Understanding ἀριστάω (aristaō) Strong’s G709: Ancient Jewish Breakfast Customs and Their Rich Connection to Fellowship with the Messiah

Pronunciation Guide: ar-is-tah’-o (ἀριστάω)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G709: To eat breakfast or the morning meal. In biblical times, this referred specifically to the first substantial meal of the day, typically eaten between 10am-12pm, making it closer to what we might call brunch today. While the word literally means “to breakfast,” it carries deeper connotations of fellowship and daily sustenance.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Origin: From ἄριστον (ariston), meaning “breakfast” or “morning meal”
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, particularly in contexts of fellowship and teaching
• Tense: Present Active

ἀριστάω Morphology:

• ἀριστάω (present active infinitive) – to eat breakfast
• ἀριστήσω (future active indicative) – I will eat breakfast
• ἠρίστησα (aorist active indicative) – I ate breakfast
• ἀριστῶντες (present active participle) – eating breakfast

Origin & History

The term ἀριστάω has its roots in classical Greek culture, where the ἄριστον represented the first substantial meal of the day. In Xenophon’s “Anabasis” (4.6.21), the author uses this term to describe soldiers taking their morning meal before battle, highlighting its significance as a preparatory ritual.

In the Septuagint, while the noun form ἄριστον appears several times, particularly in descriptions of daily life and hospitality scenes, the verb form ἀριστάω is less common. This suggests a shift in usage between classical and Koine Greek periods.

In early church writings, such as the Didache and writings of Clement of Alexandria, the term maintains its connection to fellowship meals while gaining additional spiritual significance in the context of Christian communion and fellowship.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To eat the morning meal
• To share in fellowship over breakfast
• To partake in the day’s first substantial meal

ἀριστάω Translation Options:

• “to breakfast” – emphasizes the timing of the meal
• “to dine (in the morning)” – captures the formal nature of the meal
• “to take the morning meal” – reflects the cultural significance
• “to share breakfast” – emphasizes the fellowship aspect

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀριστάω appears in contexts that highlight both physical nourishment and spiritual fellowship. Its most notable appearance is in Luke 11:37, where a Pharisee invites Jesus to “breakfast” with him, setting the stage for important teaching about inner purity versus external ritual.

The word also appears significantly in John 21:12,15, where the risen Messiah invites His disciples to “come and breakfast” on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. This post-resurrection meal becomes a powerful scene of restoration and commissioning, particularly for Peter.

• Luke 11:37 – “As Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked Him to breakfast [ἀριστάω] with him”
• John 21:12 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Come and breakfast‘ [ἀριστάω]”
• John 21:15 – “So when they had breakfasted [ἀριστάω], Jesus said to Simon Peter…”

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish culture, the morning meal (ἄριστον) was more than just sustenance—it was a significant social event. Unlike our modern quick breakfasts, this meal typically occurred between the third and sixth hours (9 AM to noon) and often involved extended fellowship. For observant Jews, it followed morning prayers at the synagogue, making it a natural extension of spiritual devotion.

The timing and nature of this meal also reflected ancient Mediterranean work patterns, where people would begin work at sunrise, take a substantial break for ἄριστον, and then continue working through the afternoon. This context helps us understand why the Pharisee’s invitation to Jesus in Luke 11:37 was a significant social and teaching opportunity.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀριστάω in the New Testament, particularly in John 21, carries profound theological significance. The risen Messiah’s invitation to breakfast becomes a powerful picture of restoration and fellowship. Just as Peter had denied Jesus three times by a charcoal fire, now by another charcoal fire, over breakfast, Jesus restores him through three affirmations of love.

This word also appears in contexts that contrast external religious observance with true spiritual nourishment, as seen in the Luke 11 passage. The Messiah uses the setting of a morning meal to teach about internal purity versus external ritual, showing how everyday activities can become occasions for profound spiritual truth.

Personal Application

When we understand ἀριστάω in its cultural and biblical context, it challenges us to view our daily meals as opportunities for meaningful fellowship and spiritual growth. Just as the risen Messiah used a breakfast by the sea to restore Peter, He can use our ordinary moments of sharing food to bring healing, restoration, and deeper fellowship with Him and others.

Consider making your morning meal a time of intentional fellowship—with family, friends, or in solitude with the Lord. Like the disciples who recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread, we too might find His presence particularly near during these times of shared sustenance.

Related Words

• δειπνέω (deipneō) – to take the evening meal, dine – highlights the distinction between morning and evening formal meals. See G1172
• ἐσθίω (esthiō) – to eat (general term) – broader term for eating without time specification. See G2068
• συνεσθίω (synesthiō) – to eat with, share a meal – emphasizes fellowship aspect of dining. See G4906
• τρώγω (trōgō) – to gnaw, chew, eat – more physical term for eating. See G5176

Did you Know?

• In ancient Jewish culture, the ἄριστον was often the most social meal of the day, as people would have already completed their morning prayers and would be ready for extended fellowship.
• Archaeological evidence from first-century Jewish homes shows dining rooms designed for reclining at meals, indicating that even breakfast was often a formal, leisurely affair rather than a quick standing meal.
• The timing of ἄριστον (between 9 AM and noon) aligned with the Jewish practice of morning prayers, making it a natural extension of spiritual devotion into social fellowship.

Remember This

ἀριστάω reminds us that every meal, even breakfast, can be a sacred occasion for fellowship with God and others, following the example of our risen Messiah who used a morning meal to restore His beloved disciple.