grind

(Exodus 32:20; Deuteronomy 9:21; Judg. 16:21), to crush small (Hebrew: tahan); to oppress the poor (Isa. 3:5)

The hand-mill was early used by the Hebrews (Num. 11:8). It consisted of two stones, the upper (Deuteronomy 24:6; 2 Sam. 11:21) being movable and slightly concave, the lower being stationary.

After the Philistines seized Samson, “brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison” (Judges 16:21 NASB).

The grinders mentioned Eccl. 12:3 are teeth.

More information

• mill
• grain
• food
• agriculture
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