Easton's Bible Dictionary A winnowing shovel by which grain was thrown up against the wind that it might be cleansed from broken straw and chaff (Isaiah 30:24; Jeremiah 15:7; Matthew 3:12). (see AGRICULTURE.) Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An instrument used for producing artificial currents of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface 2. (n.) An instrument for cooling the person, made of feathers, paper, silk, etc., and often mounted on sticks all turning about the same pivot, so as when opened to radiate from the center and assume the figure of a section of a circle. 3. (n.) Any revolving vane or vanes used for producing currents of air, in winnowing grain, blowing a fire, ventilation, etc., or for checking rapid motion by the resistance of the air; a fan blower; a fan wheel. 4. (n.) An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away. 5. (n.) Something in the form of a fan when spread, as a peacock's tail, a window, etc. 6. (n.) A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock windmill always in the direction of the wind. 7. (n.) That which produces effects analogous to those of a fan, as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames, heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the flame of his passion. 8. (n.) A quintain; -- from its form. 9. (n.) To move as with a fan. 10. (n.) To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow the air on the face of with a fan. 11. (n.) To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion. 12. (n.) To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a current of air; as, to fan wheat. 13. (n.) To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan excites a flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the excitement of the populace. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia FAN, FANNER fan'-er: The word "fan" occurs 3 times only in the American Standard Revised Version (Jeremiah 15:7 Matthew 3:12 Luke 3:17). In Isaiah 30:24 mizreh is translated "fork," which is a much better translation if the instrument referred to was shaped like the winnowing fork used by the Syrian farmer today and still so called. In Isaiah 41:16 Jeremiah 4:11; Jeremiah 15:7, the verb zarah is rendered "winnow" in the American Standard Revised Version. In Jeremiah 51:2, the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "strangers" for "fanners."

Multi-Version Concordance Fan (8 Occurrences) Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT) Luke 3:17 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS) 2 Timothy 1:6 For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (See NIV) Isaiah 30:24 The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. (KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT) Isaiah 41:16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel. (KJV JPS DBY WBS) Jeremiah 4:11 At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse, (KJV JPS DBY WBS) Jeremiah 15:7 I have winnowed them with a fan in the gates of the land; I have bereaved them of children, I have destroyed my people; they didn't return from their ways. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT) Jeremiah 51:2 And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about. (Root in KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT)