Fan
“Winnowing fork, from the verb to scatter”
Summary
A winnowing implement used to separate grain from chaff by tossing it into the wind, employed figuratively for divine judgment.
☩The Instrument
The fan (Hebrew mizreh, Greek ptuon) was a winnowing implement used to throw grain into the air so the wind could separate it from chaff. Modern scholarship suggests it was likely a wooden fork about six feet long with five to seven prongs, rather than a shovel. A second implement, the shovel (rahat), was used for a second winnowing to remove remaining chaff.
☩The Winnowing Process
After threshing produced a mixed mass of grain, chaff, and straw, winnowing began by tossing it into the air with the fork. The wind carried away the lighter chaff while the heavier grain fell back to the ground. This process was repeated until the grain was clean, typically done in the evening when winds were steadiest.
☩Figurative Meaning
John the Baptist declared that Christ's fan is in His hand to thoroughly purge His floor, gathering wheat into the garner but burning chaff with unquenchable fire. This powerful imagery depicts the Messiah's judgment separating the righteous from the wicked. The winnowing fan thus became a symbol of divine discrimination at the final judgment.
Related Verses7 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Fan," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Fan," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Fan," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Fan," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).