τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον
Among the most familiar lines in the New Testament lies a phrase rich with theological and grammatical nuance: Matthew 6:11, the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer. At first glance, this verse appears simple — a request for daily bread. Yet beneath its surface is a profound interplay of possessive pronouns, demonstrative force, and the enigmatic adjective ἐπιούσιον, whose meaning has puzzled scholars for centuries.
This article will explore one central feature: the phrase structure “τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον” — analyzing how word order, possessive markers, and rare vocabulary combine to shape a theology of daily dependence on God.
Grammatical Structure and Emphatic Possession
Let us isolate the key phrase:
> τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον
This construction features a striking arrangement: the noun ἄρτον (“bread”) is modified by two closely placed articles and modifiers, creating a layered expression of ownership and identity.
Morphological Breakdown
– τὸν ἄρτον: Noun – masculine singular accusative
– Subject of the verb δὸς (give), functioning as the object of request
– ἡμῶν: Pronoun – genitive plural
– “Our,” indicating possession or relation
– τὸν ἐπιούσιον: Adjective – masculine singular accusative
– From ἐπιούσιος, a uniquely Lukan and Matthean term; often translated “daily”
The full phrase reads:
> “The bread of ours, the [one] that is for the coming day.”
But what does it mean for bread to be both “ours” and “for the coming day”? And why is the possessive repeated?
Word Order and Emphasis: τὸν…τὸν
The repetition of the article — τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον — is not redundant but emphatic. In Greek, when an article follows another modifier (like a genitive or adjective), it often serves to highlight or distinguish the noun.
Here, the structure suggests:
> “The bread that belongs to us — specifically, the bread that sustains us for tomorrow.”
This double use of the article creates a definitive and personal tone — not just any bread, but our bread, marked by divine provision for each day.
It also echoes Hebrew poetic parallelism, where repetition reinforces meaning rather than being superfluous.
ἐπιούσιος: A Word Without Parallel
The adjective ἐπιούσιος appears only twice in ancient literature: here in Matthew 6:11 and in Luke 11:3. Its meaning has been debated for centuries.
Etymological Insight
– From ἐπί + οὐσία (“being,” “substance”), or perhaps ἐπὶ + οὖσα ἡμέρα (“the coming day”)
– Literally: “for the coming day,” “for sustenance,” or “super-substantial”
Most modern translations render it as “daily”, following the Latin quotidianum in the Vulgate. But some early Christian writers interpreted it more spiritually — as referring to the Eucharist or even the heavenly bread of Christ himself.
Grammatical Nuance
As an attributive adjective in the accusative case, ἐπιούσιον functions as a modifier of necessity and specificity. It defines the kind of bread we are asking for — not surplus, not luxury, but the bread essential for life and journeying forward.
σήμερον: The Temporal Anchor
The adverb σήμερον (“today”) completes the clause, grounding the request in the present moment:
> “Give us today the bread that sustains us for tomorrow.”
This paradox captures the essence of faith: trusting God in the now for what is needed in the not-yet. It reflects Jesus’ teaching elsewhere — do not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough trouble of its own (Matt 6:34).
Grammatically, σήμερον functions as a temporal adjunct, emphasizing the immediacy of the request. It is not a prayer for future abundance, nor for past security, but for present sufficiency.
Morphological Spotlight: Key Terms
| Word | Form | Literal Translation | Grammatical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἄρτον | Noun – masculine singular accusative | “Bread” | Direct object of the imperative δὸς; functions as the focus of the petition |
| ἡμῶν | Pronoun – genitive plural | “Of us,” “our” | Expresses communal ownership and dependence |
| ἐπιούσιον | Adjective – masculine singular accusative | “For the coming day,” “daily” | Rare term; defines the specific kind of bread requested |
| δὸς | Verb – aorist imperative active second person singular | “Give” | Imperative mood indicates direct request; aorist tense emphasizes punctiliar action |
| σήμερον | Adverb | “Today” | Temporal adjunct; grounds the request in the present |
“The Bread That Cannot Be Stored”
What emerges from this verse is not merely a lesson in grammar, but a theology of dependency and divine timing. The bread we ask for is not stockpiled, not hoarded, not earned — it is given, daily, by grace.
The structure of the phrase — possessive intimacy, rare specificity, and temporal immediacy — shapes a vision of life lived moment by moment under God’s care.
In this light, the Lord’s Prayer becomes more than a formula — it becomes a discipline of trust, a daily renunciation of self-sufficiency, and a confession that every crumb of life comes from the hand of the Father.
And so, we close not with certainty, but with hunger — for the bread that feeds both body and soul, and for the One who taught us to pray.
