"pr. the first meal, breakfast; afterwards extended to signify also a slight mid-day meal, luncheon, Mt. 22:4; Lk. 11:38; 14:12*"
Definition and meaning
pr. the first meal, breakfast; afterwards extended to signify also a slight mid-day meal, luncheon, Mt. 22:4; Lk. 11:38; 14:12*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἄριστον
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of ariston (G712) across the King James Bible.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
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Common questions
Strong's G712 (ariston) is a Greek word that means: pr. the first meal, breakfast; afterwards extended to signify also a slight mid-day meal, luncheon, Mt. 22:4; Lk. 11:38; 14:12* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word ariston (G712) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G712 is ariston, a Greek word defined as: pr. the first meal, breakfast; afterwards extended to signify also a slight mid-day meal, luncheon, Mt. 22:4; Lk. 11:38; 14:12*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ariston is a Greek word found in the New Testament.