κρίθινος (krithinos)
krithinos
barley
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective krithinos describes something made of or pertaining to barley. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both within John chapter 6, where it modifies loaves. This specific usage highlights the humble nature of the food provided by a young boy, emphasizing that the meal was simple and affordable rather than luxurious.
Barley was considered a staple grain for the poor in first-century Judea, contrasting sharply with wheat which was reserved for the wealthy. By specifying barley loaves, the text underscores the modesty of the offering before Jesus multiplies it to feed the multitude. This detail serves as a concrete reminder that God often works through ordinary, accessible means.
The word derives directly from krithē, the Greek term for barley itself. Its limited occurrence in Scripture focuses attention on the specific historical context of the feeding miracle, grounding the theological significance of the event in a tangible, everyday reality familiar to its original audience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word krithinos points to barley, a grain that was humble and affordable in first-century Judea. Unlike wheat, which belonged to the wealthy, barley was the daily bread of those with little money. When John specifies barley loaves, he reminds us that God often chooses the ordinary to do extraordinary things.
In John 6, a boy offers five small barley loaves and two fish. It seems like too little for so many people. Yet Jesus takes this simple meal and multiplies it. This shows that your small gifts, however modest they feel, are enough for God to work through. He does not need grand offerings; He needs willing hearts.
This detail grounds the miracle in real life. It was not a magical event removed from human experience. Instead, it happened with real food and real people. You can trust that Jesus sees the small things you bring to Him. He blesses what is available and makes it sufficient for your needs.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- barley2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κριθίνων1×
- κριθίνους1×
Key Verses
-
John 6:9
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?”
This verse identifies the source of the food as a boy's humble offering, highlighting the modesty of barley loaves compared to wheat.
-
John 6:13
So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.
Here the text notes that even after feeding thousands, twelve baskets of leftover barley pieces remained, showing God's abundant provision.