Brief Overview of Βρῶμα (G1033: Brōma)

Transliteration and Meaning:
The Greek noun βρῶμα (Brōma), pronounced bro’-mah, is derived from the verb bibrōskō, which means “to eat” or “to consume.” The word Brōma primarily means “food” or “that which is eaten.” It refers broadly to any substance that is consumed for nourishment, whether it be solid food or a meal. The term is used both literally and metaphorically in the New Testament, often in contexts where physical and spiritual nourishment are contrasted or paralleled.

Lexical Insights and Biblical Usage:
In BDAG, Brōma is defined as food, or that which is eaten, emphasizing its role in providing sustenance. BDAG notes that while the term generally refers to physical food, it is also used in figurative senses, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and Paul, to represent spiritual nourishment or teachings that sustain the believer.

Thayer’s Lexicon aligns with this understanding, highlighting that Brōma can refer to literal food or metaphorical “food” in the form of doctrine, teaching, or other forms of spiritual sustenance. Thayer also notes that the word is used in contexts where the type of food (e.g., clean versus unclean) is of significance, particularly in discussions surrounding the Mosaic Law and Christian liberty.

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Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance provides a concise definition, identifying Brōma simply as “food” or “meat.” It emphasizes the word’s usage in a broad sense to include all types of sustenance, whether physical or spiritual. Strong’s also underscores the importance of understanding the context in which the word is used, as its meaning can shift between the physical and the metaphorical.

Key New Testament verses where Brōma is used include Matthew 14:15 (“When it was evening, the disciples came to Him, saying, ‘This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.'”) and John 6:55 (“For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.”).

Classical Greek Usage:
In classical Greek literature, Brōma is consistently used to refer to food or sustenance. Homer, in the Iliad and Odyssey, uses the term to describe the meals consumed by gods and men alike, underscoring the importance of food in both human and divine contexts.

In the works of Plato, Brōma appears in discussions about the nature of pleasure and the body, where food is considered one of the basic necessities that drive human behavior. The term is employed to illustrate the concept of basic human needs, which must be met before one can pursue higher philosophical or spiritual goals.

Aristotle also uses Brōma in his Nicomachean Ethics, discussing the role of food in the context of health and well-being. For Aristotle, food is a primary good, necessary for the maintenance of life and health, and therefore central to his ethical discussions about the good life.

Summary:
The Greek noun βρῶμα (Brōma), meaning “food” or “that which is eaten,” is a versatile term that is used both literally and metaphorically in the New Testament and classical Greek literature. Lexicons like BDAG, Thayer’s, and Strong’s highlight the word’s primary meaning as physical sustenance, while also noting its metaphorical use to signify spiritual nourishment. In classical literature, Brōma appears in discussions about basic human needs, pleasure, and the pursuit of the good life, making it a term rich in both practical and philosophical connotations. Understanding Brōma in its various contexts allows for a deeper appreciation of its significance in both everyday life and spiritual teachings.