Understanding ἄρτος (artos) Strong’s G740: More Than Just Bread – The Essential Sustenance Pointing to the Bread of Life

Pronunciation Guide: AR-tos (ἄρτος)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G740: ἄρτος refers to bread, the basic staple food of the ancient world. In its most fundamental sense, it describes a baked loaf of bread made from wheat or barley flour. However, in biblical usage, it often carries deeper metaphorical significance as a symbol of sustenance, provision, and spiritual nourishment.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (masculine)
• Root: Possibly from ἀρόω (aroō), meaning “to plow”
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Common in both literal and metaphorical contexts
• Frequently used in both Septuagint and New Testament

ἄρτος Morphology:

• ἄρτος (nominative singular) – bread/a loaf
• ἄρτου (genitive singular) – of bread
• ἄρτῳ (dative singular) – with/in bread
• ἄρτον (accusative singular) – bread (direct object)
• ἄρτοι (nominative plural) – loaves
• ἄρτων (genitive plural) – of loaves
• ἄρτοις (dative plural) – with/in loaves
• ἄρτους (accusative plural) – loaves (direct object)

Origin & History

The term ἄρτος has deep roots in ancient Greek culture, appearing in classical literature as early as Homer’s works. In the Odyssey, bread is described as the “strength of men” (μένος ἀνδρῶν), highlighting its fundamental role in sustaining human life. Xenophon, in his Anabasis, frequently mentions ἄρτος as the basic military ration, emphasizing its practical importance in ancient Mediterranean life.

In the Septuagint, ἄρτος serves as the primary translation for the Hebrew לֶחֶם (lechem), appearing in crucial passages such as the provision of manna in Exodus and the showbread in the Tabernacle. The early Church Fathers, particularly Origen in his Commentary on John, extensively explored the metaphorical significance of ἄρτος in relation to the Messiah’s declaration of being the Bread of Life.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Basic food made from flour and water, baked into loaves
• Food in general, particularly as sustenance for life
• Metaphorical representation of spiritual nourishment
• Symbol of God’s provision and care

ἄρτος Translation Options:

• “bread” – most common translation, appropriate for literal usage
• “loaf” – when emphasizing individual units of bread
• “food” – in contexts where it represents sustenance in general
• “provision” – when emphasizing God’s care and sustenance

Biblical Usage

The term ἄρτος appears prominently throughout the New Testament, with its first occurrence in Matthew 4:3 during the Messiah’s temptation. This initial appearance sets the stage for its profound spiritual significance, as Jesus declares that man shall not live by bread alone. The word reaches its theological pinnacle in John 6:35, where Jesus proclaims Himself as the Bread of Life.

In the Gospels, ἄρτος plays a crucial role in miraculous feeding narratives and the Last Supper, where ordinary bread becomes a symbol of extraordinary spiritual truth. The breaking of bread in the early church (Acts 2:42) demonstrates its continued significance in Christian fellowship and worship.

Key verses:

• “Command that these stones become bread [ἄρτοι].” Matthew 4:3
• “Give us this day our daily bread [ἄρτον].” Matthew 6:11
• “I am the bread [ἄρτος] of life.” John 6:35
• “And took bread [ἄρτον], and gave thanks.” Luke 22:19
• “Breaking of bread [ἄρτου].” Acts 2:42

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, bread held profound significance beyond mere sustenance. The process of bread-making was typically a daily activity, and the sharing of bread created bonds of fellowship and hospitality. The showbread (לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, literally “bread of the face/presence”) in the Temple represented the perpetual communion between יהוה (Yahweh) and His people Israel.

The Jewish blessing over bread, “Hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz” (Who brings forth bread from the earth), recognizes God’s provision through natural processes. This cultural understanding adds depth to Jesus’s teaching about being the Bread of Life, as He identifies Himself as the ultimate provision from Heaven.

Theological Significance

The use of ἄρτος in Scripture reveals a profound theological progression from physical to spiritual sustenance. This progression reaches its apex in the Messiah’s declaration of being the Bread of Life, where He transforms the symbol of physical sustenance into an eternal spiritual reality.

In the Lord’s Prayer, the petition for daily bread encompasses both physical and spiritual provisions, teaching dependence on God for all aspects of life. The breaking of bread in communion represents not just remembrance but actual spiritual nourishment through fellowship with the Messiah.

The multiplication of loaves in the Gospel narratives demonstrates Jesus’s power over creation and His desire to provide abundantly for both physical and spiritual needs. These miracles point to His identity as the true Bread from Heaven, fulfilling and surpassing the manna provision in the wilderness.

Personal Application

Understanding ἄρτος challenges us to examine our sources of sustenance, both physical and spiritual. Just as we require daily physical bread, we need daily spiritual nourishment through God’s Word and fellowship with Him. The Messiah’s identity as the Bread of Life invites us to find our ultimate satisfaction and sustenance in Him.

This understanding should transform our approach to both physical and spiritual hunger. When we break bread together or participate in communion, we’re not just performing a ritual but participating in a profound spiritual reality that connects us to God’s eternal provision in the Messiah.

Related Words

• τροφή (trophē) [tro-FAY] – food, nourishment; emphasizes the nurturing aspect of sustenance. See G5160
• βρῶμα (brōma) [BRO-ma] – food, solid food; often used metaphorically for spiritual maturity. See G1033
• σῖτος (sitos) [SEE-tos] – wheat, grain; the raw material for bread. See G4621
• κλάσμα (klasma) [KLAS-ma] – broken piece, fragment; often used for pieces of bread. See G2801

Did you Know?

• In ancient Greek households, bread was typically baked fresh daily, and the morning smoke from bread ovens was a characteristic sight in cities and villages. This daily practice adds depth to our understanding of the petition “Give us this day our daily bread” in the Lord’s Prayer.
• The Greek word ἄρτος is still used in modern Greece today, where “ψωμί” (psomi) is more common in everyday speech, but ἄρτος remains in ecclesiastical contexts and in compound words like “αρτοποιείο” (bakery).
• The Jewish custom of breaking bread rather than cutting it stems from the belief that a knife on the table represents violence, while breaking bread represents peace and sharing. This cultural practice influenced early Christian communion traditions.

Remember This

ἄρτος transcends its simple definition as bread to become a profound symbol of God’s provision, pointing ultimately to the Messiah as the true Bread of Life who satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger.