Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(handful). Field-gleanings were reserved for the poor (Lev. 19:9-10; Ruth 2:2). [CORNER.]
Concise Bible Dictionary:
At the harvest and the vintage gleaning was strictly forbidden to be carried out by the owners: the residue must always be left for the poor (Lev. 19:9-10; Lev. 23:22; Ruth 2:2-23, etc). Gideon appeased the wrath of Ephraim by saying “Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer?” Gideon’s family name (Judg. 8:2).
“239. Gleaning” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Ruth 2:3. She went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers.
The Israelites were commanded by their law to be merciful to the poor. The corners of the fields were not to be reaped (Lev. 19:9; Lev. 23:22). If a sheaf should be accidentally left in the field it was to be allowed to remain there (Deut. 24:19). This grain in the corners, and these odd sheaves in the field, were for the poor. The story of Ruth is a most beautiful illustration of this law. Reference is supposed to be made to this custom in Job 24:10, “They take away the sheaf from the hungry.”
“504. Grape Gleaning” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Isaiah 24:13. As the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
The Hebrews were directed not to pick their grapes closely, but to leave a few for the poor. See Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 24:21. This merciful provision is referred to by Gideon when he represents “the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim” as “better than the vintage of Abi-ezer” (Judg. 8:2).
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