The Origin Of The Word Tribulation ~ Ancient Farmers Used A Tribulum
The origin of the word tribulation has roots in the ancient farming or threshing sled called a tribulum. It was used by the early Roman farmers, as well as throughout the Mediterranean.
The use of the tribulum began around 6500BC, and was still in use right up until the mid 20th century in many countries, to include Europe, Asia, and North America.
“Origins (c. 6500 BC – 4th Millennium BC): Archaeological evidence shows early stone-studded threshing sledges were used in Greece and parts of southwest Asia during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. Cuneiform texts from the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC also mention them (Source Science Direct).”
The word tribulation also has roots in the Greek word tribolos, which refers to a variety of prickly plants.
The threshing sledge tribulum was a large flat, heavy wooden sled with prongs or spikes on the bottom made of iron, flint or stone. Sometimes farmers would stand on it to add extra weight.
The large sled was hooked up to oxen to repeatedly pull it through the wheat. Farmers would spread the wheat onto a hard stone, or dirt surface, and the oxen or donkeys would drag the tribulum in circles over the wheat.
The heavy sled with the spikes underneath would gradually crush, and cut the dry husks, separating it from the edible grain.
After the grain was separated from the husks, and stocks, the farmers would use pitch forks, and toss the husks into the air. Eventually, the wind would blow away all the lightweight chaff, and the grain would fall to the ground.
Prior to the invention of the tribulum, farmers would either rub the grain between the palms of their hand, or trample it on foot. The other method was to beat it with sticks, rocks, or clubs to separate the wheat from the chaff.
They also made huge, shallow winnowing baskets, and created large fans out of blankets to use on calm days, when there was no wind.
By the second century ancient Chinese innovators created a circular wind fan out of iron, wood, and bamboo. A crank was turned on the outside of it to separate the grain.
Learning about the tribulum, and the association to the word tribulation really brings more depth to the biblical meaning of the word tribulation, as well as the famous parable about the wheat and the tares, and wheat and the chaff.
Other verses refer to the winnowing basket, and fan, used in separating the grain from the husks, creating a more accurate metaphor for us to evaluate, and enhance our understanding about the purpose of tribulation in our lives.
Matthew 3:12
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Luke 3:17
17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
Mathew 13:24-30
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
The bible tells us we will experience tribulation. In many ways the crushing, and the spikes of that tribulum are metaphorical in what we experience when someone, or some thing runs roughshod over us, again, and again.
Tribulation is actually good for us. Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Matthew 24:21
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Revelation 7:14
The bible tells us that tribulation is inevitable. It does not tell us we will escape tribulation. The parable of the wheat and the tares, as well as the metaphors about the crushing effects of tribulation apply to the people around us, as well as the dichotomy within us.
Tribulation helps to purge the chaff from within us. It helps to separate truth from falsehood, selfishness from Christ’s guidance, sanctification from staying stubbornly sinful. It separates true self examination, leading to repentance, from denial, pride and rebellion.
We are advised to endure tribulation, and remain steadfast in our faith. Believers are not the chaff. We do not have to hold onto false hopes of being tossed into the air, and raptured away before facing tribulation.
Dispensationalism teaches a false rapture theology, which is escapism. They believe Christians will be removed from the earth prior to the great tribulation. They use 1 Thessalonians 5:9 to support this idea.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
However, the bible does not tell us that the tribulation we experience as Christians is God’s wrath.
Of course people can believe what they choose to believe, and to them the rapture belief is strong. We do not know how God will judge doctrinal differences among believers.
But we do know the importance of truth in God’s word. We are to examine and test all things, and are warned many times throughout the bible not to be deceived.
In addition to the tribulation we experience throughout our lives, we could be alive to experience the extremes of the end times tribulation. We are advised to endure until death. I do not see any truth or validity to the rapture doctrine, or escapist theology.
One of the many problems with the rapture theology, is in finding out there is a whole range of doctrinal differences introduced by the Darby/Scofield bibles in the 1800’s. For those who believe in dispensationalism, they are prone to believe in other alterations introduced by Darby, and then avidly promoted by Scofield. In my opinion, alterations to the bible creates a different Gospel.
Dispensationalism beliefs, in addition to the rapture theology, also embraces a range of other beliefs, to include the separation, and support for Israel, the rebuilding of a third temple, and even the return to animal sacrifices. What I read in the bible, is that the body of Christ is one body. Galatians 3:28 makes it clear.
When Christ died on the cross He was the ultimate sacrifice. There is no need to return to animal sacrifices.
We can be assured, even though we do experience much tribulation throughout our lives, and many of us have already experienced crushing pain, and heartache – we know we can endure, because of the promises in the Gospel. Long suffering is one of the fruits of the Spirit.
John 16:33
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