φάγος
phágos
G5314 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person characterized by excessive eating; one given to voracious or insatiable appetite for food, especially eating more than is considered proper or moderate. The term can extend metaphorically to describe someone habitually self-indulgent in consumption or appetite.
Semantic Range
glutton, one given to excessive eating, person characterized by insatiable appetite; metaphorically, one who habitually indulges beyond moderation
Root / Etymology
From the verb φάγω (phagō, 'to eat'). The noun form denotes a habitual eater, with the suffix -ος forming an agent noun indicating someone given to the action.
Historical & Contextual Notes
φάγος is a rare noun in ancient Greek, attested in Koine and post-classical sources, with very sparse evidence prior to the Hellenistic period. The term appears in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:34; applied by critics to Jesus as 'a glutton'), paralleling the Semitic idiom describing those perceived as excessively indulging in food or drink. In these contexts, φάγος carries a strongly negative moral judgment, implying a lack of restraint and self-control, and is commonly paired with οἰνοπότης ('drunkard'); compare Deuteronomy 21:20 (LXX), where similar characterization is applied. Unlike other terms for eater (such as ἐσθίων), φάγος focuses on habitual and excessive consumption rather than the simple act of eating. English translations usually render it 'glutton' or 'gluttonous man,' but modern English may not always capture the classical moral force of the term, which connotes a kind of public disgrace or lack of virtue tied to appetite. The term does not appear in major classical Greek literature, and its usage is particularly marked by interaction with Semitic modes of speech in the Hellenistic and early Roman periods.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from φάγω; a glutton:--gluttonous.
Root Family
φάγος (phagos) — to eat, to consume; habitual excessive eating
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5314-01 |
φάγος | phagos | N NOM M SG |
glutton | glutton | glutton | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5314-01 |
Matthew 11:19 | φάγος | phagos | N NOM M SG |
glutton | glutton | glutton |
G5314-01 |
Luke 7:34 | φάγος | phagos | N NOM M SG |
gluttonous | glutton | glutton |