ἐφήμερος (ephēmeros)
ephēmeros
daily
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective ephēmeros describes something that lasts only a single day or is needed merely for the day. Its meaning is rooted in its components: the preposition epí, meaning "upon," and hēmera, meaning "day." This combination creates a vivid image of transience, pointing to things that are temporary, fleeting, or limited to the immediate present.
In the New Testament, this word appears just once, in James 2:15. The context is practical rather than abstract; it describes a brother or sister who lacks basic clothing and daily food. Here, ephēmeros qualifies "bread," emphasizing the immediate, urgent necessity of sustenance for survival. It highlights the concrete reality of human need, which cannot be ignored by empty words.
Translators typically render this term as "daily" to capture its sense of routine necessity. While it shares a linguistic root with words for "day," its specific usage in Scripture focuses on the fragility and brevity of earthly provisions. The word serves as a reminder that physical needs are immediate and real, grounding spiritual teaching in the tangible circumstances of daily life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ephēmeros captures the immediate reality of human need. It describes something that lasts only for one day, like fresh bread or clean clothes. In James 2:15, it highlights the urgent necessity of daily sustenance for those who are struggling.
This term reminds us that faith is not just about abstract beliefs but also about meeting concrete needs. When we see someone lacking their daily bread, our response should be practical and compassionate. It grounds our spiritual life in the tangible circumstances of others around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of daily1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐφημέρου1×
Key Verses
-
James 2:15
And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,
This is the only New Testament occurrence of ephēmeros, where it qualifies 'bread' to emphasize the immediate, urgent necessity of sustenance for survival.