Sieve
“Sieve, from a root meaning to interweave”
Summary
An implement for separating grain from chaff and impurities, used figuratively for divine testing and judgment.
☩Construction and Use
Ancient sieves were made of string, rushes, or reeds. Egyptian sieves were often made of thin rushes similar to writing reeds, while horse-hair sieves were used by the Gauls, and string sieves by the Spaniards. The sieve was used to separate grain from chaff after winnowing.
☩Figurative Usage
Scripture employs the sieve as a powerful image of divine testing. God declared He would 'sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.' Jesus warned Peter: 'Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee.'
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sieve," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).