from ἐπί and ἡμέρα; for a day ("ephemeral"), i.e. diurnal:--daily.
Transliteration:ephḗmeros
Pronunciation:ef-ay'-mer-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ἐφήμερος (ephḗmeros, `{{G2184}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐπί (epí, `{{G1909}}`), meaning "upon" or "for," and the noun ἡμέρα (hēmera, `{{G2250}}`), meaning "day." Literally, it signifies "for a day" or "lasting for a day." Its primary semantic range encompasses concepts of daily occurrence, transience, or that which pertains to a single day. While the English derivative "ephemeral" emphasizes the fleeting nature, the biblical usage of ἐφήμερος in the New Testament primarily denotes that which is needed or occurs *daily*, highlighting regularity and immediate necessity rather than mere transience.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐφήμερος (ephḗmeros, `{{G2184}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Epistle of James:
* **[[James 2:15]]**: "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food..." (ESV).
In this crucial passage, James uses the phrase "τὴν ἐφήμερον τροφὴν" (tēn ephēmeron trophēn), which translates to "the daily food." The context is a powerful admonition against a faith that is merely intellectual or verbal, lacking practical demonstration. James contrasts passive well-wishing with the active provision of essential, immediate necessities. The "daily food" refers to the sustenance required for the present day, emphasizing the recurring, fundamental need for nourishment. This usage underscores the urgency and constancy of basic human requirements, which true faith must address through tangible acts of charity.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ἡμέρα (hēmera, `{{G2250}}`)**: The root word for "day," foundational to understanding ephḗmeros as pertaining to a single day or daily occurrences.
* **ἐπί (epí, `{{G1909}}`)**: The preposition "upon" or "for," indicating the temporal scope or purpose ("for a day").
* **ἐπιούσιος (epiousios, `{{G1967}}`)**: This word, often translated "daily" in the Lord's Prayer (e.g., "daily bread" in [[Matthew 6:11]] and [[Luke 11:3]]), shares a conceptual link with ephḗmeros regarding daily provision. While their etymologies and precise nuances differ (with epiousios being more debated but often understood as "for the coming day" or "sufficient for the day"), both highlight the continuous need for sustenance. Ephēmeros in James emphasizes the *present day's* need, while epiousios in the Lord's Prayer speaks to the *ongoing* or *sufficient* provision for each day.
* **Concepts of Provision and Sustenance**: The use of ephḗmeros aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's faithful provision for His people's daily needs, exemplified by the manna in the wilderness given "day by day" (cf. [[Exodus 16:4]]).
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of ἐφήμερος (ephḗmeros, `{{G2184}}`) in [[James 2:15]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark reminder that genuine faith is not abstract but profoundly practical. By highlighting "daily food" and "daily clothing," James underscores the immediate and recurring physical needs of the vulnerable. The passage asserts that a faith that merely offers good wishes without addressing these ephḗmeros needs is "dead" ([[James 2:17]]). This emphasizes:
1. **The Incarnational Nature of Love**: Christian love must manifest in tangible acts that meet real, everyday human necessities.
2. **Dependence on God's Ongoing Provision**: Just as individuals require ephḗmeros provision, so too does the community of faith depend on God's continuous grace for sustenance, and in turn, is called to be an instrument of that provision for others.
3. **The Call to Practical Compassion**: The word grounds theological reflection in the concrete realities of poverty and suffering, demanding an active, consistent response from believers. It moves beyond a general concern for the poor to a specific call to address their immediate, day-to-day survival needs.
### Summary
Ἐφήμερος (ephḗmeros, `{{G2184}}`) literally means "for a day" or "lasting for a day." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[James 2:15]] refers to "daily food," underscoring the immediate and recurring necessities of life. This usage highlights the practical dimension of Christian faith, emphasizing the imperative for believers to actively provide for the ephḗmeros needs of others. The word thus serves as a powerful reminder of the tangible nature of compassion and the ongoing dependence on God's faithful, day-by-day provision, which Christians are called to embody in their interactions with the world.
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