Topical Encyclopedia Reaping is a significant agricultural and metaphorical concept in the Bible, symbolizing the act of gathering a harvest. It is often used to illustrate spiritual truths and moral principles. The process of reaping follows sowing and is a time of gathering the fruits of one's labor, whether in a literal or figurative sense.Old Testament Context In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, reaping was a crucial part of the agricultural cycle. The Law of Moses provided specific instructions regarding reaping. For instance, farmers were commanded to leave the edges of their fields unharvested and not to gather the gleanings, so that the poor and the foreigner could collect them (Leviticus 19:9-10). This practice demonstrated God's provision and care for the marginalized. The concept of reaping is also used metaphorically in the Old Testament. In Hosea 10:12, the prophet calls Israel to "sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers His righteousness on you" . Here, reaping is associated with the blessings that follow righteous living and seeking God. New Testament Context In the New Testament, reaping continues to hold both literal and metaphorical significance. Jesus often used agricultural imagery in His parables. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), the different types of soil represent the varied responses to the Word of God, with the good soil yielding a bountiful harvest. This parable emphasizes the importance of receptivity to God's message and the fruitful life that results from it. The Apostle Paul also employs the metaphor of reaping to convey spiritual truths. In Galatians 6:7-9, he writes, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" . This passage underscores the principle of sowing and reaping as a moral law, where actions have corresponding consequences. Eschatological Reaping Reaping is also used in an eschatological context, referring to the final judgment. In Revelation 14:14-16, John describes a vision of the Son of Man with a sharp sickle, reaping the earth's harvest. This imagery signifies the gathering of the righteous at the end of the age, highlighting the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Practical Implications The biblical principle of reaping serves as a reminder of the importance of living a life that aligns with God's will. It encourages believers to sow seeds of righteousness, knowing that their efforts will yield a spiritual harvest. The concept also calls for trust in God's justice, as He will ultimately reward the faithful and bring about His purposes in His perfect timing. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Reap.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia REAPINGrep'-ing (qatsar; therizo): Reaping in ancient times, as at present, consisted in either pulling up the grain by the roots or cutting it with a sickle (see SICKLE), and then binding the stalks into bundles to be carried to the threshing-floor. If the Egyptian sculptures are true to life, reaping was sometimes divided into two operations, the heads of grain and the stalks being reaped separately. In Palestine and Syria both pulling and cutting are still practiced, the former when the ground is stony and the spears scarce. Even where the sickle is used, much of the grain comes up by the roots, owing to the toughness of the dried stalks or the dullness of the sickle. The reaper sometimes wears pieces of cane on the fingers of the hand which gathers the grain in order to protect them from injury by the sharp grasses or the sickle. There were definite laws established by the Hebrews in regard to reaping (Leviticus 19:9; Leviticus 23:10; Leviticus 25:5, 11 Deuteronomy 16:9). Samuel mentions the task of reaping the harvest as one of the requirements which would be made by the king for whom the people were clamoring (1 Samuel 8:12). Greek 2326. therismos -- harvest ... harvest. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: therismos Phonetic Spelling: (ther-is-mos') Short Definition: reaping, harvest Definition: reaping ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2326.htm - 6k 2325. therizo -- to reap Strong's Hebrew 7114b. qatsar -- to reap, harvest... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to reap, harvest NASB Word Usage harvest (2), harvests (1), reap (18), reaped (2), reaper (3), reapers (7), reaping (1). ... /hebrew/7114b.htm - 5k Library Sowing and Reaping Sowing and Reaping. The Reaping of the vine. 21ST DAY. A Due Reaping. Reaping. Sowing in the Wind, Reaping under Clouds Sowing and Reaping. February 28. Reaping the Whirlwind. Sowing and Reaping Sowing and Reaping Thesaurus Reaping (10 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Reap. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REAPING. rep'-ing (qatsar; therizo): Reaping... /r/reaping.htm - 13k Gathering (71 Occurrences) Reap (35 Occurrences) Sickle (13 Occurrences) Agriculture Receiving (72 Occurrences) Age-during (167 Occurrences) Sow (61 Occurrences) Sowed (20 Occurrences) Severe (53 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about sowing and reaping? | GotQuestions.orgIs “you reap what you sow” biblical? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about karma? | GotQuestions.org Reaping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Reaping (10 Occurrences)Matthew 25:24 Luke 19:22 John 4:36 Revelation 14:15 Genesis 45:6 Leviticus 19:9 Leviticus 23:22 Ruth 2:9 1 Samuel 6:13 1 Samuel 8:12 Subtopics Reaping is the Cutting of the Corn in Harvest Reaping: A Time of Great Rejoicing Reaping: Both Men and Women Engaged In Reaping: Corn After, Was Bound up Into Sheaves Reaping: Gathering in Souls to God Reaping: General Scriptures Concerning Reaping: Ministers Receiving Temporal Provision for Spiritual Reaping: Mode of Gathering the Corn For, Alluded To Reaping: Often Unprofitable on Account of Sin Reaping: Persons Engaged in Fed by the Master Who Himself Presided at Their Meals Reaping: Persons Engaged in Received Wages Reaping: Persons Engaged in Under the Guidance of a Steward Reaping: Persons Engaged in Visited by the Master Reaping: Receiving the Reward of Righteousness Reaping: Receiving the Reward of Wickedness Reaping: The Ark of the Covenant Returned by the Philistines at the Time of Reaping: The Jews not to Reap: During the Sabbatical Year Reaping: The Jews not to Reap: During the Year of Jubilee Reaping: The Jews not to Reap: The Corners of Their Fields Reaping: The Jews not to Reap: The Fields of Others Reaping: The Jews often Hindered From, on Account of Their Sins Reaping: The Judgments of God on the Antichristian World Related Terms Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences) |
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