Lexical Summary trógó: To gnaw, to munch, to eat Original Word: τρώγω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance eat. Probably strengthened from a collateral form of the base of trauma and tribos through the idea of corrosion or wear; or perhaps rather of a base of trugon and trizo through the idea of a craunching sound; to gnaw or chew, i.e. (generally) to eat -- eat. see GREEK trugon see GREEK trizo see GREEK trauma see GREEK tribos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition to gnaw, munch, crunch NASB Translation eating (1), eats (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5176: τρώγωτρώγω; to gnaw, crunch, chew raw vegetables or fruits (as nuts, almonds, etc.): ἄγρωστιν, of mules, Homer, Odyssey 6, 90, and often in other writers of animals feeding; also of men from Herodotus down (as σῦκα, Herodotus 1, 71; βότρυς, Aristophanes eqq. 1077; blackberries, the Epistle of Barnabas 7, 8 [ET] (where see Harnack, Cunningham, Müller); κρόμυον, μετά δεῖπνον, Xenophon, conv. 4, 8); universally, to eat: absolutely, (δύο τρώγομεν ἀδελφοί, we mess together, Polybius 32, 9, 9) joined with πίνειν, Matthew 24:38 (so also Demosthenes, p. 402, 21; Plutarch, symp. 1, 1, 2; Ev. Nicod. c. 15, p. 640, Thilo edition (p. 251 Tdf. edition)); τόν ἄρτον, John 13:18 (see ἄρτος 2 and ἐσθίω b.); figuratively, John 6:58; τήν σάρκα, the 'flesh' of Christ (see σάρξ, 1), John 6:54, 56f. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative Settings Strong’s 5176 appears six times: four in the Bread of Life discourse (John 6:54, 56, 57, 58), once in the Upper Room (John 13:18), and once in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:38). The verb’s participial form (“the one who is eating”) conveys ongoing action, shaping each passage’s message. Semantic Nuance and Contrast with Other Eating Verbs While more common Greek verbs for eating can be polite or neutral, this term evokes the audible, deliberate action of chewing. In John 6 the vividness underscores real appropriation of Christ rather than a momentary taste; in Matthew 24 it highlights sensual absorption in ordinary life just before judgment. Christological Emphasis in the Bread of Life Discourse (John 6) “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54). The graphic verb presses the audience toward a faith that internalizes Christ completely. Its present participle portrays a continual reliance on Him that results in present communion (“remains in Me, and I in him,” 6:56) and future resurrection (6:54). The imagery recalls Exodus manna (6:58) yet surpasses it, pointing to the incarnate Son as the true, life-giving bread. Covenant Meal and Betrayal (John 13:18) During the Last Supper Jesus cites Psalm 41:9: “He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.” The same eating verb heightens the treachery of Judas. The contrast between intimate table fellowship and ultimate betrayal warns that mere outward participation without heart loyalty remains spiritually lethal. Eschatological Warning (Matthew 24:38) “For in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking…” The verb pictures people engrossed in bodily appetite and daily routine, unmindful of impending judgment. Jesus applies Noah’s era to His return, urging watchfulness over complacency. Old Testament Resonances The striking verb recalls descriptions of devouring in Septuagint passages (for example Numbers 13:32), where the land “devours” its inhabitants. Such echoes reinforce the decisive, consuming nature of the act, prompting readers to recognize that true reception of God’s provision is wholehearted, whereas casual indulgence becomes destructive. Early Church Reception and Liturgical Implications Patristic writers seized on the vividness to defend the real, though spiritual, participation in Christ during the Lord’s Supper. While affirming the sacramental setting, they consistently anchored the benefit in living faith, echoing the present participle’s ongoing dimension. Consequently, historic liturgies link communion prayers to John 6, stressing abiding union with the risen Christ. Pastoral Application 1. Sustained Feeding: Believers are called to a daily, persevering assimilation of Scripture and fellowship with Christ, not a sporadic nibble. Theological Synthesis Across its six appearances, the verb portrays two antithetical lifestyles: a persevering appropriation of Christ that yields eternal life, and a carnal absorption that blinds people to judgment. Thus Scripture consistently exhorts believers to “eat” the Son with persevering faith, finding in Him abiding fellowship now and resurrection glory hereafter. Forms and Transliterations τρώγετε τρώγλων τρωγοντες τρώγοντες τρωγων τρώγων trogon trōgōn trṓgon trṓgōn trogontes trōgontes trṓgontesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 24:38 V-PPA-NMPGRK: τοῦ κατακλυσμοῦ τρώγοντες καὶ πίνοντες NAS: the flood they were eating and drinking, KJV: the flood they were eating and INT: the flood eating and drinking John 6:54 V-PPA-NMS John 6:56 V-PPA-NMS John 6:57 V-PPA-NMS John 6:58 V-PPA-NMS John 13:18 V-PPA-NMS Strong's Greek 5176 |
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