3355. metrétés

Lexicon

metrétés: Measure, a vessel for measuring

Original Word: μετρητής
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: metrétés
Pronunciation: me-treh-TACE
Phonetic Spelling: (met-ray-tace')
Definition: Measure, a vessel for measuring
Meaning: a measure, amphora, about 39.39 liters or 8.75 gallons.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

firkin, a liquid measure

From metreo; a measurer, i.e. (specially), a certain standard measure of capacity for liquids -- firkin.

see GREEK metreo

HELPS Word-studies

3355 metrētḗs (from 3354 /metréō, "to measure") – a "liquid measure containing nearly nine gallons" (WS, 408); " 'a measure' about 39.39 litres or 8¾ gallons" (Souter).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from metreó
Definition
a measurer, a measure
NASB Translation
gallons (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3355: μετρητής

μετρητής (on the accent see Chandler § 51f), μετρητου, ὁ (μετρέω), properly, a measurer, the name of a utensil known as an amphora, which is a species of measure used for liquids and containing 72 sextarii or ξεστοι (i. e. somewhat less than nine English gallons; see B. D. under the phrase, Weights and Measures, at the end (p. 3507 American edition)) (Hebrew בַּת, 2 Chronicles 4:5): John 2:6. (Polybius 2,15, 1; Demosthenes, p. 1045, 7; Aristotle, h. a. 8, 9.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb μετρέω (metreō), meaning "to measure."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for μετρητής, as it is a specific Greek term for a unit of measurement. However, the concept of measurement is present in various Hebrew terms related to weights and measures, such as ephah (Strong's Hebrew 374) and hin (Strong's Hebrew 1969), which are used in the Old Testament to describe quantities of dry and liquid substances, respectively.

Usage: The term μετρητής is used in the context of measuring liquids, particularly in reference to the capacity of containers. It appears in the New Testament in the context of the miracle at the wedding in Cana.

Context: The Greek term μετρητής is a unit of measurement used in the ancient world, particularly in the context of liquid volumes. In the New Testament, it is mentioned in the Gospel of John during the account of Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana. In John 2:6, the text describes six stone water jars, each holding two or three μετρηταί. This detail highlights the substantial amount of water that was transformed into wine, underscoring the miraculous nature of the event and the abundance provided by Jesus.

The μετρητής, as a unit of measure, reflects the practical aspects of daily life in the ancient world, where precise measurements were necessary for trade, commerce, and domestic activities. The use of such a term in the Gospel narrative not only provides historical context but also emphasizes the tangible reality of the miracle performed by Jesus.

Theologically, the transformation of water into wine at Cana is significant as it marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and reveals His divine authority and power. The abundance of wine produced, measured in μετρηταί, symbolizes the overflowing grace and blessings that come through Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

μετρητας μετρητάς μετρητὰς μετριάζων metretas metretàs metrētas metrētàs

Englishman's Concordance

John 2:6 N-AMP
GRK: χωροῦσαι ἀνὰ μετρητὰς δύο ἢ
NAS: or thirty gallons each.
KJV: or three firkins apiece.
INT: having space for metretae two or

Strong's Greek 3355
1 Occurrence

μετρητὰς — 1 Occ.