### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מְלִילָה (mᵉlîylâh), Strong's number `{{H4425}}`, denotes a "head of grain" or an "ear of grain." Its etymological root is linked to מְלַל (mᵉlal), which in this specific context carries the sense of "cropping" or "cutting off," rather than its more common meaning of "to speak." This connection is further illuminated by comparison to the verb מוּל (mûl, `{{H4135}}`), meaning "to circumcise" or "to cut off." Thus, the core meaning emphasizes a part of the grain plant that is readily detachable, specifically by hand-plucking. The semantic range of מְלִילָה is narrow, singularly referring to the edible portion of a cereal plant, ready for consumption.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מְלִילָה (mᵉlîylâh) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[Deuteronomy 23:25]] (MT 23:26). The passage reads: "When you go into the standing grain of your neighbor, you may pluck the ears ([[H4425]]) with your hand, but you shall not wield a sickle against your neighbor's standing grain."
This singular occurrence is highly significant, embedding the word within a specific legal provision of the Mosaic Law. The context is one of compassionate allowance for the hungry or the traveler. It grants permission to pluck individual heads of grain by hand for immediate consumption, thereby satisfying a basic need. Crucially, the law prohibits the use of a sickle (חֶרְמֵשׁ, `{{H2770}}`), distinguishing this act from a full-scale harvest. This distinction underscores the intent: personal sustenance, not commercial exploitation or theft. The passage illustrates a delicate balance between the property rights of the landowner and the humanitarian need of the individual, reflecting God's concern for both justice and mercy within the community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary etymological connection of מְלִילָה (mᵉlîylâh, `{{H4425}}`) is to the root מְלַל (mᵉlal, `{{H4448}}`), specifically in its less common sense of "to cut" or "to sever," as opposed to its more frequent meaning "to speak." This sense of cutting is reinforced by its association with מוּל (mûl, `{{H4135}}`), "to circumcise" or "to cut off." This linguistic link highlights the nature of the "ear of grain" as something that is *plucked* or *severed* from the stalk.
Conceptually, מְלִילָה relates to:
* **Agricultural Terms:** It is found in the context of קָמָה (qāmāh, `{{H7054}}`), "standing grain," indicating its place within the field. The contrast with חֶרְמֵשׁ (ḥermēsh, `{{H2770}}`), "sickle," further defines the method of acquisition.
* **Laws of Gleaning and Provision:** While not explicitly part of the detailed gleaning laws (e.g., [[Leviticus 19:9-10]], [[Deuteronomy 24:19-22]]), the provision in [[Deuteronomy 23:25]] shares the same spirit of divine provision for the poor and the traveler. It is an expression of God's generosity embedded within the legal framework.
* **New Testament Echoes:** The act of plucking "ears of grain" by hand finds a direct parallel in the New Testament narratives where Jesus' disciples are accused by the Pharisees of breaking the Sabbath by doing so (e.g., [[Matthew 12:1]], [[Mark 2:23]], [[Luke 6:1]]). While the Greek terms used (e.g., στάχυς, `{{G4747}}`) are different, the underlying practice and the Old Testament legal precedent from [[Deuteronomy 23:25]] are crucial for understanding the context of the Sabbath controversy. The Law permitted the act; the dispute centered on its permissibility on the Sabbath.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of מְלִילָה (mᵉlîylâh) in [[Deuteronomy 23:25]] carries profound theological weight.
1. **Divine Provision and Compassion:** The law demonstrates God's character as a compassionate Provider who ensures that even the most basic needs of hunger can be met, even at the expense of absolute property rights. It reflects a divine economy where human need, especially that of the vulnerable, is given consideration.
2. **Balance of Justice and Mercy:** The provision is a beautiful example of the Mosaic Law's nuanced approach, balancing the justice of property ownership with the mercy required for human sustenance. It prevents outright theft while allowing for a regulated act of charity. This reflects God's holistic concern for both individual rights and communal well-being.
3. **Ethical Foundations:** It lays a foundation for ethical conduct within the community, encouraging generosity and discouraging a rigid, unyielding adherence to personal gain. It teaches that one's abundance should, in a limited way, be accessible to those in need.
4. **Precedent for Later Interpretations:** As seen in the New Testament, this seemingly minor agricultural law becomes a significant backdrop for understanding debates about the Sabbath and the interpretation of the Torah. The act of plucking ears of grain was a biblically permissible action, highlighting that the Pharisees' contention was not with the act itself, but with its timing on the Sabbath, thereby illuminating the tension between legalistic interpretation and the spirit of the law.
### Summary
מְלִילָה (mᵉlîylâh, `{{H4425}}`) precisely denotes an "ear" or "head" of grain, emphasizing its nature as something that can be "cut off" or "plucked" by hand. Its solitary appearance in [[Deuteronomy 23:25]] is pivotal, establishing a divine provision within the Mosaic Law that permits individuals to pluck grain from a neighbor's field for immediate sustenance, provided no harvesting tools are used. This specific legal allowance underscores God's character as a compassionate Provider, balancing property rights with the needs of the hungry. The theological implications extend to the principles of divine provision, the interplay of justice and mercy, and the ethical responsibility of a community to care for its vulnerable members. Furthermore, this Old Testament command provides essential context for understanding the New Testament accounts of Jesus' disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath, revealing the enduring relevance of this seemingly simple agricultural term.
TRV