Lexical Summary krithinos: barley Original Word: κριθήνινος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance made of barley flourFrom krithe; consisting of barley -- barley. see GREEK krithe HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2916 kríthinos (an adjective) – made of barley (barley loaves); "an inferior bread. Pliny and some of the Jewish writers describe barley as food fit for beasts. Suetonius speaks of a turgid rhetorician as a 'barley orator,' inflated like barley in moisture: and Livy relates how cohorts which had lost their standards were ordered barley for food" (WS, 439). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadjective from krithé Definition of barley NASB Translation barley (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2916: κρίθινοςκρίθινος, κριθινη, κρίθινον (κριθή), of barley, made of barley: ἄρτοι (2 Kings 4:42, cf. Judges 7:13), John 6:9, 13. ((Hippon., others.)) Topical Lexicon Occurrences in the New Testament Strong’s 2916 surfaces only in John 6:9 and John 6:13, both embedded in the account of the feeding of the five thousand. John alone supplies the descriptive note that the five loaves were “barley” rather than wheat, marking an eyewitness precision that corroborates the historicity of the event recorded by all four Gospels. Barley in First-Century Life Barley ripened several weeks earlier than wheat and was therefore the first grain harvested in the spring. It was common fare for the poor and for livestock (1 Kings 4:28). Because it grew in harsher soil and matured quickly, barley symbolized provision in lean conditions. A denarius would buy “three quarts of barley” during famine conditions (Revelation 6:6), underscoring its lesser market value. Old Testament Background Barley bread plays a role in Gideon’s dream that foretold Midian’s defeat (Judges 7:13) and in Elisha’s feeding of one hundred men (2 Kings 4:42–44). Barley also furnished the first-fruits wave offering on the day after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:10–14). These precedents foreshadow divine multiplication and victory, preparing the theological backdrop for Jesus’ miracle in John 6. Theological Emphases in John 6 1. Humility of Provision: A “small boy” (John 6:9) possessed what was regarded as humble food. That God incarnate multiplied common barley rather than refined wheat highlights His identification with the lowly. Ministry Principles • God employs ordinary means for extraordinary ends; modest resources committed to Christ can meet expansive needs. Liturgical and Festal Resonances The miracle occurred near Passover (John 6:4), the season when the first-fruits sheaf of barley was waved before the LORD. By multiplying barley loaves at this exact time, Jesus implicitly claims to be the true offering that guarantees the coming harvest of redeemed humanity. Apologetic Significance John’s barley detail aligns with agrarian realities of Galilee in early spring and serves as an undesigned coincidence supporting Johannine authenticity. The term’s rarity (appearing only twice) argues against later liturgical embellishment and for original eyewitness memory. Devotional Application Believers today may see in 2916 a summons to bring whatever seems small—time, talents, resources—to Christ, trusting Him to multiply it for kingdom purposes. The leftover fragments urge Christians not to waste grace but to preserve and share the abundance they receive. Summary Strong’s 2916, while linguistically simple, anchors a profound narrative thread: the God who once accepted the first sheaf of barley now, in Jesus Christ, feeds multitudes and offers Himself as the true Bread. The word’s twin appearances frame a miracle that discloses divine compassion, validates Scriptural coherence, and instructs the Church in humble, expectant service. Forms and Transliterations κριθινον κρίθινον κριθίνου κριθινους κριθίνους κριθινων κριθίνων κρικοι κρίκοι κρίκοις κρίκον κρίκους krithinon krithinōn krithínon krithínōn krithinous krithínousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 6:9 Adj-AMPGRK: πέντε ἄρτους κριθίνους καὶ δύο NAS: has five barley loaves and two KJV: hath five barley loaves, and INT: five loaves barley and two John 6:13 Adj-GMP Strong's Greek 2916 |
    |