Definition and Context
Thrashing, also known as threshing, is an agricultural process mentioned frequently in the Bible. It involves the separation of grain from the husks and straw. This process was essential in ancient agrarian societies for the preparation of harvested crops, particularly wheat and barley, for consumption and trade. Thrashing is often used metaphorically in the Scriptures to describe judgment, purification, and the separation of good from evil.

Biblical References

1. Old Testament Practices
Thrashing is depicted in various Old Testament passages as a common agricultural practice. In the Book of Ruth, Ruth is seen gleaning in the fields during the barley harvest, which would have involved thrashing (Ruth 2:17). The process typically involved spreading the harvested stalks on a thrashing floor and using oxen or other animals to tread over them, or employing a flail to manually separate the grain.

2. Symbolism of Judgment
Thrashing is often used symbolically to represent divine judgment. In Isaiah 41:15-16, God promises to make Israel a "new, sharp threshing sledge with double edges," indicating the power to overcome and destroy enemies:
"Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff."

3. Purification and Separation
The process of thrashing is also symbolic of purification and the separation of the righteous from the wicked. In the prophetic literature, this imagery is used to describe God's refining work among His people. For example, in Jeremiah 51:33, Babylon is likened to a thrashing floor at the time of harvest:
"For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'The Daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time it is trampled; in just a little while, her harvest time will come.'"

4. New Testament Imagery
In the New Testament, John the Baptist uses the imagery of thrashing to describe the coming judgment by the Messiah. In Matthew 3:12, John speaks of Jesus:
"His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Cultural and Theological Significance
Thrashing, as a physical and metaphorical process, holds significant cultural and theological meaning in the biblical narrative. It reflects the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites and serves as a powerful metaphor for divine action in the world. The imagery of thrashing conveys themes of judgment, purification, and the ultimate triumph of righteousness over wickedness. The process underscores the biblical principle that God discerns and separates the faithful from the unfaithful, rewarding the former and punishing the latter.

Conclusion
While thrashing is a practical agricultural activity, its frequent use in biblical texts as a metaphor for divine judgment and purification highlights its deeper spiritual significance. The imagery of thrashing serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan to purify and redeem His people.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Thresh.

2. (a. & n.) from Thrash.

That when David had Numbered the People, they were Punished; and ...
... heard his supplication, he caused the pestilence to cease, and sent Gad the prophet
to him, and commanded him to go up immediately to the thrashing-floor of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 that when david.htm

That Christ is the Hand and Arm of God.
... even the ends of the earth, shall see salvation from God." [3951] Also in the same
place: "Behold, I have made thee as the wheels of a thrashing chariot, new ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/4 that christ is the.htm

How the Midianites and Other Nations Fought against the Israelites ...
... brought his sheaves of corn privately, and thrashed them at the wine-press; for
he was too fearful of their enemies to thrash them openly in the thrashing-floor ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the midianites.htm

The Youth of Count Zinzendorf, 1700-1722.
... If he pleaded not guilty, they called him a liar, and gave him an extra
thrashing. The thrashing was a public school entertainment ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter i the youth of.htm

Death and Life from the Ark
... made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets,
and on cymbals.6. And when they came to Nachon's thrashing-floor, Uzzah ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/death and life from the.htm

Concerning Albinus under Whose Procuratorship James was Slain; as ...
... making them presents; he also had servants who were very wicked, who joined themselves
to the boldest sort of the people, and went to the thrashing-floors, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning albinus under.htm

Success and Defeat. December 10.
... Our sound thrashing, as a nation, in the first French war was the making of our
armies; and it is good for an idea, as well as for a man, to bear the yoke in ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /success and defeat december 10.htm

Christians do not Always Beget Christian, nor the Pure, Pure ...
... which in the other still requires cleansing by like remission, just as in the case
supposed of circumcision, and as in the case of the winnowing and thrashing. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 17 ix christians do not.htm

How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ...
... Booz's maidservants. 3. It was not many days before Booz, after the barley
was winnowed, slept in his thrashing-floor. When Naomi ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how under elis.htm

Conflicts with Giant Mistake
... I started on. And, do you know, up came Giant Mistake! He caught hold of me and
gave me a sound thrashing for what I had done [1 Peter 2:20]. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter eight conflicts with giant.htm

Thrashing (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Thrashing (2 Occurrences). Job 41:25 When he raises himself
up, the mighty are afraid. They retreat before his thrashing. ...
/t/thrashing.htm - 7k

Thread (32 Occurrences)

/t/thread.htm - 16k

Nachon (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Prepared, the owner of a thrashing-floor near which Uzzah
was slain (2 Samuel 6:6); called also Chidon (1 Chronicles 13:9). ...
/n/nachon.htm - 7k

Thrashed (1 Occurrence)

/t/thrashed.htm - 6k

Thresher (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who, or that which, thrashes grain;
a thrashing machine. 2. (n.) A large and voracious shark ...
/t/thresher.htm - 7k

Thresh (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To practice thrashing grain or the like; to perform the business
of beating grain from straw; as, a man who thrashes well. ...
/t/thresh.htm - 9k

Raises (17 Occurrences)
... He has set the world on them. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Job 41:25 When he raises himself
up, the mighty are afraid. They retreat before his thrashing. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/r/raises.htm - 10k

Retreat (10 Occurrences)
... field. (See RSV). Job 41:25 When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid.
They retreat before his thrashing. (WEB NIV). Psalms ...
/r/retreat.htm - 10k

Muzzle (4 Occurrences)
... fro, till the grain is trodden out. Moses ordained that the ox was not
to be muzzled while thrashing. It was to be allowed to eat ...
/m/muzzle.htm - 9k

Bewildered (11 Occurrences)
... perplexed. (See NIV). Job 41:25 When he raises himself up, the mighty are
afraid. They retreat before his thrashing. (See NAS). Isaiah ...
/b/bewildered.htm - 9k

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