Lexical Summary stachus: Ear of grain, head of grain Original Word: στάχυς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ear of corn. From the base of histemi; a head of grain (as standing out from the stalk) -- ear (of corn). see GREEK histemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a head of grain NASB Translation head (2), heads (2), heads of grain (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4719: στάχυςστάχυς, σταχυνος (cf. Buttmann, 14), ὁ (connected with the root, sta, ἵστημι; Curtius, p. 721), from Homer down, the Sept. for שִׁבֹּלֶת, an ear of corn (or growing grain): Matthew 12:1; Mark 2:23; Mark 4:28; Luke 6:1. Topical Lexicon Ear of Grain (stachys) Agricultural Setting in Biblical Palestine Stachys refers to the mature “head” at the top of a stalk of cereal grain, most commonly wheat or barley. In the land of Israel these grains were staple foodstuffs, sown in the autumn rains and harvested in late spring. The appearance of the ear signaled that the seed had reached its final, fruitful stage. Because nearly every household was connected to farming, the image instantly communicated lessons about growth, patience, and provision. Old Testament Background The Mosaic Law permitted a hungry traveler to pluck ears of grain by hand (Deuteronomy 23:25), while forbidding the use of a sickle, thereby balancing compassion and property rights. Ears left standing at the edge of the field were to be reserved for the poor, the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow (Leviticus 19:9–10; Ruth 2:2–3). These commands taught Israel to embody the LORD’s generosity, and they provide the legal and theological foundation for the Gospel scenes in which the disciples eat on the Sabbath. Occurrences in the Gospels 1. Matthew 12:1 4–5. Mark 4:28 (twice) Sabbath Controversy Accounts (Matthew 12:1; Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1) The Synoptic writers record that Jesus’ hungry disciples “began to pick the heads of grain and eat them” (Matthew 12:1). Pharisees judged the action as unlawful harvesting on the Sabbath. Jesus responded by appealing to Scripture (1 Samuel 21:1–6) and to the character of the Sabbath itself—made for humanity’s good, not humanity for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). Stachys thus becomes a flashpoint for revealing Christ’s authority over both Scripture’s intent and the Sabbath ordinance, emphasizing mercy over ritualism. Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26–29) In the only other New Testament occurrence, stachys illustrates the mysterious, God-directed advance of the Kingdom: “All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then the grain in the head” (Mark 4:28). The sequence mirrors observable botany yet teaches that spiritual fruit comes by divine power, not human manipulation. The ear of grain stands for the mature, harvest-ready believer produced through hidden, sovereign activity. Theological Themes • Providence and Daily Bread: The head of grain embodies God’s continual provision (Psalm 104:14), a theme Christ echoes when He urges prayer for “our daily bread.” Ethical and Missional Implications 1. Compassionate Use of Resources: Just as fields were to be left partially unreaped, believers are to reserve margin—time, finances, and energy—for the needy. Christological Focus Jesus is both Lord of the Sabbath and Lord of the Harvest. In the grainfield narratives He protects His disciples; in the parable He reveals Himself as the One who brings the crop to completion. The stachys thus points to His dual role as compassionate Shepherd and sovereign King. Pastoral Application • Encourage congregations to see ordinary labor and meals as arenas of divine teaching. See Also Harvest; Seed; Sabbath; Mercy; Kingdom of God; Provision; Discipleship Forms and Transliterations σταχυας στάχυας στάχυες σταχυι στάχυϊ σταχυν στάχυν στάχυς στάχυσι σταχύων stachuas stachui stachun stachyas stáchyas stáchyï stachyn stáchynLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 12:1 N-AMPGRK: ἤρξαντο τίλλειν στάχυας καὶ ἐσθίειν NAS: to pick the heads [of grain] and eat. KJV: to pluck the ears of corn, and INT: began to pluck [the] heads of grain and to eat Mark 2:23 N-AMP Mark 4:28 N-AMS Mark 4:28 N-DMS Luke 6:1 N-AMP Strong's Greek 4719 |
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