The Greek word εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) has been variously translated to "give thanks" in the New Testament. However, this does not adequately define this word within the contexts given.
Yes, the word can mean to "give thanks," but within the context of Jesus' activities, its meaning lies deeper. According to Thayer's lexicon, the word can mean "to consecrate a thing." and "to bless."
We find clear evidence from Jesus' statements together with the teachings of the Prophets that consecrating something - or blessing it - is the result of offering it to the Supreme Being. We find this instruction given and carried out throughout the Old Testament among the Prophets - including Abraham, Moses, David and many others who focused upon erecting Altars for the Supreme Being for the purpose of worshiping and making offerings to the Supreme Being.
For example, we find this instruction from God to Moses:
We find that the word εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) means the same thing. We find that Jesus stated:
Remember that according to Thayer's lexicon, the word εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) can mean "to consecrate a thing." Thus we can tie together the word εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) - to consecrate - and πρόθεσις (prothesis) - something that has become consecrated.
But what act consecrated the bread? We find clearly from 1 Samuel 21 that in Matthew 12:4 Jesus is referring to bread that was offered to God at the Altar by a priest:
And we should note that the priest also described this bread as being "consecrated:"
The carryover of the sanctity of offering to the Supreme Being is also indicated among today's sectarian institutions (who have abandoned making offerings to God) by the term "eucharist" - as a ritual ceremony involving the altar of Jesus.
The reason is this word memorializes the tradition carried on from the Prophets when they made offerings to the Supreme Being. Would Jesus simply abandon this important act of devotion carried on through the teachings of the prophets? Certainly not, as Jesus quoted many of the teachings of the prophets, including Moses as he instructed the "first and foremost commandment."
We find clear evidence that not only could Jesus make offerings to God: Jesus also taught his students to make offerings to the Supreme Being:
Thus we can only conclude that when the term εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) is used in the context of Jesus' activities, the word indicates that Jesus was making offerings to the Supreme Being.
Jesus also illustrated that one does not need to make offerings to God only at the Altar. The Supreme Being is not limited to the Altar. He is present everywhere, and one can make offerings to God by simply incanting His Holy Name with love and devotion.
Yes, the word can mean to "give thanks," but within the context of Jesus' activities, its meaning lies deeper. According to Thayer's lexicon, the word can mean "to consecrate a thing." and "to bless."
We find clear evidence from Jesus' statements together with the teachings of the Prophets that consecrating something - or blessing it - is the result of offering it to the Supreme Being. We find this instruction given and carried out throughout the Old Testament among the Prophets - including Abraham, Moses, David and many others who focused upon erecting Altars for the Supreme Being for the purpose of worshiping and making offerings to the Supreme Being.
For example, we find this instruction from God to Moses:
"Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for Me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give." (Exodus 25:2 NIV)Here the word "offering" is being translated from the Hebrew word תְּרוּמָה (tĕruwmah) - a word that literally means "offering" or "offering to God."
We find that the word εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) means the same thing. We find that Jesus stated:
“Have you not read what David did, when he and his followers were hungry - how they entered the house of God and he and his followers ate the consecrated bread that was not lawful for them to eat – and was reserved for the priests?" (Matthew 12:4)Here the word "consecrated" is being translated from the Greek word πρόθεσις (prothesis). So how did the bread become "consecrated"? Because it was offered to God "in the House of God.
Remember that according to Thayer's lexicon, the word εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) can mean "to consecrate a thing." Thus we can tie together the word εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) - to consecrate - and πρόθεσις (prothesis) - something that has become consecrated.
But what act consecrated the bread? We find clearly from 1 Samuel 21 that in Matthew 12:4 Jesus is referring to bread that was offered to God at the Altar by a priest:
So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away. (1 Samuel 21:6 NIV)The "bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD" refers to bread that had been offered to the Supreme Being by the priest and then taken away after it was offered.
And we should note that the priest also described this bread as being "consecrated:"
"I don't have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here—" (1 Samuel 21:4)Thus we can now link the activity of Jesus when he supposedly "gave thanks" - from the Greek word εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) - to the act of offering to the Supreme Being. Just as the priest was able to make an offering to God, so Jesus could also make offerings to God.
The carryover of the sanctity of offering to the Supreme Being is also indicated among today's sectarian institutions (who have abandoned making offerings to God) by the term "eucharist" - as a ritual ceremony involving the altar of Jesus.
The reason is this word memorializes the tradition carried on from the Prophets when they made offerings to the Supreme Being. Would Jesus simply abandon this important act of devotion carried on through the teachings of the prophets? Certainly not, as Jesus quoted many of the teachings of the prophets, including Moses as he instructed the "first and foremost commandment."
We find clear evidence that not only could Jesus make offerings to God: Jesus also taught his students to make offerings to the Supreme Being:
"But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Matt. 8:4)This phrase, "offer the gift Moses commanded" quite certainly confirms that Jesus promoted the act of making offerings to the Supreme Being. Consider also:
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." (Matt. 5:23-24)What is "the altar"? Most certainly, this is the altar of the Supreme Being, as confirmed in the Old Testament. And what is "your gift"? This is most certainly an offering to the Supreme Being - as advised by Jesus.
Thus we can only conclude that when the term εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) is used in the context of Jesus' activities, the word indicates that Jesus was making offerings to the Supreme Being.
Jesus also illustrated that one does not need to make offerings to God only at the Altar. The Supreme Being is not limited to the Altar. He is present everywhere, and one can make offerings to God by simply incanting His Holy Name with love and devotion.
