English · KJV
G709

ἀριστάω

aristáō /ar-is-tah'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἄριστον
Meaningto take the principle meal
KJV usagedine.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of aristáō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word aristáō, represented by G709, means to take the principle meal:--dine. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. This term is used to describe the act of sharing a significant meal, often within a context of invitation and fellowship.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G709 frames pivotal encounters in the ministry of Jesus. A Pharisee G5330 besought Jesus to dine G709 with him, an invitation which Jesus accepted Luke 11:37. Following his resurrection, Jesus himself extends the invitation, telling his disciples, "Come G1205 and dine" G709, an act of provision and fellowship that helped them recognize him as the Lord G2962 John 21:12. The same meal sets the stage for a key moment of restoration, as it is after they had dined G709 that Jesus questions Peter about his love John 21:15.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help build the scene around the act of dining:

  • G2065 erōtáō (to interrogate; by implication, to request): This word signifies the act of invitation, as when a Pharisee G5330 besought G2065 Jesus to dine at his home Luke 11:37.
  • G1205 deûte (come hither!): This functions as a direct summons to fellowship, most notably when Jesus calls to his disciples by the sea, saying, "Come G1205, and dine" John 21:12.
  • G1525 eisérchomai (to enter (literally or figuratively)): This word denotes the action following an invitation. After being asked to dine, Jesus went in G1525 to the Pharisee's house Luke 11:37.
  • G377 anapíptō (to fall back, i.e. lie down, lean back): This term describes the posture of dining in that culture. Upon entering the Pharisee's house, Jesus sat down to meat G377, preparing for the meal Luke 11:37.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G709 lies in the context it creates for divine interaction.

  • Fellowship and Invitation: By accepting an invitation to dine G709 from a Pharisee G5330, Jesus demonstrates his willingness to engage with both followers and critics, breaking down social barriers Luke 11:37.
  • Divine Recognition: The post-resurrection meal where Jesus invites the disciples to dine G709 is a moment of revelation. The disciples durst G5111 not ask who he was, knowing G1492 it was the Lord G2962 John 21:12.
  • Prelude to Restoration: The act of dining is intrinsically linked to Peter's restoration. The profound conversation occurs only after they had dined G709, leading to Jesus' command for Peter to feed G1006 his lambs G721 John 21:15.

Summary

In summary, aristáō G709 moves beyond the simple definition of dining to frame significant spiritual encounters. It is the backdrop for invitations that cross social divides, for the recognition of the resurrected Christ, and for the restoration of a key disciple. Through this word, scripture shows how the common act of sharing a meal can become a setting for profound moments between God and humanity.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G5330 Φαρισαῖος of Hebrew origin (compare פָּרָשׁ); a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary:--Pharise G1205 δεῦτε from δεῦρο and an imperative form of (to go); come hither!:--come, X follow. G2962 κύριος from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- Go G2065 ἐρωτάω apparently from ἐρέω (compare ἐρευνάω); to interrogate; by implication, to request:--ask, beseech, desire, intreat, pray G1525 εἰσέρχομαι from εἰς and ἔρχομαι; to enter (literally or figuratively):--X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through). G377 ἀναπίπτω from ἀνά and πίπτω; to fall back, i.e. lie down, lean back:--lean, sit down (to meat).

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in John (2 verses); never once in the other 25.

1
Luke
2
John

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.