A hand-mill, also known as a quern, is a simple device used in ancient times for grinding grain into flour. This tool is frequently mentioned in the Bible, reflecting its essential role in daily life and sustenance in biblical times. The hand-mill typically consisted of two circular stones: the lower stone, which was stationary, and the upper stone, which was turned by hand. Grain was placed between the stones, and the turning motion ground it into flour.

Biblical References:

The hand-mill is referenced in several passages throughout the Bible, illustrating its importance in the domestic and economic life of ancient Israel. In Exodus 11:5, the hand-mill is mentioned in the context of the final plague on Egypt, highlighting its ubiquity: "And every firstborn 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."

In Deuteronomy 24:6, the law underscores the essential nature of the hand-mill by prohibiting its seizure as collateral: "Do not take a pair of millstones, not even the upper one, as security for a debt, because that would be taking a man’s livelihood as security." This commandment reflects the hand-mill's critical role in providing daily bread and sustenance, emphasizing the protection of a family's means to prepare food.

The hand-mill also appears in the context of judgment and destruction. In Judges 16:21, after Samson is captured by the Philistines, he is put to work grinding grain: "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 passage illustrates the use of the hand-mill as a tool of humiliation and labor for prisoners.

In the New Testament, the hand-mill is used metaphorically by Jesus to convey the severity of leading others into sin. In Matthew 18:6, Jesus warns, "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Here, the millstone represents a heavy burden, symbolizing the grave consequences of causing spiritual harm to others.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The hand-mill was a vital part of daily life in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Women typically operated these mills, grinding grain each day to provide fresh flour for baking bread, a staple food. The process was labor-intensive and time-consuming, often requiring several hours of work each day. The sound of grinding was a familiar and constant presence in ancient households, signifying normalcy and domestic activity.

The prohibition against taking millstones as collateral in Deuteronomy highlights the importance of protecting a family's ability to produce food. This law reflects the broader biblical principle of justice and compassion, ensuring that even in debt, a family would not be deprived of its basic means of survival.

Symbolism and Theological Significance:

The hand-mill serves as a symbol of daily provision and sustenance, reflecting God's provision for His people. It also represents the labor and diligence required to sustain life, echoing the biblical theme of work as a God-given responsibility. The metaphorical use of the millstone in the teachings of Jesus underscores the seriousness of spiritual responsibility and the weight of leading others astray.

In summary, the hand-mill in biblical times was more than just a tool; it was an integral part of life, symbolizing sustenance, labor, and the rhythms of daily existence. Its presence in Scripture provides insight into the cultural and spiritual life of ancient Israel, as well as timeless lessons on responsibility and provision.3458. mulos -- a mill, a millstone
... millstone, mill. 3458 -- a hand-mill used for grinding grain with a stone,
ground against an stone that was turned. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3458.htm - 7k

3459. mulon -- mill.
... [An ancient millstone (hand-mill) was generally turned by women (see also 229 ,
and Ex 11:5). "There was a handle near the edge of the upper stone" (, 1, 194,95 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3459.htm - 6k

7347. recheh -- (hand)mill
... Definition: millstones. Word Origin from an unused word Definition (hand)mill
NASB Word Usage handmill (1), millstones (4). mill stone. From ...
/hebrew/7347.htm - 5k

2911. tchown -- grinding mill, hand mill
... 2910, 2911. tchown. 2911a . grinding mill, hand mill. Transliteration: tchown
Phonetic Spelling: (tekh-one') Short Definition: grind. to grind ...
/hebrew/2911.htm - 5k

2911a. techon -- grinding mill, hand mill
... 2911, 2911a. techon. 2911b . grinding mill, hand mill. Transliteration: techon
Short Definition: mill. Word Origin from tachan Definition ...
/hebrew/2911a.htm - 5k

2913. tachanah -- a mill
... grinding. From tachan; a hand mill; hence (figuratively) chewing -- grinding. see
HEBREW tachan. 2912, 2913. tachanah. 2914 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2913.htm - 6k

Argument: with Something of the Pride of Self-Satisfaction ...
... of the Christian professors. Plautus is said, when in need, to have laboured
at a baker's hand-mill. C??cilius tells Octavius that ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xiv argument with something of.htm

The Poet.
... and vinedresser, the driver with his ox's yoke upon his shoulders; the harlot by
the wayside; the light in the home and sound of the hand-mill"all everyday ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture ii the poet.htm

An Exhortation to Theodore after his Fall. Letter I.
On the Priesthood. <. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/an exhortation to theodore after.htm

Mill (9 Occurrences)
... It was with the upper stone of a hand-mill that "a certain woman" at Thebez ... in diameter,
working on the principle of the handmill, are still used for grinding ...
/m/mill.htm - 18k

Millstone (9 Occurrences)
... to 5 ft. in diameter, working on the principle of the handmill, are still used
for grinding sesame seed. These are turned by asses or mules. ...
/m/millstone.htm - 15k

Handmill (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Handmill (3 Occurrences). ... did not a woman cast the upper
stone of a handmill from the wall, that he died in Thebez? ...
/h/handmill.htm - 7k

Hand-mill (1 Occurrence)
Hand-mill. Handmill, Hand-mill. Hand-mills . Multi-Version Concordance
Hand-mill (1 Occurrence). ... (DBY). Handmill, Hand-mill. Hand-mills . Reference
/h/hand-mill.htm - 6k

Urijah (29 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 2 Samuel 11:21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman
cast the upper stone of a handmill from the wall, that he died in Thebez? ...
/u/urijah.htm - 16k

Grind (12 Occurrences)
... (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 ...
/g/grind.htm - 11k

Mealtime (1 Occurrence)
... to grind the grain into flour, at first by the rudimentary method of pestle and
mortar (Numbers 11:8; compare Proverbs 27:22), later by the hand-mill (Exodus 11 ...
/m/mealtime.htm - 24k

Meals (8 Occurrences)
... to grind the grain into flour, at first by the rudimentary method of pestle and
mortar (Numbers 11:8; compare Proverbs 27:22), later by the hand-mill (Exodus 11 ...
/m/meals.htm - 27k

Meal-time (1 Occurrence)
... to grind the grain into flour, at first by the rudimentary method of pestle and
mortar (Numbers 11:8; compare Proverbs 27:22), later by the hand-mill (Exodus 11 ...
/m/meal-time.htm - 24k

Metallurgy
... by Diodorus. The ore was first crushed to the size of lentils and then
ground to powder in a handmill made of granite slabs. This ...
/m/metallurgy.htm - 8k

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