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Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words is essential in Biblical studies because it offers deeper insights into the meanings and contexts of scripture. The Greek word ληνός (lēnós) is particularly significant because it appears in parables and teachings within the New Testament, such as in Matthew 21:33. This word describes a “winepress,” an object used in ancient winemaking to crush grapes and extract juice. Beyond its literal meaning, ληνός has metaphorical implications in both spiritual and cultural contexts, symbolizing judgment, God’s wrath, or blessing, depending on its use. The term is deeply rooted in both the agricultural practices of ancient Israel and broader Greco-Roman culture.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: ληνός (lēnós) [pronounced lay-NOS].

Etymology: The word ληνός originates from the ancient Greek λῆνος (lēnos), meaning “wine trough” or “vat,” used for pressing grapes in winemaking. It is closely related to terms in Hebrew and other ancient languages that describe similar winemaking processes.

Part of Speech: Noun. ληνός is a feminine noun that follows the second declension pattern in Greek grammar, commonly used to denote objects or places associated with the winemaking process.

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Defining Meanings

1. Winepress: The primary meaning of ληνός is “winepress,” a device or place where grapes are crushed to extract their juice for wine production. This was a common agricultural implement in ancient Israel and the surrounding regions.
2. Metaphorical Usage for Judgment: In many Biblical passages, a winepress symbolizes judgment or the wrath of God. The imagery of the winepress is used to convey the idea of God’s judgment being “pressed out” on the unrighteous.
3. Harvest Imagery: ληνός also carries connotations related to harvest and abundance. In certain contexts, it symbolizes prosperity and the blessings associated with a bountiful harvest, though this is less common than its metaphorical usage for judgment.

Exploring Similar Words

1. τρυγητός (trygētós) [pronounced troo-gay-TOS]: This word means “harvest” or “vintage,” and while it also relates to winemaking, it focuses more on the collection of grapes rather than the pressing process.
2. πάτημα (pátēma) [pronounced PAH-tay-mah]: Referring to the act of treading or stomping, πάτημα is used to describe the action involved in pressing grapes in a winepress. It differs from ληνός, which denotes the winepress itself.
3. πατητήριον (patētērion) [pronounced pah-tay-TAIR-ee-on]: This is another Greek term for a winepress but is more technical and less frequently encountered in scripture. It can be considered synonymous with ληνός but lacks the rich metaphorical meanings often associated with ληνός in Biblical texts.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

ληνός is a feminine noun that follows the second declension pattern in Greek grammar. Its forms change based on the case and number.

• Case, Number, Gender:
• Nominative Singular: ληνός
• Genitive Singular: ληνοῦ
• Dative Singular: ληνῷ
• Accusative Singular: ληνόν
• Nominative Plural: ληνοί
• Genitive Plural: ληνῶν
• Dative Plural: ληνοῖς
• Accusative Plural: ληνούς
• Declension Table for ληνός:

For more on Greek nouns, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

In the New Testament, ληνός is used both literally and metaphorically. In Matthew 21:33, the word appears in the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, describing the preparations of a vineyard owner, including the construction of a winepress. The winepress symbolizes God’s work among His people and the anticipated spiritual “fruit” from their lives. In Revelation, the winepress takes on a more ominous meaning, representing God’s wrath and judgment. The term’s classical usage varies, ranging from literal descriptions of wine production to metaphoric implications for divine judgment or blessing, depending on the context.
This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 21:33 – “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress [ληνός] in it, and built a watchtower.”
2. Mark 12:1 – “A man planted a vineyard, put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress [ληνός], and built a watchtower.”
3. Revelation 14:19-20 – “The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes, and threw them into the great winepress [ληνός] of God’s wrath.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

ληνός (lēnós) is a Greek noun meaning “winepress,” used in the New Testament to symbolize both the literal process of winemaking and the metaphoric idea of divine judgment or blessing. It appears in parables and prophetic visions, illustrating God’s interactions with humanity. The word is deeply rooted in both Biblical and classical Greek contexts, providing a rich tapestry of meanings.

Did You Know?

• Fact 1: The winepress is a symbol of judgment in both the Old and New Testaments, representing God’s wrath against sin.
• Fact 2: Ancient winepresses, like the ones described by ληνός, were often hewn from rock and required significant labor to operate.
• Fact 3: The imagery of the winepress also appears in Roman literature, where it was used to symbolize abundance and prosperity.