fan Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
fan in 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 (Isa. 30:24; Jer. 15:7; Matt. 3:12). (See AGRICULTURE T0000124.)
fan in Smith's Bible Dictionary
a winnowing-shovel, with which grain was thrown up against the wind to be cleansed from the chaff and straw. #Isa 30;24; Mt 3:12| A large wooden fork is used at the present day.
fan in Schaff's Bible Dictionary
FAN . This was probably a broad shovel used to toss the threshed grain against the breeze for the purpose of separating the chaff from the grain. Isa 30:24. The "shovel" mentioned in the same passage seems to have been a Winnowing-Fans. narrower implement, or, as some think, a fork or bread-basket used in a similar way. Jer 15:7; Matt 3:12. See Thresh, Winnow.
fan in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
KJV term for a long wooden fork used to toss grain into the air so that the chaff is blown away. Shovels were also used for this purpose (Isaiah 30:24). Modern translations render the underlying Hebrew and Greek terms shovel, winnowing fork, or winnowing shovel.