τρώγω (G5176) — Greek Lexicon

τρώγω

trṓgō

G5176 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To chew or to munch (with the audible sense of biting or gnawing); used primarily to describe the action of eating with the teeth, with emphasis on the act of mastication rather than mere consumption or swallowing. In certain contexts, specifically distinct from the general term for 'to eat' (ἐσθίω), highlighting the physical process and often an ongoing or literal act of chewing.

Semantic Range

to chew (with the teeth), to gnaw, to munch, to eat (by biting repeatedly), to feed (especially used of animals grazing or birds picking)

Root / Etymology

Etymology uncertain. Possible connections suggested to τραῦμα ('wound') and τρίβος ('wear' or 'rubbing'), or to τρυγών ('turtledove') and τρίζω ('to creak, to make a shrill sound'), reflecting the idea of gnawing, crunching, or the sound associated with chewing. However, no certain derivation is established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

τρώγω appears from classical Greek onward to mean 'to chew' or 'to gnaw', often applied to animals or birds picking or nibbling food (e.g., sheep or cattle grazing, birds pecking grain), and sometimes of humans with an emphasis on the audible, physical act of biting. In contrast to ἐσθίω (the general term for 'to eat'), τρώγω is more vivid, often implying slow, deliberate, or audible consumption. In the New Testament (e.g., John 6:54–58), its use is marked and distinct—suggesting a concrete, almost graphic act of eating, rather than the more general idea of taking food. Standard English translations often simply render it as 'eat,' but this can obscure its particular nuance, especially in contexts intended to evoke the physicality of the process. It does not carry figurative or metaphoric connotations outside contexts where vivid literal action is being described. Rare and specialized in Koine and LXX, with its presence likely chosen intentionally for effect, contrast, or specificity, and very infrequent elsewhere. Its meaning and use remain stable across its attestations, always focused on physical mastication or 'gnawing.'

Translation Consistency

primary "chew" 5 occurrences

τρώγω primarily denotes mastication—the act of biting and grinding with the teeth—so 'chew' most naturally and consistently captures the typical sense (including gnawing or munching). It is ordinary English, fits both literal animal/seed‑picking contexts and human eating, and covers the SILEX range better than more specialized alternatives like 'gnaw' or 'munch'.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):

"eating" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably strengthened from a collateral form of the base of τραῦμα and τρίβος through the idea of corrosion or wear; or perhaps rather of a base of τρυγών and τρίζω through the idea of a craunching sound; to gnaw or chew, i.e. (generally) to eat:--eat.

Root Family

τρώγ- (trṓgō) — to chew, to gnaw, to munch

Root τρώγ- to chew, to gnaw, to munch

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5176-01`	τρώγων	trogon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	eats	the one chewing	the one chewing	5
`G5176-02`	τρώγοντες	trogontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	eating	those chewing	eating	1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5176-02`	Matthew 24:38	τρώγοντες	trogontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	eating	those chewing	eating
`G5176-01`	John 6:54	τρώγων	trogon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	eats	the one chewing	the one chewing
`G5176-01`	John 6:56	τρώγων	trogon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	eats	the one chewing	the one chewing
`G5176-01`	John 6:57	τρώγων	trogon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	eats	the one chewing	the one chewing
`G5176-01`	John 6:58	τρώγων	trogon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	eating	the one chewing	the one chewing
`G5176-01`	John 13:18	τρώγων	trogon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	eating	the one chewing	the one chewing

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