CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Picking</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/p/picking.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/mark/2-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/p/picking.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Picking</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/p/pickers.htm" title="Pickers">◄</a> Picking <a href="/topical/p/picks.htm" title="Picks">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition and Context:</b> <br>In biblical terms, "picking" often refers to the act of gathering or selecting, particularly in the context of agriculture or food collection. This activity is frequently mentioned in the Bible, reflecting the agrarian society of ancient Israel. Picking can involve the harvest of crops, fruits, or grains, and is sometimes associated with gleaning, a practice that allowed the poor to collect leftover produce from the fields.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b><br><br>1. <b>Harvesting and Gleaning:</b> <br> The practice of picking is closely related to the laws of harvest and gleaning found in the Old Testament. In <a href="/leviticus/19-9.htm">Leviticus 19:9-10</a> , God commands the Israelites: "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This directive emphasizes the importance of providing for the needy through the act of leaving some produce unpicked.<br><br>2. <b>Sabbath Observance:</b> <br> The act of picking grain on the Sabbath is addressed in the New Testament, where it becomes a point of contention between Jesus and the Pharisees. In <a href="/matthew/12.htm">Matthew 12:1-2</a> , it is recorded: "At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, 'Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.'" This incident highlights the tension between strict Sabbath observance and the practical needs of hunger.<br><br>3. <b>Symbolism and Parables:</b> <br> Picking is also used symbolically in the teachings of Jesus. In the Parable of the Weeds, found in <a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">Matthew 13:24-30</a> , Jesus describes a farmer who sows good seed in his field, but an enemy sows weeds among the wheat. The servants ask if they should pick out the weeds, but the farmer instructs them to let both grow until the harvest. This parable uses the imagery of picking to convey spiritual truths about judgment and the kingdom of God.<br><br>4. <b>Provision and Blessing:</b> <br> The act of picking is often associated with God's provision and blessing. In <a href="/deuteronomy/24-19.htm">Deuteronomy 24:19</a> , the Israelites are reminded: "When you reap the harvest in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." This passage underscores the principle of generosity and the divine blessing that accompanies obedience to God's commands.<br><br><b>Cultural and Theological Significance:</b> <br>Picking, as depicted in the Bible, is more than a mere agricultural activity; it is imbued with cultural and theological significance. It reflects the values of community, care for the marginalized, and reliance on God's provision. The biblical instructions regarding picking and gleaning reveal a divine concern for justice and compassion, ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of society are provided for. Additionally, the New Testament narratives involving picking challenge legalistic interpretations of the law, emphasizing mercy and human need over ritualistic observance.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>p. pr. & vb. n.</I>) of Pick.<p>2. (<I>n.</I>) The act of digging or breaking up, as with a pick.<p>3. (<I>n.</I>) The act of choosing, plucking, or gathering.<p>4. (<I>n.</I>) That which is, or may be, picked or gleaned.<p>5. (<I>n.</I>) Pilfering; also, that which is pilfered.<p>6. (<I>n.</I>) The pulverized shells of oysters used in making walks.<p>7. (<I>n.</I>) Rough sorting of ore.<p>8. (<I>n.</I>) Overburned bricks.<p>9. (<I>a.</I>) Done or made as with a pointed tool; as, a picking sound.<p>10. (<I>a.</I>) Nice; careful.<a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/5089.htm"><span class="l">5089. tillo -- to pluck, to pluck off</span></a> <br><b>...</b> pluck off. Word Origin a prim. word Definition to pluck, to pluck off NASB<br> Word Usage pick (1), <b>picking</b> (2). pluck. Perhaps akin <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5089.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p><a href="/greek/1586.htm"><span class="l">1586. eklego -- to select</span></a> <br><b>...</b> from ek and lego (in the sense of pick up) Definition to select NASB Word Usage<br> choose (4), chose (7), chosen (8), made a choice (1), <b>picking</b> (1), select (1). <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1586.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 8k</font><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/3992.htm"><span class="l">3992. maar -- to prick, to pain</span></a><br><b>...</b> fretting, <b>picking</b>. A primitive root; to be bitter or (causatively) to embitter,<br> ie Be painful -- fretting, <b>picking</b>. 3991, 3992. maar. 3993 . Strong's Numbers <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/3992.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/drummond/a_life_for_a_life/a_life_for_a_life.htm"><span class="l">A Life for a Life</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It isn't <b>picking</b> out a man here, and a man there and having them made fit to go<br> to Heaven; Christ came into this world, as He himself said, to found a society. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/a life for a life/a life for a life.htm</font><p><a href="/library/williamson/have_we_no_rights/chapter_1_rights.htm"><span class="l">Rights</span></a> <br><b>...</b> CHAPTER 1 Rights. "Well," said mother, setting down a cup she had just wiped, and<br> <b>picking</b> up another, "the older I get, and the older my children get, the more <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 1 rights.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclean/william_black/i_the_birth_of_a.htm"><span class="l">The Birth of a Movement.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It had discovered the secret of <b>picking</b> men from the streets and transforming them<br> into saints and scholars, and it was successful in its efforts. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/i the birth of a.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kingsley/the_gospel_of_the_pentateuch/preface_to_the_first_edition.htm"><span class="l">Preface to the First Edition of the Gospel of the Pentateuch to <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> was altogether negative; was possessed too often by that fanaticism of disbelief<br> which is just as dangerous as the fanaticism of belief; was <b>picking</b> the body <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/preface to the first edition.htm</font><p><a href="/library/miller/the_city_of_delight/chapter_i_a_princes_bride.htm"><span class="l">A Prince's Bride</span></a> <br><b>...</b> A woman servant hastening after a line of men bearing a great divan, <b>picking</b> up<br> the draperies and pillows that had dropped, stopped and salaamed to her master. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter i a princes bride.htm</font><p><a href="/library/moody/the_overcoming_life/come_thou_and_all_thy.htm"><span class="l">"Come Thou and all Thy House into the Ark. "</span></a> <br><b>...</b> I believe the story of the flood just as much as I do the third chapter of<br> John. I pity any man that is <b>picking</b> the old Book to pieces. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/come thou and all thy.htm</font><p><a href="/library/anonymous/children_of_the_old_testament/ruth_the_gleaner.htm"><span class="l">Ruth the Gleaner.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> before the clouds were red over Hebron, she went down into the valley where the<br> harvesters were at work, and followed the reapers and binders, <b>picking</b> up as a <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/ruth the gleaner.htm</font><p><a href="/library/drummond/stones_rolled_away_and_other_addresses_to_young_men/vi_the_kingdom_of_god.htm"><span class="l">The Kingdom of God and Your Part in It</span></a> <br><b>...</b> What is the secret of Christianity? It is not <b>picking</b> out a man here and<br> a man there and making them fit to go to heaven. Christ <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/vi the kingdom of god.htm</font><p><a href="/library/gordon/quiet_talks_on_following_the_christ/4_the_hilltopsexperiences_of_gladness.htm"><span class="l">The Hilltops --Experiences of Gladness and Glory</span></a> <br><b>...</b> There's a breeze from the hilltops that comes sweeping down through the trees, while<br> you are slowly <b>picking</b> your way along the rough, narrow valley road. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../quiet talks on following the christ/4 the hilltopsexperiences of gladness.htm</font><p><a href="/library/williamson/have_we_no_rights/chapter_9_the_right_to.htm"><span class="l">The Right to Live with the People of My Choice</span></a> <br><b>...</b> "Pick your own! Just as if we'd be allowed to pick our own senior workers! What<br> are you talking about?". "Just what I said. I'm <b>picking</b> my own senior worker! <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 9 the right to.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/p/picking.htm"><span class="l"><b>Picking</b> (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 8. (n.) Overburned bricks. 9. (a.) Done or made as with a pointed tool; as, a <b>picking</b><br> sound. 10. <b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Picking</b> (4 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/picking.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/babbler.htm"><span class="l">Babbler (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Version and the Revised Version (British and American) of Acts 17:18: The latter<br> Greek word is used of birds, such as the crow, that live by <b>picking</b> up small <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/babbler.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/picks.htm"><span class="l">Picks (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/picks.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/fowl.htm"><span class="l">Fowl (73 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> for two pence"); their quickly <b>picking</b> up seeds from the ground is made to illustrate<br> the influences which render "the word" powerless (Matthew 13:4); their <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/fowl.htm - 36k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/pick.htm"><span class="l">Pick (37 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 12. (vi) To steal; to pilfer. 13. (n.) A sharp-pointed tool for <b>picking</b>; --<br> often used in composition; as, a toothpick; a picklock. 14. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/pick.htm - 18k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/picker.htm"><span class="l">Picker (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> a cotton picker. 2. (n.) A machine for <b>picking</b> fibrous materials to pieces<br> so as to loosen and separate the fiber. 3. (n.) The piece <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/picker.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/pickers.htm"><span class="l">Pickers (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/pickers.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/agriculture.htm"><span class="l">Agriculture</span></a><br><b>...</b> in diameter, prepared by first <b>picking</b> out the stones, and then wetting<br> the ground, tamping or rolling it, and finally sweeping it. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/agriculture.htm - 27k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/star.htm"><span class="l">Star (16 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The difficulty of seeing the planet Venus in full sunshine does not lie in her want<br> of brightness, but in <b>picking</b> up and holding steadily so minute a point of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/star.htm - 29k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/magi.htm"><span class="l">Magi (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The difficulty of seeing the planet Venus in full sunshine does not lie in her want<br> of brightness, but in <b>picking</b> up and holding steadily so minute a point of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/magi.htm - 26k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/bruised-reed-not-break.html">What does it mean that “a bruised reed He will not break” in Matthew 12:20? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Sabbath-made-for-man.html">What does it mean that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-littering.html">What does the Bible say about littering? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/picking.htm">Picking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Picking (4 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/mark/2-23.htm">Mark 2:23</a></span><br />It happened that he was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields, and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/6-1.htm">Luke 6:1</a></span><br />Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first, that he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain, and ate, rubbing them in their hands.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/14-7.htm">Luke 14:7</a></span><br />He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them,<br /><span class="source">(See NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_samuel/11-2.htm">1 Samuel 11:2</a></span><br />And Nahash the Ammonite saith unto them, 'For this I covenant with you, by <span class="boldtext">picking</span> out to you every right eye -- and I have put it a reproach on all Israel.'<br /><span class="source">(YLT)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/p/picking.htm">Picking</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pick.htm">Pick (37 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/axes.htm">Axes (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/saws.htm">Saws (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/picking.htm">Picking (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/picture.htm">Picture (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sharp.htm">Sharp (115 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/q/quarries.htm">Quarries (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kiln.htm">Kiln (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/labor.htm">Labor (181 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/first-ripe.htm">First-ripe (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fading.htm">Fading (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/picker.htm">Picker (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/iron.htm">Iron (104 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/toil.htm">Toil (66 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/ripe.htm">Ripe (29 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/summer.htm">Summer (28 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/brick.htm">Brick (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/ammon.htm">Ammon (100 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shepherd.htm">Shepherd (76 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/flower.htm">Flower (33 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fertile.htm">Fertile (55 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eats.htm">Eats (57 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/glorious.htm">Glorious (91 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fig.htm">Fig (45 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beauty.htm">Beauty (98 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/p/pickers.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Pickers"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Pickers" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/p/picks.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Picks"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Picks" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>