from μετρέω; a measurer, i.e. (specially), a certain standard measure of capacity for liquids:--firkin.
Transliteration:metrētḗs
Pronunciation:met-ray-tace'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term μετρητής (metrētḗs, `{{G3355}}`) is derived from the verb μετρέω (metréō, `{{G3354}}`), meaning "to measure." While the root suggests the act of measuring, μετρητής specifically denotes a *measurer* in the sense of a *standard unit of measure*, particularly for liquids. In the context of ancient Greece and the Near East, this unit was a significant volume. It is often rendered as "firkin" in older English translations, though this English term itself is archaic and can be misleading as to the actual volume. Scholars estimate that one metrētḗs was approximately 39.39 liters (or roughly 10.4 US gallons / 8.6 imperial gallons), making it a substantial capacity. This unit was roughly equivalent to the Hebrew *bath* measure. Its core meaning thus points to a precise, standardized, and considerable quantity of liquid.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term μετρητής (metrētḗs, `{{G3355}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of John:
* **[[John 2:6]]**: "Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty metrētḗs."
This sole occurrence is found in the narrative of the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performs His first sign. The context is crucial: these jars were not small vessels but large containers used for ceremonial washing. The passage explicitly states their capacity in terms of metrētḗs, indicating a massive volume. If each of the six jars held, conservatively, twenty metrētḗs, the total capacity would be 120 metrētḗs. At approximately 39.39 liters per metrētḗs, this amounts to nearly 4,727 liters (or over 1,200 US gallons) of water that Jesus transformed into wine. This immense quantity underscores the magnitude and undeniable reality of the miracle, far exceeding any practical need for the feast and pointing to an act of divine abundance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verb from which μετρητής (metrētḗs, `{{G3355}}`) is derived:
* **μετρέω (metréō, `{{G3354}}`)**: "to measure," "to mete out," "to apportion." This root emphasizes the concept of exactness, standard, and assessment. While μετρέω can be used metaphorically (e.g., measuring judgment or spiritual gifts), μετρητής remains a concrete, physical measure.
Other related concepts, though not etymologically linked, include:
* **μέτρον (metron, `{{G3358}}`)**: "measure," "standard," "due proportion." This is a broader term for measure, often used in a more abstract or metaphorical sense (e.g., "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" in [[Ephesians 4:13]]).
* **Ancient Liquid Measures**: Understanding the scale of other ancient liquid measures, such as the Hebrew *bath* (which the metrētḗs was roughly equivalent to) or the *cor* (a larger dry/liquid measure), helps to contextualize the significant volume represented by the metrētḗs.
* **Abundance**: The very large quantity implied by metrētḗs in [[John 2:6]] connects it to the broader biblical theme of God's overflowing generosity and provision, often seen in miraculous contexts.
### Theological Significance
The single appearance of μετρητής (metrētḗs, `{{G3355}}`) in [[John 2:6]] carries profound theological weight:
1. **Divine Abundance**: The sheer volume of water transformed into wine—six large jars, each holding 20-30 metrētḗs—is a powerful symbol of God's lavish and overflowing grace. It far exceeds what was necessary for the wedding feast, demonstrating that God's provision is not merely sufficient but superabundant. This contrasts sharply with human scarcity and limitation, pointing to the inexhaustible nature of divine resources.
2. **Transformation and New Creation**: The water, used for Jewish purification rites, being transformed into the best wine, signifies the superiority of the new covenant inaugurated by Christ over the old. The metrētḗs filled with water represent the old order, which Jesus transcends and transforms into something qualitatively superior and spiritually richer. This miracle points to Jesus as the source of true spiritual cleansing and joy, providing a "new wine" for humanity.
3. **Authenticity and Glory of the Miracle**: The precise, tangible, and immense quantity specified by metrētḗs lends credibility and undeniable reality to Jesus' first sign. It was not a subtle or ambiguous act but a manifest display of divine power. As [[John 2:11]] states, "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory." The large number of metrētḗs contributes significantly to the splendor and impact of this manifestation of Christ's glory.
4. **Prophetic Foreshadowing**: The superabundance of wine can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the eschatological banquet and the overflowing blessings of the Kingdom of God, where joy and provision will be limitless.
### Summary
The word μετρητής (metrētḗs, `{{G3355}}`) designates a specific, substantial ancient liquid measure, equivalent to approximately 39.39 liters. Its singular occurrence in [[John 2:6]] is profoundly significant, describing the capacity of the stone jars at the wedding in Cana. The vast quantity of water (120-180 metrētḗs) that Jesus transformed into wine powerfully illustrates divine abundance, the superior nature of the new covenant inaugurated by Christ, and the tangible reality of His miraculous power. This precise measurement underscores the authenticity of Jesus' first sign, serving to manifest His glory and foreshadow the overflowing blessings of His Kingdom.
TRV