χορτάζω (chortazō)
chortazō
to feed
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb chortazō means to feed until full, carrying a sense of satisfying hunger completely. In the New Testament it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it describes feeding animals or people until they are satisfied, as seen when Jesus feeds the five thousand (Matthew 14:20) or when the prodigal son desperately wants to eat the pods filling the pigs’ troughs (Luke 15:16). The word implies a deep satisfaction that goes beyond mere eating.
Its root connects to grass or fodder, highlighting its original use for feeding livestock. Over time, it expanded to describe human satisfaction. This shift is clear in passages like Matthew 5:6, where Jesus speaks of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness being filled. Here, chortazō points to a profound spiritual fulfillment that mirrors physical satiety.
Translators often render this word as "filled" or "satisfied," capturing the idea of complete contentment. It appears in contexts where basic needs are met, whether through divine provision or human care. The term emphasizes abundance and completeness, offering a vivid picture of what it means to be truly nourished.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chortazō describes a deep, complete satisfaction that goes beyond simply eating a meal. It comes from the idea of feeding livestock until they are full, but in Scripture it points to a profound sense of being truly nourished. When Jesus speaks of those who hunger for righteousness being filled, He promises a spiritual contentment that settles deep in the soul. This is not just about having enough; it is about experiencing the fullness of God's care.
In our daily lives, this word reminds us that true satisfaction comes from trusting in divine provision rather than our own resources. Whether we face abundance or need, as Paul learned, we can find peace knowing that God sustains us. The miracle stories where thousands were fed show His power to meet our needs completely. We are invited to rest in the assurance that He provides what we truly require for life and godliness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were satisfied,3×
- to satisfy2×
- to be fed2×
- you will be filled.1×
- will be filled.1×
- were satisfied;1×
- were satisfied.1×
- were satisfied1×
- were filled1×
- to be satisfied1×
- to be full1×
- do be filled,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐχορτάσθησαν,3×
- χορτασθῆναι3×
- ἐχορτάσθησαν2×
- χορτάσαι2×
- ἐχορτάσθητε.1×
- ἐχορτάσθησαν·1×
- χορτάζεσθε,1×
- χορτάζεσθαι1×
- χορτασθήσονται.¶1×
- χορτασθήσεσθε.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
This verse uses the concept of being filled to promise complete spiritual satisfaction to those who earnestly seek righteousness.
-
Luke 15:16
He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.
Here the word highlights the desperate, unmet physical hunger of the prodigal son, contrasting his emptiness with the father's eventual provision.
-
Philippians 4:12
I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
Paul uses this term to describe learning contentment in every circumstance, showing that spiritual fullness is independent of external conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chortazō mean in the Bible?
How is this word different from other words for eat?
Where does this word appear in key stories?
Every Occurrence (16 verses across 7 books)
Matthew 4 verses
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
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 15:33The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”
Matthew 15:37They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.