χορτάζω

I feed, satisfy

Definition

The verb χορτάζω primarily means 'to feed, satisfy, or fill,' especially with food. It often describes the act of providing enough nourishment to satisfy hunger completely, as seen in the feeding miracles where crowds are 'filled' (Matthew 14:20, Mark 8:8). In a spiritual sense, it denotes deep satisfaction, as in the Beatitude where those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are promised they will be 'filled' (Matthew 5:6). The term can imply abundance, going beyond mere sufficiency to a state of being fully provided for.

Biblical Usage

χορτάζω is used 15 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels' narratives of Jesus' miracles. It appears frequently in the accounts of feeding the 4,000 and 5,000 (e.g., Matthew 15:33, 37; Mark 6:42; 8:4, 8). It is also used in Jesus' dialogue with the Syrophoenician woman about feeding children first (Mark 7:27). The sole metaphorical use is in Matthew 5:6, applying the concept of satisfaction to spiritual longing. This pattern shows the word is concrete (physical feeding) but carries profound theological weight in one key instance.

Etymology

Derived from the noun χόρτος (chortos, G5528), meaning 'fodder, grass, or hay,' originally referring to animal feed. The verb χορτάζω thus literally means 'to provide with fodder' or 'to feed.' Over time, its usage expanded to include the satisfying of human hunger, emphasizing the idea of being fully provided for or satiated. This agricultural background enriches its biblical use, connecting physical sustenance with divine provision.

Semantic Range

χορτάζω is theologically significant as it connects God's physical provision with spiritual fulfillment. In the feeding miracles, it demonstrates Jesus' divine authority as the provider who abundantly satisfies human need, prefiguring the Eucharist and his role as the 'bread of life.' In Matthew 5:6, it promises that the deep human longing for righteousness and justice will be completely satisfied by God's kingdom. Understanding this Greek term highlights that biblical satisfaction is not minimal but overflowing, rooted in God's generous character.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, regular, abundant meals were not guaranteed for many. The concept of being 'filled' or 'satisfied' (χορτάζω) carried a stronger sense of relief and celebration than it often does in food-secure modern contexts. It implied security and well-being, as hunger was a common and serious threat. This makes Jesus' miraculous feedings and the Beatitude's promise powerfully resonant signs of God's kingdom breaking in to meet fundamental human needs.

ἐσθίω (esthiō, G2068) — a general verb for 'to eat,' without the connotation of complete satisfaction. τρέφω (trephō, G5142) — means 'to nourish, rear, or bring up,' focusing on the process of feeding and sustaining over time. ἐμπίπλημι (empiplēmi, G1705) — also means 'to fill' or 'satisfy,' used similarly but less frequently; it can have a more emphatic or figurative force.

Word Details

Scripture References