### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word νῆστις (G3523), transliterated as *nēstis*, carries the core meaning of "not eating" or "abstinent from food." Its etymology reveals a clear construction from the inseparable negative particle (often rendered "not" or "un-") and the verb ἐσθίω (G2068), meaning "to eat." Thus, νῆστις literally describes one who is in a state of not having eaten. While the base definition provided indicates a nuance of "religiously" abstinent, the word itself fundamentally denotes the physical condition of being without food. The semantic range therefore encompasses both a general state of hunger due to lack of provision and, by extension in broader biblical contexts, the deliberate practice of religious fasting.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term νῆστις (G3523) appears three times in the New Testament, and in each instance, it describes a state of physical hunger or deprivation of food, rather than a formal religious fast.
1. **[[Matthew 15:32]] and [[Mark 8:3]]**: These parallel accounts occur in the context of Jesus' miraculous feeding of the four thousand. Jesus expresses compassion for the crowds, stating, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away νῆστις (fasting/hungry), lest they faint on the way." Here, νῆστις clearly signifies physical hunger resulting from a prolonged period without food. The concern is for their physical well-being and the danger of fainting due to lack of sustenance.
2. **[[Acts 27:33]]**: In this passage, during a perilous sea voyage, Paul urges the ship's crew and soldiers to eat, noting their prolonged abstention from food: "Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and have taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For this will help you survive, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you." The word νῆστις is implied in the state of having "taken nothing" for fourteen days. This is a forced deprivation due to the extreme circumstances of the storm, not a voluntary religious discipline.
In all three occurrences, νῆστις describes the consequence of not eating for an extended period, leading to physical weakness or danger. While the broader concept of "fasting" often carries religious connotations in Scripture, the specific usage of νῆστις focuses on the resulting physical state of hunger.
### Related Words & Concepts
νῆστις (G3523) is closely related to other terms in the Greek New Testament that pertain more directly to the spiritual discipline of fasting:
* νηστεύω (G3522): This is the verb "to fast," signifying the *act* of abstaining from food for religious or spiritual purposes. It is used, for example, in [[Matthew 6:16]] regarding Jesus' teaching on fasting, and in [[Acts 13:2]] concerning the early church's practice.
* νηστεία (G3521): This is the noun "fasting" or "a fast," referring to the *practice* or *period* of abstention. Examples include "the Fast" (referring to the Day of Atonement) in [[Acts 27:9]], and references to regular fasts in [[Luke 18:12]].
In the Old Testament, the primary Hebrew terms for fasting are צום (tsom, `{{H6685}}`) as a noun and צוּם (tsum, `{{H6684}}`) as a verb. Fasting in the Old Testament was practiced for various reasons, including mourning (`{{H894}}`, [[1 Samuel 31:13]]), repentance (`{{H894}}`, [[Jonah 3:5]]), seeking divine guidance (`{{H894}}`, [[Ezra 8:21]]), or in preparation for revelation (`{{H894}}`, [[Exodus 34:28]]). The concept of self-denial and humility before God is central to both Old and New Testament understanding of fasting.
### Theological Significance
While νῆστις (G3523) itself primarily denotes the physical state of being without food, its presence in the biblical narrative subtly underscores broader theological truths. The concern Jesus shows for the νῆστις crowds ([[Matthew 15:32]], [[Mark 8:3]]) highlights His compassion for human physical need, a compassion that extends to providing for both spiritual and material sustenance. Similarly, Paul's urging in [[Acts 27:33]] demonstrates the biblical emphasis on preserving life and the practical care for one another, even in desperate circumstances.
Theologically, the state of being νῆστις can serve as a powerful reminder of human vulnerability and dependence. Whether through involuntary deprivation or voluntary spiritual discipline (fasting, using νηστεύω and νηστεία), the absence of food highlights our reliance on God as the ultimate provider. The physical hunger described by νῆστις can thus be seen as an earthly echo of a deeper spiritual hunger for God's presence and provision. This vulnerability, when acknowledged, can lead to a deeper trust in the One who sustains all life.
### Summary
νῆστις (G3523) is a Greek adjective meaning "not eating" or "abstinent from food," derived from the negative particle and the verb "to eat." In its three New Testament occurrences ([[Matthew 15:32]], [[Mark 8:3]], [[Acts 27:33]]), it consistently describes a state of physical hunger or lack of food, often leading to weakness or danger, rather than a formal religious fast. While distinct from the more common terms for religious fasting (νηστεύω `{{G3522}}` and νηστεία `{{G3521}}`), νῆστις nevertheless contributes to the biblical understanding of human fragility and dependence. It underscores God's compassion for physical needs and implicitly points to the spiritual truth that all human sustenance, whether physical or spiritual, ultimately derives from divine provision.
TRV