In biblical literature, the term "crumb" is often used to signify smallness or insignificance, yet it carries profound theological implications. The concept of a crumb is most notably illustrated in the New Testament, specifically in the account of the Syrophoenician woman who approached Jesus for the healing of her demon-possessed daughter.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 15:21-28 : In this passage, a Canaanite woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon approaches Jesus, pleading for mercy and healing for her daughter. Jesus initially responds, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). The woman persists, and Jesus further tests her faith by saying, "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 master’s table" (Matthew 15:27). Her response demonstrates humility and faith, acknowledging her unworthiness yet trusting in Jesus' abundant mercy. Jesus commends her faith and grants her request, healing her daughter.

2. Mark 7:24-30 : This parallel account in the Gospel of Mark provides a similar narrative, emphasizing the woman's faith and Jesus' willingness to extend His grace beyond the boundaries of Israel. The use of "crumbs" here symbolizes the overflow of God's blessings, which are so abundant that even the smallest portion is sufficient to meet the needs of those who believe.

Theological Significance:

The imagery of crumbs in these passages highlights several key theological themes:

· Faith and Humility: The Syrophoenician woman's acknowledgment of her position as an outsider and her acceptance of even the smallest portion of Jesus' power underscores the importance of humility and faith in approaching God. Her belief that even a crumb of Jesus' power could heal her daughter is a testament to her great faith.

· Inclusivity of the Gospel: The narrative illustrates the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry. While His primary mission was to the people of Israel, the extension of grace to a Gentile woman foreshadows the broader mission of the Gospel to all nations. The crumbs signify that God's mercy is not limited to a select group but is available to all who seek Him in faith.

· Abundance of God's Provision: The concept of crumbs falling from the table suggests the abundance of God's provision. Even what seems insignificant in human terms is more than sufficient when it comes from the hand of God. This abundance is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God's provision often exceeds human expectations.

Cultural Context:

In the cultural context of the New Testament, dogs were generally viewed as unclean animals, and the term could be used derogatorily. However, the woman's response transforms the metaphor, demonstrating her understanding of Jesus' mission and her faith in His power. Her willingness to accept even a crumb from the master's table reflects a deep trust in Jesus' ability to provide and heal.

Application for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the account of the crumbs serves as a reminder of the importance of approaching God with humility and faith. It encourages Christians to trust in the sufficiency of God's grace, even when it appears as a mere crumb. The narrative also challenges believers to recognize the inclusivity of the Gospel and to extend God's love and mercy to all people, regardless of their background or status.1. (n.) A small fragment or piece; especially, a small piece of bread or other food, broken or cut off.

2. (n.) Fig.: A little; a bit; as, a crumb of comfort.

3. (n.) The soft part of bread.

4. (v. t.) To break into crumbs or small pieces with the fingers; as, to crumb bread.

CRUMB

krum (psichion, "a little bit"): Occurs only in the New Testament, of remnants of food, scraps. Lazarus desired "to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table" (Luke 16:21). "Even the (little) dogs eat of the crumbs" (Matthew 15:27 Mark 7:28), "possibly the fragments of bread on which the guests wiped their hands (after thrusting them into the common dish), and flung to the dogs" (Farrar, Life of Christ, I, 476).

5589. psichion -- a crumb (of bread)
... a crumb (of bread). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: psichion Phonetic
Spelling: (psikh-ee'-on) Short Definition: a crumb Definition: a crumb. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5589.htm - 6k

5596. psomion -- a fragment, morsel
... morsel, crumb. Diminutive from a derivative of the base of psocho; a crumb or morsel
(as if rubbed off), ie A mouthful -- sop. see GREEK psocho. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5596.htm - 6k

5350. niqqud -- perhaps what is crumbled or easily crumbles ...
... Crumb, Biscuit. From the same as naqod; a crumb (as broken to spots); also a biscuit
(as pricked) -- cracknel, mouldy. see HEBREW naqod. 5349, 5350. ...
/hebrew/5350.htm - 6k

Psalm CXLI.
... Therefore lest a crumb be given to the hungry, and in the crumb a member
of Christ suffer, is the hungry to die of hunger? False ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxli.htm

Crumbs and the Bread
... mercies. A crumb is enough for her, which they will never miss. ... is. A crumb
has fallen, in His brief visit. May she not eat of that? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/crumbs and the bread.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.
... See asked for a crumb, and He gave her a whole loaf! I once heard Rev. ... If the master
threw him a crumb, the dog would seize it before it got to the floor. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter iv grace abounding to.htm

Preface.
... already, but, perhaps, are none the worse for that. We send out this little
book in the hope that both crust and crumb will be eaten! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/preface.htm

Miscellaneous Phrases
... A copious torrent of pleasantry. A course of arrogant obstinacy. A crumb of consolation.
A crystallized embodiment of the age. A cynical and selfish hedonist. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section xi miscellaneous phrases.htm

The Lad's Loaves in the Lord's Hands
... feed them! The disproportion is enormous: if each one should have only
the tiniest crumb, there would not be sufficient. In like ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the lads loaves in the.htm

That He who is About to Communicate with Christ Ought to Prepare ...
... not devotion, but rather feelest thyself dry, be instant in prayer, cease not to
groan and knock; cease not until thou prevail to obtain some crumb or drop of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xii that he who.htm

The Twelfth Chapter: the Communicant Should Prepare Himself for ...
... If you have it not and feel rather dry instead, continue in prayer, sigh and knock,
and do not give up until you receive some crumb of saving grace. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the twelfth chapter the communicant.htm

How Moses was Displeased at This, and Foretold that God was Angry ...
... feast of unleavened bread, [these cori are thirty-one Sicilian, but forty-one Athenian
medimni,] not one of the priests was so hardy as to eat one crumb of it ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 how moses was.htm

Under King John
... John's insult was all the greater because out of Lincoln none of the bishop's
people was ever allowed to nibble one crumb of the alms. ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ix under king john.htm

Crumb
... 2. (n.) Fig.: A little; a bit; as, a crumb of comfort. ... 4. (vt) To break into crumbs
or small pieces with the fingers; as, to crumb bread. Int. ...
/c/crumb.htm - 7k

Cruelty (8 Occurrences)

/c/cruelty.htm - 16k

Crumble (1 Occurrence)

/c/crumble.htm - 7k

Crust (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The hard exterior or surface of bread, in distinction from the
soft part or crumb; or a piece of bread grown dry or hard. ...
/c/crust.htm - 8k

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Crumb: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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