Lakash (H3953) means to gather aftergrowth or second crop — gleaning what remains after the main harvest. The noun form lekesh refers to the late-season or aftergrowth crop. It appears only twice in the OT.
This word connects to the biblical law of gleaning — leaving the edges of fields and fallen grain for the poor (Lev 19:9-10). The aftergrowth represents provision through incompleteness: the landowner's deliberate restraint creates abundance for the marginalized. Ruth's story embodies this principle (Ruth 2). Theologically, lakash points to God's economy of surplus grace — where even what remains after the primary harvest sustains others.
The concept behind lakash belongs to Israel's remarkable agricultural-social welfare system. The law of the corner (pe'ah) and gleaning (leket) reflected God's provision economy: the land ultimately belongs to God, and its surplus should flow to the vulnerable. This systemic generosity anticipates the NT principle of sharing with those in need.