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πεινάω

peináō

G3983 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To experience hunger, to be in a state of wanting food. In its primary sense, refers to physical hunger or lack of sustenance. By extension, may express strong desire or longing for something not possessed, especially in metaphorical or figurative speech, such as longing for justice (e.g., 'hungering and thirsting for righteousness'). The literal meaning dominates in both narrative and discourse contexts of Koine Greek, but figurative senses do appear.

Semantic Range

to suffer hunger, to be hungry (literally lacking food), to experience famine, to crave or long for (figuratively), to feel a strong need or deprivation

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root πειν-, related to πένης (penēs, 'poor'), with verbal morphology. The root likely conveys the idea of want or poverty, as found in related terms for lack or need.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πεινάω and its cognates are used for literal hunger, as opposed to mere appetite (ἐπιθυμέω) or the act of eating (ἐσθίω). In the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew רָעֵב (to be hungry), reflecting both literal hunger (famine, deprivation) and, at times, metaphorical spiritual hunger. In the New Testament, πεινάω predominantly means 'to be hungry' in the physical sense, but also occurs in the Beatitudes and other teachings as a metaphor for deep longing or need (e.g., for righteousness or justice). Standard English translations sometimes use 'to hunger' or 'to be hungry', but may miss the nuance of desire and deprivation present in cultural usage. The word does not inherently carry moral or spiritual valence, but context can lend it figurative depth. Compared to ἐπείνασα (aorist form), the present tense πεινάω can indicate ongoing or habitual hunger.

Translation Consistency

primary "hunger" 17 occurrences

The primary sense in Greek is literal lack of food, and English 'hunger' naturally covers both the physical experiencing of hunger and the common figurative sense of strong longing (e.g. 'hungering for righteousness'). It matches the majority of existing renderings (hungered/hungry/hungering) and provides a single, natural verb base that can be inflected consistently across all forms.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"hungry" (5x) "those who are hungry" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as πένης (through the idea of pinching toil; "pine"); to famish (absolutely or comparatively); figuratively, to crave:--be an hungered.

Root Family

πεινάω (peinaō) — to be hungry, to lack food, to desire deeply

Root πειν- to be hungry, to lack food, to desire deeply

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3983-03 ἐπείνασεν epeinasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he was hungry he hungered he hungered 7
G3983-04 πεινᾷ peina V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG is hungry may be hungry may hunger 3
G3983-10 πεινῶντα peinonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG hungry hungering one hungering one 2
G3983-01 ἐπείνασα epeinasa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I was hungry I hungered I hungered 2
G3983-12 πεινῶντες peinontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL hunger those who are hungering those who are hungering 2
G3983-08 πεινάσουσιν peinasousin V FUT ACT IND 3P PL will they hunger they will be hungry they will be hungry 1
G3983-09 πεινῶμεν peinomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL hunger we are hungry we are hungry 1
G3983-11 πεινῶντας peinontas V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL the hungry those who are hungry those who are hungry 1
G3983-06 πεινάσῃ peinase V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG hunger may be hungry may be hungry 1
G3983-05 πεινᾶν peinan V PRS ACT INF to be hungry to be hungry to be hungry 1

Occurrences in Scripture

23 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3983-03 Matthew 4:2 ἐπείνασεν epeinasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he was hungry he hungered he hungered
G3983-12 Matthew 5:6 πεινῶντες peinontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL hunger those who are hungering those who are hungering
G3983-02 Matthew 12:1 ἐπείνασαν epeinasan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL were hungry they hungered they hungered
G3983-03 Matthew 12:3 ἐπείνασεν epeinasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he was hungry he hungered he hungered
G3983-03 Matthew 21:18 ἐπείνασεν epeinasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG he-became-hungry he hungered he hungered
G3983-01 Matthew 25:35 ἐπείνασα epeinasa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I was hungry I hungered I hungered
G3983-10 Matthew 25:37 πεινῶντα peinonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG hungry hungering one hungering one
G3983-01 Matthew 25:42 ἐπείνασα epeinasa V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I was hungry I hungered I hungered
G3983-10 Matthew 25:44 πεινῶντα peinonta V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG hungry hungering one hungering one
G3983-03 Mark 2:25 ἐπείνασεν epeinasen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG was hungry he hungered he hungered
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