the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
To Eat
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or The words φαγεῖω and τρώγω are translated 'to eat,' but the occurrence of both words in John 6 shows a difference in their signification.
φαγεῖν is used in John 6:53 and in that part of John 6:58 where it says "not as the fathers ate and died." It refers to eating for the sake of present hunger. The Lord says in John 6:53 , ἐὰν μὴ φάγητε, etc.: their case would be hopeless unless they ate the flesh and drank the blood of the Son of Man.
τρώγω occurs in John 6:54,56,57 , and in the latter part of John 6:58 ("he that eateth this bread shall live for ever"): it may imply the leisurely and habitual enjoyment of what is eaten. It is applied generally to the grazing of cattle (ruminating), and in the case of human beings supposes a slower process of mastication than merely 'eating.' This would have a peculiar force in these verses where the figure is not merely (as in John 6:49 and John 6:58 ) that of taking food to keep oneself alive, but the more quiet appreciation and feeding upon what is within reach. Christ is the food.
ἐσθίω 'to eat,' is often used in the general sense of taking food.
βιβρώσκω 'to eat,' occurs but in one place, John 6:13 .
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Morrish, George. Entry for 'To Eat'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/t/to-eat.html. 1897.
