(6) Sickles. With regard to sickles. there appear to have been two kinds, indicated by the different names chermesh and mcggol; and as the former occurs only in the Pentateuch (Dent. xvi: 9; xxiii :25), and the latter only in the Prophets ( Jer. :16; Joel iii :13), it would seem that the one was the earlier and the other the later in strument. One was very much like our common reaping-hook, while the other had more resem blance in its shape to a scythe, and in the Egyptian examples appears to have been toothed. This last is probably the same as the Hebrew meggol, which is indeed rendered by scythe in the margin of Jer. 1:16. The reapers were the owners and their children men-servants and women-servants, and day-laborers (Ruth ii :4, 6, 21, 23; John iv:36; James v :4). Refreshments were provided for them, especially drink, of which the gleaners were allowed to partake (Ruth ii :9). So in the Egyptian harvest-scenes, we perceive a provision of water in skins, hung against trees, or in jars upon stands, with the reapers drinking, and glean ers applying to share the draught. Among the Israelites, gleaning was one of the stated pro visions for the poor : and for their benefit the corners of the field were left unreaped, and the reapers might not return for a forgotten sheaf.
The gleaners, however, were to obtain in the first place the express permission of the proprietor or his steward (Lev. xix :9, to; Dem. xxiv :19 ; Ruth ii :2, 7).
(7) Thrashing. The ancient mode of thrash ing, as described in Scripture and figured on the Egyptian monuments, is still preserved in Pales tine. Formerly the sheaves were conveyed from the field to the thrashing-floor in carts; but now they are borne, generally, on the backs of camels and asses. The thrashing-floor is a level plot of ground, of a circular shape, generally about fifty feet in diameter, prepared for use by beating down the earth till a hard floor is formed (Gen. 1:1o; Judg. vi:37; 2 Sam. xxiv:16, 24). Some times several of these floors are contiguous to each other. The sheaves arc spread out upon them; and the grain is trodden out by oxen, cows, and young cattle, arranged five abreast, and driven in a circle, or rather in all directions, over the floor. This was the common mode in the Bible times; and Moses forbade that the oxen thus employed should be muzzled to prevent them from tasting the corn (Dent. xxv:4; 1 Cor.
ix:9). Flails, or sticks, were only used in thrash ing small quantities, or for the lighter kinds of grain (Ruth ii:17 : Is. xxviii :27). There were, however, some kinds of thrashing-machines, which are still used in Palestine and Egypt. One of them, represented in the annexed figure, is very much used in Palestine. It is composed of two thick planks, fastened together side by side, and bent upwards in front. Sharp fragments of stone arc fixed into holes bored into the bottom. This machine is drawn over the corn by oxen— a man or boy sometimes sitting on it to increase the weight. It not only separates the grain, but cuts the straw and makes it fit for fodder (2 Kings xiii :7). This is most probably the Charutz., Tr.n, or 'corn-drag,' which is men tioned in Scripture (Is. XXViIl :27 ; ;di ;13; Antos i:3, rendered 'thrashing instrument'), and would seem to have been sometimes furnished with iron points instead of stones. The Bible also notices a machine called a .1f (wee, (2 Sam. XXiV :22; Chr on. xxi :23; is. xli :15), which is un questionably the same which bears in Arabic the name of Noreg.
This machine is not now often seen in Palestine, but is more used in some parts of Syria. and is common in Egypt. It is a sort of frame of wood. in which arc inserted three wooden rollers, armed with iron teeth, etc. It bears a sort of seat or chair, in which the driver sits to give the benefit of his weight. It is generally drawn over the corn by two oxen, and separates the grain, and breaks up the straw even more effectually than the drag. In all these processes, the corn is occa sionally turned by a fork, and, when sufficiently thrashed, is thrown up by the same fork against the wind to separate the grain, which is then gathered up and winnowed.
(8) Winnowing. This was generally accom plished by repeating the process of tossing up the grain against the wind with a fork (Jcr. iv:It, t2), by which the broken straw and chaff were dispersed while the grain fell to the ground. The grain afterward passed through a sieve to sep arate the bits of earth and other impurities. After this, it underwent a still further purification, by being tossed up with wooden scoops or short handed shovels.