# winnow, sift #

## Definition: ##

The terms "winnow" and "sift" mean to separate grain from unwanted materials. In the Bible, both words are also used in a figurative sense to refer to separating or dividing people.

* To "winnow" means to separate grain from the unwanted parts of the plant by tossing both the grain and chaff into the air, allowing the wind to blow the chaff away.
* The word "sift" refers to shaking the winnowed grain in a sieve to get rid of any remaining unwanted materials, such as dirt or stones.
* In the Old Testament, "winnow" and "sift" are used figuratively to describe hardship that separates the righteous people from the unrighteous people.
* Jesus also used the term "sift" in this figurative way when he was telling Simon Peter about how he and the other disciples would be tested in their faith.
* To translate these terms, use the words or phrases in the project language that refer to these activities; possible translations might be "shaking" or "fanning." If winnowing or sifting are not known, then these terms could be translated by a term that refers to a different method of separating grain from chaff or dirt, or by describing this process.

(See also: [How to Translate Unknowns](en/ta-vol1/translate/man/translate-unknown))

(See also: [chaff](../other/chaff.md), [grain](../other/grain.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [Isaiah 21:10](en/tn/isa/help/21/10)
* [Luke 22:31-32](en/tn/luk/help/22/31)
* [Matthew 03:10-12](en/tn/mat/help/03/10)
* [Proverbs 20:7-8](en/tn/pro/help/20/07)
* [Ruth 03:1-2](en/tn/rut/help/03/01)