from βάλλω; fit to be cast (i.e. applied):--must be put.
Transliteration:blētéos
Pronunciation:blay-teh'-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word βλητέος (blētéos, `{{G992}}`) is a verbal adjective derived from the verb βάλλω (ballō, `{{G906}}`), which means "to cast," "to throw," or "to put/place." The suffix -τέος in Greek forms verbal adjectives that convey a sense of necessity, obligation, or fitness—that which *must* be done, or that which is *fit* or *proper* to be done. Therefore, βλητέος literally means "that which must be cast/thrown/put," or "fit to be cast/thrown/put." It carries a strong connotation of what is appropriate or required for a particular action or state, rather than merely what is possible. In its singular New Testament occurrence, it emphasizes a non-negotiable requirement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term βλητέος (blētéos, `{{G992}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 5:38]]: "But new wine *must be put* into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."
This verse is part of Jesus' teaching on the incompatibility of new wine with old wineskins, an analogy closely related to the parable of the new patch on an old garment. In this context, the phrase "must be put" (βλητέος) is crucial. It is not merely a suggestion or a recommendation, but a statement of inherent necessity. New wine, with its fermenting power, would burst old, rigid wineskins, leading to the loss of both the wine and the skins. The use of βλητέος underscores that for the new wine (representing the new teaching, the new covenant, the new life in Christ) to be preserved and to thrive, it requires new, flexible containers (representing new hearts, new ways of understanding, new structures). The necessity is absolute for the integrity and survival of both elements.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb βάλλω (ballō, `{{G906}}`), from which βλητέος is derived. βάλλω has a broad semantic range including "to throw," "to cast," "to put," "to lay," or "to pour." Its usage often implies decisive action or placement.
Other related concepts include:
* **οἶνος νέος (oinos neos, `{{G3631}}` `{{G3501}}`):** "New wine," symbolizing the new dispensation of Christ's teaching and the Spirit's work.
* **ἀσκοί (askoi, `{{G779}}`):** "Wineskins," which serve as the containers for the wine. The distinction between "old" and "fresh" wineskins is vital to the parable's meaning.
* **δέω (deō, `{{G1210}}`) or δεῖ (dei, `{{G1163}}`):** While not directly related morphologically, these terms also express necessity or obligation ("it is necessary," "it is binding"), often with a divine imperative. βλητέος, as a verbal adjective, inherently carries this sense of what *ought* to be done.
* **καινός (kainos, `{{G2537}}`):** "New" in quality, fresh, unprecedented. This word is used to describe the "new" wineskins, emphasizing their suitability for the "new" wine.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of βλητέος (blētéos, `{{G992}}`) in [[Luke 5:38]] carries profound theological weight. It articulates a fundamental principle of the Kingdom of God as inaugurated by Jesus:
1. **Incompatibility of Old and New:** The "must be put" signifies the inherent and unavoidable incompatibility between the new life and teaching of Christ and the rigid, worn-out forms of the old covenant or traditional religiosity. Attempting to force the new into the old framework will result in the destruction of both.
2. **Divine Imperative for Transformation:** The necessity conveyed by βλητέος implies that the radical nature of Christ's message demands a corresponding radical transformation in those who receive it. It is not an optional adjustment but a required reorientation of life, heart, and practice.
3. **Preservation and Flourishing:** The purpose of putting new wine into new wineskins is "that both are preserved." This highlights that the divine imperative for newness is not destructive but salvific and life-giving. It ensures the flourishing of the new spiritual life and the effective containment of Christ's message.
4. **The Nature of Christ's Ministry:** Jesus' ministry was not merely a reform of Judaism but the introduction of something fundamentally new that required entirely new structures and understandings. This word underscores the revolutionary rather than merely evolutionary nature of His coming.
### Summary
βλητέος (blētéos, `{{G992}}`), derived from βάλλω (ballō, `{{G906}}`), is a verbal adjective meaning "that which must be put" or "fit to be cast." Its singular, yet highly significant, appearance in [[Luke 5:38]] is pivotal to understanding Jesus' teaching on the new covenant. The phrase "new wine *must be put* into fresh wineskins" encapsulates the theological truth that the transformative power and liberating message of Christ's kingdom cannot be contained within the outdated, rigid forms of previous dispensations or human traditions. The term's emphasis on *necessity* underscores that this is not a matter of preference but a divine imperative for the preservation and flourishing of the new life offered in Christ, demanding a radical embrace of newness over the old.
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