Harvest Secrets: ψώχω (Strong’s G5597: psōchō) Reveals Ancient Agricultural Practice

Strong’s G5597: From ancient agricultural practice, ψώχω (psōchō) means to rub grain heads between hands to extract kernels. Used in describing disciples’ Sabbath actions, it provides insight into daily life and Jewish dietary customs, highlighting intersection of practical sustenance and religious observance.

U- Unveiling the Word

Ψώχω represents a specific agricultural practice of rubbing heads of grain between one’s hands to separate the edible kernels from the chaff. This action, while seemingly simple, carries significant theological weight in its New Testament context. In Luke 6:1, it appears in a pivotal moment where Jesus defends His disciples’ actions on the Sabbath, illustrating the tension between human need and religious observance. The word encapsulates both practical sustenance and deeper theological truths about Jesus’ authority over Sabbath traditions and His teaching that meeting human needs supersedes rigid religious interpretations.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ψώχω, psōchō, /ˈpsoː.khoː/
• Detailed pronunciation: PSO-kho (where ‘ps’ is pronounced as in ‘psalms’, ‘o’ is long as in ‘go’, and ‘kho’ as in ‘chorus’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Root word: ψώχω (basic form)
• No prefixes or suffixes – this is a primary verb

D – Defining Meanings

• To rub
• To handle for the purpose of reducing to particles
• To thresh by hand

For compound words: Not applicable as this is a primary verb

Translation Options:

• “To rub” – Most direct translation capturing the physical action
• “To thresh by hand” – Provides agricultural context
• “To separate by rubbing” – Emphasizes the purpose of the action

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τρίβω (tribō, /ˈtri.boː/) – more general term for rubbing or wearing down – See G5147
• λεπτύνω (leptunō, /lepˈty.noː/) – to make fine or small – See G3013

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Participle
• Person: N/A for participle
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Progressive/Continuous

The word would morph in English as:

• Present: rub/rubs
• Past: rubbed
• Present Participle: rubbing
• Past Participle: rubbed

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexicon entries for ψώχω consistently emphasize its specific agricultural context. BDAG highlights its unique usage in describing the manual processing of grain. Thayer’s expands on the technical aspect of the rubbing motion used to separate grain from chaff. LSJ provides additional classical usage examples, showing it was well-established in agricultural vocabulary. Vine’s connects it to daily life practices in first-century Palestine. Strong’s emphasizes its concrete meaning, while Moulton and Milligan note its continued usage in agricultural contexts in papyri discoveries.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Luke 6:1 “And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing [ψώχοντες] them in their hands.”

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Ψώχω represents more than just a physical action of rubbing grain; it embodies the intersection of daily sustenance and spiritual truth. In its New Testament context, it appears at a crucial moment where Jesus defends his disciples’ actions, demonstrating that human need and divine purpose can coexist. This word reminds us that the good news of King Jesus often manifests in practical ways, showing how God’s kingdom addresses both physical and spiritual needs. It teaches us that sometimes the most profound spiritual truths are revealed through simple, everyday actions.

D – Did You Know?

1. This is one of the few Greek words that specifically describes a grain-processing technique still used in some traditional farming communities today.
2. The word appears only once in the New Testament but plays a crucial role in a significant Sabbath controversy.
3. The action described by ψώχω was a common way for travelers to obtain a quick meal in ancient times, protected by Mosaic Law.

Strong’s G5597: A specialized agricultural term denoting the careful rubbing of grain heads between hands to extract kernels. Its single New Testament usage occurs in a pivotal moment regarding Sabbath observance, illustrating the intersection of daily needs and religious practice while highlighting Jesus’ authority over traditional interpretations.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: agriculture, grain, harvest, sabbath, sustenance, disciples, Jesus, Jewish customs, biblical agriculture, manual labor, food preparation, religious controversy​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​