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Unveiling the Word

The Greek word οἶνος (oinos), meaning “wine,” plays a significant role in both biblical and ancient Greek contexts. Understanding this word enhances the interpretation of key passages, including its occurrence in Matthew 9:17, where Jesus uses it in a parable about new wine and old wineskins. In New Testament interpretation, oinos provides insight into everyday life and social practices, as well as theological discussions regarding joy, celebration, and excess. In ancient Greek culture, oinos was central to many social and religious activities, often symbolizing hospitality, fellowship, and, at times, indulgence.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: οἶνος (oinos), pronounced OY-nos.

Etymology: The term oinos is derived from a pre-Greek Mediterranean word, possibly connected to the ancient cultivation of wine. It is also connected to Latin (vinum) and Hebrew (yayin), showing its importance across different cultures.

Part of Speech: Noun (Masculine). The word functions as a noun in Greek, referring to the substance “wine” in its general sense. It can be used both literally to describe the beverage or metaphorically to describe concepts like new and old teachings, as in Jesus’ parables.

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Defining Meanings

1. Wine (the beverage): The primary and literal meaning of oinos is wine. It appears frequently in contexts describing meals, celebrations, and social gatherings throughout the New Testament, such as in the marriage at Cana (John 2) where Jesus turned water into wine.

2. Symbol of Joy and Celebration: Oinos also holds metaphorical significance as a symbol of joy, blessing, and celebration. In both the Old and New Testaments, wine is used to signify abundance and God’s provision.

3. Metaphor for Teaching: In passages like Matthew 9:17, oinos is used metaphorically. Jesus speaks of “new wine” representing the new covenant and His teachings, contrasting it with the “old wineskins” of the old religious order.

Exploring Similar Words

1. μέθυσος (méthysos) [pronunciation: ME-thoo-sos]: Refers to a drunkard or one who habitually consumes wine to excess. While oinos refers to wine itself, méthysos describes the person addicted to it.

2. οἰνοφλυγία (oinophlygía) [pronunciation: oi-no-flu-GEE-ah]: Describes the act of drunken revelry. This word refers specifically to indulgence and excess, whereas oinos is a neutral term for the substance.

3. πότος (pótos) [pronunciation: PO-tos]: Means “drinking party” or “banquet,” associated with festive drinking. Pótos focuses more on the social event centered around wine.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For Nouns/Adjectives:

• Case, Number, Gender: Oinos is a masculine noun. In Matthew 9:17, it appears in the nominative singular form as οἶνος. In other contexts, it can appear in various cases such as genitive (οἴνου), dative (οἴνῳ), and accusative (οἶνον).

• Declension: Oinos follows the standard second declension pattern for masculine nouns in Greek, making it relatively straightforward in terms of morphological inflection.

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The word oinos is uniformly understood in Greek lexicons to mean wine, often with a clear distinction between fermented and non-fermented grape juice in ancient contexts. In biblical usage, oinos is often associated with joy and provision but also caution against excess. In the New Testament, it appears in key parables and symbolic teachings, as well as literal references to wine in social settings like the Last Supper.

In classical Greek literature, oinos was considered an essential part of symposiums, festivals, and religious rites. It was also recognized for its dual nature: when consumed in moderation, it was a source of pleasure, but when abused, it could lead to moral and social degradation.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 9:17: “Neither do people pour new wine [οἶνος] into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out, and the wineskins will be ruined.”

2. John 2:3: “When the wine [οἶνος] was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’”

3. Luke 5:37: “And no one pours new wine [οἶνος] into old wineskins.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work English text with the Greek word in parentheses

Homer Iliad “They poured wine [οἶνος] to the gods in libation.”

Plato Symposium “The guests sipped the wine [οἶνος] as they discussed the virtues.”

Herodotus Histories “The Persians would make decisions twice: once sober and once with wine [οἶνος].”

Noteworthy Summary

The word oinos is a simple yet culturally rich term that reflects various aspects of biblical life, from everyday sustenance to deep theological symbolism. Whether it represents the joy of God’s provision, the newness of Jesus’ teachings, or even a warning against indulgence, oinos weaves through the Scriptures with significant implications. It appears not only in literal references to the beverage but also in metaphorical lessons that speak to spiritual transformation.

Did You Know?

1. Wine (oinos) was commonly diluted with water in ancient Greek and Roman times, sometimes by as much as three parts water to one part wine.

2. The term oinos is one of the most frequent food-related words in the New Testament, highlighting its importance in both everyday life and religious symbolism.

3. In John 2, Jesus’ transformation of water into wine (oinos) at the wedding in Cana is considered His first public miracle.