# glean, gleaning #

## Definition: ##

The term "glean" means to go through a field or orchard to pick up whatever grain or fruit the harvesters have left behind.

* God told the Israelites to let the widows, poor people, and foreigners glean the leftover grain in order to provide food for themselves.
* Sometimes the owner of the field would allow the gleaners to go directly behind the harvesters to glean, which enabled them to glean much more of the grain.
* A clear example of how this worked is in the story of Ruth, who was generously allowed to glean among the harvesters in the fields of her relative Boaz.
* Other ways to translate "glean" can be, "pick up" or "gather" or "collect."

(See also: [boaz](../other/boaz.md), [grain](../other/grain.md), [harvest](../kt/harvest.md), [ruth](../other/ruth.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [Deuteronomy 24:21-22](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/deu/24/21)
* [Isaiah 17:4-5](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/isa/17/04)
* [Job 24:5-7](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/job/24/05)
* [Ruth 02:1-2](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/rut/02/01)
* [Ruth 02:15-16](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/rut/02/15)