The term "pinch" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept can be related to various biblical themes and narratives that involve scarcity, need, or the act of taking a small portion. In the context of biblical times, the idea of a "pinch" might be associated with the practices of measurement, offering, or the experience of lack.

Measurement and Offering

In the Old Testament, precise measurements were crucial in the context of offerings and sacrifices. The Israelites were given specific instructions on how to prepare offerings, which often involved precise amounts of flour, oil, and incense. For instance, in Leviticus, the priests were instructed on how to handle grain offerings: "The priest shall take a handful of the fine flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD" (Leviticus 2:2). While the term "pinch" is not used, the act of taking a small, measured portion is evident.

Scarcity and Need

The concept of scarcity, which might metaphorically relate to a "pinch," is a recurring theme in the Bible. During times of famine or need, the people of God often experienced a "pinch" in resources. For example, during the famine in Egypt, Joseph's brothers came to buy grain, highlighting the scarcity they faced (Genesis 42:1-3). Similarly, the widow of Zarephath, who had only a handful of flour and a little oil, experienced God's provision through the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:12-16).

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible often addresses themes of diligence, provision, and the consequences of laziness or greed. Proverbs 6:6-11 encourages the reader to consider the ant, which gathers its provisions diligently, avoiding the "pinch" of poverty that comes from idleness. This passage underscores the importance of foresight and hard work in ensuring that one's needs are met.

Generosity and Giving

The New Testament emphasizes the importance of generosity and the spirit of giving, contrasting with the idea of withholding or giving only a "pinch." In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 , Paul writes, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This teaching encourages believers to give abundantly rather than sparingly, reflecting the heart of God who provides generously for His people.

Conclusion

While the specific term "pinch" is not found in the biblical text, the concept can be explored through various themes such as measurement, scarcity, wisdom, and generosity. These themes reflect the broader biblical principles of stewardship, trust in God's provision, and the call to live generously.1. (v. t.) To press hard or squeeze between the ends of the fingers, between teeth or claws, or between the jaws of an instrument; to squeeze or compress, as between any two hard bodies.

2. (v. t.) o seize; to grip; to bite; -- said of animals.

3. (v. t.) To plait.

4. (v. t.) Figuratively: To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money.

5. (v. t.) To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. See Pinch, n., 4.

6. (v. i.) To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe pinches.

7. (v. i.) To take hold; to grip, as a dog does.

8. (v. i.) To spare; to be stingy; to be covetous.

9. (n.) A close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or with an instrument; a nip.

10. (n.) As much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any very small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff.

11. (n.) Pain; pang.

12. (n.) A lever having a projection at one end, acting as a fulcrum, -- used chiefly to roll heavy wheels, etc. Called also pinch bar.

7169. qarats -- to nip, pinch
... 7168, 7169. qarats. 7170 . to nip, pinch. Transliteration: qarats Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-rats') Short Definition: winks. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7169.htm - 6k

1103. balas -- to gather figs
... gatherer. A primitive root; to pinch sycamore figs (a process necessary to ripen
them) -- gatherer. 1102, 1103. balas. 1104 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1103.htm - 5k

Sacrifice Hallows and Increases the Gift.
... If you are shrewd to have your money count the most, you will pinch a bit
somewhere and make it sixty-two fifty. For the extra amount ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/sacrifice hallows and increases the.htm

Our Fellow.
... Yet He probably went to the full limit of what was wise. Certainly He lived a strenuous
life those three and a half years. Jesus knew the pinch of poverty. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/our fellow.htm

Heroic Faith
... practice. It was easy to talk about God's protection when he was safe behind
the walls of Babylon; but now the pinch had come. There ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/heroic faith.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... The aid and assistance which he had been led to expect from England were withheld
in his great pinch and need, and the very persons who had taken advantage of ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 37.htm

What the Flowers Say.
... When I used to visit the sailors in their ships to talk to them about God, I used
to say to them, "Now I want one of you men to be a little pinch of salt in ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxi what the flowers.htm

Christian Graces.
... Jesus Christ. There is nothing like faith to help at a pinch; faith dissolves
doubts, as the sun drives away the mists. And that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xviii christian graces.htm

Hiring a Coachman
... The really brave boy is not the one that blusters and brags: the brave boy is usually
quiet, but, as we say, "all there" when the pinch really comes. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/hiring a coachman.htm

Gold-Exchanged Lives.
... I had to pinch quite a bit, but that's nothing compared to the joy of this." And
as that is flashing swiftly through your thought, here is somebody else ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/gold-exchanged lives.htm

Laws of the Kingdom
... No doubt, the bulk of them were poor men as regards the world's goods, and
knew the pinch of actual want, and had often had to weep. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/laws of the kingdom.htm

Jesus' Teaching.
... man. It is surprising how little it can be made to mean when the pinch
comes, and yet a man have all actual necessities supplied. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks with world winners/jesus teaching.htm

Pinch (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. See Pinch,
n., 4. ... Called also pinch bar. Multi-Version Concordance Pinch (3 Occurrences). ...
/p/pinch.htm - 8k

Nip (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) To catch and enclose or compress tightly between two surfaces, or points
which are brought together or closed; to pinch; to close in upon. ...
/n/nip.htm - 7k

Pin (10 Occurrences)

/p/pin.htm - 13k

Pine (28 Occurrences)

/p/pine.htm - 17k

Wring (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To twist and compress; to turn and strain with violence; to writhe;
to squeeze hard; to pinch; as, to wring clothes in washing. ...
/w/wring.htm - 8k

Feel (58 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:14 At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible famine
throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of want. (WEY). ...
/f/feel.htm - 25k

Terrible (90 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:14 At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible famine
throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of want. (WEY). ...
/t/terrible.htm - 36k

Throughout (291 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV NAS). Luke 15:14 At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible
famine throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of want. ...
/t/throughout.htm - 37k

Rub (1 Occurrence)
... which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an
impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction hard to overcome; a pinch. ...
/r/rub.htm - 8k

Saffron (1 Occurrence)
... "We found," says Tristram, "saffron a very useful condiment in travelling cookery,
a very small pinch of it giving not only a rich yellow colour but an ...
/s/saffron.htm - 8k

Pinch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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