Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context Gleaning refers to the practice of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested or from fields where it is not economically profitable to harvest. This practice is deeply rooted in the agricultural and social laws of ancient Israel, as outlined in the Old Testament. Gleaning was a provision made for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner, allowing them to gather food for themselves from the fields.
Biblical References The concept of gleaning is primarily found in the Pentateuch, where it is established as a part of the Mosaic Law. In
Leviticus 19:9-10 , the Lord commands, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This command is reiterated in
Leviticus 23:22 and
Deuteronomy 24:19-21, emphasizing the importance of caring for the less fortunate in society.
Historical and Cultural Significance Gleaning was not merely an act of charity but a legal obligation for landowners in Israel. It served as a social safety net, ensuring that the vulnerable members of society had access to food. This practice reflects the broader biblical theme of justice and compassion, where the community is called to care for its members, particularly those who are marginalized.
The Book of Ruth The Book of Ruth provides a vivid narrative example of gleaning. Ruth, a Moabite widow, gleans in the fields of Boaz, a relative of her deceased husband.
Ruth 2:2-3 states, "And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, 'Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.' 'Go ahead, my daughter,' Naomi replied. So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters." Boaz's kindness and adherence to the law of gleaning not only provide sustenance for Ruth and Naomi but also set the stage for Ruth's eventual marriage to Boaz, highlighting the redemptive and providential aspects of God's law.
Theological Implications Gleaning underscores the biblical principle of stewardship and the responsibility of those with resources to care for those without. It reflects God's heart for justice and mercy, as well as His desire for His people to live in community and mutual support. The practice of gleaning is a tangible expression of the command to love one's neighbor and to act justly, as seen in
Micah 6:8.
Modern Application While the specific practice of gleaning may not be directly applicable in modern agricultural societies, the principles behind it remain relevant. Christians are called to be generous and to provide for those in need, reflecting God's love and compassion. This can manifest in various forms, such as food banks, community gardens, and other charitable efforts aimed at supporting the poor and marginalized in contemporary society.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The corners of fields were not to be reaped, and the sheaf accidentally left behind was not to be fetched away, according to the law of Moses (
Leviticus 19:9;
23:22;
Deuteronomy 24:21). They were to be left for the poor to glean. Similar laws were given regarding vineyards and oliveyards. (Comp.
Ruth 2:2.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To gather after a reaper; to collect in scattered or fragmentary parcels, as the grain left by a reaper, or grapes left after the gathering.
2. (v. t.) To gather from (a field or vineyard) what is left.
3. (v. t.) To collect with patient and minute labor; to pick out; to obtain.
4. (v. i.) To gather stalks or ears of grain left by reapers.
5. (v. i.) To pick up or gather anything by degrees.
6. (n.) A collection made by gleaning.
7. (n.) Cleaning; afterbirth.
Strong's Hebrew
3950. laqat -- to pick or gather up, glean... laqat. 3951 . to pick or gather up,
glean. Transliteration: laqat Phonetic Spelling:
(law-kat') Short Definition: gather. Word Origin a prim.
... gather up,
glean.
... 5953b. alal -- to glean
... 5953a, 5953b. alal. 5953c . to glean. Transliteration: alal Short
Definition: caught. Word Origin denominative verb from oleloth ...
5953. alal -- to act severely
... to act severely. Transliteration: alal Phonetic Spelling: (aw-lal') Short Definition:
abuse. abuse, affect, child, defile, do, glean, mock, practice, ...
3953. laqash -- to take the second crop, to take everything
... 3952, 3953. laqash. 3954 . to take the second crop, to take everything.
Transliteration: laqash Phonetic Spelling: (law-kash') Short Definition: glean. ...
Library
Ruth
... And they came to Bethlehem about the passover tide, at the beginning of barley harvest,
and Ruth went out into the fields to glean, and she lighted on a part ...
Boaz and Ruth.
... One day, Ruth obtained permission from her mother-in-law to go gleaning, and went
to glean in the field of a rich man named Boaz, who happened to be a kinsman ...
Ruth.
... He had a field of barley where the reapers were at work, and Ruth asked Naomi if
she should not go and glean after the reapers, to get grain, for they were poor ...
Ruth and Naomi.
... Ruth wished to do something to help support herself and her mother-in-law, so she
begged Naomi to let her go into the fields and glean after the reapers"that ...
The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner
... When Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem, it was the time of the barley harvest; and
Ruth went out into the fields to glean the grain which the reapers had left. ...
Ruth, the Gleaner
... and work there. The poor were always allowed to follow the reapers and glean
the stray ears of corn that fell unnoticed. She might ...
Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... She went and came Near to the reapers, to glean after them: And lo, it was
her hap to light among The reapers, which to Boaz did belong. ...
How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ...
... It was now reaping thee; and Ruth, by the leave of her mother-in-law, went out
to glean, that they might get a stock of corn for their food. ...
Ruth the Gleaner.
... In the afternoon they rose to work again, and Boaz told the reapers to let the girl
glean among the sheaves, and pull out a handful here and there; and she ...
The Question of Fear and the Answer of Faith
... cheering light upon the darkness of our misery. That is the first truth which
I glean from the text. 2. The second truth which I gather ...
Thesaurus
Glean (12 Occurrences)... They were to be left for the poor to
glean. Similar laws were given regarding vineyards
and oliveyards. (Comp.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Glean (12 Occurrences).
...Gleaning (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Glean. ... The owner usually
sends one of his boy or girl helpers to glean these. ...
Bo'az (24 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Listen, my daughter. Don't go to glean in another
field, and don't go from here, but stay here close to my maidens. (See RSV). ...
Boaz (25 Occurrences)
... The latter is probably the sense in which the phrase is applied to Boaz (compare
1 Samuel 9:1). He had fields outside the town, and to them Ruth went to glean. ...
Sheaves (13 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:7 She said,'Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.'
So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except ...
Pick (37 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:10 You shall not glean your vineyard, neither shall you gather the
fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and for the ...
Gleaned (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Glean. Multi-Version Concordance
Gleaned (6 Occurrences). Judges 20:45 They turned and fled ...
Gathers (27 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:15 When she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying,
"Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don't reproach her. (See NIV). ...
Insult (25 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:15 When she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying,
"Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don't reproach her. (See NAS). ...
Embarrass (2 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:15 When she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying,
"Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don't reproach her. (See NIV). ...
Resources
What is the meaning of gleaning in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about luck? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Ruth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgGlean: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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