Brief Overview of ἄρτος (G740: artos)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: artos

Root Words:

• ἄρτος (artos): This word is a common Greek term with no direct root in the sense of derivation but is a fundamental term in both ancient and biblical Greek.

Primary Meanings:

• Bread: ἄρτος primarily means “bread,” a staple food in the ancient world. It can refer to bread in general or to loaves of bread specifically.
• Food: More broadly, ἄρτος can be used to refer to food or provisions in general.
• Figurative Use: In a figurative sense, it can symbolize sustenance or essential nourishment, especially in theological contexts.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἄρτος as “bread” and notes that it can denote loaves of bread or bread in general. It emphasizes the term’s significance in both a literal and symbolic sense, especially in religious or cultural contexts.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἄρτος as “bread” and mentions its use to denote food in general. It also notes the symbolic use of bread as a representation of sustenance or life.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary defines ἄρτος as “bread” and highlights its use to represent basic nourishment and, by extension, essential life or spiritual sustenance.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἄρτος as “bread,” including its use to describe loaves and other forms of bread, and notes its metaphorical application in describing sustenance or nourishment.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s identifies ἄρτος as meaning “bread” and extends this to include food in general, highlighting its use as a basic staple and metaphor for sustenance.

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Bible Verses:

• Matthew 4:4 (KJV): “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
• Here, ἄρτος (artos) is used to refer to literal bread as well as metaphorically to represent sustenance.
• John 6:35 (KJV): “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
• Jesus uses ἄρτος (artos) to symbolize Himself as the essential spiritual nourishment.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

ἄρτος was commonly used in classical Greek literature to denote bread and sustenance:

• Homer’s “Iliad”: Bread is frequently mentioned as a staple of daily life and sustenance for heroes and common people alike.
• Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics”: Discusses bread in the context of basic needs and provisioning, reflecting its importance as a fundamental necessity.
• Plato’s “Republic”: Bread is used metaphorically to discuss essential resources and the provisioning of needs within a society.

4. Summary:

ἄρτος (G740: artos) primarily means “bread,” a fundamental staple food in ancient Greek culture. It can also refer to food in general and is used metaphorically to represent sustenance or essential nourishment. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, and LSJ all affirm its significance both literally and figuratively. In classical Greek literature, the term is used to describe basic necessities and provisions, reflecting its central role in daily life. The term’s symbolic use in the Bible underscores its importance as both physical and spiritual nourishment.