English · KJV
H6595

פַּת

path /path/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom פָּתַת
Meaninga bit
KJV usagemeat, morsel, piece.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of path — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word path, represented by H6595, means a bit, morsel, or piece. It is derived from a root meaning to break up. This term appears 15 times in 15 unique verses, often referring to a small portion of food, typically bread. While simple, it carries significant meaning related to sustenance, hospitality, and moral value.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H6595 frequently appears in contexts of providing food and comfort. Abraham offers his divine visitors a "morsel of bread" as a gesture of hospitality and refreshment Genesis 18:5. Similarly, Boaz invites Ruth to dip her "morsel" at mealtime, an act of kindness and inclusion Ruth 2:14. The term is also used in the context of sacred offerings, where a meat offering is to be parted "in pieces" Leviticus 2:6. In a unique metaphorical use, God's power over nature is described as casting forth ice "like morsels" Psalms 147:17.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the scope of path:

  • H3899 lechem (food, especially bread): This word is frequently paired with path, clarifying that the "morsel" or "piece" is most often bread. It signifies basic sustenance, as seen when the woman of Shunem offers a "morsel of bread" to Saul 1 Samuel 28:22.
  • H3603 kikkâr (a round loaf; morsel; piece): This term can also mean a morsel or piece of bread, appearing alongside path in the prophecy against Eli's house 1 Samuel 2:36. However, kikkâr has a broader meaning, also referring to a large round coin or "talent" 2 Kings 5:5 or a geographical "plain" Genesis 13:10.
  • H95 ʼăgôwrâh (piece of silver): Used in the curse upon Eli's house, a descendant is prophesied to beg for a "piece of silver" and a morsel of bread, contrasting a meager amount of money with a meager amount of food 1 Samuel 2:36.

Theological Significance

The theological and moral weight of H6595 is expressed in several key themes:

  • Hospitality and Compassion: Offering a "morsel" is a fundamental act of kindness. This is exemplified by Abraham's welcome to his guests Genesis 18:5 and Job's insistence that he never ate his "morsel" alone without sharing it with the fatherless Job 31:17.
  • The Value of Integrity: The word is used to measure moral worth. A "dry morsel" with peace is better than a house full of feasting with strife Proverbs 17:1. Conversely, it highlights moral failure when a person transgresses "for a piece of bread" Proverbs 28:21 or when false prophets pollute God's name "for pieces of bread" Ezekiel 13:19.
  • Sustenance and Judgment: The "morsel" represents basic provision. In Nathan's parable, the poor man's lamb ate from his own "meat" (or morsel), highlighting its intimate place in the household 2 Samuel 12:3. Its lack signifies judgment, as when Eli's descendants are reduced to begging for a "piece of bread" to survive 1 Samuel 2:36.

Summary

In summary, H6595 is more than just a reference to a scrap of food. As path, it functions as a powerful symbol in Scripture. It represents the building block of hospitality, a measure of moral character, and a signifier of both divine provision and judgment. From a simple "morsel of bread" to ice cast from heaven, the word illustrates how the most basic elements of life are imbued with profound spiritual significance.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 15 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • פַּת
  • פִּתִּים
  • פְתוֹתֵי
  • פַּת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3899 לֶחֶם from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread H3603 כִּכָּר from כָּרַר; a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or valley of the Jordan H95 אֲגוֹרָה from the same as אָגוּר; properly, something gathered, i.e. perhaps a grain or berry; used only of a small (silver) coin

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 15 verses across 11 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Proverbs (3 verses); never once in the other 28.

1
Genesis
2
Leviticus
1
Judges
1
Ruth
2
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
1
1 Kings
1
Job
1
Psalms
3
Proverbs
1
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.