Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MILL

A device for grinding grain (Isa. 47:2) or other foods (Num. 11:7-8). A mill was comprised of two carved stones, a fixed lower stone and a mobile upper stone (cf. Judg. 9:53). The upper stone might range from .9–1.4 g. (2-3 lbs.) to 4.5 g. (10 lbs.). A miller would place grain on the lower stone and rub the upper stone against the lower. Later, a handle was used to move the upper stone in a circular motion. For much larger mills, the handle became a beam to which a donkey was harnessed; the animal walked in a circle around the lower stone.

The mill was such an essential part of life that Israelites were forbidden to take a mill as collateral for a loan (Deut. 24:6), and the absence of the sound of grinding mills meant a disaster had come to the community (Jer. 25:10; Rev. 18:22). The grinding of grain was difficult work, frequently performed by women (Exod. 11:5; Isa. 47:1-2; Matt. 24:41); prisoners might also be harnessed to work mills (Judg. 16:21).

In referring to a millstone as an anchor, Jesus suggested that anyone who caused another person to sin would be better off having a great millstone tied about his neck and being cast into the sea (Matt. 18:6 par.; cf. Rev. 18:21).

Bibliography. J. G. Landels, Engineering in the Ancient World (Berkeley, 1978); M. Schwartz, Machines, Buildings, Weaponry of Biblical Times (Old Tappan, N.J., 1990).

A. Perry Hancock/Jennie R. Ebeling

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MILL

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)