Jump to: ATS • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, grinding was an essential daily activity, primarily associated with the preparation of grain for food. The process of grinding involved the use of millstones, which were tools used to crush and pulverize grains such as wheat and barley into flour. This activity is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing both the routine of daily life and deeper spiritual truths.Old Testament References Grinding is first mentioned in the context of daily sustenance. In Exodus 11:5, the Lord speaks of the impending plague on Egypt, stating, "And every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the servant girl who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle." Here, grinding is depicted as a common task performed by servant girls, highlighting its role in household duties. In Judges 16:21, the account of Samson provides a poignant image of grinding as a symbol of subjugation and humiliation. After being captured by the Philistines, Samson is bound and forced to grind grain in prison: "Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison." This act of grinding in captivity underscores Samson's fall from strength and freedom to weakness and bondage. New Testament References In the New Testament, grinding is used metaphorically to convey the suddenness of the coming of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 24:41, Jesus describes the unexpected nature of His return: "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left." This passage illustrates the separation that will occur at the end times, using the familiar image of women grinding at the mill to emphasize the normalcy of daily life interrupted by divine intervention. Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons Grinding in the Bible often symbolizes the labor and toil associated with human life. It serves as a reminder of the curse pronounced upon Adam in Genesis 3:19, where God declares, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it were you taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." The act of grinding, therefore, is emblematic of the effort required to sustain life in a fallen world. Moreover, grinding can represent the refining and purifying processes that believers undergo. Just as grain is crushed and refined to produce flour, so too are individuals shaped and molded through trials and tribulations to grow in faith and character. This theme is echoed in passages such as James 1:2-4, which encourages believers to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Cultural and Historical Context In ancient Israel, grinding was typically done using a pair of millstones. The upper stone, known as the "rider," was moved back and forth over the lower stationary stone, crushing the grain placed between them. This labor-intensive process was usually performed by women, as indicated in various biblical passages. The sound of grinding was a familiar and comforting aspect of daily life, and its absence was often associated with desolation and judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 25:10: "Moreover, I will banish from them the sound of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp." In summary, the concept of grinding in the Bible encompasses both the practical aspects of daily life and profound spiritual truths. It serves as a metaphor for labor, refinement, and the unexpected nature of divine intervention, while also providing insight into the cultural practices of ancient times. ATS Bible Dictionary GrindSee CORN. Easton's Bible Dictionary (Exodus 32:20; Deuteronomy 9:21; Judges 16:21), to crush small (Hebrews tahan); to oppress the poor (Isaiah 3:5). The hand-mill was early used by the Hebrews (Numbers 11:8). It consisted of two stones, the upper (Deuteronomy 24:6; 2 Samuel 11:21) being movable and slightly concave, the lower being stationary. The grinders mentioned Ecclesiastes 12:3 are the teeth. (see MILL.) Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To reduce to powder by friction, as in a mill, or with the teeth; to crush into small fragments; to produce as by the action of millstones.2. (v. t.) To wear down, polish, or sharpen, by friction; to make smooth, sharp, or pointed; to whet, as a knife or drill; to rub against one another, as teeth, etc. 3. (v. t.) To oppress by severe exactions; to harass. 4. (v. t.) To study hard for examination. 5. (v. i.) To perform the operation of grinding something; to turn the millstones. 6. (v. i.) To become ground or pulverized by friction; as, this corn grinds well. 7. (v. i.) To become polished or sharpened by friction; as, glass grinds smooth; steel grinds to a sharp edge. 8. (v. i.) To move with much difficulty or friction; to grate. 9. (v. i.) To perform hard and distasteful service; to drudge; to study hard, as for an examination. 10. (n.) The act of reducing to powder, or of sharpening, by friction. 11. (n.) Any severe continuous work or occupation; esp., hard and uninteresting study. 12. (n.) A hard student; a dig. Greek 229. aletho -- to grind ... 228, 229. aletho. 230 . to grind. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aletho Phonetic Spelling: (al-ay'-tho) Short Definition: I grind Definition: I grind ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/229.htm - 6k 5149. trizo -- to cry, chirp, to grind the teeth 3039. likmao -- to winnow, to scatter 1031. brucho -- to bite, to gnash 224. aleuron -- meal 3459. mulon -- mill. Strong's Hebrew 2912. tachan -- to grind... 2911b, 2912. tachan. 2913 . to grind. Transliteration: tachan Phonetic Spelling: (taw-khan') Short Definition: grind. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/2912.htm - 6k 2786. charaq -- to gnash or grind 2911. tchown -- grinding mill, hand mill 7058. qemach -- flour, meal Library Such is Our Doctrine of Punishment; and the Inculcation of this ... Meditation on God John Chapter i. 19-33 Monotony and Crises Retribution. Sowing and Reaping. February 28. On the Same Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42 The Practical Side of Religion Prayer. 1 John ii. 18-27 Thesaurus Grind (12 Occurrences)...Grind (12 Occurrences). Matthew 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. ... /g/grind.htm - 11k Grinding (13 Occurrences) Grinder (1 Occurrence) Powder (14 Occurrences) Ground (538 Occurrences) Gnash (12 Occurrences) Whomsoever (28 Occurrences) Bruise (19 Occurrences) Mill (9 Occurrences) Flour (69 Occurrences) Resources What is a millstone in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I stay focused on Christ? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible mean when it refers to the gnashing of teeth? | GotQuestions.org Grind: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Grind (12 Occurrences)Matthew 21:44 Luke 20:18 James 2:6 Numbers 11:8 Judges 16:21 Job 31:10 Proverbs 27:22 Isaiah 3:15 Isaiah 28:28 Isaiah 47:2 Lamentations 3:16 Lamentations 5:13 Subtopics Related Terms |
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