Greek word · G4618

σιτευτός

siteutos

fattened

Fattened, specifically fed on grain (from sitos, grain) rather than left to graze. Used of animals fattened for slaughter.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

σιτευτός, -ή, -όν

(σιτεύω, to feed, fatten), [in LXX: 1 Kings 4:23 (אָבַס), etc. ;]

fattened: Luke 15:23, 27 15:30.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Luke 15:30

Range of meaning

Fattened, specifically fed on grain (from sitos, grain) rather than left to graze. Used of animals fattened for slaughter.

Against the English

'Fatted' (KJV, YLT) or 'fattened' (others). These are accurate, though modern readers may miss how costly and rare such an animal was.

Used elsewhere in the period

Appears in the NT only in Luke 15:23, 27, 30. The LXX uses it for fattened animals at royal tables and feasts (e.g., 1 Kgs 4:23 LXX [5:3]; Jer 46:21 [LXX 26:21]).

Where it appears

Luke · 3

  1. Luke 15:23 σιτευτόν, fattened,

    Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.

    Here: From sitos, 'grain'. The calf was penned and fed on grain instead of left to graze, a deliberate investment so that it would be ready for a feast.

  2. Luke 15:27 σιτευτόν, fattened,

    ‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’

  3. Luke 15:30 σιτευτὸν fattened

    But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

    Here: Grain-fed, specially fattened. This was a costly animal reserved for the biggest celebration a household could put on.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.