Lexical Summary trephó: To nourish, to feed, to bring up Original Word: τρέφω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bring up, feed, nourish. A primary verb (properly, threpho; but perhaps strengthened from the base of trope through the idea of convolution); properly, to stiffen, i.e. Fatten (by implication, to cherish (with food, etc.), pamper, rear) -- bring up, feed, nourish. see GREEK trope HELPS Word-studies 5142 tréphō (from 5160 /trophḗ, "food") – properly, enlarge, fully develop because adequately nourished (fed); (figuratively) to bring (or experience) "personal enlargement," i.e. spiritual development from being properly fed (nourished, taken care of). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to make to grow, to nourish, feed NASB Translation brought (1), fattened (1), fed (1), feed (1), feeds (2), nourished (2), nursed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5142: τρέφωτρέφω; 1 aorist ἔθρεψα; passive, present τρέφομαι; perfect participle τεθραμμένος; from Homer down; to nourish, support; to feed: τινα, Matthew 6:26; Matthew 25:37; Luke 12:24; Acts 12:20; Revelation 12:6, 14; to give suck, Luke 23:29 L T Tr WH; to fatten, James 5:5 (here A. V. nourish). to bring up, nurture, Luke 4:16 (here T WH marginal reading ἀνατρέφω) (1 Macc. 3:33 1 Macc. 11:39, and often in secular authors). (Compare: ἀνατρέφω, ἐκτρέφω, ἐντρέφω.) Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Background The verb τρέφω embraces the ideas of feeding, nourishing, rearing, sustaining, and in some contexts fostering growth to maturity. The imagery reaches back to agrarian life, maternal care, and divine providence, underscoring a life-giving action that secures both physical and spiritual wellbeing. Old Testament Echoes Though τρέφω itself appears in the Septuagint mainly for Hebrew roots such as גָּדַל (“bring up”) and כּוּל (“sustain”), the conceptual background lies in passages like Genesis 45:11, where Joseph promises, “I will provide for you,” and Deuteronomy 8:3, which recalls Yahweh feeding Israel with manna. These patterns prepare the reader to recognize God as the ultimate nourisher. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Matthew 6:26; Luke 12:24 – Divine providence. “Look at the birds of the air… yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” The same verb that describes God’s care for sparrows invites believers to trust Him for daily needs and to renounce anxiety. Christological Significance Jesus embodies both the nourished Child (Luke 4:16) and the Nourisher (Matthew 6:26; 25:37). In His incarnation He receives ordinary parental care, yet in His teaching He points to the Father’s universal provision and calls disciples to participate in that care, identifying Himself with the hungry and marginalized. Ecclesial and Pastoral Implications • Diaconal ministry: τρέφω frames the church’s mandate to feed the poor, extend hospitality, and support vulnerable communities. Eschatological Comfort Revelation pictures a wilderness people supernaturally sustained, assuring persecuted saints that divine nourishment will outlast every assault. The same God who cares for sparrows will preserve His covenant community until the Kingdom is revealed. Historical Interpretation Early Fathers such as Irenaeus saw in Matthew 6:26 a rebuke to Gnostic elitism: if God feeds common birds, material creation is good. Reformers linked James 5:5 with social justice, insisting that true faith expresses itself in feeding the hungry. Contemporary Application Mission strategy, famine relief, foster care, and discipleship programs all flow from the theology of τρέφω. Whether combating food insecurity or cultivating new believers, the church mirrors the Father’s nurturing heart. Summary Strong’s 5142 portrays God as the ultimate Nourisher who sustains creation, raises His Son, preserves His people, and commands His church to feed others. Trust in divine provision and active compassion together authenticate gospel witness. Forms and Transliterations έθρεψα εθρεψαμεν εθρέψαμεν ἐθρέψαμεν εθρεψαν ἔθρεψαν εθρεψατε εθρέψατε ἐθρέψατε ετράφης ετρέφετο θρέψαι θρέψει τεθραμμενος τεθραμμένος τρέφε τρεφει τρέφει τρεφεσθαι τρέφεσθαι τρεφεται τρέφεται τρέφης τρεφηται τρεφόμενοι τρέφοντός τρέφων τρεφωσιν τρέφωσιν ethrepsamen ethrépsamen ethrepsan éthrepsan ethrepsate ethrépsate tethrammenos tethramménos trephei tréphei trephesthai tréphesthai trephetai tréphetai trephosin trephōsin tréphosin tréphōsinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:26 V-PIA-3SGRK: ὁ οὐράνιος τρέφει αὐτά οὐχ NAS: Father feeds them. Are you not worth KJV: heavenly Father feedeth them. Are INT: Heavenly feeds them not Matthew 25:37 V-AIA-1P Luke 4:16 V-RPM/P-NMS Luke 12:24 V-PIA-3S Luke 23:29 V-AIA-3P Acts 12:20 V-PNM/P James 5:5 V-AIA-2P Revelation 12:6 V-PSA-3P Revelation 12:14 V-PIM/P-3S Strong's Greek 5142 |
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