πεινάω (peinaō)

The verb peinaō describes the physical state of being hungry or suffering from a lack of food. In the New Testament, it appears frequently in the Gospels to depict Jesus’ own physical needs, such as when He was hungry after fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2) or when He sought fruit from a fig tree that had none (Mark 11:12). It also captures the basic human condition of poverty and need, as seen in the Beatitudes where Jesus pronounces blessing on those who are hungry (Luke 6:21).

Beyond its literal sense, peinaō carries a metaphorical weight for spiritual longing. The sources highlight its use in Matthew 5:6, where Jesus speaks of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Here, the physical sensation becomes a vivid image for an intense, eager desire for right relationship with God. This figurative usage connects the bodily ache for sustenance with the soul’s deep craving for justice and divine favor.

The word’s etymology suggests a root idea of pinching or pine-like suffering, emphasizing the uncomfortable, pressing nature of hunger. Translators typically render it simply as "hungry" or "hunger," but the Greek term implies more than a mild appetite; it denotes a significant want that demands attention. Whether describing the physical reality of the poor in Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:11) or the spiritual yearning of the believer, peinaō underscores the fundamental human dependence on what sustains us.