### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀντλέω (`{{G501}}`) is derived from a root related to the "hold of a ship," specifically the area where water might collect. Its base definition is "to bale up (properly, bilge water), i.e., dip water (with a bucket, pitcher, etc.)." This indicates a practical, physical action of drawing or scooping out a liquid, typically water, from a container or source. The core meaning emphasizes the act of extraction or removal of a liquid using a vessel. While its etymological roots suggest a connection to maritime contexts and the necessity of removing unwanted water, its New Testament usage broadens to the more general sense of drawing water for various purposes. Its semantic range is quite narrow, focused almost exclusively on this literal act, without significant metaphorical extensions in the biblical text.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἀντλέω (`{{G501}}`) occurs exclusively in the Gospel of John, specifically in the account of the wedding at Cana, Jesus' first miraculous sign.
* [[John 2:8]]: "And he said to them, 'Draw some out now and take it to the master of the feast.'" (καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, Ἀντλήσατε νῦν καὶ φέρετε τῷ ἀρχιτρικλίνῳ.) Here, Jesus commands the servants to perform the action of drawing (ἀντλήσατε) the water, which He has just transformed into wine, from the large stone jars.
* [[John 2:9]]: "When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew)..." (ὡς δὲ ἐγεύσατο ὁ ἀρχιτρίκλινος τὸ ὕδωρ οἶνον γεγενημένον, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει πόθεν ἐστίν, οἱ δὲ διάκονοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ ἠντληκότες τὸ ὕδωρ.) This verse reiterates the servants' action, emphasizing that they were the ones who had "drawn" (ἠντληκότες) the water, thus making them privy to the miracle's origin.
In both instances, ἀντλέω describes the physical act of scooping or ladling the liquid from the jars. The context highlights the servants' direct involvement in the process, serving as witnesses to the transformation. Their act of drawing is essential for the miracle to be presented and recognized by the master of the feast. The simplicity of the verb underscores the profound nature of the event it facilitates.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words are semantically related to ἀντλέω (`{{G501}}`), either sharing a common root or describing similar actions:
* ἄντλημα (`{{G502}}`): This is the noun form, meaning "that which is drawn" or "a bucket/vessel used for drawing water." It directly refers to the implement or the product of the action of ἀντλέω.
* ἀντλία (`{{G503}}`): Another noun derived from the same root, referring to the "bilge" or "hold of a ship," the very place from which water might need to be "baled out" (ἀντλέω).
* ὑδρεύω (`{{G5202}}`): This verb also means "to draw water," but often implies drawing from a well or spring for general use. While similar in action, ἀντλέω in John 2 specifically denotes drawing from a container (the jars).
* ἀνιμάω: While not a Strong's number provided, this verb means "to draw up," often with a rope, from a well or deep source.
Concepts related to ἀντλέω in its biblical context include:
* **Obedience:** The servants' act of drawing is an act of simple obedience to Jesus' command.
* **Provision and Abundance:** The drawing of water that becomes wine speaks to God's generous provision, exceeding human expectation.
* **Transformation:** The physical act of drawing is intimately linked to the miraculous transformation of one substance into another.
### Theological Significance
The appearance of ἀντλέω (`{{G501}}`) in the Cana narrative carries significant theological weight despite its literal meaning.
1. **Divine Power and Transformation:** The act of drawing water, an ordinary substance, and its subsequent miraculous transformation into wine, highlights Jesus' divine power and His authority over creation. The very thing drawn by human hands becomes the vessel for divine revelation. It underscores that Jesus is not merely enhancing what exists, but fundamentally transforming it.
2. **The Old and New Covenants:** Many scholars interpret the water jars, used for Jewish purification rites, as symbolic of the Old Covenant's legalistic and ritualistic practices. The drawing of this water and its transformation into wine, a symbol of joy, celebration, and the new covenant (e.g., the blood of Christ in the Eucharist), signifies the transition from the old order to the new. The act of ἀντλέω thus becomes a physical bridge between these two dispensations.
3. **Human Participation in Divine Work:** The servants' simple obedience in drawing the water is crucial. While the miracle is entirely Jesus' work, human participation, even in seemingly mundane tasks, becomes instrumental in witnessing and facilitating God's redemptive plan. Their act of drawing is a testament to the fact that God often works through human agents, inviting them to be co-laborers in His kingdom.
4. **Symbolism of Water and Wine:** The act of drawing water, a necessity for life, and its transformation into wine, a symbol of abundance, joy, and even spiritual truth, speaks to the richness and depth that Christ brings into human experience. The "drawing out" of the old makes way for the overflowing abundance of the new.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἀντλέω (`{{G501}}`) precisely describes the action of "drawing out" or "bailing water." Its singular New Testament occurrence in [[John 2:8-9]] is profoundly significant, detailing the servants' act of drawing water at the wedding in Cana. This literal act is pivotal in the unfolding of Jesus' first miracle, emphasizing the immediate, tangible human involvement that precedes divine transformation. Related terms like ἄντλημα (`{{G502}}`) and ἀντλία (`{{G503}}`) underscore the practical context of drawing liquids. Theologically, ἀντλέω in this context speaks to Jesus' transformative power, the transition from the Old Covenant to the New, and the vital role of human obedience in facilitating and witnessing God's miraculous work. It illustrates how an ordinary action, performed in obedience, can become a conduit for extraordinary divine revelation and abundant provision.
TRV