ἐπαιτέω

I beg, ask alms

Definition

The verb ἐπαιτέω means to beg or ask for alms, specifically referring to the act of requesting charitable donations, often from a position of poverty or need. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Luke 16:3, it describes the action of a steward who, facing dismissal, says he is not strong enough to dig and is ashamed to beg. The word implies a public, sometimes persistent, solicitation for material support, distinct from general asking. While its core meaning is consistent, the context in Luke highlights the social shame associated with this activity in the ancient world.

Biblical Usage

ἐπαιτέω is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 16:3, within Jesus's Parable of the Shrewd Manager. Here, the dishonest manager, contemplating his unemployment, rejects begging as a shameful alternative to manual labor. This singular usage provides a vivid cultural snapshot, associating the act of begging with disgrace and a loss of social standing, which powerfully illustrates the manager's desperate predicament.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning 'upon' or 'to') and the verb αἰτέω (aiteō, meaning 'to ask' or 'request'). The compound form ἐπαιτέω intensifies or specifies the asking, typically for alms or charitable gifts, suggesting an asking directed toward someone. It is related to the noun ἐπαίτης (epaítēs, G1871 - a beggar).

Semantic Range

Though used only once, ἐπαιτέω carries theological weight regarding stewardship, pride, and dependence. In Luke 16:3, the manager's aversion to begging contrasts with the biblical call for humble dependence on God (e.g., Matthew 6:11, Philippians 4:19). The parable uses this cultural aversion to shame to critique worldly wisdom and highlight the urgency of securing one's eternal standing. Understanding this specific term for begging enriches the reading by clarifying the depth of the manager's perceived social and personal crisis, making Jesus's subsequent teaching on faithful stewardship more striking.

In the Greco-Roman world, begging (ἐπαιτέω) was often associated with significant social shame and loss of honor. Unlike some modern contexts where begging might be seen as a neutral consequence of poverty, it typically marked a person as having fallen from a respectable social position, lacking a patron, or being unable to perform honorable work. The manager in Luke 16:3 views it as more dishonorable than strenuous manual labor, highlighting the profound cultural stigma attached to this public reliance on others' charity.

αἰτέω (aiteō, G154) — A more general verb for 'to ask' or 'request,' not specifically for alms. προσαιτέω (prosaiteō, G4319) — Also means 'to beg,' but can imply begging as a habitual practice or profession.

Word Details

Scripture References