Brief Overview of ἄσιτος (G777: asitos)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: asitos

Root Words: The term ἄσιτος (asitos) combines the Greek prefix α- (a-) meaning “without” and σίτος (sitos), meaning “food” or “grain.”

Primary Meanings:

• Without Food: Describes a state of being without food or nourishment.
• Hungry: Indicates a condition of hunger due to the lack of food.
• Starved: Refers to extreme deprivation of nourishment, leading to starvation.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG describes ἄσιτος as meaning “without food” or “hungry.” It emphasizes the term’s use to indicate a condition of not having enough food.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines ἄσιτος as “without food,” reflecting its use to denote a state of hunger or deprivation.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary notes that ἄσιτος signifies a lack of food, aligning with the general meaning of hunger or starvation.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἄσιτος as “starved” or “without food,” illustrating its application to describe severe food deprivation.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἄσιτος as “hungry,” underscoring its role in describing a lack of nourishment.

Bible Verses:

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• Luke 16:21 (KJV): “And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”
• The verse depicts a state of extreme hunger, fitting the meaning of ἄσιτος.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Homer’s Iliad: References situations where characters experience hunger or are described as being without food, providing context for the term ἄσιτος.
• Aristotle’s History of Animals: Discusses the effects of food deprivation on animals, using terms related to hunger and starvation.
• Euripides’ Hecuba: Depicts characters suffering from hunger or starvation, reflecting the dire condition described by ἄσιτος.

4. Summary:

ἄσιτος (G777: asitos) refers to a state of being without food or hungry, often used to describe severe deprivation or starvation. The term appears in biblical and classical literature to highlight the impact of food scarcity. Understanding ἄσιτος offers insight into historical and literary portrayals of hunger and the critical importance of nourishment.