glean, gleaning, gleanings

Definition

The term “glean” means to go through a field or orchard and pick up whatever grain or fruit the harvesters have left behind.

• God commanded the Israelites to let the widows, poor people, and foreigners glean the leftover grain in order to provide food for themselves.
• Sometimes the owner of the field would allow the gleaners to go directly behind the harvesters to glean, which enabled them to glean much more of the grain. A clear example of how this worked is in the story of Ruth, who was generously allowed to glean among the harvesters in the fields of her relative Boaz.
• Other ways to translate “glean” can be “pick up” or “gather” or “collect.”

(See also: Boaz, grain, harvest, Ruth)

Bible References

• Deuteronomy 24:21-22
• Isaiah 17:4-5
• Job 24:6
• Ruth 2:2
• Ruth 2:15

Word Data

• Strong’s: H3950, H3951, H5953, H5955