ἄσιτος

fasting

Definition

The adjective ἄσιτος (asitos) literally means 'without food' or 'having not eaten.' It describes a state of abstaining from food, often implying a period of fasting. In its single New Testament occurrence in Acts 27:33, it is used in a literal, physical sense to describe the sailors and passengers on Paul's ship who had gone a long time without eating during a severe storm. The word emphasizes the physical deprivation and urgency of their situation, prompting Paul to urge them to take nourishment for their survival.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:33. It appears in a narrative context describing a literal, physical state of hunger due to extreme circumstances (a prolonged storm at sea). Paul uses the term to highlight the crew's physical exhaustion and the practical need to eat to maintain strength. There is no recorded use in a formal religious or ritual fasting context in the NT.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-), meaning 'not' or 'without,' combined with σῖτος (sitos, G4621), meaning 'grain,' 'food,' or 'nourishment.' Thus, its formation is straightforward: 'without food.' It is a compound adjective that directly communicates the concept of food deprivation.

Semantic Range

In the Greco-Roman world, abstaining from food could occur for various reasons: involuntary (like shipwreck or poverty) or voluntary (for health, mourning, or religious ritual). The usage in Acts 27:33 is purely situational and involuntary, stemming from danger and distress. This contrasts with some religious fasting practices which were intentional acts of devotion or penitence. The word itself is neutral, simply describing the state of being foodless.

νηστεύω (nēsteuō, G3522) — a verb meaning 'to fast,' typically referring to the voluntary, religious practice of abstaining from food. ἄσιτος describes the state of having no food, while νηστεύω describes the action of fasting.

Word Details

Scripture References