σιτίον (sition)

The noun sition refers to grain-based food, specifically bread or provisions made from cereal crops. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 27:33, where Paul urges the sailors on a storm-tossed ship to eat before they continue their journey. The context highlights its practical nature: it is sustenance needed for strength and survival, not a ceremonial meal.

While often translated simply as "food," the word carries a more specific sense of grain or victuals. Classical sources distinguish it from general nourishment by linking it to staples like wheat or spelt. This usage underscores the physical reality of human need—basic energy required to endure hardship, such as the three days’ provisions mentioned in ancient military contexts.

Its single biblical appearance ties the word directly to a moment of crisis and communal care. Paul’s instruction is not about luxury but about maintaining physical health during a life-threatening voyage. The term reminds readers that spiritual encouragement often accompanies basic human needs, grounding faith in the tangible reality of daily sustenance.