Berean Bible

Back to Reader

John

Note Journal Prayer

6

:

7

“

Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of loaves are not sufficient for them, that each might receive one little piece.”

Lexicon

Verse part Definition: Part of speech: Strong's: Greek: Transliteration:
Philip Philip, (a) one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, (b) tetrarch of the Ituraean and Trachonitic region, half-brother of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, (c) one of the seven original deacons at Jerusalem and a missionary. N-NMS H5376 Φίλιππος philippos
answered To answer, reply, take up the conversation. V-AIP-3S H611 ἀπεκρίθη apekrithē
“Two hundred Two hundred. Adj-GNP H1250 διακοσίων diakosiōn
Analysis:

Two: Two divergent opinions

The classic example for the number "two" is found in Matthew chapter 26. There, Yeshua says to His disciples,

"You know that after two days comes the Passover, and the Son of Man will be given over for crucifixion."  Matthew 26:2

The phrase "after two days" is somewhat meaningless because after two days can mean three or more days. The period is unspecified. The reason for such ambiguous language is because the purpose of the number two in this passage is not solely numerical. This means that the text is not intending to provide the reader with some definite information concerning a time period. Rather, the purpose of the number two in this context is one of the numerological meanings of the number two.  Often the number two relates to two divergent opinions. In the aforementioned verse, the author wants to inform the reader that there are two very different understandings for this coming Passover. Yeshua wants to emphasize that He is going up to Jerusalem in order to die as the true Passover sacrifice. Even though Yeshua states this emphatically, the disciples did not receive this. In fact, the disciples did not perceive at all what was going to take place during Passover in regard to Yeshua. In other words, Yeshua and the disciples have two divergent opinions concerning the Passover.

This same principle is also found in the Hebrew Bible (Old Covenant). In the book of Amos one reads,

"Can two walk together without them having agreed" Amos 3:3

The word which was translated into English with the phrase "them having agreed" is נועדו. The root of this word is יעד, which relates to a specific destination. The word which precedes this word is בלתי and in this context the word implies a change to the condition. In other words, had there not been a change in the condition, then the two could not walk together, i.e. they could not have arrived at the common destination.

The concept of divergent or different is also seen in the book of Genesis. In speaking about the sun and moon one reads, "And God made two great lights…" (Genesis 1:16). Obviously the sun and moon are very different, as one is a source of light, while the latter just reflects light. Also in the book of Genesis, one encounters the account of the flood. Here Noah is commanded to bring onto the ark two sorts of each type of animal. In this passage, the two relates to two different (or divergent) kinds of the same sort, i.e. male and female. 

Likewise, two angels came to Sodom, demonstrating that the people of Sodom had a very different way of living from that of the Law of God. Once again, the reader should not assume that every occurrence of the number two in the Bible demands this interpretation. However, one will find in a great majority of Biblical passages, the reader will be assisted in arriving at the proper interpretation, when he considers this divergent quality for the number two. 

Loveisrael.org - Baruch Korman, Ph.D. - All Rights Reserved - Used with Permission 2016
denarii worth A denarius, a small Roman silver coin. N-GNP H1220 δηναρίων dēnariōn
of loaves Bread, a loaf, food. N-NMP H740 ἄρτοι artoi
are not sufficient To keep off, assist; to suffice; pass: to be satisfied. V-PIA-3P H714 ἀρκοῦσιν arkousin
each Each (of more than two), every one. Adj-NMS H1538 ἕκαστος ekastos
might receive (a) to receive, get, (b) to take, lay hold of. V-ASA-3S H2983 λάβῃ labē
little [piece].” Short, little, few. Adj-ANS H1024 βραχύ brachu

Parallel Verses

Removed text
Added text
Berean Bible Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of loaves are not sufficient for them, that each might receive one little piece.”
King James Bible Philip answered Him, “Two him, Two hundred denarii worth pennyworth of loaves are bread is not sufficient for them, that each might receive every one little piece.”of them may take a little.
Hebrew Greek English Philip answered Him, “Two "Two hundred denarii worth of loaves are bread is not sufficient for them, that each might for everyone to receive one little piece.”a little."
New American Standard Bible 1995 Philip answered Him, “Two "Two hundred denarii worth of loaves are bread is not sufficient for them, that each might for everyone to receive one little piece.”a little."