of uncertain affinity; sweet (i.e. not bitter nor salt):--sweet, fresh.
Transliteration:glykýs
Pronunciation:gloo-koos'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective γλυκύς (glykýs), `{{G1099}}`, primarily denotes a pleasant taste, specifically "sweet," in contrast to bitter or salty. Its base definition highlights this antithesis: "not bitter nor salt." While its etymological affinity is uncertain, its semantic range is straightforward, focusing on the sensory experience of sweetness. In ancient Greek literature, γλυκύς could describe not only palatable food and drink but also pleasant sounds, smells, or even agreeable circumstances, though its biblical usage is more restricted to taste and the quality of water.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
γλυκύς appears only twice in the New Testament, yet each instance carries significant contextual weight:
1. **[[James 3:11]]**: "Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?" Here, γλυκύς is translated as "fresh" (often rendered "sweet" in older versions), directly contrasting with πικρός (pikros, `{{G4089}}`), meaning "bitter" or "salt." The imagery is drawn from nature, emphasizing the impossibility of a single source yielding contradictory qualities. In the broader context of James 3, this serves as a powerful analogy for the consistency expected in the believer's speech and life. Just as a spring cannot produce both fresh and brackish water, so too a believer's mouth should not utter both blessings and curses. The "sweetness" here signifies purity, consistency, and life-giving quality.
2. **[[Revelation 10:9-10]]**: "And I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, 'Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.' And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter." In this apocalyptic vision, γλυκύς is used literally to describe the taste of the scroll, explicitly compared to μέλι (meli, `{{G3199}}`, honey). The experience is profoundly symbolic: the initial "sweetness" represents the delight, comfort, or pleasantness derived from receiving divine revelation, particularly prophecy. This initial joy, however, gives way to "bitterness" in the stomach, signifying the difficult, often painful, or challenging aspects of internalizing and proclaiming God's truth, especially when it involves judgment or suffering.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary antonym for γλυκύς in its biblical occurrences is πικρός (`{{G4089}}`), meaning "bitter" or "salt" (as in James 3:11). The direct comparison to μέλι (`{{G3199}}`, honey) in Revelation 10:9-10 firmly places it within the semantic field of pleasant tastes and desirable substances. Conceptually, γλυκύς relates to ideas of purity, pleasantness, and the life-giving nature of water (in James), and the initial delight and reception of divine communication (in Revelation). It stands in contrast to concepts of corruption, inconsistency, and the harsh realities that often accompany prophetic ministry or the full appropriation of God's word.
### Theological Significance
The infrequent but potent usage of γλυκύς offers two distinct theological insights:
1. **Consistency in Christian Conduct**: In James, the impossibility of a "sweet" spring also yielding "bitter" water underscores the divine expectation for consistency and integrity in the believer's life and speech. Just as God's nature is pure and unchanging, so too should be the outflow from those who claim to be His. This metaphor challenges believers to align their outward expressions with their inward profession, fostering a life that consistently reflects the "sweetness" of God's truth and love, rather than contradictory actions or words. It speaks to the authenticity of faith and the fruit it produces.
2. **The Dual Nature of Divine Revelation**: The "sweetness" of the scroll in Revelation 10:9-10 beautifully portrays the initial joy, comfort, and profound satisfaction that comes from receiving God's word. This resonates with numerous Old Testament passages describing God's law and words as "sweeter than honey" ([[Psalm 19:10]], [[Psalm 119:103]]). However, the subsequent "bitterness" reveals a deeper theological truth: divine revelation, especially prophetic truth, is not solely comforting. It often contains messages of judgment, suffering, and calls to repentance that are difficult to digest and proclaim. This duality highlights the comprehensive and sometimes challenging nature of God's truth, which brings both delight and discomfort, promise and demanding responsibility. It prepares the recipient for the full reality of God's plan, which includes both His grace and His righteous judgment.
### Summary
γλυκύς (`{{G1099}}`), meaning "sweet" or "fresh," is a term with limited but significant occurrences in the New Testament. In [[James 3:11]], it metaphorically emphasizes the necessity of purity and consistency in a believer's life and speech, contrasting with the "salt" or "bitter" output of a contradictory source. In [[Revelation 10:9-10]], it vividly depicts the initial delight and pleasantness of receiving divine revelation, which is subsequently followed by the "bitterness" of internalizing and proclaiming its challenging and often difficult truths. Thus, γλυκύς serves to illuminate both the integrity expected of God's people and the complex, multifaceted experience of engaging with His profound and sometimes demanding word.
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