χόρτασμα (chortasma)

The noun chortasma refers to fodder or vegetable sustenance, describing the basic food provided for animals. Its root verb means to feed or fatten, so this word points specifically to the act of supplying nourishment rather than a meal prepared for human enjoyment. In the Old Testament Greek translation, it appears in contexts where provisions are given to travelers or livestock, such as when Jacob’s sons receive hay and straw along with grain (Genesis 42:27).

In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Acts 7:12. Stephen uses it to describe how Joseph sent for his father Jacob during a time of famine in Canaan. The word highlights the practical, physical nature of God’s provision—simple sustenance that kept people and animals alive when resources were scarce. Translators often render it as "food" or "sustenance," capturing its sense of essential, everyday nourishment.

This single usage connects the story of Joseph with the broader biblical theme of God providing for His people in times of need. The word reminds readers that divine care often comes in simple, tangible forms like grain and fodder, meeting basic human needs before any spiritual lesson is fully revealed.