In biblical times, the concept of "scraps" or "crumbs" often carried significant spiritual and social implications. The term generally refers to the remnants or leftovers of food, which, in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, could symbolize both physical sustenance and spiritual truths.

Old Testament Context

While the Old Testament does not explicitly mention "scraps" in the same way as the New Testament, the idea of leftovers or remnants can be seen in various laws and narratives. For instance, the Mosaic Law provided for the poor and the sojourner by instructing landowners not to harvest the edges of their fields or gather the gleanings (Leviticus 19:9-10). This practice ensured that those in need could gather what was left behind, highlighting God's provision and care for the marginalized.

New Testament Context

The New Testament provides a more direct reference to scraps in the account of the Syrophoenician woman. In Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30, a Gentile woman approaches Jesus, asking Him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus initially responds, "It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs" (Matthew 15:26). The woman replies, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table" (Matthew 15:27). Her faith and humility are rewarded as Jesus grants her request, demonstrating that God's mercy extends beyond the boundaries of Israel.

This passage underscores the theme of God's grace being available to all, regardless of ethnic or social status. The "crumbs" symbolize the abundance of God's blessings, which overflow to those who are often considered outsiders.

Spiritual Significance

In a spiritual sense, scraps or crumbs can represent the humility and faith required to receive God's grace. The Syrophoenician woman's willingness to accept even the smallest portion of Jesus' power and mercy illustrates a profound trust in His sufficiency. This narrative encourages believers to approach God with humility, recognizing that even the smallest measure of His grace is more than enough to meet their needs.

Cultural and Social Implications

In the cultural context of the Bible, sharing food was an act of fellowship and community. Scraps, therefore, were not merely waste but a means of extending hospitality and care to those in need. The early Christian community embodied this principle by sharing their resources and ensuring that no one among them lacked necessities (Acts 4:32-35).

Conclusion

The biblical concept of scraps serves as a powerful reminder of God's provision, the inclusivity of His grace, and the call for believers to extend generosity and compassion to others. Through the lens of Scripture, what might seem insignificant becomes a testament to the abundance and sufficiency of God's love.4691. spermologos -- a seed picker, fig. one who picks up scraps ...
... one who picks up scraps of knowledge. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration:
spermologos Phonetic Spelling: (sper-mol-og'-os) Short Definition: a babbler ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4691.htm - 6k

4657. skubalon -- refuse
... 4657 (from 2965 , "dog" and 906 , "throw") -- properly, thrown to dogs, like filthy
scraps of garbage (table-scraps, dung, muck, sweepings); (figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4657.htm - 7k

Scraps from the Arundel Ms.
... Scraps from the Arundel MS. Sinful man look up and see, how ruefully I
hung on rood; And of my penance have pity with sorrowful ...
/.../scraps from the arundel ms.htm

Resolves to Go to College. Friends Oppose. Wife Decides It. Hard ...
... "Frank, Be a True Man." House Robbed. "Scraps." College Incidents. First Pay for
Preaching. ... "Frank, Be a True Man." House Robbed. "Scraps." College Incidents. ...
/.../chapter viii resolves to go.htm

Introduction
... There were a few scraps of information to be gleaned from the classical authors
of Greece and Rome, which had been so sifted and tortured as to yield almost ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

The Throne of Grace
... to God's almonry where he dispenses his favours to the poor, nor do we come to the
back-door of the house of mercy to receive the broken scraps, though that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the throne of grace.htm

Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel
... Father-in-law Dies. "Frank, Be a True Man." House Robbed. "Scraps." College Incidents.
First Pay for Preaching. Holds Several Meetings. Dishonest Preacher. ...
/.../allen/autobiography of frank g allen minister of the gospel/

The Form of Perfect Living and Other Prose Treatises
... SECOND PART OF THE BOOK. THIRD PART OF THE BOOK. On Grace. An Epistle on Charity.
Contrition. Scraps from the Arundel MS. [ Prev] [Top] [Next ]. ...
/.../rolle/the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/

The Ideal Man
... Our Christian experience is very apt to be made of scraps, bits of sermons, stray
texts, and isolated sentences instead of being of a piece and of increasing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/a life for a life/the ideal man.htm

The Design and Unity of Luke's History
... shown in numberless ways, make it clear that the author was no clipper-up of fragments
from other writers, no mere scissors-and-paste editor of scraps, no mere ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 2 the design and.htm

Significant Phrases
... billing and cooing. birth and breeding. bite and sting. bits and scraps. bitter
and disdainful. black and solitary. bland and ingenious. blasphemous and profane ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

Choosing the Tens
... passages and interiors, speckled with fallen mortar, lay chains, rubble of brick
and chipped stone; splinters, flinders and odd ends of timber; scraps of metal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter i choosing the tens.htm

Scraps (5 Occurrences)
...Scraps (5 Occurrences). Matthew 15:27 "Be it so, Sir," she said, "for even the dogs
eat the scraps which fall from their masters' tables." (WEY). ...
/s/scraps.htm - 7k

Scrip (7 Occurrences)
... generally made of skin (Matthew 10:10; Mark 6:8; Luke 9:3; 10:4). The name "scrip"
is meant to denote that the bag was intended to hold scraps, fragments, as ...
/s/scrip.htm - 10k

Sir (90 Occurrences)
... (WEY YLT). Matthew 15:27 "Be it so, Sir," she said, "for even the dogs eat
the scraps which fall from their masters' tables." (WEY YLT). ...
/s/sir.htm - 32k

Vulture (16 Occurrences)
... They flocked over the altars for the entrails from sacrifice, and devoured
scraps cast aside by tent-dwellers and residents of cities. ...
/v/vulture.htm - 14k

Nay (92 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full meal
off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. ...
/n/nay.htm - 34k

Longing (40 Occurrences)
... Longing (40 Occurrences). Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full
meal off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. ...
/l/longing.htm - 18k

Floor (69 Occurrences)
... NIV). Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the
scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. Nay ...
/f/floor.htm - 32k

Flung (11 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 16:21 covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off
the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. ...
/f/flung.htm - 9k

Fragment (1 Occurrence)
... volumes), under the word "Fragment"; Weymouth translates "broken portions," namely,
"those into which the Lord had broken the loaves; not mere scraps or crumbs ...
/f/fragment.htm - 8k

Tables (41 Occurrences)
... Tables (41 Occurrences). Matthew 15:27 "Be it so, Sir," she said, "for even the
dogs eat the scraps which fall from their masters' tables." (WEY). ...
/t/tables.htm - 20k

Who was Lazarus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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What does the Bible mean when it refers to a remnant? | GotQuestions.org

Scraps: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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