| Threshing Sledge and Winnowing Fork |
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The threshing sledge consists of several planks of wood fastened side by side to make a board. Nails or sharp stones are embedded in the underside of the board which is pulled around the threshing floor by an ox or a donkey. This action loosens the chaff from the grain.
The injunction not to muzzle the ox while he is threshing is used by the apostle Paul to show that Christian workers are entitled to adequate remuneration. The winnowing fork is used to toss the mixture in the air. The wind blows the chaff away, and the grain falls back to the floor. Bagged grain is hanging in the background. This keeps it dry and reduces the likelihood of damage by pests such as rats and mice. |