en_obs-sn/content/16/05.md

threshing grain

The grain was wheat, which has a head of many small grains, or seeds, on the top of a thin stalk. Grain is separating the seeds of the plant from the stalks by beating the heads of grain. The seeds are food, but the stalks are not.

in a hidden place

People normally thresh grain on a high, open place where the wind can blow away the chaff of the wheat that people cannot eat. However, Gideon was so afraid of the Midiantes that he was in a secluded place where it would be difficult to separate out the grain.