κλάσμα
klásma
G2801 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A fragment or piece resulting from breaking something, especially bread; primarily denotes a portion separated by breaking, with extension to small parts or fragments of other objects. In the New Testament, typically refers to a piece of broken bread remaining after a meal or distribution, but may contextually refer to any fragment resulting from breakage.
Semantic Range
fragment, piece, bit, scrap, broken portion, remainder
Root / Etymology
From the verb κλάω ('to break'), with the suffix -μα, forming a noun indicating the result of an action (i.e., that which is broken, a fragment).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, κλάσμα is attested in technical and everyday contexts for 'broken pieces' or 'fragments,' such as of pottery, bone, or bread. In the Septuagint, the term is rare but may be found in the context of division or breaking. In the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 14:20, Mark 6:43), κλάσμα primarily describes pieces of bread remaining after a communal meal or miraculous feeding, emphasizing what is left over after distribution rather than the act of breaking itself. English translations often render it as 'fragment,' 'piece,' or 'crumb,' but 'fragment' most accurately captures the nuance. The word does not carry metaphysical or ritual connotation in itself; any theological importance is related to the context (such as eucharistic interpretations), not the term per se.
Translation Consistency
'Piece' is the most natural, common English word that captures the typical NT sense of κλᾶσμα — a portion or bit (especially of broken bread) and by extension any fragment or remainder. It is simple, idiomatic, and covers the full SILEX range (fragment, bit, scrap) better than the more formal 'fragment' or the narrower 'scrap'.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κλάω; a piece (bit):--broken, fragment.
Root Family
κλάσμα (klasma) — fragment, broken piece, remainder, result of breaking
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2801-02 |
κλασμάτων | klasmaton | N GEN N PL |
fragments | of broken pieces | of pieces | 7 |
G2801-01 |
κλάσματα | klasmata | N ACC N PL |
broken pieces | broken fragments | broken fragments | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2801-02 |
Matthew 14:20 | κλασμάτων | klasmaton | N GEN N PL |
fragments | of broken pieces | of pieces |
G2801-02 |
Matthew 15:37 | κλασμάτων | klasmaton | N GEN N PL |
fragments | of broken pieces | of pieces |
G2801-01 |
Mark 6:43 | κλάσματα | klasmata | N ACC N PL |
broken pieces | broken fragments | broken fragments |
G2801-02 |
Mark 8:8 | κλασμάτων | klasmaton | N GEN N PL |
of the fragments | of broken pieces | of pieces |
G2801-02 |
Mark 8:19 | κλασμάτων | klasmaton | N GEN N PL |
of fragments | of broken pieces | of pieces |
G2801-02 |
Mark 8:20 | κλασμάτων | klasmaton | N GEN N PL |
of fragments | of broken pieces | of pieces |
G2801-02 |
Luke 9:17 | κλασμάτων | klasmaton | N GEN N PL |
of the broken pieces | of broken pieces | of pieces |
G2801-01 |
John 6:12 | κλάσματα | klasmata | N ACC N PL |
fragments | broken fragments | broken fragments |
G2801-02 |
John 6:13 | κλασμάτων | klasmaton | N GEN N PL |
fragments | of broken pieces | of pieces |