The Greek word lēnós, represented by G3025, refers to a winepress or trough. It appears 5 times across 4 unique verses in scripture. While its base definition points to a common agricultural tool, its biblical usage is primarily as a powerful symbol of divine judgment.
In its literal sense, G3025 is presented as a standard component of a vineyard. In a parable in Matthew, a householder G3617 planted G5452 a vineyard G290, and as part of its preparation, digged G3736 a winepress in it Matthew 21:33. However, in the book of Revelation, the term is used exclusively in a figurative sense. It becomes "the great winepress of the wrath G2372 of God" Revelation 14:19. This imagery is further detailed when the winepress is trodden G3961 and blood flows out from it Revelation 14:20, and it is identified as "the winepress of the fierceness G2372 and wrath of Almighty God" Revelation 19:15.
Several related words are essential to understanding the context and function of the winepress:
- G290 ampelṓn (a vineyard): This is the agricultural setting where a winepress is typically located. It is the place prepared by the householder G3617 before he digged G3736 the winepress Matthew 21:33.
- G3961 patéō (to trample): This word describes the action performed at the winepress. In Revelation, the winepress is trodden Revelation 14:20, and Christ himself treadeth the winepress of God's wrath Revelation 19:15.
- G5166 trygáō (to collect the vintage): This refers to the harvest that is placed into the winepress. An angel is commanded to gather the clusters of the vine G288 of the earth and cast them into the winepress of God's wrath Revelation 14:19.
- G2372 thymós (passion (as if breathing hard)): This word defines the symbolic nature of the winepress in Revelation, which is explicitly called "the great winepress of the wrath of God" Revelation 14:19 and "the winepress of the fierceness and wrath" of God Revelation 19:15.
The theological weight of G3025 is concentrated in its apocalyptic imagery:
- A Vessel of Judgment: The winepress is transformed from a place of fruit processing into a symbol of divine judgment. The harvest cast into it is not for sustenance but for the execution of God's wrath G2372 Revelation 14:19.
- The Execution of Divine Wrath: The act of treading the winepress symbolizes the active and final outpouring of judgment. Christ is depicted as the one who treadeth G3961 "the winepress of the fierceness G2372 and wrath of Almighty God" Revelation 19:15.
- The Harvest of the Earth: The contents of the winepress are described as "the vine G288 of the earth," which is gathered G5166 by an angel with a sickle G1407. The result of this treading is not wine G3631, but a flow of blood Revelation 14:20.
In summary, G3025 transitions from a simple agricultural object to a profound theological symbol. While it is introduced in Matthew as a literal trough digged G3736 in a vineyard G290, its primary significance is found in Revelation. There, it serves as a terrifying and vivid depiction of God's final judgment, a vessel where the fierceness G2372 and wrath of God are poured out upon the earth.
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