin, was beaten with a rod rather than threshed in the same manner as grain.
Biblical Usage
Threshing is used figuratively for overcoming great difficulties, destroying enemies, and gathering peoples for judgment. It also portrays Babylon’s destruction and an abundant harvest.
Historical Background
Gideon beat wheat in a winepress to avoid being seen by the Midianites. Threshing operations were normally associated with a threshing floor, while beating was used for particular seeds.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
See AGRICULTURE.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Agriculture]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>thresh'-ing (dush; aloao): Dush means literally, "to trample out." In Jer 51:33, darakh, is used of threshing. Fitches and cummin were beaten off with a rod. The distinction between beating and threshing is made in Isa 28:27. Gideon, in order to avoid being seen by the Midianites, beat out his wheat in a wine press instead of threshing it on the threshing-floor (Jud 6:11). For a general description of the threshing operations see AGRICULTURE.</p><p>Figurative: "Thou shalt thresh the mountains," i.e. thou wilt overcome great difficulties (Isa 41:15). Babylon's destruction was foretold poetically in the language of the threshing-floor (Isa 21:10; Jer 51:33; Da 2:35); Zion's foes would be gathered as sheaves on the threshing-floor (Mic 4:12,13; compare 2Ki 13:7; Am 1:3; Hab 3:12); threshing unto the vintage, i.e. throughout the summer, indicated an extra abundant yield (Le 26:5).</p><p>James A. Patch</p>