Sustaining Faith: ἄσιτος (Strong’s G777: asitos) Reveals Trust Amid Trials

Strong’s G777: An adjective formed from the negative prefix ἀ- (without) and σῖτος (food), meaning “without food” or “fasting.” Used in Acts to describe the sailors’ prolonged fast during a storm, illustrating physical and spiritual endurance in crisis.

U- Unveiling the Word

ἄσιτος captures both the physical and spiritual dimensions of going without food. As a compound word, it joins the negative prefix ἀ- (without) with σῖτος (food), describing a state of complete abstinence from food. In Acts, it appears during Paul’s dangerous sea voyage, depicting sailors who hadn’t eaten for fourteen days due to fear and crisis. The early church saw this word as illustrating how physical deprivation can coincide with spiritual testing. Today, it reminds us how faith sustains us through periods of extreme hardship.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ἄσιτος, asitos, AH-see-tos
• Pronunciation Guide: ‘ah’ as in ‘father’, ‘see’ as in ‘see’, ‘tos’ as in ‘toss’
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• ἀ- (a-) – negative prefix meaning “without” or “not”
• σῖτος (sitos) – noun meaning “food” or “grain”
• The prefix ἀ- negates the following element
• The root σῖτος indicates sustenance or nourishment

D – Defining Meanings

• Without food
• Fasting
• Having not eaten
• Foodless
• In a state of abstinence

For compound words:
The negative prefix ἀ- combined with σῖτος creates an adjective describing the complete absence of food or the state of not having eaten.

Translation Options:

1. “Without food” – Most literal and accurate translation
2. “Fasting” – Captures the voluntary aspect in some contexts
3. “Having not eaten” – Emphasizes the ongoing state

E – Exploring Similar Words

• νῆστις (nēstis, NAY-stis) – fasting, hungry – See G3523
• λιμός (limos, lee-MOS) – hunger, famine – See G3042
• πεινάω (peinaō, pay-NAH-o) – to hunger – See G3983

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adjective, ἄσιτος exhibits these features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Second

Examples of morphological changes:

• Masculine singular: ἄσιτος
• Feminine singular: ἄσιτος
• Neuter singular: ἄσιτον
• Masculine plural: ἄσιτοι

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes ἄσιτος’s use in contexts of severe deprivation. Thayer’s notes its application to both voluntary and involuntary fasting. LSJ documents usage in medical contexts. Vine’s connects it to physical abstinence. Strong’s highlights the compound nature indicating complete absence of food. LEH traces similar usage in descriptions of crisis. Moulton and Milligan find it common in descriptions of hardship.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued [ἄσιτος] fasting, having taken nothing. Acts 27:33

Additional References:
None – This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

ἄσιτος powerfully illustrates how physical trials can test and strengthen faith. In Acts, it shows how Paul maintained spiritual leadership even in extreme circumstances, reminding us that the Messiah sustains His people through every hardship. This word teaches us that even in our most depleted states, God’s grace remains sufficient.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was commonly used in ancient medical texts describing patient conditions
2. Early Christian ascetics used it to describe their spiritual disciplines
3. It appears in ancient shipping records describing emergency situations at sea

Strong’s G777: An adjective formed from the negative prefix ἀ- (without) and σῖτος (food), meaning “without food” or “fasting.” Used in Acts to describe the sailors’ prolonged fast during a storm, illustrating physical and spiritual endurance in crisis.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: fasting, hunger, endurance, trials, Paul, shipwreck, faith, perseverance, provision, trust​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​