prolonged form of a more primary (which is used in certain tenses); to mingle, i.e. (by implication) to pour out (for drinking):--fill, pour out. Compare μίγνυμι.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma κεράννυμι (keránnymi), Strong's number `{{G2767}}`, fundamentally signifies "to mingle" or "to mix." While it is noted as a prolonged form of a more primary root, its core meaning revolves around the act of combining distinct elements. In ancient contexts, this verb was commonly employed to describe the preparation of beverages, particularly the mixing of wine with water, a widespread practice to dilute and improve its palatability. By implication, the act of mingling leads to "pouring out" the prepared mixture for consumption. Thus, its semantic range extends from the physical act of combining to the subsequent dispensing of the concoction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb κεράννυμι (keránnymi) appears only once in the New Testament, but its singular occurrence is profoundly impactful, situated within the prophetic judgment against Babylon in the book of Revelation:
* **[[Revelation 18:6]]**: "Render to her as she herself has rendered, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed."
In this powerful declaration of divine justice, the command to "mix" (κεράννυμι) a double portion in the cup that Babylon herself had mixed is a direct and chilling application of the *lex talionis*. Babylon's "mixing" refers to her abominable practices, her idolatry, her sorceries, and her persecution of God's saints, all metaphorically poured into a "cup" of wickedness. The divine response is not merely to return her deeds but to "mix a double portion" for her, signifying an overflowing and intensified measure of retribution. The context is one of divine wrath and righteous judgment, where the very act of preparing a drink becomes a stark symbol of inescapable and proportionate recompense for sin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The base definition of κεράννυμι (keránnymi) notes a comparison with μίγνυμι (mígnymi), another Greek verb meaning "to mix" or "to mingle." While both share a similar core meaning, κεράννυμι often carries the specific connotation of mixing liquids, especially for drinking, as seen in its biblical usage. Related concepts include:
* **Cup (ποτήριον `{{G4221}}`)**: The vessel into which the mixture is poured. In biblical literature, the "cup" frequently symbolizes destiny, suffering, or divine wrath (e.g., [[Matthew 26:39]], [[Revelation 14:10]]). In [[Revelation 18:6]], the "cup" is central to the imagery of judgment.
* **Pouring Out**: The implied action following the mixing. This act can signify offerings, libations, or, as in Revelation, the outpouring of divine judgment.
* **Retribution/Recompense**: The theological principle underlying the usage in Revelation, where actions are met with corresponding consequences.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κεράννυμι (keránnymi) is primarily derived from its solitary yet potent appearance in [[Revelation 18:6]]. Here, the verb underscores several crucial theological themes:
1. **Divine Justice and Reciprocity**: The command to "mix a double portion" for Babylon highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice. It is a powerful affirmation that sin will not go unpunished and that the consequences will be commensurate with, or even exceed, the offense. This is not arbitrary vengeance but a just and righteous response to profound wickedness.
2. **The Nature of Divine Judgment**: The imagery of "mixing" a cup of judgment implies a deliberate, measured, and comprehensive act on God's part. It suggests that divine wrath is not chaotic but a carefully prepared and administered consequence, ensuring that every aspect of sin is met with its due recompense.
3. **The Inevitability of Consequences**: Babylon's "cup" of wickedness, which she herself "mixed," ensures that her judgment is self-inflicted in a profound sense. The consequences she experiences are a direct return of her own actions, emphasizing the biblical principle that "whatever one sows, that will he also reap" ([[Galatians 6:7]]).
### Summary
The Greek verb κεράννυμι (keránnymi), Strong's number `{{G2767}}`, fundamentally means "to mingle" or "to mix," particularly in the context of preparing beverages. Despite its single occurrence in the New Testament, its usage in [[Revelation 18:6]] is profoundly significant. In this passage, the verb vividly portrays divine retribution against Babylon, commanding that a "double portion" of judgment be "mixed" for her in the very cup of wickedness she herself prepared. This powerful imagery underscores the principles of divine justice, the precise and deliberate nature of God's judgment, and the inescapable consequences of sin. κεράννυμι thus serves as a stark reminder of God's righteous character and the ultimate certainty of divine recompense for all unrighteousness.
TRV