Bible Dictionary
FRAGMENT
A fragment is a piece broken from something larger. In the Gospel accounts of the loaves, the remaining “broken pieces” were portions distributed from the loaves Jesus broke, not merely crumbs.
Definition
A fragment is a piece broken off from something larger. In the Gospel accounts of the loaves, the word refers to the broken portions remaining after distribution, not merely crumbs left by those who ate.
Biblical Usage
The term occurs in the plural in the Gospel accounts of the miracles of the loaves and in related references. The remaining pieces were portions into which Jesus had broken the loaves before distribution, emphasizing the abundance of the miracle.
Historical Background
The Greek term comes from a verb meaning to break. Because the loaves were thin cakes normally broken before distribution, the Revised Version’s “broken pieces” more clearly represents the sense than “fragments” or “broken meat.”
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>frag'-ment (klasma): "Fragment," a piece broken off, occurs only in the plural, in the accounts of the miracles of the Loaves in the Gospels and references thereto. It is the translation of klasma (from klao, "to break"), "a piece broken off" (Mt 14:20 the King James Version); "broken meat" (Mt 15:37).</p><p>The Revised Version (British and American) has in each instance "broken pieces." The change is important because it shows that the pieces left over were not mere fragments or crumbs left by the people after eating, but some of the original pieces into which it is said in all the synoptic narratives and references Jesus "broke" the "loaves," which, being thin cakes, were usually broken before distribution; hence, the phrase, "breaking of bread." See Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (five volumes), under the word "Fragment"; Weymouth translates "broken portions," namely, "those into which the Lord had broken the loaves; not mere scraps or crumbs."</p><p>W. L. Walker</p>