Groats refer to hulled grains, such as oats, wheat, or barley, that have been minimally processed to remove the outer husk but retain the nutritious bran and germ. In biblical times, grains were a staple food, and groats would have been a common form of grain consumption. While the term "groats" itself does not appear in the Bible, the consumption and significance of grains are well-documented throughout the Scriptures.

Biblical Context and Significance

Grains, including those that would be processed into groats, were central to the diet and economy of ancient Israel. They were used in various forms, such as bread, porridge, and offerings. The Bible frequently mentions grains like barley and wheat, which were likely consumed in forms similar to groats.

Barley and Wheat

Barley and wheat are the most frequently mentioned grains in the Bible. Barley was often considered a staple for the poorer classes, while wheat was more highly valued. In the Book of Ruth, we see the significance of barley during the harvest season: "So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah" (Ruth 2:17). This passage highlights the importance of barley as a source of sustenance and economic activity.

Grain Offerings

Grain offerings were an integral part of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament. Leviticus 2 provides detailed instructions for grain offerings, which could include fine flour, oil, and frankincense. While groats are not explicitly mentioned, the use of whole grains in offerings underscores their value and sacredness: "When anyone presents a grain offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it" (Leviticus 2:1).

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Grains, including those in the form of groats, often symbolize God's provision and blessing. In Psalm 65:9-13, the abundance of grain is a sign of divine favor: "You visit the earth and water it; You greatly enrich it. The stream of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it" (Psalm 65:9). This imagery reflects the belief that God is the ultimate provider of sustenance and prosperity.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not specifically mention groats, grains continue to play a symbolic role. Jesus uses grain imagery in His parables to convey spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Sower, the seed represents the Word of God, and the different types of soil illustrate the varied responses to the Gospel (Matthew 13:3-9).

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Israel, the process of preparing grains like groats involved threshing, winnowing, and grinding. These labor-intensive methods highlight the agrarian lifestyle of biblical times and the reliance on God's provision through the land. The preparation and consumption of grains were communal activities, often associated with feasts and celebrations.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not specifically mention groats, the broader context of grain consumption and its spiritual symbolism provides insight into their likely role in biblical times. Grains were not only a dietary staple but also a means of worship and a symbol of God's abundant provision.(n. pl.) Dried grain, as oats or wheat, hulled and broken or crushed; in high milling, cracked fragments of wheat larger than grits.

The Destruction of Babylon.
... Incest, if not detected, was to cost five groats; and six, if it was known. There
was a stated price for murder, infanticide, adultery, perjury, burglary, &c. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the destruction of babylon.htm

The Bishop at Work
... It was a fine basis for military operations.{7} He loosed some of the people's
burdens to make them pay more groats. He unlocked the gaols. ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter v the bishop at.htm

A Monster Called a Declaration
... if the paper and writing together were only sixpence a sheet, when they have stripped
him already of his little all and not left him fourteen groats in the ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/a monster called a declaration.htm

Christ --Perfect through Sufferings
... That need is very great. The sinner needs everything. The beggar at the door of
Christ, asks not for crumbs or groats, but needs all that Christ can give. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christperfect through sufferings.htm

The Throne of Grace
... Nay, it becomes not a King to be giving away pence and groats, he distributes pieces
of broad gold; he scatters not as poor men must, scraps of bread and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the throne of grace.htm

Knox in England: the Black Rubric: Exile: 1549-1554
... {40c}. Nor was there any reason why Knox should stay in England to be burned, if
he could escape"with less than ten groats in his pocket"as he did. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter iv knox in england .htm

Life of Bunyan
... I could look from myself to him, and would reckon that all those graces of God that
now were green on me, were yet but like those cracked groats and fourpence ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

One Thing is Needful;
... Rich men will not account their treasure lies In crack'd groats and four-pence
half-pennies,[18] But in those bags they have within their chests, In staple ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/one thing is needful.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Groats (4 Occurrences)
... cracked fragments of wheat larger than grits. Multi-Version Concordance
Groats (4 Occurrences). Leviticus 2:14 And if thou offer ...
/g/groats.htm - 7k

Groin (4 Occurrences)

/g/groin.htm - 8k

Groans (9 Occurrences)

/g/groans.htm - 8k

Mealtime (1 Occurrence)
... of preparing the grain was to soak it in water, or boil it slightly, and then, after
drying and crushing it, to serve it as the dish called "groats" is served ...
/m/mealtime.htm - 24k

Meals (8 Occurrences)
... of preparing the grain was to soak it in water, or boil it slightly, and then, after
drying and crushing it, to serve it as the dish called "groats" is served ...
/m/meals.htm - 27k

Meal-time (1 Occurrence)
... of preparing the grain was to soak it in water, or boil it slightly, and then, after
drying and crushing it, to serve it as the dish called "groats" is served ...
/m/meal-time.htm - 24k

Growth (77 Occurrences)
... a meal-offering of first-fruits unto the LORD, thou shalt bring for the meal-offering
of thy first-fruits corn in the ear parched with fire, even groats of the ...
/g/growth.htm - 29k

Early (157 Occurrences)
... a meal-offering of first-fruits unto the LORD, thou shalt bring for the meal-offering
of thy first-fruits corn in the ear parched with fire, even groats of the ...
/e/early.htm - 40k

Groats: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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