The Greek word trygáō, represented by G5166, means to gather or to collect the vintage. It is derived from a word meaning ripe fruit. Appearing 3 times across 3 unique verses, its usage is focused on the act of harvesting, particularly grapes.
In its biblical contexts, G5166 is used both illustratively and prophetically. In Luke's Gospel, it serves a metaphorical purpose to explain that a source is known by its fruit; one does not gather G5166 grapes G4718 from a bramble bush G942, but from a vine Luke 6:44. In Revelation, the term is central to a vision of divine judgment. An angel is commanded to gather G5166 the clusters G1009 of the vine of the earth because its grapes are fully ripe G187 for harvest Revelation 14:18. This action culminates when the angel gathered G5166 the vine of the earth and cast it into the great winepress of God's wrath Revelation 14:19.
Several related words provide a fuller picture of this harvest imagery:
- G288 ámpelos (a vine): This word identifies the source of the harvest. In the apocalyptic vision, an angel is instructed to gather the vine of the earth for judgment Revelation 14:19.
- G4718 staphylḗ (grapes): This refers to the fruit being harvested. The word is used metaphorically in Luke to teach discernment Luke 6:44 and in Revelation to describe what is "fully ripe" G187 for judgment Revelation 14:18.
- G3025 lēnós (winepress): This is the final destination for the gathered vintage. The harvest gathered by the angel is cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God, linking the gathering directly to judgment Revelation 14:19.
The theological weight of G5166 is significant, moving from a simple analogy to a symbol of eschatological reckoning.
- Fruit and Source: Its use in Luke 6:44 establishes a foundational spiritual principle: the nature of a source is revealed by the fruit that can be gathered from it. Good fruit cannot come from a corrupt source.
- Ripeness for Judgment: In Revelation, the command to gather G5166 is given precisely because the grapes of the earth are "fully ripe" G187, indicating that a time of patience has ended and the moment for judgment has arrived Revelation 14:18.
- Harvest of Wrath: The act of gathering is explicitly tied to divine wrath. The vintage is not collected for blessing but is gathered G5166 only to be cast into the "great G3173 winepress G3025 of the wrath G2372 of God G2316" Revelation 14:19.
In summary, G5166 is far more than a simple term for harvesting. It serves as a powerful biblical metaphor for spiritual discernment and, more importantly, for the final, decisive judgment of the earth. The word illustrates a progression from a natural principle of reaping what is sown to a solemn, apocalyptic act where humanity is gathered to face the consequences of its ripened state before God.
TRV