Lexical Summary bróma: Food, meat Original Word: βρῶμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance meat, food. From the base of bibrosko; food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law -- meat, victuals. see GREEK bibrosko NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bibróskó Definition food NASB Translation food (14), foods (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1033: βρῶμαβρῶμα βρώματος, τό (βρόω equivalent to βιβρώσκω), that which is eaten, food; (from Thucydides and Xenophon, down): 1 Corinthians 8:8, 13; 1 Corinthians 10:3; Romans 14:15, 20; plural: Matthew 14:15; Mark 7:19; Luke 3:11; Luke 9:13; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 1 Timothy 4:3; Hebrews 13:9; βρώματα καί ποματα meats and drinks, Hebrews 9:10 (as in Plato, legg. 11, p. 932 e.; 6, p. 782 a.; Critias, p. 115 b.; in singular Xenophon, Cyril 5, 2, 17). of the soul's aliment, i. e. either instruction, 1 Corinthians 3:2 (as solid food opposed to τό γάλα), or that which delights and truly satisfies the mind, John 4:34. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 1033 (βρῶμα, broma) speaks of “food” or “that which is eaten.” Across its seventeen New Testament appearances, the word serves as a lens through which Scripture contrasts temporal sustenance with eternal realities, illuminates Christian liberty, and affirms the sufficiency of Christ. 1. Physical Provision and Compassionate Ministry Matthew 14:15; Luke 9:13; and Mark 7:19 employ βρῶμα to describe ordinary fare distributed by the Lord or His disciples. These scenes underscore the biblical pattern: meeting tangible needs accompanies gospel proclamation. “You give them something to eat” (Luke 9:13) reflects a charge still binding the church—practical mercy validates the message of salvation (cf. Luke 3:11). 2. Christ-Centered “Food” In John 4:34 Jesus reframes nourishment: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work”. Here βρῶμα signifies the satisfaction Christ finds in obedience. He models the life of faith that places God’s will above bodily appetite, directing believers to prioritize kingdom labor over physical comfort. 3. The Exodus Typology and Spiritual Nourishment Paul’s reminder that Israel “all ate the same spiritual food” (1 Corinthians 10:3) links βρῶμα with manna, prefiguring Christ the true bread from heaven. The apostle’s argument presses readers to recognize that sacramental participation devoid of genuine faith invites judgment, just as wilderness Israel fell despite miraculous provision. 4. Maturity versus Immaturity βρῶμα appears in 1 Corinthians 3:2 to contrast “solid food” with “milk.” Carnal believers, divided and boastful, prove unready for weightier doctrine. The term therefore stands for advanced teaching received by those walking in the Spirit (cf. Hebrews 5:12-14, where a cognate idea prevails). 5. Christian Liberty, Conscience, and Love Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8–10 gather nine of the occurrences, making βρῶμα pivotal to Paul’s ethic of love-tempered freedom. βρῶμα itself is morally neutral, yet its use may edify or destroy. The mature disciple limits personal rights to protect weaker consciences, mirroring Christ’s self-emptying (Romans 15:1-3). 6. Temporary Regulations versus Abiding Grace Hebrews 9:10 groups “foods and drinks and various ceremonial washings” among “external regulations imposed until the time of reform.” βρῶμα marks the provisional nature of Mosaic dietary law, now fulfilled in the high-priestly work of Christ. Hebrews 13:9 warns against being “carried away by all kinds of strange teachings,” noting that hearts are strengthened “by grace, not by foods.” Similarly, 1 Timothy 4:3 denounces ascetics who “require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving.” In every case, βρῶμα symbolizes ritual shadows eclipsed by gospel substance. 7. Eschatological Perspective Paul’s declaration, “Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will destroy them both” (1 Corinthians 6:13), relativizes bodily appetites. Though believers honor God with their bodies, ultimate hope rests in resurrection glory, not present gratification. Historical Context First-century believers navigated a world where Jewish kosher scruples, Greco-Roman temple meat, and emerging ascetic movements collided. βρῶμα surfaces wherever these pressures threatened unity or obscured the sufficiency of Christ. Apostolic teaching affirms creation’s goodness (Genesis 1:31; 1 Timothy 4:4) while subordinating every meal to love and holiness. Ministry Implications 1. Mercy Ministries: Provide physical βρῶμα as a testimony to divine compassion. Key Insights • βρῶμα serves as a metaphor for obedience (John 4:34) and mature teaching (1 Corinthians 3:2). In sum, Strong’s 1033 invites believers to receive earthly food with gratitude, pursue spiritual food with fervor, and steward Christian freedom with sacrificial love, all unto the glory of God. Forms and Transliterations βρωμα βρώμα βρώμά βρῶμα βρῶμά βρώμασι βρωμασιν βρώμασιν βρωματα βρώματα βρώματά βρωματι βρώματί βρωματος βρώματος βρωματων βρωμάτων broma brôma brômá brōma brō̂ma brō̂má bromasin brōmasin brṓmasin bromata brōmata brṓmata bromati brōmati brṓmatí bromaton bromáton brōmatōn brōmátōn bromatos brōmatos brṓmatosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 14:15 N-ANPGRK: ἀγοράσωσιν ἑαυτοῖς βρώματα NAS: and buy food for themselves. KJV: and buy themselves victuals. INT: they might buy for themselves food Mark 7:19 N-ANP Luke 3:11 N-ANP Luke 9:13 N-ANP John 4:34 N-NNS Romans 14:15 N-ANS Romans 14:15 N-DNS Romans 14:20 N-GNS 1 Corinthians 3:2 N-ANS 1 Corinthians 6:13 N-NNP 1 Corinthians 6:13 N-DNP 1 Corinthians 8:8 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 8:13 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 10:3 N-ANS 1 Timothy 4:3 N-GNP Hebrews 9:10 N-DNP Hebrews 13:9 N-DNP Strong's Greek 1033 |
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