### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word παιδάριον (paidárion, `{{G3808}}`) is a diminutive noun, derived from παῖς (pais, `{{G3816}}`), which means "child," "boy," "servant," or "slave." As a diminutive, παιδάριον specifically denotes a "little boy" or "young lad." The suffix "-άριον" often conveys smallness, tenderness, or sometimes contempt, though in the biblical context of G3808, it primarily emphasizes youth and perhaps the unassuming nature of the individual. Its neuter gender is a grammatical feature of this particular diminutive form. The core meaning thus points to a male child, typically pre-adolescent or in early adolescence, highlighting his youthfulness rather than any specific status or role beyond that of a young person.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word παιδάριον (paidárion, `{{G3808}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of John:
* **[[John 6:9]]**: "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish."
* This solitary occurrence is found within the narrative of Jesus feeding the five thousand. The disciples, faced with a massive crowd and insufficient provisions, highlight the meager offering of a "lad" (παιδάριον). The choice of this specific diminutive emphasizes the youth and likely the humble status of the boy. His contribution—five small barley loaves and two fish—is presented as utterly inadequate for the needs of such a multitude. Yet, it is precisely this seemingly insignificant offering from a "little boy" that Jesus takes, blesses, and miraculously multiplies to feed thousands, with twelve baskets of leftovers. The use of παιδάριον underscores the human insufficiency and the divine superabundance that characterizes the miracle. It highlights that God can take the smallest, most humble offering and transform it into something immensely powerful and sufficient.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root word related to παιδάριον is παῖς (pais, `{{G3816}}`). While παῖς can refer broadly to a child, a boy, or a servant, παιδάριον specifically narrows the focus to a "little boy" or "young lad," emphasizing youth through its diminutive form.
Another closely related term is παιδίον (paidion, `{{G3813}}`), which is also a diminutive of παῖς and is often translated as "little child," "infant," or "young child." While both παιδάριον and παιδίον convey the idea of a young person, παιδάριον seems to specifically designate a "boy" or "lad," whereas παιδίον is more general and can refer to a child of either gender or even an infant. In the context of the New Testament, παιδίον is much more frequent and is used in a wider range of theological contexts (e.g., Jesus's teaching on humility, "unless you turn and become like children"). παιδάριον, by its singular occurrence, is uniquely tied to the narrative of divine provision from a humble source.
Concepts related to παιδάριον in its biblical context include:
* **Humility and Insignificance:** The "little boy" represents the humble and seemingly insignificant in human terms.
* **Divine Provision and Sufficiency:** His meager offering, when surrendered to Christ, becomes the catalyst for a grand display of God's power to provide.
* **Faith and Willingness:** Though not explicitly stated, the boy's willingness to give up his lunch, however small, is implicitly part of the miracle's unfolding.
* **God's Use of the Weak:** The narrative powerfully illustrates God's principle of using what is weak or foolish in the world to shame the wise and strong ([[1 Corinthians 1:27]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of παιδάριον (paidárion, `{{G3808}}`) is profoundly shaped by its singular appearance in [[John 6:9]]. It functions as a powerful symbol within the narrative of the feeding of the five thousand.
1. **The Principle of Divine Multiplication from Human Scarcity:** The "lad" represents the epitome of human limitation and inadequacy in the face of overwhelming need. His offering is not merely small; it is comically insufficient for thousands. Yet, it is precisely this humble, almost negligible, contribution that Jesus takes and transforms. This highlights a core theological truth: God does not require grand, self-sufficient offerings, but rather a willing surrender of what little we possess. His power is made perfect in weakness. The "little boy" becomes a living parable of God's ability to take the seemingly insignificant and multiply it for His glorious purposes.
2. **God's Economy of Grace:** The narrative underscores that God's economy operates on principles distinct from human logic. What is deemed valueless by human assessment (a child's lunch) becomes the conduit for divine abundance. This teaches that true sufficiency comes not from the quantity of the initial resource, but from the power of the One who receives and blesses it.
3. **The Humility of Christ's Ministry:** Jesus does not conjure food from thin air without any human involvement. He engages with the reality of human need and human offering, even if it is from a "little boy." This demonstrates Christ's compassionate engagement with humanity and His willingness to work through the humble means available.
In essence, the παιδάριον in [[John 6:9]] serves as a poignant reminder that no offering is too small for God to use, and that His power is most strikingly demonstrated when it works through what the world considers weak, humble, or insufficient.
### Summary
The Greek word παιδάριον (paidárion, `{{G3808}}`) is a diminutive of παῖς (pais, `{{G3816}}`), meaning "a little boy" or "young lad." Its sole occurrence in the New Testament is in [[John 6:9]], where it refers to the "lad" who offers his five barley loaves and two fish to Jesus. This singular usage imbues the word with significant theological weight, emphasizing the youth and humble status of the individual. The παιδάριον in this context serves as a powerful symbol of human insufficiency contrasted with divine abundance. His meager offering, when placed in the hands of Christ, becomes the means through which a great miracle of provision unfolds. Thus, παιδάριον encapsulates the profound truth that God is able to take what is small, humble, and seemingly inadequate, and through His power, multiply it to accomplish His glorious and abundant purposes.
TRV