φαγεῖν (phagein)
phagein
to eat
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 90 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word phagein is the aorist infinitive of the verb phago, meaning "to eat." In the New Testament it serves as the standard term for taking food, appearing in ninety verses across the Gospels and Epistles. It covers ordinary meals, such as when Jesus feeds the crowds (Mark 6:42), and specific religious observances like eating the Passover (Luke 22:15). The sources note its frequent pairing with drinking, emphasizing the basic physical act of sustenance.
While primarily literal, the term also carries a metaphorical weight for destruction or consumption. Hebrews uses it to describe how fire will devour a person’s possessions (Hebrews 10:27), and Revelation applies it to wild beasts consuming a great prostitute (Revelation 17:16). This dual usage shows the word moving from simple nourishment to total absorption or ruin.
Etymologically, phagein functions as an alternate form for the more classical esthiō in certain tenses. Its roots connect to ancient concepts of portioning and enjoying food, seen in related Indo-European languages. Translators consistently render it as "eat" or "meat," preserving the directness of the original action without adding abstract theological layers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about people eating in the Gospels, it is easy to miss how central this simple act is to Jesus’ ministry. He did not just teach from a distance; He shared meals, broke bread, and satisfied hunger. In Matthew 14:16, when the disciples worried about resources, Jesus simply said, “You give them something to eat.” This command shifts our focus from anxiety over what we lack to active participation in God’s provision. It reminds us that faith is often lived out through practical care for others.
Yet this word also points to something deeper than physical nourishment. In Matthew 25:35, Jesus identifies Himself with the hungry person receiving food. To feed someone is to serve Christ directly. The act of eating becomes a bridge between our daily needs and our spiritual duties. It grounds our faith in reality, showing that God cares about our bodies as much as our souls.
This perspective invites us to look at our own tables with gratitude. Whether it is a shared family dinner or a meal for a neighbor, every instance of eating can be an opportunity to reflect God’s generosity. We are called to be channels of His provision, finding joy in meeting the needs around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 90 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to eat21×
- ate9×
- to eat.5×
- may eat4×
- you may eat3×
- they ate3×
- do eat.3×
- we shall eat2×
- to eat?2×
- to eat,2×
- they may eat.2×
- shall I eat2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φαγεῖν21×
- ἔφαγον12×
- φαγεῖν.5×
- ἔφαγεν4×
- φάγῃ4×
- φάγωμεν4×
- φάγητε4×
- φάγωσιν3×
- φάγω3×
- φάγε.3×
- φαγόντες3×
- φαγεῖν,3×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 14:16
But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
Jesus redirects the disciples' anxiety about resources into a direct call for practical action, showing that faith involves active provision.
-
Matthew 25:35
for I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.
This verse identifies Christ Himself with the hungry, making the act of feeding others a direct service to Jesus.
-
Mark 6:42
They all ate and were filled.
The result of the miracle is not just fullness but satisfaction, demonstrating God's abundant care for physical needs.
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Matthew 26:26
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
Jesus uses the ordinary act of eating to institute a lasting memorial of His body, linking sustenance to spiritual remembrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word phagein mean?
How is phagein different from other words for eating?
Does this word have a spiritual meaning?
Every Occurrence (90 verses across 11 books)
Matthew 12 verses
Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body,…
Matthew 6:31“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’
Matthew 12:4how he entered into God’s house and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were…
Matthew 14:16But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
Matthew 14:20They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.
Matthew 15:20These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”
Matthew 15:32Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now…
Matthew 15:37They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.
Matthew 25:35for I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.
Matthew 25:42for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;
Matthew 26:17Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare…
Matthew 26:26As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;…