Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the millstone was an essential tool for daily life, used primarily for grinding grain into flour. It was a symbol of sustenance and survival, as bread was a staple in the diet of ancient Near Eastern cultures. The millstone typically consisted of two stones: a larger, stationary base stone and a smaller, movable upper stone. Together, they were used to crush and grind grain, a task often performed by women in the household.The Bible addresses the significance of the millstone in the context of pledges and loans, particularly in the Mosaic Law. In Deuteronomy 24:6, the law explicitly forbids taking a millstone, or even just the upper millstone, as security for a debt: "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 importance of preserving an individual's means of providing for themselves and their family. By prohibiting the seizure of a millstone, the law protected the debtor from being deprived of their ability to prepare food, thus ensuring their basic survival. The prohibition against taking a millstone as a pledge reflects the broader biblical principle of compassion and justice towards the poor and vulnerable. The law recognized that while debts needed to be repaid, the dignity and survival of the debtor should not be compromised. This principle is consistent with other biblical teachings that emphasize mercy and fairness in economic transactions, such as the prohibition against charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites (Exodus 22:25) and the command to return a poor man's cloak by sunset if taken as a pledge (Deuteronomy 24:12-13). The millstone also carries symbolic weight in the New Testament, where Jesus uses it metaphorically to illustrate 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 the gravity of causing spiritual harm to others, particularly the innocent and vulnerable. In summary, the biblical injunction against taking a millstone as a pledge highlights the importance of safeguarding an individual's means of sustenance and reflects the broader biblical themes of justice, mercy, and protection for the vulnerable. The millstone serves as a powerful symbol of both physical and spiritual sustenance, underscoring the necessity of preserving life and integrity in all aspects of human interaction. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 24:6No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he takes a man's life to pledge. Nave's Topical Index Library The Peaceable Fruits of Sorrows Rightly Borne Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ... How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out ... A Discourse of Mercifulness The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ... Justice Satisfied An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality. Mercy's Master Motive The Sixth Commandment Against Jovinianus. Resources What is a millstone in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the millstone award? | GotQuestions.org Who was Abimelech in the Book of Judges? | GotQuestions.org Millstone: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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