χόρτασμα

food, sustenance

Definition

χόρτασμα (chortasma) refers specifically to food or sustenance, particularly in the context of provisions necessary for survival. In the New Testament, it carries the sense of nourishment or supplies needed to sustain life, often in situations of scarcity or need. Its sole biblical occurrence in Acts 7:11 describes the 'food' or 'sustenance' that was lacking during the great famine in Egypt and Canaan, highlighting a context of severe deprivation. The word emphasizes the material provision of nourishment, distinct from more general terms for food.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 7:11, within Stephen's speech recounting Israel's history. It appears in the narrative of the patriarchs during a widespread famine, describing the critical lack of 'food' (χόρτασμα) in all Egypt and Canaan, which forced Jacob's family to seek sustenance in Egypt. The usage is strictly literal, referring to physical nourishment in a historical context of crisis, without metaphorical or theological extension.

Etymology

Derived from the verb χορτάζω (chortazō, G5526), meaning 'to feed, satisfy, or fill,' which itself comes from χόρτος (chortos, G5528), meaning 'grass, fodder, or hay.' Thus, χόρτασμα literally denotes the result of feeding—that which satisfies or fills—specifically in the sense of food or provisions. It shares a root with terms related to pasturage and nourishment, reflecting its agricultural origins.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Near Eastern world, χόρτασμα would have been understood as basic sustenance, often grain or fodder, essential for survival in agrarian societies. The mention in Acts 7:11 evokes the critical importance of food security during famines, a common and devastating reality in the biblical world. This contrasts with modern contexts where food scarcity is less immediate for many, underscoring the desperation and dependency on divine provision in the biblical narrative.

τροφή (trophē, G5160) — a more general term for food or nourishment, often used in both physical and spiritual contexts (e.g., Matthew 3:4, John 4:8). βρῶμα (brōma, G1033) — refers to that which is eaten, food or meat, frequently used for literal eating (e.g., Romans 14:15, 1 Corinthians 8:13).

Word Details

Scripture References