βιβρώσκω (bibrōskō)
bibrōskō
to eat
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb bibrōskō simply means to eat. It appears only once in the New Testament, in John 6:13, describing how the disciples gathered the fragments left after Jesus fed the five thousand. While the more common word for eating is phagō, this term carries a slightly different nuance, often implying consuming or devouring food.
Its origin is unusual, formed as a reduplicated and prolonged version of an older root, possibly related to causing something to be eaten. In the Septuagint, it was used to translate the Hebrew word for eating, showing its established place in earlier Greek Scripture. Though rare in the New Testament, its single use highlights the abundance of leftovers, emphasizing that not even a piece was wasted.
Translators typically render it as "ate" or "devoured," depending on context. In John’s account, it underscores the physical reality of the miracle — real food, real hunger, and real satisfaction. The word’s rarity makes its appearance stand out, drawing attention to the tangible provision Jesus provided.
Though not a frequent term, bibrōskō serves as a reminder that biblical language often chooses specific words to convey particular shades of meaning. Here, it points to the completeness of God’s provision, leaving nothing behind, even in the smallest details.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bibrōskō appears just once in the New Testament, in John 6:13. It describes the disciples gathering the leftover fragments after Jesus fed the five thousand. While it simply means to eat, its rare use here highlights the abundance of God’s provision. Every piece was collected, showing that nothing was wasted.
This detail reminds us that God cares about the small things in our lives. He provides not just enough, but more than we need. When we trust Him, we can rest in the knowledge that He meets our needs completely. There is no shortage in His care for us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having eaten.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βεβρωκόσιν.¶1×
Key Verses
-
John 6:13
So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.
This verse uses bibrōskō to describe the act of eating by the crowd, emphasizing the tangible reality of Jesus' miracle and the subsequent gathering of leftovers.