And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.

1 CHRONICLES 16:3KJV
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1 Chronicles 16:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 16:3 mean?

1 Chronicles 16:3 describes David sharing food and drink with the gathered people of Israel. The gifts make the occasion a shared celebration, with women as well as men included in what each person receives.

The distribution follows the placing of the ark, a sacred chest, in the tent David had prepared for it. “Dealt” means that David gave the provisions out among the people. The verse pictures each person receiving a portion rather than simply watching the ceremonies.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 16:3

  • “a good piece of flesh” — אֶשְׁפָּר (eshpar): The Hebrew word is often understood as a portion of meat. Its precise meaning is uncertain, but the KJV presents the gift as meat.
  • “a flagon of wine” — אֲשִׁישָׁה (ashishah): This word is often understood as a cake of pressed raisins. The KJV reads it as a container of wine, but the Hebrew term may refer to food made from grapes rather than a drink.

Why 1 Chronicles 16:3 matters

  • The celebration includes the wider gathering, not only those who handled the ark. The verse says the gifts went to “every one of Israel, both man and woman.”
  • The food distribution is part of the public occasion surrounding the ark’s arrival. It follows the offerings and David’s blessing of the people in verse 2, before the account turns to the people appointed to serve before the ark.

Where else these words appear

“flesh” Hebrew H829 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

“flagon” Hebrew H809 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
  • Song of Solomon 2:5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.
  • Hosea 3:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

“loaf” Hebrew H3603 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • 2 Samuel 12:30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:

“dealt” Hebrew H2505 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
  • 1 Kings 18:6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
  • Proverbs 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.