Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of a "handful" is often used to denote a small, yet significant, amount of something, whether it be material goods, blessings, or even actions. The term is both literal and metaphorical, appearing in various contexts throughout Scripture.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, a handful is frequently associated with offerings and sacrifices. For instance, in
Leviticus 2:2, the priest is instructed to take a "handful of the fine flour and oil, together with all the frankincense," as a memorial portion to be burned on the altar. This act signifies the dedication of a small, yet meaningful, portion to God, symbolizing the worshiper's devotion and acknowledgment of God's provision.
The concept of a handful also appears in the context of divine provision and sustenance. In
1 Kings 17:12, the widow of Zarephath tells Elijah, "As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug." Despite the meager resources, God miraculously provides for the widow, her son, and Elijah, demonstrating His power to multiply and sustain even the smallest of offerings.
Wisdom LiteratureIn
Ecclesiastes 4:6, the Preacher reflects on the value of contentment, stating, "Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." This proverb emphasizes the importance of peace and satisfaction over the relentless pursuit of wealth and material gain. It serves as a reminder that a modest amount, when accompanied by contentment, is more valuable than abundance accompanied by strife.
New Testament ImplicationsWhile the New Testament does not frequently use the term "handful," the principle of small, yet significant, offerings is evident in the teachings of Jesus. In
Mark 12:41-44, Jesus observes a poor widow who contributes two small coins to the temple treasury. He remarks that she has given more than all the others because she gave out of her poverty, offering all she had to live on. This narrative underscores the value of sacrificial giving and the heart behind the offering, rather than the quantity.
Symbolism and ApplicationThe handful, as a biblical symbol, represents the idea that God values the heart and intention behind what is given or done, rather than the sheer volume. It serves as a reminder of God's ability to use and multiply even the smallest contributions for His purposes. In a broader sense, the handful can be seen as a metaphor for the believer's life—entrusting even the smallest aspects to God can yield significant spiritual fruit.
In summary, the biblical concept of a handful illustrates themes of provision, sacrifice, contentment, and divine multiplication. It encourages believers to offer what they have, no matter how small, with a sincere heart, trusting in God's ability to use it for His glory.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) As much as the hand will grasp or contain.
2. (n.) A hand's breadth; four inches.
3. (n.) A small quantity.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HANDFULhand'-fool: There are five words in Hebrew used to indicate what may be held in the hand, either closed or open.
(1) chophen, chophnayim. The fist or closed hand occurs in the dual in Exodus 9:8, where it signifies what can be taken in the two hands conjoined, a double handful.
(2) kaph, "hollow of the hand," the palm; an open handful (Leviticus 9:17 1 Kings 17:12 Ecclesiastes 4:6).
(3) `amir, "sheaf or bundle." It signifies the quantity of grain a gleaner may gather in his hand (Jeremiah 9:22 (Hebrew 21)).
(4) qomets, "the closed handful" (Genesis 41:47 Leviticus 2:2; Leviticus 5:12; Leviticus 6:15 (Hebrew 6:8); Numbers 5:26).
(5) sho`al, "the hollow of the hand," or what can be held in it (1 Kings 20:10 Ezekiel 13:19). In Isaiah 40:12 it signifies "measure."
(6) piccah (Psalm 72:16) is rendered "handful" by the King James Version, but is properly "abundance" as in the Revised Version (British and American).
H. Porter
Greek
3459. mulon -- mill. ... people. One person dropped a
handful of grain on a lower stone, while the other
rubbed another stone back-and-forth on it to grind the grain.
... Strong's Hebrew
8168. shoal -- hollow hand, handful... 8167, 8168. shoal. 8169 . hollow hand,
handful. Transliteration: shoal Phonetic
Spelling: (sho'-al) Short Definition: handfuls.
... handful, hollow of the hand.
... 7062. qomets -- closed hand, fist
... 7061, 7062. qomets. 7063 . closed hand, fist. Transliteration: qomets Phonetic
Spelling: (ko'mets) Short Definition: handful. ... handful. ...
7061. qamats -- enclose with the hand, grasp
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition enclose with the hand, grasp NASB Word
Usage take (2), take a handful (1). take an handful. A ...
5995. amir -- a swath, row of fallen grain
... sheaves (3). handful, sheaf. From amar; a bunch of grain -- handful, sheaf. see
HEBREW amar. 5994, 5995. amir. 5996 . Strong's Numbers.
6653. tsebathim -- bundles (of grain)
... handful. From an unused root apparently meaning to grip; a lock of stalks --
handful. 6652, 6653. tsebathim. 6654 . Strong's Numbers.
6451. pissah -- probably abundance, plenty
... abundance (1). handful. From pacac; expansion, ie Abundance -- handful. see HEBREW
pacac. 6450, 6451. pissah. 6452 . Strong's Numbers.
3709. kaph -- hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot) ...
... palm, sole (of the foot), a pan NASB Word Usage branches (1), earnings* (1), footstep*
(1), give pledges* (1), grasp (2), hand (46), handful* (1), handles (1 ...
4393. melo -- fullness, that which fills
... fills NASB Word Usage all (2), all it contains (8), all its fullness (1), band
(1), contains (1), fill (1), full (11), fullness (4), handful* (3), handfuls* (2 ...
2651. chophen -- the hollow of the hand
... fists, both hands, handful. From an unused root of uncertain signification; a fist
(only in the dual) -- fists, (both) hands, hand(-ful). 2650, 2651. ...
Library
September the Twenty-Second the Handful of Meal
... SEPTEMBER The Twenty-second THE HANDFUL OF MEAL. ... But how strange that a widow with
only "a handful of meal" should be "commanded" to offer hospitality! ...
Paul at Philippi
... insignificant knot of people than the little weather- beaten Jew, travel-stained,
of weak bodily presence, and of contemptible speech, with the handful of his ...
Elijah Fed by Ravens.
... The widow turned and said, "As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but only
a handful of meal, and a little oil in a cruse; and, behold, I am gathering ...
"The Widow Woman was There. " I Kings xvii. 10
... I have only a handful of meal, and I had come out to gather some sticks that I might
bake a little cake for me and the lad, and then we shall have to die of ...
Salt Without Savour
... A Galilean peasant, with a few of his rude countrymen who had gathered round him,
stands up there on the mountain, and says to them, 'You, a handful, are the ...
Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ...
... obtain this plentiful provision, in the first place, they offer the first-fruits
of their barley, and that in the manner following: They take a handful of the ...
Science and the Savages
... A man might work out the whole of mathematics with a handful of pebbles, but not
with a handful of clay which was always falling apart into new fragments, and ...
The Life of Sir Rob^T. Hamilton of Preston.
... After this he returned with that little handful to Evandale, where he was by them
appointed to command in chief June 1st, at the skirmish of Drumclog, wherein ...
A Nickname Accepted
... A handful of large-hearted, brave men, anonymous fugitives belonging to the little
Church in Jerusalem, had come down to Antioch; and there, without ...
The Inexhaustible Barrel
... And now she has come forth with a double trouble, to gather a handful of
sticks to dress her last meal, that she may eat it and die. ...
Thesaurus
Memorial-part (7 Occurrences)... Leviticus 2:2 and he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests; and he shall take
thereout his
handful of the fine flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with
...Sheaves (13 Occurrences)
... It is a custom in parts of Syria for the gatherers of the sheaves to run toward
a passing horseman and wave a handful of grain, shouting kemshi, kemshi ...
Sheaf (11 Occurrences)
... It is a custom in parts of Syria for the gatherers of the sheaves to run toward
a passing horseman and wave a handful of grain, shouting kemshi, kemshi ...
Memorial (54 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 2:2 He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take
his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and ...
Portion (227 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 2:2 He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take
his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and ...
Soothing (40 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 2:2 He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take
his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and ...
Odour (43 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 2:2 And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take
thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all ...
Aroma (50 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 2:2 He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take
his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and ...
Smoke (98 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 2:2 and he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests; and he shall take
thereout his handful of the fine flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with ...
Odor (46 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 2:2 He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take
his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and ...
Resources
What was the leviathan? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Anna the prophetess in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is apocatastasis, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgHandful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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