← Back to Lexicon
H849 · Hebrew · Old Testament
אֶשְׁפָּר
eshpar
Noun, masculine
a portion, a measure of food

Definition

Eshpar appears in 2 Samuel 6:19 and 1 Chronicles 16:3, where David distributes bread to each Israelite gathered before the Lord. The word conveys the idea of a divinely appointed portion — every person receives the same measure, reflecting equity before God.

Usage & Theological Significance

Eshpar illustrates the principle that God provides equally for all His people. In distributing identical portions, David mirrored God's impartial provision. Theologians connect this to the manna in the wilderness — each gathered what was needed, no more and no less (Exodus 16:18). Every believer stands equally before the table of the Lord.

Key Verses

2 Samuel 6:19 He distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.
1 Chronicles 16:3 And he distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a raisin cake.
Exodus 16:18 But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.
Luke 3:11 And he answered them, 'Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.'
Matthew 14:20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

Related Words

External Resources

🌙
☀️