παρατίθημι (paratithēmi)
paratithēmi
to set before
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb paratithēmi literally means to place beside or set before someone. In the Gospels, it describes the simple act of serving food, such as when Jesus distributes loaves and fish to the crowds in Mark 6:41 and Luke 9:16. The image is concrete: a meal is laid out on a table for others to eat, highlighting hospitality and provision.
Its meaning shifts from physical service to spiritual trust. In Acts 20:32 and 1 Timothy 1:18, the word describes entrusting people or teachings to another person’s care. This usage appears when Paul commends believers to God or charges leaders with specific responsibilities. It suggests a deliberate act of depositing something valuable into safekeeping.
The word combines para ("beside") and tithēmi ("to put"). This structure emphasizes proximity and intentionality. Whether serving bread or entrusting a ministry, the action involves placing something directly in front of someone for their use or protection. Translators often render it as "set before," "entrust," or "commit," depending on whether the context is a meal or a responsibility.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word paratithēmi carries two distinct but connected images: setting food before guests and entrusting valuable items to another’s care. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this simple act of serving bread and fish to show His provision for our physical needs. It reminds us that God is close enough to place sustenance directly in front of us, meeting us where we are.
This same word shifts to describe spiritual responsibility. When Paul tells Timothy to entrust teachings to faithful people, or when Jesus commits His spirit to the Father, the idea is one of safe deposit. We are invited to place our lives, our worries, and our responsibilities into hands that will not drop them. It is a call to trust that what matters most is held securely by God.
Whether you are sharing a meal with friends or facing a heavy burden alone, this word points to the same truth: you do not have to carry everything yourself. God invites you to set your cares before Him, knowing He is both a provider and a faithful guardian of your soul.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- put He before2×
- I commit2×
- to set1×
- to be set before [them].1×
- they should commit1×
- they set [it]1×
- they may set before [them];1×
- they may set before1×
- they committed1×
- setting forth1×
- set before1×
- is being set before1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρέθηκεν3×
- παρέθεντο2×
- παρατίθεμαι2×
- παρέθηκαν1×
- παράθου1×
- παρατίθεμαί1×
- παρατιθῶσιν·1×
- παρατιθῶσιν1×
- παρατιθέσθωσαν1×
- παρατιθέναι.1×
- παρατιθέμενος1×
- παρατιθέμενον1×
Key Verses
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Mark 6:41
He took the five loaves and the two fish; and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all.
This verse shows the concrete meaning of serving food, illustrating how Jesus physically provides for the crowd's hunger.
-
Luke 23:46
Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.
Here the word shifts to spiritual trust as Jesus commits His spirit into the Father's hands at death.
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Acts 20:32
Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Paul uses this term to commend believers to God, highlighting divine protection and the power of grace.
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I Timothy 1:18
I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
This occurrence emphasizes the intentional act of depositing specific instructions into Timothy's care for future ministry.