Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the term "fan" refers to an agricultural tool used for winnowing grain. The fan was an essential implement in the process of separating the wheat from the chaff, a task that was crucial for preparing grain for consumption or storage. The fan, often a type of fork or shovel, was used to toss the harvested grain into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff while the heavier grain fell back to the ground. This process is emblematic of purification and judgment in the Scriptures.Biblical References: 1. Isaiah 41:16 · The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of winnowing to describe the power and judgment of God: "You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel." Here, the fan symbolizes God's ability to separate the righteous from the wicked, ensuring that only what is valuable remains. 2. Jeremiah 15:7 · In this passage, God declares His intention to use a fan as a metaphor for judgment upon His people: "I will winnow them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land. I will bereave them of children; I will destroy My people, for they did not turn from their ways." The fan represents the divine judgment that purifies and refines, removing those who are unfaithful. 3. Matthew 3:12 · John the Baptist speaks of the coming Messiah using the imagery of a winnowing fan: "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 passage highlights the role of Christ as the ultimate judge who will separate the righteous from the unrighteous at the end of the age. 4. Luke 3:17 · Similar to Matthew, Luke records John the Baptist's proclamation: "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." The fan here is a symbol of the discerning and purifying work of Christ, emphasizing the finality and seriousness of divine judgment. Symbolism and Interpretation: The fan, as depicted in the Bible, is rich in symbolic meaning. It represents the process of discernment and purification, where God separates the faithful from the unfaithful. This imagery is often associated with judgment, where the righteous are preserved and the wicked are cast away. The fan underscores the importance of spiritual integrity and the inevitable divine judgment that awaits all humanity. In a broader theological context, the fan serves as a reminder of the need for personal holiness and the pursuit of righteousness. It calls believers to examine their lives, ensuring that they are aligned with God's will and prepared for the day of judgment. The fan, therefore, is not only a tool of physical separation but also a powerful metaphor for spiritual readiness and accountability before God. Easton's Bible Dictionary A winnowing shovel by which grain was thrown up against the wind that it might be cleansed from broken straw and chaff (Isaiah 30:24; Jeremiah 15:7; Matthew 3:12). (see AGRICULTURE.) Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) An instrument used for producing artificial currents of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface2. (n.) An instrument for cooling the person, made of feathers, paper, silk, etc., and often mounted on sticks all turning about the same pivot, so as when opened to radiate from the center and assume the figure of a section of a circle. 3. (n.) Any revolving vane or vanes used for producing currents of air, in winnowing grain, blowing a fire, ventilation, etc., or for checking rapid motion by the resistance of the air; a fan blower; a fan wheel. 4. (n.) An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away. 5. (n.) Something in the form of a fan when spread, as a peacock's tail, a window, etc. 6. (n.) A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock windmill always in the direction of the wind. 7. (n.) That which produces effects analogous to those of a fan, as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames, heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the flame of his passion. 8. (n.) A quintain; -- from its form. 9. (n.) To move as with a fan. 10. (n.) To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow the air on the face of with a fan. 11. (n.) To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion. 12. (n.) To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a current of air; as, to fan wheat. 13. (n.) To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan excites a flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the excitement of the populace. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia FAN, FANNERfan'-er: The word "fan" occurs 3 times only in the American Standard Revised Version (Jeremiah 15:7 Matthew 3:12 Luke 3:17). In Isaiah 30:24 mizreh is translated "fork," which is a much better translation if the instrument referred to was shaped like the winnowing fork used by the Syrian farmer today and still so called. In Isaiah 41:16 Jeremiah 4:11; Jeremiah 15:7, the verb zarah is rendered "winnow" in the American Standard Revised Version. In Jeremiah 51:2, the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "strangers" for "fanners." Greek 4494. rhipizo -- to fan, generally to make a breeze ... to fan, generally to make a breeze. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: rhipizo Phonetic Spelling: (hrip-id'-zo) Short Definition: I toss to and fro Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4494.htm - 6k 4425. ptuon -- a winnowing shovel 3039. likmao -- to winnow, to scatter 329. anazopureo -- to kindle afresh 1717. emphanes -- manifest 5326. phantasma -- an appearance, apparition 5324. phantazo -- to make visible, to become visible 642. aporphanizo -- to be bereaved 4481. Rhemphan -- Remphan. 5323. Phanouel -- Phanuel, an Israelite Strong's Hebrew 2219. zarah -- to scatter, fan, winnow... 2218, 2219. zarah. 2220 . to scatter, fan, winnow. Transliteration: zarah Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-raw') Short Definition: scatter. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/2219.htm - 6k 4214. mizreh -- a pitchfork 8226. saphan -- treasure 3719. kaphan -- to be hungry, to hunger 6315. puach -- to breathe, blow 6845. tsaphan -- to hide, treasure up 5603. saphan -- to cover, cover in, panel Library The Fan. Matthew iii. 12 The Fan-Bearer's Quest The Great Furnace for a Great Soul The Story of an Opium Smoker At Masaarah The Love of Rameses Tee Advice of Hotep The Heir Intervenes Texts of Holy Scripture Used by These Heretics to Support their ... The Heir to the Throne Thesaurus Fan (8 Occurrences)... producing currents of air, in winnowing grain, blowing a fire, ventilation, etc., or for checking rapid motion by the resistance of the air; a fan blower; a ... /f/fan.htm - 12k Winnowing-fan (1 Occurrence) Fanner Winnowing (7 Occurrences) Garner (4 Occurrences) Granary (4 Occurrences) Winnow (5 Occurrences) Fork (8 Occurrences) Throughly (10 Occurrences) Elizaphan (4 Occurrences) Resources Is it wrong for a Christian to be a fan of superhero fiction? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to stir up the gift (2 Timothy 1:6)? | GotQuestions.org Knowing Jesus vs. knowing about Jesus-what is the difference? | GotQuestions.org Fan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Fan (8 Occurrences)Matthew 3:12 Luke 3:17 2 Timothy 1:6 Isaiah 30:24 Isaiah 41:16 Jeremiah 4:11 Jeremiah 15:7 Jeremiah 51:2 Subtopics Related Terms Winnowing-shovel (2 Occurrences) Threshingfloor (18 Occurrences) |
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