In biblical times, the concept of a "handful" was often used to describe a small, yet significant, portion of something, whether it be grain, wealth, or even actions. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both literal and metaphorical meanings.

Old Testament Usage

1. Agricultural Context: In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, a handful often referred to a small measure of grain. For instance, in the book of Ruth, Boaz instructs his workers to leave "handfuls of grain" for Ruth to glean (Ruth 2:16). This act of kindness not only provided for Ruth and Naomi but also demonstrated the principle of generosity and provision for the needy, as outlined in the Mosaic Law.

2. Symbol of Abundance and Blessing: In 1 Kings 17:12, the widow of Zarephath describes her dire situation to Elijah, saying, "I have only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug." Despite the meager amount, God miraculously multiplies her resources, showcasing His power to provide abundantly from what seems insufficient.

3. Measure of Wealth: In Ecclesiastes 4:6, Solomon reflects on the value of contentment, stating, "Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." Here, a handful symbolizes a modest, yet sufficient, amount of wealth or possessions, emphasizing the importance of peace and satisfaction over the relentless pursuit of material gain.

New Testament Usage

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "handful," the concept is echoed in teachings about provision and contentment. Jesus' feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21) and the four thousand (Matthew 15:32-39) with just a few loaves and fish illustrates the principle that God can multiply even the smallest offerings to meet the needs of many.

Theological Implications

The use of "handfuls" in Scripture often points to themes of divine provision, generosity, and contentment. It serves as a reminder that God values the heart behind the offering more than the size of the gift. The principle of leaving "handfuls" for the poor, as seen in the account of Ruth, underscores the biblical mandate to care for the less fortunate and to trust in God's provision.

In a broader sense, the concept of a handful challenges believers to evaluate their own lives in terms of contentment and reliance on God. It encourages a perspective that values spiritual richness over material abundance, aligning with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21 about storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a handful was a practical measure used in daily life, from cooking to commerce. It was a tangible representation of a portion that could be easily grasped and shared. This cultural understanding enriches the biblical narratives, providing insight into the everyday lives of the people and the lessons God imparted through their experiences.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of "handfuls" serves as a powerful metaphor for God's provision and the call to live a life marked by generosity and contentment. Through both Old and New Testament examples, believers are encouraged to trust in God's ability to multiply their resources and to find peace in His sufficiency.8168. shoal -- hollow hand, handful
... 8167, 8168. shoal. 8169 . hollow hand, handful. Transliteration: shoal
Phonetic Spelling: (sho'-al) Short Definition: handfuls. ...
/hebrew/8168.htm - 6k

4393. melo -- fullness, that which fills
... 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), multitude (1 ...
/hebrew/4393.htm - 6k

2651. chophen -- the hollow of the hand
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition the hollow of the hand NASB Word Usage
fists (2), handfuls* (2), hands (2). fists, both hands, handful. ...
/hebrew/2651.htm - 6k

Our Lord Subdued his Might and Constrained It, that his Living ...
... This harvest wherein every day there labour, diseases as harvesters, I alone carry
the handfuls and gather them up; other gatherers in making haste, drop ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxvi our lord subdued.htm

Centenary Commemoration of the Consecration of Bishop Seabury. ...
... A small and despised remnant of a once powerful people straggling back, as it
might seem, in handfuls, from their seventy years' captivity. ...
/.../centenary commemoration of the consecration.htm

The Saybrook Platform and the Toleration Act
... True, there were a few handfuls of dissenters scattered through the colony, but
Congregationalism, with a strong tincture of Presbyterianism, was almost the ...
/.../chapter vii the saybrook platform.htm

Gregory Consoles Himself.
... bear us in safety through all that shall befall as; and it may be that we shall
come yet again to thee, bringing with us the fruits and handfuls yielded by ...
/.../argument xvii gregory consoles himself.htm

God's Word not to be Refused
... most earnestly preached. Let the sower scatter handfuls of seeds, and birds
will find out the seeds and soon devour them. Let the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/gods word not to be.htm

Boaz and Ruth.
... thy mother-in-law since the death of thine husband." He also bade her to eat and
drink with his servants, and told his reapers to let some handfuls of grain ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/boaz and ruth.htm

While Licinius Pursued with his Army, the Fugitive Tyrant ...
... within him, so that he was driven to distraction with the intolerable pain; and
during a fit of frenzy, which lasted four days, he gathered handfuls of earth ...
/.../chap xlix while licinius pursued.htm

Why Men do not Attain Quickly to the Perfect Love of God. Of Four ...
... 5. A pleasant way this of seeking the love of God! we retain our own affections,
and yet will have that love, as they say, by handfuls. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xi why men do.htm

2 Cor. Ix. 10
... also he continually calls it "seed." For like as the corn cast into the ground showeth
luxuriant crops, so also many are the handfuls almsgiving produceth of ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xx 2 cor ix.htm

The Bad Squire
... 'Can your lady patch hearts that are breaking With handfuls of coals and rice, Or
by dealing out flannel and sheeting A little below cost price? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the bad squire.htm

Sheaves (13 Occurrences)
... shef, shevz ('alummah, `omer, `amir): When the grain is reaped, it is laid in handfuls
back of the reaper to be gathered by children or those who cannot stand ...
/s/sheaves.htm - 12k

Sheaf (11 Occurrences)
... shef, shevz ('alummah, `omer, `amir): When the grain is reaped, it is laid in handfuls
back of the reaper to be gathered by children or those who cannot stand ...
/s/sheaf.htm - 12k

Furnace (35 Occurrences)
... destruction of the cities of the plain is said to have ascended "as the smoke of
a furnace"; in Exodus 9:8, where Yahweh commands to take "handfuls of ashes of ...
/f/furnace.htm - 22k

Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)
... sprin'-k'-l, sprin'-kling (zaraq, nazah; rhantizein): The first word means "to toss"
or "scatter abundantly," eg in handfuls, as dust on the head (Job 2:12) or ...
/s/sprinkle.htm - 26k

Handfuls (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Handfuls (7 Occurrences). Genesis 41:47 And in the seven
plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. (KJV ASV DBY YLT). ...
/h/handfuls.htm - 8k

Barley (35 Occurrences)
... The false prophetesses (Ezekiel 13:19) are said to have profaned God among the people
for "handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread." Barley was also used in ...
/b/barley.htm - 23k

Handful (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:10 Ben Hadad sent to him, and said, "The gods do so to me, and more also,
if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who ...
/h/handful.htm - 11k

Quietness (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness,
than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. ...
/q/quietness.htm - 10k

Kiln (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 9:8 Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron, "Take to you handfuls of ashes of
the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the sky in the sight of Pharaoh. ...
/k/kiln.htm - 8k

Gleaned (6 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:16 and also ye do surely cast to her of the handfuls -- and have left,
and she hath gleaned, and ye do not push against her.' (YLT). ...
/g/gleaned.htm - 8k

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