THRASHING or THRESHING (thrashIng). For a literal treatment of this subject, see THRASH ING FLOOR; AGRICULTURE.
FiguratiVe. (I) To harass, destroy (Hab.
I2; Amos i :3). (2) Babylon is represented as a threshing, or as the corn of the floor, to denote the sudden and terrible nature of God's judgments upon her (Is. xxi :to; Jer. :33). (3) The church very fit for the purpose, for it has many small and sharp spines, which are well adapted to give pain: the crown might easily be made of these soft, round, and pliable branches ; and what in my opin ion seems to be the greater proof is, that the leaves very much resemble those of ivy, as they are of a very deep glossy green. Perhaps the ene mies of Christ would have a plant somewhat re sembling that with which emperors and generals were crowned, that there might be a calumny even in the punishment.' Figurative. (I) Thorns and thistles are em blematic of false prophets (Matt. vii :16) ; thorns of the wicked (2 Sam. xxiii :6: Nah. i :to). (2) Desolation is expressed by an overgrowth of thorns (Prov. xxiv :31), also the way of the sloth
ful (Prov. xv:tg). (3) The injuries of heathen ism are like the stings of thorns (Ezek. xxviii: 24 ; compare Micah vii :4 ; Eccles. vii :6). (4) To take the harvest out of the thorns, is to take the fruit of the field from one, notwithstanding every hindrance (Job v :5). (5) Troubles are called thorns, they prick, harass, and confine men ; so God hedges up men's way with thorns, restrains them by sore trials and afflictions (Hos. ii :6). (6) Paul had a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Sa tan sent to buffet him ; was distressed with some sore trouble or temptation (2 Cor. xii :7). (7) As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools ; it, however good in itself, Both rather hurt than good (Prov.
is represented as threshing mountains and hills, and fanning them to the wind (Micah iv :13 ; Is. xli :t5 ).