Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H1758 דּוּשׁ (dûsh): To tread, thresh.
• H1637 גֹּרֶן (gōren): Threshing floor.
• H4173 מוֹרַג (môrag): Threshing sledge, instrument.

These Hebrew terms are often used in the Old Testament to describe the process of threshing and the tools associated with it, providing a rich background for understanding the New Testament usage of ἀλοάω. The agricultural practices of ancient Israel serve as a foundation for the metaphorical language employed by New Testament writers to convey spiritual truths.

Usage: The term ἀλοάω is used in the context of agriculture, specifically referring to the process of threshing, which involves separating grain from the husks or straw. This word is used metaphorically in the New Testament to convey spiritual truths through agricultural imagery.

Context: The Greek verb ἀλοάω appears in the New Testament in contexts that draw upon the agrarian lifestyle familiar to the original audience. Threshing was a critical step in the agricultural process, where oxen or other animals would tread upon harvested grain to separate the edible parts from the chaff. This imagery is used in the New Testament to illustrate principles of labor and reward, as well as spiritual truths.

In 1 Corinthians 9:9, Paul references the Old Testament law, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," to argue that those who work in ministry deserve to receive material support. The metaphor underscores the principle that laborers are worthy of their wages, drawing a parallel between the physical act of threshing and the spiritual work of ministry.

The use of ἀλοάω in the New Testament reflects a broader biblical theme where physical labor and spiritual truths are intertwined. The process of threshing, which involves separating the valuable from the worthless, can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual discernment and the refining work of God in the lives of believers.