### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb πεινάω (peináō), Strong's `{{G3983}}`, signifies "to be hungry" or "to famish." Its etymological root is connected to πένης (penēs, `{{G3993}}`), meaning "poor," suggesting an underlying concept of "pinching toil" or a state of deprivation that leads to a deep, aching need for sustenance.
1. **Literal Sense:** Primarily, it denotes a physical sensation of hunger, ranging from a general need for food to a state of extreme starvation or famishment (e.g., [[Matthew 4:2]], [[Luke 4:2]] after Jesus' forty-day fast).
2. **Comparative Sense:** It can also describe a strong desire for food without necessarily implying absolute starvation, simply being "an hungered."
3. **Figurative Sense:** Most significantly, πεινάω extends metaphorically to describe an intense spiritual or moral craving, a deep longing or yearning for something beyond physical sustenance. This figurative usage implies an emptiness or lack that seeks profound fulfillment (e.g., [[Matthew 5:6]]).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πεινάω appears numerous times in the New Testament, illustrating both its literal and figurative dimensions:
* **Literal Physical Hunger:**
* In the temptation of Jesus, He experiences hunger after forty days of fasting ([[Matthew 4:2]]; [[Luke 4:2]]), underscoring His full humanity.
* The disciples' hunger leads them to pluck grain on the Sabbath ([[Matthew 12:1]]; [[Mark 2:25]]; [[Luke 6:3]]), prompting Jesus' teaching on the Sabbath's purpose.
* The parable of the rich man and Lazarus depicts Lazarus's physical hunger and desire for crumbs from the rich man's table ([[Luke 16:21]]), highlighting social injustice and the reversal of fortunes.
* Paul speaks of his own experience of being hungry and in need, contrasting it with his ability to be content in all circumstances through Christ ([[Philippians 4:12]]).
* In correcting abuses at the Lord's Supper, Paul notes that some are hungry while others are drunk, emphasizing the need for equity and proper reverence for the communal meal ([[1 Corinthians 11:21]], [[1 Corinthians 11:34]]).
* **Figurative Spiritual Hunger:**
* The most profound figurative use is found in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" ([[Matthew 5:6]]). Here, πεινάω describes an intense, active longing for God's justice, moral rectitude, and conformity to His will. This hunger is not a deficit but a sign of spiritual vitality, promised divine satisfaction.
* Mary's Magnificat prophesies that God "has filled the hungry with good things" ([[Luke 1:53]]), a statement that encompasses both physical provision for the poor and spiritual fulfillment for the humble and righteous.
* While not using πεινάω directly, Jesus' declaration "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" ([[John 6:35]]) provides the ultimate context for understanding spiritual hunger and its divine satisfaction in Him.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of πεινάω includes several related terms that illuminate its meaning:
* **Antonyms/Contrasts:**
* κορέννυμι (korennumi, `{{G2880}}`): "to be satisfied," "to be full."
* χορτάζω (chortazō, `{{G5526}}`): "to feed," "to satisfy," "to fill." Often used in contexts where Jesus miraculously feeds the multitudes.
* **Closely Paired Terms:**
* διψάω (dipsaō, `{{G1372}}`): "to thirst." This word is almost always paired with πεινάω in figurative contexts (e.g., [[Matthew 5:6]]), emphasizing a comprehensive and fundamental human need for both food and water, extended to spiritual craving.
* **Related to Poverty/Need:**
* πένης (penēs, `{{G3993}}`): "poor," "needy." As the root of πεινάω, it highlights the state of lacking that leads to hunger.
* πτωχός (ptōchos, `{{G4434}}`): "poor," "beggar." Often associated with physical deprivation and reliance on others, mirroring the state of hunger.
* **Theological Concepts:**
* **Dependence:** The state of hunger underscores human dependence on God for all provision.
* **Righteousness:** The "hunger for righteousness" points to a deep longing for God's ethical standards and His just reign.
* **Fulfillment/Satisfaction:** The promise that the hungry will be "filled" (χορτάζω, `{{G5526}}`) or "satisfied" signifies God's complete provision for both physical and spiritual needs.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of πεινάω is profound, transitioning from a basic human sensation to a powerful metaphor for spiritual reality:
1. **Human Vulnerability and Divine Provision:** The literal uses of πεινάω highlight the fundamental human need for sustenance, underscoring our creaturely dependence. God, through Christ, demonstrates His power and compassion by providing for physical hunger (e.g., the feeding miracles). This serves as a tangible sign of His greater spiritual provision. The correction of abuses at the Lord's Supper ([[1 Corinthians 11:21]], [[1 Corinthians 11:34]]) further emphasizes that God's provision and the communal meal are meant to satisfy all, not just a privileged few, reflecting divine justice and care for the needy.
2. **The Beatitude of Righteousness:** The most impactful theological use is in [[Matthew 5:6]]. "Hungering and thirsting for righteousness" describes a deep, active, and persistent longing for God's character, His just rule, and His ethical standards to be manifest in one's life and in the world. This is not a passive desire but an intense craving that drives individuals to seek conformity to God's will. This hunger is blessed because it recognizes a profound spiritual deficit that only God can fill, promising ultimate satisfaction and fulfillment in Him.
3. **Christ as the Satisfier of Spiritual Hunger:** Jesus' declaration in [[John 6:35]], "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger," provides the ultimate theological answer to the human condition of spiritual hunger. He is the divine provision that satisfies the deepest longings of the soul, offering eternal life and spiritual nourishment that no earthly food or pursuit can provide. The experience of hunger, therefore, becomes a pointer to the only true source of lasting satisfaction: Jesus Christ Himself.
4. **Solidarity and Empathy:** Paul's testimony of knowing what it is to be hungry ([[Philippians 4:12]]) demonstrates his solidarity with the suffering and emphasizes that true contentment is found not in external circumstances but in Christ. This resonates with the broader biblical theme of God's preferential option for the poor and hungry, as seen in Mary's Magnificat ([[Luke 1:53]]).
### Summary
The Greek word πεινάω (peináō, `{{G3983}}`) primarily means "to be hungry" or "to famish," rooted in the concept of deep need and deprivation. While it frequently describes literal physical hunger in the New Testament, its theological richness is most evident in its figurative application. Most notably in [[Matthew 5:6]], "to hunger and thirst for righteousness" signifies an intense, active, and blessed yearning for God's justice, holiness, and divine order, which is promised ultimate fulfillment by God. Throughout the biblical narrative, πεινάω highlights human vulnerability and dependence, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ as the "Bread of Life" ([[John 6:35]]) who alone can satisfy the deepest spiritual longings, transforming a state of profound lack into a promise of divine provision and righteousness.
TRV