The term "gatherest" is an archaic form of the verb "gather," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is primarily used to describe the act of collecting, assembling, or bringing together. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of gathering is significant both in literal and metaphorical senses, reflecting themes of community, harvest, and divine intervention.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the act of gathering is often associated with agricultural practices, reflecting the agrarian society of ancient Israel. For example, in the context of the harvest, the Israelites were instructed to gather crops as part of their sustenance and religious observance. Leviticus 23:22 states, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the importance of gathering not only for personal benefit but also for community welfare and obedience to God's law.

The concept of gathering also extends to the assembly of people, particularly in worship and communal activities. In Exodus 32:1 , the people gathered around Aaron when Moses delayed coming down from Mount Sinai, demonstrating the human tendency to seek leadership and direction in times of uncertainty.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the theme of gathering takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus often spoke of gathering in the context of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 23:37 , Jesus laments over Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling." Here, the imagery of gathering conveys Jesus' desire to protect and nurture His people, highlighting His role as a shepherd and caretaker.

The early Christian community is also depicted as a gathered assembly of believers. Acts 2:44 describes the early church: "All the believers were together and had everything in common." This gathering of believers was foundational to the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the Church.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the act of gathering is rich with meaning. It signifies God's desire to bring His people together, both physically and spiritually. The gathering of Israel in the Old Testament foreshadows the gathering of all nations in the New Testament through Christ. This eschatological gathering is further emphasized in passages like Matthew 24:31 , where it is written, "And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."

In summary, "gatherest" and its related forms in the Bible highlight the importance of community, divine provision, and the ultimate gathering of believers in God's eternal kingdom. The act of gathering serves as a reminder of God's ongoing work in uniting His people and fulfilling His promises throughout history.

Do the Heaven and Earth Then Contain Thee, Since Thou Fillest Them ...
... And when Thou art poured out on us, Thou art not cast down, but Thou upliftest
us; Thou art not dissipated, but Thou gatherest us. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iii do the heaven.htm

Epistle xxxvi. To Peter the Subdeacon.
... Judge who is to come, restore all things that have been sinfully taken away, knowing
that thou bringest great gain to me, if thou gatherest [heavenly] reward ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxvi to peter the.htm

O, Death, be not Thou Boastful, Over the Just
... midst of Sheol."32. Let praise ascend from all to Thee Who quickenest
all, and from every quarter gatherest the dust of Adam! ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lxviii o death be.htm

Simon Cephas Said unto Him, Our Lord, is it to us that Thou Hast ...
... the one talent came forward and said, My lord, I knew thee that thou art a severe
man, who reapest where thou [33] sowest not, and gatherest where thou didst ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xliii simon cephas said.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. vi. 19, "Lay not up for ...
... my walls will scarce hold what I get, how then am I disquieted in vain?" "Thou art
heaping up treasure, and dost not know for whom thou gatherest it." Or if ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon x on the words.htm

Obadiah
... Do thy diligence to give of what thou hast; for so gatherest thou thyself in the
day of necessity, in which, with what measure you have measured to others, God ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ix obadiah.htm

Political and Religious Life of the Jewish Dispersion in the West ...
... Blessed be Thou, O Lord! Who gatherest the outcasts of Thy people Israel.' [355]
That prayer included in its generality also the lost ten tribes. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi political and religious.htm

Life and Conduct of the Holy Women, Xanthippe, Polyxena, and ...
... Thou hast not hesitated to come to us, thou that fishest the dry land in thy course,
and gatherest the fish that fall in thy way into the net of the kingdom of ...
/.../unknown/the acts of xanthippe and polyxena/life and conduct of the.htm

Matt. xiii. 53
... Nay, what can be more unpleasing than this, when thou smitest him that is made after
God's likeness, and from thine insolence to him gatherest enjoyment for ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xlviii matt xiii 53.htm

On Admonition and Repentance.
... The earth and the fruit of the tree cry that there is a season for all things. The
seed thou sowest in the winter, in the summer thou gatherest its harvest. ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/on admonition and repentance.htm

Gatherest (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gatherest (4 Occurrences). Exodus 23:16 and the
feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which ...
/g/gatherest.htm - 7k

Gospel (108 Occurrences)
... And from whencesoever thou gatherest me, in gathering me thou gatherest thyself."
See LOGIA; and compare Ropes, Die Spruche Jesu, 56. GOSPEL. ...
/g/gospel.htm - 101k

Eve (5 Occurrences)
... And from whencesoever thou gatherest me, in gathering me thou gatherest thyself."
See LOGIA; and compare Ropes, Die Spruche Jesu, 56. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/e/eve.htm - 16k

Labours (19 Occurrences)
... harvest, the first-fruits of thy labours which thou hast sown in the field, and
the feast of in-gathering, at the end of the year, when thou gatherest in thy ...
/l/labours.htm - 12k

Gatherers (2 Occurrences)

/g/gatherers.htm - 7k

In-gathering (3 Occurrences)
... harvest, the first-fruits of thy labours which thou hast sown in the field, and
the feast of in-gathering, at the end of the year, when thou gatherest in thy ...
/i/in-gathering.htm - 7k

Sowest (7 Occurrences)
... of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou sowest in the field: and
the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year, when thou gatherest in thy ...
/s/sowest.htm - 8k

Gathereth (65 Occurrences)

/g/gathereth.htm - 26k

First-fruits (45 Occurrences)
... of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou sowest in the field: and
the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year, when thou gatherest in thy ...
/f/first-fruits.htm - 27k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus