### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word πρόσπεινος (próspeinos), Strong's `{{G4361}}`, is a compound adjective derived from the preposition πρός (pros), meaning "to, toward, in addition to," and the verb πεινάω (peinao), `{{G3983}}`, meaning "to hunger" or "to be hungry." The prefix πρός here functions as an intensifier, indicating a state of hunger that is not merely present but profoundly felt, "in addition to" or "beyond" ordinary hunger. Thus, πρόσπεινος signifies "intensely hungry," "very hungry," or "famished." It describes a severe physical craving for food, a state of extreme privation. Its formation suggests a heightened degree of the base concept of hunger, moving beyond a simple desire for sustenance to a powerful, even overwhelming, physical need.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πρόσπεινος appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Acts 10:10]]. The context is pivotal: Peter is on the rooftop in Joppa, praying, when he experiences this intense hunger: "And he became very hungry and desired to eat; but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance." The verse states, "ἐγένετο δὲ *πρόσπεινος* καὶ ἤθελεν γεύσασθαι" (egeneto de *próspeinos* kai ēthelen geusasthai).
This extreme hunger is not merely a descriptive detail but serves as a crucial catalyst for the subsequent divine revelation. Peter's physical state of being "very hungry" sets the stage for the trance and the vision of the sheet descending from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals, both clean and unclean according to Jewish law. The intensity of his hunger may have made him more receptive to the spiritual experience, or it may have been divinely orchestrated to provide a tangible point of reference for the spiritual lesson that followed concerning the breaking down of dietary and, by extension, social barriers between Jews and Gentiles. The physical craving for food is immediately followed by a spiritual teaching that transcends mere sustenance, addressing the very nature of God's inclusive plan.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is πεινάω (peinao), `{{G3983}}`, the base verb from which πρόσπεινος is formed. While πεινάω simply means "to hunger," πρόσπεινος emphasizes the *degree* of that hunger. Another related term is πεῖνα (peina), `{{G3984}}`, the noun for "hunger" or "famine." The concept of physical hunger is also often contrasted with or used as a metaphor for spiritual hunger in scripture, as seen in Jesus's declaration in [[Matthew 5:6]], "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." While πρόσπεινος is explicitly physical, its role in Acts 10 demonstrates how God can use a profound physical state to precipitate a profound spiritual encounter and revelation. The intense physical need of Peter is met not with immediate food, but with a divine vision that addresses a deeper spiritual and theological need of the nascent church.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of πρόσπεινος in [[Acts 10:10]] carries significant theological weight. Peter's "very hungry" state is not accidental but appears to be part of God's providential preparation for a momentous shift in salvation history.
1. **Divine Orchestration:** God uses Peter's intense physical need to initiate a pivotal spiritual revelation. The hunger is a divinely appointed condition that opens Peter to receive a vision challenging deeply ingrained Jewish customs and understandings of clean and unclean.
2. **Breaking Barriers:** The vision prompted by this extreme hunger directly leads to the understanding that God has made all foods clean, and more importantly, that no person should be called "common or unclean" ([[Acts 10:28]]). This is foundational for the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community, a central theme in the book of Acts. Peter's hunger thus becomes a catalyst for the breaking down of ethnocentric barriers within the early church.
3. **Human Vulnerability, Divine Initiative:** Peter's intense hunger highlights human vulnerability and dependence. In this state of need, God intervenes not by immediately satisfying the physical hunger, but by providing a profound spiritual truth that transforms Peter's understanding and the trajectory of the early church. It underscores that God often works through our human experiences, even our physical discomforts, to reveal His greater purposes.
4. **Preparation for Revelation:** The intensity of the hunger may have heightened Peter's receptivity, making him more susceptible to the trance and the subsequent divine communication. It demonstrates how God prepares His servants, sometimes through physical means, for crucial moments of revelation and mission.
### Summary
πρόσπεινος (`{{G4361}}`) denotes an intense, profound state of "being very hungry" or "famished." Its singular occurrence in [[Acts 10:10]] is highly significant, describing Peter's extreme hunger just before his transformative vision in Joppa. This intense physical state serves as a divinely orchestrated catalyst, preparing Peter for a pivotal revelation that challenged Jewish dietary laws and, more broadly, paved the way for the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian community. The word highlights how God can utilize ordinary human experiences, even states of physical need, as instruments for extraordinary spiritual revelation and the advancement of His redemptive plan, demonstrating His meticulous providence and the profound interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms.
TRV