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.
Transliteration:epioúsios
Pronunciation:ep-ee-oo'-see-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ἐπιούσιος (epioúsios), Strong's number `{{G1967}}`, is one of the most debated and enigmatic words in the New Testament, appearing exclusively in the Lord's Prayer. Its precise etymology and meaning have been a source of scholarly discussion for centuries, primarily due to its rarity in ancient Greek literature outside of this context.
The base definition provided suggests two primary etymological possibilities, each leading to a distinct semantic nuance:
1. **"Tomorrow's" or "for the coming day":** This interpretation links ἐπιούσιος to the feminine present participle of ἔπειμι (epeimi), meaning "to come upon" or "to be next," specifically in the form ἐπιοῦσα (epiousa), "the coming day" or "tomorrow." If this derivation is correct, the petition would be for "bread for tomorrow" or "bread for the coming day."
2. **"For subsistence," "needful," or "sufficient for existence":** This interpretation connects ἐπιούσιος to the preposition ἐπί (epi, "upon," "for") and a derivative of the present participle of εἰμί (eimi, "to be"). In this sense, it would refer to bread that is "sufficient for being" or "necessary for existence."
While both interpretations hold scholarly support, the latter, suggesting "sufficient for subsistence," is often favored for its theological resonance, emphasizing immediate need and God's present provision. The traditional English translation "daily" (e.g., KJV, ESV) attempts to bridge these two possibilities, implying provision for the current day's needs, whether that means "sufficient for today" or "for the day that is coming." The word thus carries a semantic range encompassing both temporal proximity and existential necessity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἐπιούσιος (epioúsios) occurs only twice in the New Testament, both instances within the petition for bread in the Lord's Prayer:
* **[[Matthew 6:11]]**: "Give us this day our daily bread." (τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον)
* **[[Luke 11:3]]**: "Give us day by day our daily bread." (τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δίδου ἡμῖν τὸ καθ’ ἡμέραν)
In both contexts, the petition for "epiousios bread" is nestled within a larger prayer that emphasizes God's sovereignty, the coming of His kingdom, and the need for divine forgiveness and protection from evil. The placement of this petition immediately after the hallowing of God's name and the desire for His kingdom's arrival highlights the fundamental nature of physical sustenance as a basic human need, entirely dependent on God's provision.
The Synoptic Gospels' context further illuminates the meaning. In [[Matthew 6:25-34]], Jesus explicitly warns against anxiety concerning food and clothing, encouraging disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all these things "will be added to you." This teaching strongly supports the "sufficient for subsistence" interpretation of ἐπιούσιος, implying a request for what is necessary for the present, rather than worrying about future abundance. The parallel in Luke's "day by day" (τὸ καθ’ ἡμέραν) further reinforces the idea of continuous, immediate provision for current needs, echoing the Old Testament manna provision.
The singular "bread" (ἄρτον) rather than "foods" or "provisions" suggests a focus on essential nourishment, not luxury or excess. The petition is for basic, life-sustaining provision, a humble request acknowledging human dependence on divine grace for even the most fundamental necessities of life.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ἐπιούσιος (epioúsios) is enhanced by considering its relationship to other biblical words and theological concepts:
* **ἄρτος (artos)**: The direct object of the petition, "bread" (`{{G740}}`). In ancient Near Eastern culture, "bread" often represented all essential food and sustenance, symbolizing the basic necessities for life. It can also carry spiritual significance, as seen in Jesus referring to Himself as the "bread of life" (e.g., [[John 6:35]]).
* **δίδωμι (didomi)**: "To give" (`{{G1325}}`). The verb used in the petition emphasizes God's active role as the giver and humanity's posture of receiving.
* **σήμερον (sēmeron)**: "Today" (`{{G4594}}`). This adverb in Matthew's version ("Give us *this day* our daily bread") underscores the immediacy of the request, aligning with the "sufficient for today" interpretation.
* **αὔριον (aurion)**: "Tomorrow" (`{{G839}}`). While not explicitly present in the prayer, the concept of "tomorrow" is central to one of the etymological possibilities of ἐπιούσιος. Jesus' teaching against anxiety for "tomorrow" in [[Matthew 6:34]] further contextualizes the prayer's focus on present trust.
* **μεριμνάω (merimnaō)**: "To be anxious," "to worry" (`{{G3309}}`). The Lord's Prayer, and the petition for daily bread, stands in stark contrast to the anxiety about material provisions that Jesus warns against (e.g., [[Matthew 6:25]], [[Matthew 6:31]]).
* **Mana (מָן)**: The Old Testament account of manna in the wilderness (e.g., [[Exodus 16]]) provides a crucial conceptual parallel. God provided just enough manna for each day, forbidding hoarding, thus teaching Israel daily dependence and trust. This historical precedent strongly supports the "sufficient for the day" understanding of ἐπιούσιος.
* **Προνοία (Pronoia)**: "Providence" (`{{G4308}}`, though not directly translated as such, the concept is present). The petition for ἐπιούσιος bread is a direct appeal to God's divine providence, His active care and provision for His creation.
### Theological Significance
The petition for "epiousios bread" holds profound theological significance, shaping a disciple's understanding of God, self, and the world:
1. **Radical Dependence on God:** The prayer acknowledges God as the ultimate source of all sustenance. It is not merely a request for food but an admission of utter dependence on the Creator for even the most basic necessities of life. This fosters humility and undermines self-sufficiency.
2. **Divine Providence and Faithfulness:** It affirms God's active involvement in the daily lives of His people. The prayer is an expression of trust in God's faithful provision, believing that He cares for His children and will supply what is truly needed. This trust alleviates anxiety and worry about the future (cf. [[Matthew 6:25-34]]).
3. **Sufficiency, Not Excess:** The emphasis on "epiousios" bread, whether "sufficient" or "for the coming day," points to God's provision of what is needful, not necessarily what is luxurious or abundant beyond necessity. This encourages contentment with basic provisions and challenges the pursuit of excessive wealth or material accumulation. It aligns with the biblical principle of living simply and being satisfied with what one has.
4. **Present-Oriented Trust:** The petition, especially with the "today" or "day by day" modifier, encourages a focus on the present moment and reliance on God for *this* day's needs. It discourages hoarding or excessive future planning that displaces trust in God's moment-by-moment care. This resonates with the manna narrative, where hoarding led to spoilage.
5. **Holistic Provision:** While primarily referring to physical bread, the petition can also be understood in a broader, spiritual sense. Just as God provides physical nourishment, He also provides spiritual sustenance through His Word, His Spirit, and ultimately, through Jesus Christ, the "bread of life." The prayer thus encompasses a request for all that is necessary for a full and godly existence, both physically and spiritually.
### Summary
The Greek word ἐπιούσιος (epioúsios), Strong's number `{{G1967}}`, is a unique and deeply significant term found exclusively in the Lord's Prayer ([[Matthew 6:11]], [[Luke 11:3]]). While its precise etymology is debated, it broadly conveys the idea of "sufficient for subsistence" or "for the coming day," captured well by the English translation "daily."
Contextual analysis within the Lord's Prayer and Jesus' broader teachings against anxiety (e.g., [[Matthew 6:25-34]]) strongly supports the interpretation of a request for essential, immediate provision. The concept echoes Old Testament narratives like the manna, where God provided just enough for each day, fostering dependence and trust.
Theologically, the petition for ἐπιούσιος bread underscores humanity's radical dependence on God for all sustenance, both physical and spiritual. It cultivates a profound trust in God's faithful providence, encouraging contentment with sufficiency rather than pursuit of excess. Ultimately, it is a humble and powerful request for God's daily, trustworthy provision, shaping a life of reliance and freedom from anxiety.
TRV