Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(grind). A mortar and pestle; or, two stones, upper and nether, the former turned by hand (Job 41:24; Isa. 47:1-2; Matt. 24:41). Millstones not pawnable (Deut. 24:6).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
In the East these are usually small, every family having its own mill. A woman, or sometimes two sit at the mill, turning the upper stone, casting in the grain occasionally through a hole in it, Larger mills are also referred to, the stone being turned by an ass (Num. 11:8; Matt. 18:6; Mark 9:42; Rev. 18:21-22).
“676. Millstone Drowning” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Matthew 18:6. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
See also Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2.
1. The ordinary upper-stone of the Eastern hand-mill is from eighteen inches to two feet across, and might easily be hung around the neck of a person to be drowned. Some commentators, however, are of the opinion that, by the “ass-millstone,” as the original in both Matthew and Mark may be rendered, is meant a stone larger than that used in the ordinary mills-one so large as to require brute-power to turn it. Such a stone would sink a body in the depths of the sea beyond the possibility of recovery.
2. There is no evidence to show that the mode of punishment named in the text was ever practiced by the Jews. It was in use, however, by the ancient Syrians, the Romans, the Macedonians, and the Greeks. It was inflicted on the worst class of criminals, especially on parricides, and on those guilty of sacrilege.
“706. The Mill” From Manners and Customs of the Bible:
Matthew 24:41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill.
See also Luke 17:35.
The ordinary hand-mill of the East consists of two circular stones from eighteen inches to two feet in diameter and about six inches deep. The lower, or “nether,” is sometimes, though not always, of heavier and harder stone than the upper. See Job 41:24. The upper, or “rider,” is slightly concave, and covers like the lid of a vessel the lower, which is convex. From the center of the lower stone there rises a pivot, on which the upper stone revolves. Near the edge of the upper stone is the perpendicular stick or handle by which it is turned, and at the center is a hole for the pivot, and also for the grain to fall through upon the stone below. The lower stone has a projection on a part of the edge two or three inches long, slanting downward, and hollowed so as to carry off the meal.
The work of grinding meal is usually performed by the women, and is very laborious. Sometimes one works alone, but usually two work together, sitting on the ground with the millstones between them, and both taking hold of the handle and moving it entirely around, to and from them. The usual time for grinding is at early dawn, or else at the evening in preparation for the following day. The stones, as they crush the grain, send forth a grating sound, which, though not very musical in itself; is melodious enough to a hungry traveler. Reference is made to this noise in Ecclesiastes 12:4; Jeremiah 25:10; Revelation 18:22. In addition to this, the women often sing while grinding.
The women who ground were, among the families of wealth, either slaves or the lowest servants. Thus, in Exodus 11:5, we read of “the maid-servant that is behind the mill.” In this passage the expression “behind the mill” can be readily understood by what is said above of the position of the servants when grinding. The prophet Isaiah represents the “virgin daughter of Babylon” as compelled to sit on the ground like a servant to grind meal See Isaiah 47:1-2. We also have more vividly brought before us the indignity which the Philistines put on Samson when they compelled him to “grind in the prison house.” See note on Judges 16:21 (#235).
The millstones were considered so important and necessary a part of household furniture that the Mosaic law would not allow them to be pawned. “No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge; for he taketh a man’s life to pledge” (Deut. 24:6).
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