Lexical Summary potizó: To give to drink, to water Original Word: ποτίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance give drink, feed, water. From a derivative of the alternate of pino; to furnish drink, irrigate -- give (make) to drink, feed, water. see GREEK pino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom potos (drink, for drinking) Definition to give to drink NASB Translation drink (2), gave...a drink (2), gave...to drink (5), gives (2), made...drink (1), made to drink (1), water (1), watered (1), waters (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4222: ποτίζωποτίζω; imperfect ἐπότιζον; 1 aorist ἐπότισα; perfect πεποτικα (Revelation 14:8); 1 aorist passive ἐποτίσθην; (πότος); from (Hippocrates), Xenophon, Plato down; the Sept. for הִשְׁקָה; to give to drink, to furnish drink, (Vulg. in 1 Corinthians 12:13 and Revelation 14:8poto (but in Revelation, the passage cited Tdf. givespotiono; A. V. to make to drink)): τινα, Matthew 25:35, 37, 42; Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; Luke 13:15; Romans 12:20; τινα τί, to offer one anything to drink (Winers Grammar, § 32, 4 a.; (Buttmann, § 131, 6)): Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41, and often in the Sept.; in figurative discourse ποτίζειν τινα γάλα, to give one teaching easy to be apprehended, 1 Corinthians 3:2 (where by zeugma οὐ βρῶμα is added; (cf. Winers Grammar, § 66, 2 e.; Buttmann, § 151, 30; A. V. I have fed you with milk, etc.)); τινα ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου, Revelation 14:8 (see οἶνος, b. and θυμός, 2); equivalent to to water, irrigate (plants, fields, etc.): 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (Xenophon, symp. 2, 25; Lucian, Athen., Geoponica, (Strabo, Philo); the Sept. (Genesis 13:10); Ezekiel 17:7); metaphorically, to imbue, saturate, τινα, one's mind, with the addition of an accusative of the thing, ἕν πνεῦμα, in the passive, 1 Corinthians 12:18 L T Tr WH (Winers Grammar, § 32, 5; Buttmann, § 134, 5); εἰς ἕν πνεῦμα, that we might be united into one body which is imbued with one spirit, ibid. R G (τινα πνεύματι κατανύξεως, Isaiah 29:10 (cf. Sir. 15:3)). Topical Lexicon Root Meaning and Semantic Range The verb denotes the act of supplying liquid refreshment—whether literal water, wine, vinegar-wine, or metaphorical drink. In Scripture it regularly functions in scenes of physical care, agricultural nurture, covenant fellowship, and spiritual impartation. Old Testament Background and Septuagint Echoes Although occurring in Greek, the verb resonates with Hebrew imagery: the LORD “gives rain” to water the land (Deuteronomy 11:14), shepherds draw water for flocks (Genesis 29:10), and wisdom herself offers life-giving drink (Proverbs 9:5). The Septuagint uses the same verb family to translate these ideas, preparing readers to understand divine provision and human hospitality through the motif of giving drink. New Testament Contexts and Themes 1. Physical Hospitality to Christ’s Brethren Matthew 25:35-37, 42 pictures the future judgment when the King says, “I was thirsty and you gave Me drink”. The verb highlights that mundane acts toward “the least of these” are received as ministry to Christ Himself. Refusal to supply drink reveals unbelief. 2. Compassionate Service in Christ’s Name Matthew 10:42 and Mark 9:41 promise reward for even “a cup of cold water” offered “because he is a disciple.” The smallest deed, when motivated by loyalty to Jesus, gains eternal significance. 3. Pastoral Nurture of the Church In 1 Corinthians 3:2, 6-8 Paul employs agricultural and maternal metaphors: “I fed you with milk,” “I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow.” The verb expresses ongoing nurture. The laborers are nothing apart from God, yet their careful “watering” is indispensable to congregational maturity. 4. Spirit-Baptizing Unity 1 Corinthians 12:13 extends the image from agriculture to infusion: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…and we were all given one Spirit to drink.” The Spirit Himself is the living drink that unites Jew and Greek, slave and free. 5. Acts of Mercy toward Enemies Romans 12:20 invokes Proverbs 25, exhorting believers, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.” The verb here undergirds gospel ethics, overcoming evil with practical kindness. 6. Messianic Suffering Matthew 27:48 and Mark 15:36 record soldiers attempting to give Jesus sour wine. Ironically, the One who offers living water receives vinegar, fulfilling Psalm 69:21. Humanity’s failed hospitality contrasts with divine generosity. 7. Eschatological Corruption Revelation 14:8 declares that Babylon “has made all the nations drink the wine of her passionate immorality.” The perfect tense underscores a completed yet enduring influence: false worship intoxicates cultures, leading to judgment. 8. Ordinary Labor and Sabbath Compassion Luke 13:15 depicts an ox or donkey “led away from the stall to give it water” on the Sabbath. Jesus appeals to accepted mercy toward animals to justify healing a daughter of Abraham, revealing the law’s true intent. The Ministry of Refreshment and Compassion Throughout Scripture, giving drink signifies life-sustaining care, whether tending livestock, nurturing newborn believers, or welcoming strangers. The act bridges social divides, models servant leadership, and visibly proclaims the gospel. Pastoral and Ecclesiological Implications • Leaders are called to water God’s field with sound doctrine and personal attention, trusting God for growth. Eschatological Warnings Refusing to refresh Christ’s little ones (Matthew 25) or imbibing Babylon’s cup (Revelation 14) sets persons on a trajectory toward separation from God. Conversely, those who thirst for righteousness are promised satisfaction (Matthew 5:6). Christological Fulfillment Jesus, who thirsted on the cross, rises to cry, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). All biblical instances of giving drink find their ultimate focus in Him, the Fountain of living waters who sends His Spirit to indwell believers. Practical Application for Believers Today • Practice tangible mercy: disaster relief, prison ministry, care for the unborn and elderly—offering water and so much more in Christ’s name. Conclusion The verb under study threads through the canon, portraying divine generosity, human responsibility, and the eternal stakes of hospitality. To give drink is to participate in God’s nurturing work, foreshadowing the day when “they will hunger no more, neither thirst anymore…for the Lamb will be their Shepherd” (Revelation 7:16-17). Forms and Transliterations επότιζε εποτιζεν επότιζεν ἐπότιζεν εποτίζετε επότιζον εποτισα επότισα ἐπότισα εποτισαμεν εποτίσαμεν ἐποτίσαμεν επότισαν επότισάν επότισας εποτισατε εποτίσατέ ἐποτίσατέ επότισε εποτισεν επότισεν ἐπότισεν εποτισθημεν εποτίσθημεν ἐποτίσθημεν πεπότικε πεποτικεν πεπότικεν ποτιεί ποτιείς ποτιείτε ποτιζε πότιζε ποτιζει ποτίζει ποτίζειν ποτιζομένη ποτιζων ποτίζων ποτίζωσι ποτιούμεν ποτιούσι ποτίσαι ποτίσαντες ποτιση ποτίση ποτίσῃ ποτισθήσεται πότισον πότισόν ποτίσωμεν ποτιώ epotisa epótisa epotisamen epotísamen epotisate epotísaté epotisen epótisen epotisthemen epotisthēmen epotísthemen epotísthēmen epotizen epótizen pepotiken pepótiken potise potisē potísei potísēi potize pótize potizei potízei potizon potizōn potízon potízōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 10:42 V-ASA-3SGRK: ὃς ἂν ποτίσῃ ἕνα τῶν NAS: of a disciple gives to one KJV: whosoever shall give to drink unto one INT: whoever anyhow shall give to drink to one of the Matthew 25:35 V-AIA-2P Matthew 25:37 V-AIA-1P Matthew 25:42 V-AIA-2P Matthew 27:48 V-IIA-3S Mark 9:41 V-ASA-3S Mark 15:36 V-IIA-3S Luke 13:15 V-PIA-3S Romans 12:20 V-PMA-2S 1 Corinthians 3:2 V-AIA-1S 1 Corinthians 3:6 V-AIA-3S 1 Corinthians 3:7 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 3:8 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 12:13 V-AIP-1P Revelation 14:8 V-RIA-3S Strong's Greek 4222 |
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