Greek word · G5589
ψιχίον, ψίξ
psichion, psix
crumb
A diminutive of ψίξ, "crumb": a small morsel or scrap, especially of bread.
Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of Matthew 15:27
- Range of meaning
A diminutive of ψίξ, "crumb": a small morsel or scrap, especially of bread.
- Against the English
"Crumbs" is accurate. The point is how small the claim is: tiny pieces set against the "bread" (ἄρτος) of verse 26.
- Used elsewhere in the period
A rare word, found in the NT only here, in the Markan parallel (Mark 7:28), and in some manuscripts of Luke 16:21 (Lazarus longing for what fell from the rich man's table). It is formed like other diminutives in the story (κυνάριον, Mark's θυγάτριον "little daughter").
Where it appears
Matthew · 1
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Matthew 15:27 ψιχίων crumbs
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Here: Another diminutive: tiny scraps of bread. It contrasts with "the children's bread" (ἄρτος) in verse 26. She does not ask for the loaf, only for what drops anyway.
Mark · 1
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Mark 7:28 ψιχίων crumbs
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.