Hand-mills, also known as querns, are ancient tools used for grinding grain into flour. These devices are frequently mentioned in the Bible, reflecting their essential role in daily life during biblical times. The hand-mill typically consisted of two circular stones: the lower stone, or "bedstone," remained stationary, while the upper stone, or "runner," was rotated by hand. Grain was fed through a central hole in the upper stone and ground between the two stones as the upper stone was turned.

Biblical References and Significance

Hand-mills are mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, illustrating their importance in the domestic and economic life of ancient Israel. In Exodus 11:5 , the Lord declares, "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 behind the hand-mill, and every firstborn of the livestock as well." This passage highlights the widespread use of hand-mills, from the highest to the lowest in society, indicating their ubiquity and necessity.

In Deuteronomy 24:6 , the law provides protection for the poor by prohibiting the taking of a hand-mill or an upper millstone as a pledge: "Do not take a pair of millstones, or even the upper one, as security for a debt, because that would be taking a man's livelihood as security." This command underscores the essential nature of the hand-mill for survival, as it was a primary means of producing food.

The labor-intensive process of grinding grain is vividly depicted in the book of Judges. In Judges 16:21 , after Samson is captured by the Philistines, he is put to work grinding 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 task, typically performed by women or slaves, emphasizes Samson's humiliation and the menial nature of the work.

Symbolism and Metaphorical Use

Hand-mills also carry symbolic meaning in Scripture. In Matthew 24:41 , Jesus uses the imagery of two women grinding at a mill to illustrate the suddenness of His return: "Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and the other left." This metaphor highlights the unexpected nature of the end times and the separation of the righteous from the unrighteous.

Furthermore, the millstone is used metaphorically 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 and the grave consequences of causing spiritual harm to others.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, hand-mills were a common household item, essential for daily sustenance. The process of grinding grain was laborious and time-consuming, often performed by women or servants. The sound of grinding was a familiar background noise in ancient villages, signifying normalcy and life. The cessation of this sound was associated with desolation and judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 25:10 : "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."

Hand-mills, therefore, serve as a poignant reminder of the daily toil and sustenance of biblical times, as well as a symbol of judgment and the consequences of sin. Their presence in Scripture provides insight into the domestic life and spiritual lessons of the ancient world.

The Blessing of Dissatisfaction
... In some places, people still plow with a crooked stick and grind their flour
in hand-mills. What their fathers had is good enough for them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk two the blessing of.htm

Journey to Jerusalem. Ten Lepers. Concerning the Kingdom.
... one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.35 There shall be two women grinding
together [making meal or flour with the little stone hand-mills, as they ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcv journey to jerusalem ten.htm

Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds
... other sex (Kidd. iv.14). Such would include, among others jewellers, makers
of handmills, perfumers, and weavers. The latter trade ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 11 jewish views on.htm

Hand-mills (1 Occurrence)
Hand-mills. Hand-mill, Hand-mills. Hand-mirrors . Multi-Version
Concordance Hand-mills (1 Occurrence). Numbers 11:8 ...
/h/hand-mills.htm - 6k

Oil-cakes (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 11:8 The people went about, and gathered it, and ground it with hand-mills,
or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots, and made cakes of it; and the ...
/o/oil-cakes.htm - 6k

Millstone (9 Occurrences)
... A few years from now handmills will have disappeared from the Syrian households,
for the more modern gristmills turned by water or other motor power are ...
/m/millstone.htm - 15k

Mill (9 Occurrences)
... A few years from now handmills will have disappeared from the Syrian households,
for the more modern gristmills turned by water or other motor power are ...
/m/mill.htm - 18k

Hand-mirrors (1 Occurrence)
Hand-mirrors. Hand-mills, Hand-mirrors. Hand-part . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV). Hand-mills, Hand-mirrors. Hand-part . Reference Bible.
/h/hand-mirrors.htm - 6k

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

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