ἀλοάω (aloaō)
aloaō
to thresh
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb aloaō means to thresh, an agricultural process where grain is separated from its husks. In the New Testament, this word appears only three times, specifically in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. It derives from a root related to the threshing floor (aloē), grounding its meaning in the physical labor of ancient farming.
Paul uses this concrete image to explain spiritual principles. In 1 Corinthians 9:9-10, he quotes Deuteronomy to argue that those who serve at the altar have a right to share in the offerings. Similarly, in 1 Timothy 5:18, he references the principle that laborers deserve their wages. The threshing metaphor highlights the fairness of providing for those who work.
Translators consistently render aloaō as "thresh" or use phrases like "do not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." This preserves the vivid picture of an animal working to produce food, which Paul then applies to the support of ministers. The word connects daily labor with divine justice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aloaō refers to threshing, the ancient practice of separating grain from its husks. In the New Testament, Paul uses this agricultural image to teach about fairness and support for those who serve. He reminds us that just as an ox is not muzzled while working, those who labor in spiritual matters deserve to share in the results of their work.
This principle encourages believers to value and sustain those who dedicate their time to teaching and ministry. It is a reminder that God cares about justice and provision, ensuring that hard work is recognized and rewarded. When we support others in their service, we participate in this biblical vision of mutual care and fairness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- treading out grain.1×
- treading out grain1×
- threshing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀλοῶντα.1×
- ἀλοῶντα1×
- ἀλοῶν1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 9:9
For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it for the oxen that God cares,
This verse cites Deuteronomy to establish the baseline principle that God’s law protects the worker, even an animal, from being deprived during labor.
-
I Corinthians 9:10
or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.
Paul explicitly applies the threshing metaphor to believers, arguing that those who sow spiritual seeds have a right to reap material support.
-
I Timothy 5:18
For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Here Paul combines the threshing principle with Jesus’ teaching on wages, reinforcing that spiritual laborers are worthy of financial sustenance.