Original Word: τροφή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: trophé
Pronunciation: tro-FAY
Phonetic Spelling: (trof-ay')
Definition: food, nourishment, maintenance.
Meaning: τροφή refers to "food" or "nourishment." It encompasses both physical sustenance and, in some contexts, spiritual nourishment.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb τρέφω (trephō), meaning "to nourish" or "to feed."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of τροφή in the Greek New Testament can be related to several Hebrew terms for food and nourishment, such as:
• מַאֲכָל (ma'akal) • Strong's Hebrew 3978, meaning "food" or "meal."
• לֶחֶם (lechem) • Strong's Hebrew 3899, meaning "bread" or "food."
• אֹכֶל (ochel) • Strong's Hebrew 400, meaning "food" or "eating."

These Hebrew terms similarly emphasize the importance of both physical sustenance and the deeper spiritual nourishment found in a relationship with God.

Usage: The term τροφή is used in the New Testament to denote physical food necessary for survival, as well as metaphorically to describe spiritual sustenance. It appears in various contexts, highlighting the importance of both physical and spiritual nourishment in the life of a believer.

Context: • Physical Nourishment: In the New Testament, τροφή is often used to describe the basic necessity of food for human survival. For instance, in Matthew 6:25, Jesus instructs His followers not to worry about their lives, including what they will eat, emphasizing God's provision: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (BSB).
• Spiritual Nourishment: τροφή is also used metaphorically to describe spiritual nourishment. In John 4:34, Jesus speaks of His mission as spiritual food: "Jesus explained, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.'" (BSB). This highlights the believer's need for spiritual sustenance through obedience to God's will.
• Community and Sharing: The early Christian community is depicted as sharing τροφή, emphasizing fellowship and mutual care. Acts 2:46 describes the believers breaking bread in their homes and eating together with glad and sincere hearts, illustrating the communal aspect of sharing both physical and spiritual nourishment.
• Contrast with Worldly Concerns: τροφή is sometimes contrasted with worldly concerns, as seen in Romans 14:17: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." (BSB). This underscores the priority of spiritual values over mere physical sustenance.

Word Origin
from trephó
Definition
nourishment, food
NASB Translation
enough* (1), food (13), meals (1), support (1).

STRONGS NT 5160: τροφή

τροφή, τροφῆς, ἡ (τρέφω, 2 perfect τέτροφα), food, nourishment: Matthew 3:4; Matthew 6:25; Matthew 10:10; Matthew 24:45; Luke 12:23; John 4:8; Acts 2:46; Acts 9:19; Acts 14:17; Acts 27:33f, 36, 38; James 2:15; of the food of the mind, i. e. the substance of instruction, Hebrews 5:12, 14. (Tragg., Xenophon, Plato, and following; the Sept. for לֶחֶם, אֹכֶל, מָזון, etc.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

food, meat.

From trepho; nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages) -- food, meat.

see GREEK trepho

Forms and Transliterations

τροφας τροφάς τροφὰς τροφη τροφή τροφὴ τροφην τροφήν τροφὴν τροφης τροφής τροφῆς trophas trophàs trophe trophē trophḗ trophḕ trophen trophēn trophḕn trophes trophês trophēs trophē̂s

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts