עֹלֵלָה

only in plural gleanings; by extension gleaning-time

Definition

The Hebrew noun עֹלֵלָה (ʻôlêlâh) refers specifically to the gleanings left behind after the main harvest, particularly of grapes. It is used exclusively in the plural form and appears only in poetic or prophetic contexts. In its literal sense, it describes the few remaining grapes on the vine after the harvesters have passed through (Judges 8:2, Isaiah 17:6). Figuratively, prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Obadiah use the word to symbolize a devastated remnant or a pitifully small number of survivors after divine judgment (Isaiah 24:13, Jeremiah 49:9, Obadiah 1:5). Micah 7:1 uses it metaphorically to lament the absence of godly people, comparing the search for them to seeking leftover fruit after harvest.

Biblical Usage

This word is used six times in the Old Testament, primarily in the prophetic books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah) and once in the historical book of Judges. Its usage follows a clear pattern: it first appears in a literal, agricultural context (Judges 8:2, Isaiah 17:6) and is then employed by the prophets as a powerful metaphor for scarcity and remnant. The prophets consistently use it to depict the meager leftovers after a thorough act of judgment or destruction, creating a vivid image of near-total desolation.

Etymology

The word עֹלֵלָה (ʻôlêlâh) is a feminine noun derived from the active participle of the root verb עָלַל (ʻālal, H5953), which means 'to glean' or 'to act severely.' This root connection directly ties the noun to the action of gathering what is left behind. As a participle form, it carries a sense of something that is 'gleaned' or 'the result of gleaning.'

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it provides a concrete, agricultural image for the biblical concept of the remnant. The prophets use the scant 'gleanings' to illustrate God's thorough judgment upon sin and pride, as seen in the oracles against nations (Jeremiah 49:9, Obadiah 1:5). Yet, even in this image of near-total destruction, the existence of any gleanings implies that a small, preserved portion remains. This enriches the reading of passages like Micah 7:1, where the search for righteousness is as desperate as searching for leftover fruit, highlighting both the depth of moral decay and the hope of finding even a small faithful remnant.

In ancient Israelite agriculture, gleaning was a vital practice governed by law (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:21). After the main harvest, landowners were commanded to leave the edges of their fields and not to gather fallen fruit, providing a social safety net for the poor, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. Therefore, 'gleanings' (עֹלֵלָה) were culturally understood not as worthless scraps, but as a designated and essential provision for the most vulnerable. This context makes the prophetic metaphor more potent: what is left after God's judgment is not accidental, but may represent a purposeful, preserved provision.

לֶקֶט (leqet, H3959) — A more general term for 'gleanings,' typically of grain (Ruth 2). עֹלֵלָה is more specific to grape/vine harvests. פְּלֵטָה (p̄lēṭâ, H6413) — 'escape' or 'remnant'; a broader term for survivors, while עֹלֵלָה is a vivid metaphorical image for that remnant. שָׁאָר (shāʼār, H7605) — 'rest' or 'remainder'; a common, non-metaphorical term for what is left over.

Word Details

Scripture References