Grainfields hold significant importance in the biblical narrative, serving as both a literal and symbolic element throughout Scripture. They are often associated with sustenance, provision, and the agricultural lifestyle of ancient Israel. The cultivation of grain, primarily wheat and barley, was central to the economy and daily life of the Israelites, and grainfields are frequently mentioned in various contexts in the Bible.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, grainfields are depicted as a sign of God's provision and blessing. The Promised Land is described as "a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey" (Deuteronomy 8:8). This description underscores the fertility and abundance that God promised to His people.

The account of Ruth provides a vivid depiction of life in the grainfields. Ruth, a Moabite widow, gleans in the fields of Boaz during the barley harvest, an act that leads to her eventual marriage to Boaz and her inclusion in the lineage of King David (Ruth 2:2-3). This narrative highlights the social and economic practices surrounding grainfields, such as gleaning, which was a provision for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 19:9-10).

New Testament References

In the New Testament, grainfields continue to play a role in the teachings and actions of Jesus. One notable instance is when Jesus and His disciples walk through the grainfields on the Sabbath. The disciples begin to pick heads of grain, prompting the Pharisees to question Jesus about the legality of their actions on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-2). Jesus responds by emphasizing mercy over sacrifice and declaring Himself "Lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:7-8). This incident illustrates the tension between legalistic interpretations of the law and the spirit of compassion and mercy that Jesus advocated.

Grainfields also serve as a backdrop for Jesus' parables, which often draw on agricultural imagery to convey spiritual truths. The Parable of the Sower, for example, uses the sowing of seed in different types of soil to illustrate the reception of God's word in the hearts of people (Matthew 13:3-9). Similarly, the Parable of the Weeds describes the kingdom of heaven as a field where both wheat and weeds grow until the harvest, symbolizing the coexistence of good and evil until the final judgment (Matthew 13:24-30).

Symbolic Significance

Beyond their literal presence, grainfields carry symbolic meaning in the Bible. They often represent God's provision and the spiritual nourishment that comes from His word. The imagery of harvest is frequently used to depict the gathering of believers into God's kingdom. Jesus refers to the fields as "ripe for harvest," urging His followers to recognize the urgency of spreading the gospel (John 4:35).

In prophetic literature, grainfields can symbolize both blessing and judgment. The abundance of grain is a sign of divine favor, while the destruction of crops is a metaphor for God's judgment on a disobedient people (Joel 1:10-12).

Cultural and Historical Context

Understanding the cultural and historical context of grainfields in biblical times enhances the appreciation of their significance. Agriculture was the backbone of the ancient Near Eastern economy, and the cycle of planting and harvest was integral to the rhythm of life. Festivals such as the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) celebrated the grain harvest and acknowledged God's provision (Exodus 34:22).

In summary, grainfields in the Bible are rich with meaning, reflecting both the physical sustenance they provided and the deeper spiritual truths they illustrate. They serve as a testament to God's provision, the social practices of ancient Israel, and the teachings of Jesus that continue to resonate with believers today.4702. sporimos -- sown, ie a sown field
... neut. plur: sown fields. Word Origin from speiro Definition sown, ie a sown
field NASB Word Usage grainfields (3). cornfield. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4702.htm - 6k

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went {
^b was going} on the { ^ca} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxviii jesus defends disciples who.htm

The Social Test of Religion
... And it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields;
and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ix the social test.htm

Plucking Grain on the Sabbath.
... At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples
were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat, rubbing them in their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/plucking grain on the sabbath.htm

The Land and the People.
... mosque, marks her grave; where Ruth was rewarded for her filial devotion, and children
may still be seen gleaning after the reapers in the grainfields, as she ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 17 the land and.htm

B. The Second Period. Chs. 5:1 to 6:11
... 1 Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and
his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.2 ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second period chs.htm

Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... are white already unto harvest. [Jacob's well overlooked the luxuriant
grainfields of the plain of Moreh. As the disciples looked ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvi jesus sets out from 2.htm

Grainfields (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Grainfields (3 Occurrences). Matthew 12:1 At that
season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields...
/g/grainfields.htm - 7k

Keilah (16 Occurrences)
... It is a hill covered with ruins in the higher part of Wady es Sur, 1,575 ft. above
sea-level, whose terraced sides are covered with grainfields. ...
/k/keilah.htm - 15k

Grain-field (1 Occurrence)
Grain-field. Grainfield, Grain-field. Grainfields . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Grainfield, Grain-field. Grainfields . Reference Bible.
/g/grain-field.htm - 6k

Grain-fields (3 Occurrences)
Grain-fields. Grainfields, Grain-fields. Grain-floor . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Grainfields, Grain-fields. Grain-floor . Reference Bible.
/g/grain-fields.htm - 7k

Tail (16 Occurrences)
... Hebrew word is used of the tails of serpents (Exodus 4:4), of foxes, which Samson
tied together in his cruel sport, in order to destroy the grainfields of the ...
/t/tail.htm - 13k

Season (101 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:1 At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields;
and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat. (ASV). ...
/s/season.htm - 38k

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