פַּת
a bit
Definition
פַּת (path) primarily means a 'piece' or 'morsel' of bread, a small portion of food. In most contexts, it refers to a broken-off bit of bread, as seen when Abraham offers his guests 'a morsel of bread' (Genesis 18:5) or when Ruth dips her 'morsel' in wine (Ruth 2:14). In Levitical law, it describes the pieces of a grain offering (Leviticus 2:6, 6:21). The word can also denote a more general 'piece' or portion, such as the 'piece of meat' in Nathan's parable (2 Samuel 12:3).
Biblical Usage
פַּת is used 15 times across narrative, legal, and prophetic books. It commonly appears in hospitality contexts, signifying a modest offering of sustenance (Genesis 18:5, Judges 19:5, 1 Samuel 28:22). In Leviticus, it is a technical term for the broken pieces of the grain offering. It also appears in dire circumstances, like the 'piece of silver' (a metaphorical morsel) begged by Eli's descendants (1 Samuel 2:36). The usage consistently implies something small, broken, or portioned out.
Etymology
Derived from the root פָּתַת (patat, H6626), meaning 'to break, to break in pieces.' This root directly informs its meaning as a broken-off fragment. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to breaking bread.
Semantic Range
While a simple noun, פַּת gains theological weight in contexts of provision, covenant, and sacrifice. Abraham's 'morsel' (Genesis 18:5) initiates a covenant meal. In Leviticus, the broken pieces (פַּת) of the grain offering symbolize the worshiper's dedicated, portioned-out gift to God. Understanding it as a 'broken piece' enriches the imagery of shared meals as acts of fellowship and divine provision.
In ancient Israelite culture, bread was a staple, and a פַּת was the basic unit of consumption—a piece torn from a loaf. Offering a 'morsel' was a fundamental act of hospitality and sustenance, far more significant than in modern settings with abundant food. It represented sharing one's essential provision.
לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — 'bread, food'; a general term for bread or sustenance, whereas פַּת is a specific piece of it. פָּתַת (patat, H6626) — the verbal root meaning 'to break,' from which פַּת is derived.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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