ἐπιούσιος
epioúsios
G1967 restrictive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Pertaining to what is necessary for existence or provision for the coming day; specifically, referring to bread or sustenance adequate for today or for each day. In context, used to describe something that is requisite or sufficient for current and immediate needs, most often referencing daily nourishment.
Semantic Range
sufficient for the day, necessary for existence, required for daily sustenance, for the coming day, pertaining to daily needs
Root / Etymology
Formed either from ἐπί ('upon, for') and a derivative of εἰμί ('to be'), or possibly from ἐπιοῦσα ('coming, next [day]'). Etymology is uncertain and debated; no clear parallels outside early Christian texts have been established.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term ἐπιούσιος is a notable hapax legomenon in ancient Greek, found only in the context of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:3), and does not appear in surviving non-Christian literature. Patristic writers already debated its precise meaning, suggesting both ‘day by day’, ‘for tomorrow’, or ‘for subsistence’. Lexically, it likely indicates 'necessary' or 'sufficient for existence', emphasizing daily or continual dependence. Modern English translations often render it as 'daily', but this may not fully capture its sense of what is truly needed (not excess) for ongoing life. There is no evidence that it referred specifically to a particular type of bread, but rather to the necessary sustenance for continued existence. The LXX does not use this term. Its rare and specialized use highlights its unique conceptual role in early Christian liturgy and prayer, contrasting with more common Greek terms for daily or continual needs (such as καθʼ ἡμέραν).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
perhaps from the same as ἐπιοῦσα; tomorrow's; but more probably from ἐπί and a derivative of the present participle feminine of εἰμί; for subsistence, i.e. needful:--daily.
Root Family
ἐπιούσιος (epiousios) — for subsistence, necessary, pertaining to what is needed for the coming day
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1967-01 |
ἐπιούσιον | epiousion | ADJ.R ACC M SG |
daily | necessary-for-sustenance | necessary-for-sustenance | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1967-01 |
Matthew 6:11 | ἐπιούσιον | epiousion | ADJ.R ACC M SG |
daily | necessary-for-sustenance | necessary-for-sustenance |
G1967-01 |
Luke 11:3 | ἐπιούσιον | epiousion | ADJ.R ACC M SG |
daily | necessary-for-sustenance | necessary-for-sustenance |