Winnowing at Gezer
This was accomplished in the open air, by throwing up the grain with a shovel, or a fan (λίκνος, really a kind of shallow basket); the wind carried away the chaff. Boaz winnowed his barley in the evening, when there would be more wind (Ruth 3:2; Isa. 30:24). John the Baptist said of the Lord that His fan was in His hand, and He would thoroughly purge His floor; gather His wheat into the garner; and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17). It is now a day of grace, a sowing time, but the harvest will come, and the winnowing will surely follow.