In biblical times, the term "shocks" refers to bundles of grain stalks that have been cut and gathered during the harvest. This agricultural practice is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, illustrating both the physical process of harvesting and the spiritual lessons that can be drawn from it.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 37:7 · In Joseph's dream, he describes, "We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf." This passage uses the imagery of sheaves, or shocks, to symbolize the future authority Joseph would hold over his brothers. The gathering of shocks in this context represents the fulfillment of God's providential plan.

2. Ruth 2:7 · The account of Ruth provides a glimpse into the practice of gleaning, where she says, "Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters." Here, the shocks of grain are central to the narrative, as Ruth's gleaning among them leads to her eventual marriage to Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, and the continuation of the lineage leading to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ.

3. Job 5:26 · In this passage, Eliphaz the Temanite speaks to Job, saying, "You will come to the grave in full vigor, like a sheaf of grain gathered in season." The imagery of shocks is used metaphorically to describe a life that is complete and fulfilled, gathered at the right time by God.

4. Leviticus 23:10-11 · The Feast of Firstfruits involves the offering of the first sheaf of the harvest: "When you enter the land I am giving you and reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest." This offering of the first shocks of grain is a sign of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's provision, foreshadowing the resurrection of Christ as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Cultural and Spiritual Significance:

In ancient Israel, the gathering of shocks was a communal activity that marked the culmination of the agricultural cycle. It was a time of celebration and thanksgiving, as the harvest was a direct result of God's blessing upon the land. The process of binding and gathering shocks also served as a reminder of the importance of diligence and cooperation within the community.

Spiritually, the imagery of shocks is often used to convey themes of divine providence, judgment, and redemption. The gathering of sheaves can symbolize the gathering of God's people, as seen in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30), where the harvest represents the end of the age and the gathering of the righteous into God's kingdom.

The concept of shocks in the Bible underscores the relationship between human labor and divine blessing, illustrating how God's provision and human responsibility work together in the unfolding of His purposes.1430a. gadish -- a heap, stack
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a heap, stack NASB Word Usage grain
(1), shocks (1), stacked (1). 1430, 1430a. gadish. 1430b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1430a.htm - 5k

Love, the Motive Power for Service.
... On the evening succeeding the harvest"the wheat having been gathered in separate
shocks"the elder brother said to his wife: "My younger brother is unable ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter ii love the motive.htm

That the Glorious virgin Died by an Extremely Sweet and Tranquil ...
... For, as we see the lovely dawning of day grow, not at intervals and by shocks, but
by a certain dilating and continuous brightening, which is almost insensibly ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiv that the glorious.htm

The Second Beatitude
... in the census as Christians could but once see themselves as they are, and connect
their conduct with God's thought about it, they would get shocks that would ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the second beatitude.htm

The Earthquake
... The shocks increased in violence as they moved towards the centre of the city, and
at last, again and again, the Palace was shaken as though its walls were ...
/.../chapter xlvi the earthquake.htm

The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes
... This he has lately brought on our part of the earth, and thereby alarmed our fears,
and bid us "prepare to meet our God!" The shocks which have been felt in ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 129 the cause and.htm

Of the Means of Belief
... 276. M. de Roannez said: "Reasons come to me afterwards, but at first a thing pleases
or shocks me without my knowing the reason, and yet it shocks me for that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section iv of the means.htm

On the Advisableness of Improving Natural Knowledge.
... years ago"in the beginning of January, 1666"those of our forefathers who inhabited
this great and ancient city, took breath between the shocks of two ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/i on the advisableness of.htm

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Lichfield.
... And the fool'd mind delightfully confound. Thus that which shock'd the judgment,
shocks no more; That which gave Pride offence, no more offends. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/to the right honourable the.htm

Of the Nature of Tithes.
... paid as soon as the tenth part can be severed from the whole, if there be no custom
to the contrary; as, for corn and hay, as soon as made into shocks or cocks ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/1 of the nature of.htm

Finger-Posts
... They haven't taken it in yet. To say that the two shocks, each so radically different
from the other, shook them tremendously, is stating it very mildly. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/finger-posts.htm

Shocks (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shocks (2 Occurrences). Exodus 22:6 "If fire breaks
out, and catches in thorns so that the shocks of grain ...
/s/shocks.htm - 7k

Earth-shocks (2 Occurrences)
Earth-shocks. Earth-shock, Earth-shocks. Earthward . Multi-Version
Concordance Earth-shocks (2 Occurrences). Mark 13 ...
/e/earth-shocks.htm - 7k

Earthquake (17 Occurrences)
... Since that time a few feeble shocks have been felt but no damage was done. ... Most of
these shocks seem to have been slight and caused little loss of life. ...
/e/earthquake.htm - 18k

Shock (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To collect, or make up, into a shock or shocks; to stook; as, to
shock rye. 4. (vi) To be occupied with making shocks. 5 ...
/s/shock.htm - 9k

Earth-shock (11 Occurrences)
Earth-shock. Earth-shaking, Earth-shock. Earth-shocks . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Earth-shaking, Earth-shock. Earth-shocks . Reference Bible.
/e/earth-shock.htm - 10k

Vineyards (55 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing
corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the ...
/v/vineyards.htm - 25k

Kindled (83 Occurrences)
... Exodus 22:6 "If fire breaks out, and catches in thorns so that the shocks of grain,
or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he who kindled the fire ...
/k/kindled.htm - 34k

Outbursts (5 Occurrences)
... Luke 21:11 There will be great earth-shocks and outbursts of disease in a number
of places, and men will be without food; and there will be wonders and great ...
/o/outbursts.htm - 8k

Orchards (7 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:5 And when he had set fire to the torches, he let the foxes go into the
standing grain of the Philistines, and burned up the shocks and the standing ...
/o/orchards.htm - 8k

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