REAPING (קָצַר֒, H7917, כָּלָה֒, H3983; θερίζω, G2545). The act of cutting or gathering the produce of the fields, usually in the late summer.

In Bible times, as in primitive areas today, reapers cut the grain with a sickle or pulled it up by the roots. In Leviticus, there is legislation regarding reaping. The people were to leave the corners of the field for the poor to reap (Lev 19:9; 23:22). In the seventh and fiftieth years, they were to reap none at all.

Sowing and reaping served to illustrate investment and reward. As an example, Proverbs 22:8 has, “He who sows injustice will reap calamity.” Somewhat the opposite is in Psalm 126:5: “May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy!” In the Book of Revelation, “he who sat upon the cloud swung his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped” (14:16). See Agriculture.