κρίθινος
kríthinos
G2916 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Made of barley; composed of or pertaining to barley. The term primarily designates something that is constituted of barley, such as bread, loaves, or other products, or material related to barley grain.
Semantic Range
made of barley, consisting of barley, pertaining to barley (as in bread, loaves, or materials); sometimes, by extension, indicative of lower social status or humble provision
Root / Etymology
From κριθή (krithē, 'barley') with the adjectival suffix -ινος, indicating material or origin. Cognate formations with -ινος often denote 'made of' or 'consisting of' a particular substance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
κρίθινος is used in Koine Greek literature, including the New Testament (e.g., John 6:9, 6:13), to refer specifically to objects—particularly bread or loaves—made from barley, distinguishing them from those made with wheat or other grains. Barley was considered a staple food of the lower socio-economic classes and often contrasted with wheat, regarded as a higher-status grain. In the Septuagint, κρίθινος may be used to render Hebrew terms related to barley, especially in the context of offerings or food regulations. The adjectival form (κρίθινος) should be distinguished from the noun κριθή itself ('barley'). English translations commonly render it as 'barley' or 'barley bread/loaf,' but may obscure the social and economic connotations. Classical usage also employs forms like κρίθειος for similar uses, though κρίθινος predominates in Koine.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κριθή; consisting of barley:--barley.
Root Family
κριθ- (krithḗ) — barley, grain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2915 | κριθή | of barley grains |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2916-01 |
κριθίνων | krithinon | ADJ.R GEN M PL |
barley | of barley | of barley | 1 |
G2916-02 |
κριθίνους | krithinous | ADJ.A ACC M PL |
barley | barley-made | barley | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences