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βρῶμα

brōma

G1033 noun

SILEX Entry

Root βρω- to eat, to devour, consume

Definition

Food, that which is eaten as nourishment. In broader contexts, refers to edible provisions, whether solid or in some cases liquid, consumed by humans or animals. In particular contexts (e.g., Hellenistic or Second Temple literature), may refer to foods regulated or distinguished by communal or religious norms, such as allowed or prohibited foods according to Judean law. In figurative or metaphorical usage, can refer to spiritual nourishment or that which sustains the mind or soul.

Semantic Range

food, that which is eaten, provisions, permitted or forbidden food (esp. in Judean law), spiritual nourishment, metaphorical sustenance

Root / Etymology

From the root βρω- (to eat), derived from the verb βιβρώσκω (to eat, to devour). Cognate with βρῶσις (the act of eating, food).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, βρῶμα appears as a general term for any kind of food, mostly solid, as opposed to πόμα (drink). In Hellenistic Greek and the Septuagint, it continues to mean 'food' in a general sense, but in Judean religious contexts such as the Septuagint or New Testament, βρῶμα often designates foods permitted or forbidden according to Torah dietary instructions, creating a distinction between 'clean' and 'unclean' food (e.g., Leviticus 11, Acts 10:14, Hebrews 9:10). In philosophical or metaphorical contexts, particularly in Philo or later Christian literature, βρῶμα can be used of spiritual nourishment (see 1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12-14). Standard English translations often render βρῶμα as 'food,' 'meat,' or 'victuals,' but 'meat' in earlier English meant 'food in general' and not solely animal flesh; modern readers may misinterpret this as only 'flesh,' which is not the primary sense. βρῶμα stands in contrast to πόμα ('drink') and in some contexts to σῖτος ('grain, foodstuff'), which can be more specific. In the New Testament, βρῶμα is used both literally ('food to eat') and in discussions of ritual purity, dietary regulations, or figurative teaching ('solid food' as opposed to 'milk').

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of βιβρώσκω; food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law:--meat, victuals.

Root Family

βρῶμα (brōma) — to eat, to devour, food, provisions, nourishment

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1033-01 βρῶμά broma N NOM N SG food that which is eaten 6
G1033-03 βρώματα bromata N ACC N PL foods foods 5
G1033-02 βρώμασιν bromasin N DAT N PL foods to foods 3
G1033-04 βρώματί bromati N DAT N SG food to food 1
G1033-06 βρώματος bromatos N GEN N SG food of food 1
G1033-05 βρωμάτων bromaton N GEN N PL from foods of foods 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1033-03 Matthew 14:15 βρώματα bromata N ACC N PL foods
G1033-03 Mark 7:19 βρώματα bromata N ACC N PL foods foods
G1033-03 Luke 3:11 βρώματα bromata N ACC N PL foods foods
G1033-03 Luke 9:13 βρώματα bromata N ACC N PL food foods
G1033-01 John 4:34 βρῶμά broma N NOM N SG food that which is eaten
G1033-01 Romans 14:15 βρῶμα broma N ACC N SG food that which is eaten
G1033-04 Romans 14:15 βρώματί bromati N DAT N SG food to food
G1033-06 Romans 14:20 βρώματος bromatos N GEN N SG food of food
G1033-01 1 Corinthians 3:2 βρῶμα broma N ACC N SG solid food that which is eaten
G1033-03 1 Corinthians 6:13 βρώματα bromata N NOM N PL foods foods
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