### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word *ἄσιτος* (ásitos, `{{G777}}`) is a compound adjective derived from the alpha privative α- (indicating negation or absence) and σῖτος (sitos, `{{G4621}}`), meaning "grain" or "food." Therefore, its core meaning is "without food" or "not having eaten." The term describes a state of abstinence from food, whether voluntary or involuntary. In its New Testament usage, it specifically denotes a prolonged period without the consumption of food, leading to a state of physical deprivation. Its semantic range is quite narrow, directly referring to the physical condition of being unfed.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *ἄσιτος* (ásitos, `{{G777}}`) appears only once in the New Testament:
* [[Acts 27:33]]: "And while the day was coming on, Paul exhorted them all to take food, saying, 'Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and have taken nothing.'"
In this solitary occurrence, Paul addresses the crew and passengers on the ship caught in a severe storm. They had been tossed about by the tempest for a considerable time, and their fear and despair had prevented them from eating. The word *ἄσιτος* here describes their state of being "without food" for fourteen days. This was not a religious or voluntary fast, but a forced abstinence due to the dire circumstances of the storm and their overwhelming anxiety. Paul's exhortation to eat is a pragmatic call to regain physical strength, recognizing that their survival and the fulfillment of God's promise depended, in part, on their ability to endure physically. The context underscores the extreme hardship faced and the profound physical toll it took on those aboard.
### Related Words & Concepts
*ἄσιτος* (ásitos, `{{G777}}`) is distinct from, yet related to, several other Greek terms concerning food and fasting:
* **σῖτος (sitos, `{{G4621}}`):** The root word for "food" or "grain," from which *ἄσιτος* is formed.
* **νηστεύω (nēsteuō, `{{G3522}}`):** The verb "to fast," typically referring to a deliberate, often religious, act of abstaining from food.
* **νηστεία (nēsteia, `{{G3521}}`):** The noun "fasting," commonly used for spiritual disciplines (e.g., [[Matthew 6:16]], [[Acts 13:2]]).
* **βρῶμα (brōma, `{{G1035}}`):** A general term for "food."
* **τροφή (trophē, `{{G5160}}`):** Meaning "nourishment" or "food."
While *ἄσιτος* describes the *state* of being without food, often involuntarily, νηστεύω and νηστεία describe the *act* or *practice* of fasting, which is typically volitional and has spiritual or penitential aims. The contrast highlights the unique context of *ἄσιτος* in [[Acts 27:33]] as a consequence of extreme duress rather than a spiritual discipline.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *ἄσιτος* (ásitos, `{{G777}}`) is not found in its inherent spiritual meaning, as it describes a physical condition, but in the broader narrative context of God's providence and human vulnerability. In [[Acts 27:33]], the state of being *ἄσιτος* highlights the extreme physical and psychological distress endured by those on the ship. Paul, as God's instrument, urges them to eat, demonstrating a profound pastoral concern for their physical well-being. This act underscores the biblical principle that while spiritual matters are paramount, God also cares deeply about the physical sustenance and preservation of human life. It shows that even amidst despair and the threat of death, God provides for His people, often through practical means and the wisdom of His servants. The call to eat, despite their hopelessness, is an act of faith in God's ultimate deliverance, recognizing that physical strength is necessary to receive and participate in that deliverance. It contrasts sharply with deliberate religious fasting, which seeks spiritual ends, emphasizing instead the value of life and the necessity of physical endurance in the face of adversity.
### Summary
*ἄσιτος* (ásitos, `{{G777}}`) is a Greek adjective meaning "without food" or "not having eaten," formed from the negative particle α- and σῖτος (food). Its sole occurrence in the New Testament, in [[Acts 27:33]], describes the involuntary fourteen-day period of food deprivation experienced by Paul and his fellow travelers during a perilous storm at sea. This term highlights a state of physical hardship and deprivation, distinct from the intentional spiritual discipline of fasting (νηστεία). Theologically, its use in Acts underscores human vulnerability and the practical, providential care of God, who, through Paul, directs the distressed to take physical nourishment for strength and endurance, thereby valuing human life and equipping individuals to receive His deliverance amidst dire circumstances.
TRV