ἱερόθυτος (eirothuros)
eirothuros
sacrificed to idols
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The rare Greek word eirothuros literally means "meat offered to an idol." It appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (10:28). The term combines words for "temple" or "sacrifice" and "door" or "gate," though its usage here is straightforward: it refers to the specific category of food that has been ritually presented to a pagan deity before entering the marketplace.
Paul introduces this term while addressing the complex social and spiritual dilemmas facing early Christians. He distinguishes between eating meat in a private home, where conscience might not be troubled, and eating at a public idol feast or when explicitly told the food was sacrificed. In that specific instance, mentioning eirothuros serves as a boundary marker; Paul advises believers to abstain not because the food is inherently evil, but to avoid causing confusion or leading others into sin.
This single occurrence highlights how early Christians navigated daily life in a polytheistic society. The word itself does not carry deep theological weight beyond identifying the object, but its context reveals the careful balance between Christian freedom and love for one’s neighbor. It reminds readers that even permissible actions can become stumbling blocks if they disregard the sensitivity of others.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eirothuros refers to meat that has been ritually offered to a pagan idol. In the first century, this was a common reality in daily life, as food markets were filled with items from temple sacrifices. Paul addresses this specific situation in 1 Corinthians, noting that the food itself is not spiritually tainted. God owns the earth and everything in it, so the meat remains good to eat.
However, Paul introduces a vital boundary regarding how we treat others. If someone explicitly tells you the food was sacrificed to an idol, he advises abstaining. This is not because the food is evil, but to protect the conscience of the person speaking and to avoid causing confusion or leading them into sin. It shows that Christian freedom must always be balanced with love for our neighbor.
For your faith today, this teaches us to consider how our actions affect those around us. Even when we have the right to do something, we may choose to limit that freedom out of care for others. This approach builds up the community and reflects the heart of Christ, who gave up His rights for the sake of many.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- temple-sacrifice1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἱερόθυτόν1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 10:28
But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, with all its fullness.”
This verse establishes the practical rule that believers should refuse such meat when explicitly identified as idol-sacrificed, prioritizing another's conscience over personal freedom.