That is, by taking from him something essential to the preparation of his food, and thus endangering the health of his family. For centuries the poor of the East have lived on the verge of starvation, and a seemingly little thing such as this might prove tragic.
Nether or the upper millstone.
Literally, “both millstones or the part of one.” The word translated “upper millstone” may refer to one stone, or to a piece of the mill (Judges 9:53; 2 Sam. 11:21).