G3523

Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words like νῆστις (nēstis) is crucial for deeper insights into Biblical studies. The word nēstis, meaning “hungry” or “fasting,” plays an essential role in the New Testament, particularly when Jesus discusses his concern for those in need, as seen in Matthew 15:32. This term is also significant in understanding fasting practices within early Jewish and Christian communities, reflecting both physical hunger and a metaphor for spiritual longing. The word captures a connection between physical deprivation and spiritual dependence, shedding light on how hunger was understood in both biblical texts and ancient Greek culture.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: νῆστις (nēstis), pronounced nay-stees.

Etymology: Nēstis is derived from the negative particle nē- (meaning “not”) and the verb esthíō, meaning “to eat.” Thus, nēstis conveys the idea of being “without food” or “not eating.” This word encapsulates both voluntary fasting and involuntary hunger due to a lack of sustenance.

Part of Speech: Adjective. As an adjective, nēstis describes a state of being hungry or fasting. In the context of Matthew 15:32, it refers to the crowd that had been following Jesus and had not eaten for several days, signifying their physical need for sustenance.

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Defining Meanings

1. Hungry: In many instances, nēstis is used to describe physical hunger, indicating someone who has not eaten for a period of time. This is the primary meaning of the word and is often used in contexts where physical deprivation is emphasized.

2. Fasting: The word also refers to the practice of fasting, which was a common religious and cultural activity in both Jewish and early Christian traditions. While nēstis doesn’t always imply voluntary fasting, it is sometimes used in contexts where fasting is a spiritual practice, especially in conjunction with prayer.

3. In Need of Food: In some contexts, nēstis carries a more metaphorical meaning, indicating a deeper need or dependency, often aligning with the idea of being spiritually “hungry” or yearning for divine intervention or nourishment.

Exploring Similar Words

1. πείνα (peína) [pronunciation: pay-nah]: Meaning “to hunger” or “to be famished,” this verb emphasizes the physical experience of hunger. While peína and nēstis both describe hunger, nēstis is more commonly used as an adjective, whereas peína is often employed as a verb.

2. νηστεύω (nēsteúō) [pronunciation: nay-stoo-oh]: This verb refers explicitly to the practice of fasting, particularly in a religious context. While nēsteúō focuses on the act of abstaining from food for spiritual reasons, nēstis can refer to both voluntary fasting and involuntary hunger.

3. ἀσιτία (asitía) [pronunciation: ah-see-tee-ah]: This noun refers to a state of being without food, often due to famine or extreme need. It shares the same root concept of deprivation with nēstis but is used in contexts of broader scarcity.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adjective, nēstis follows regular adjective declension patterns.

• Case: It can appear in various cases (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative) depending on its syntactical role in a sentence.

• Number: Singular or plural, depending on whether it is describing one person or a group, such as in Matthew 15:32 where it refers to a large crowd.

• Gender: Like many Greek adjectives, nēstis can take on different forms to agree with the gender of the noun it modifies. In Matthew 15:32, it is used in the feminine form to describe the crowd.

For more details on Greek grammar, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

According to several Greek lexicons, nēstis consistently points to a state of hunger or fasting. In Matthew 15:32, it is used in a literal sense to describe the physical hunger of the crowd that had been following Jesus for three days without food. Lexicons highlight the broad applicability of this word, showing its use in both voluntary and involuntary contexts, whether in religious fasting or situations of need. Lexical entries also emphasize how hunger in the New Testament frequently carries symbolic significance, reflecting a dependence on God for spiritual sustenance.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 15:32: “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat [νῆστις].”

2. Luke 1:53: “He hath filled the hungry [νῆστις] with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.”

3. Romans 12:20: “Therefore if thine enemy hunger [νῆστις], feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Septuagint Isaiah 58:7 “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry [νῆστις]?”

Herodotus Histories “The city was plagued with famine, and many were left hungry [νῆστις].”

Plato Laws “In times of drought, they fasted and prayed [νῆστις] for rain.”

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word nēstis signifies both physical hunger and fasting, reflecting a broader theme of dependency and need, particularly in religious contexts. In Matthew 15:32, the word is used to describe the crowd that had gone without food for three days, highlighting both their physical need and Jesus’ compassion. The word is essential in understanding both the literal and metaphorical uses of hunger in the Bible, often pointing to a deeper spiritual reality of relying on God for sustenance.

Did You Know?

1. The word nēstis was used in both religious and everyday contexts in ancient Greece, often describing fasting rituals.

2. Early Christian fasting practices were deeply influenced by Jewish traditions, where fasting was a common practice during times of mourning or seeking God’s intervention.

3. In the Septuagint, nēstis appears frequently in passages about social justice, urging people to care for the hungry and those in need.