### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4197}}` (מֶזֶג, *mezeg*) is derived from an unused root signifying the act of "mingling" or "mixing." Its primary semantic range points specifically to "tempered wine" or "mixed wine," implying a deliberate preparation. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, wine was often diluted with water for consumption, a practice that could render it less potent or more palatable. However, the term can also encompass a mixture intended to enhance or alter the properties of the wine, not necessarily to weaken it. The nuance lies in the intentional combination of substances to create a specific beverage, rather than just raw wine.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H4197}}` appears only once in the Masoretic Text, found in [[Psalm 75:8]]. The context is a powerful depiction of divine judgment: "For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture (מֶזֶג); and he pours out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them."
In this singular occurrence, the "mixture" (מֶזֶג) within the cup of the Lord's wrath is not presented as a dilution for pleasant consumption. Rather, it intensifies the imagery of judgment. The "tempered" or "mixed" wine here suggests a precisely prepared concoction of divine retribution. It implies that God's judgment is not arbitrary or undiluted in its raw power, but rather a carefully measured and complete outpouring. The mention of "dregs" further emphasizes the totality and severity of this judgment, indicating that the wicked will experience the full measure of God's wrath, down to the very last, bitter drop. The wine is "red" (חָמַר, *chamar*, often denoting strong, fermenting wine), and the "mixture" likely adds to its potency or bitterness as a symbol of wrath, rather than making it milder.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "mingling" or "mixing" is central to `{{H4197}}`. A closely related verb is `{{H4537}}` (מָסַךְ, *masakh*), which specifically means "to mix" or "to mingle," often in the context of wine, as seen in [[Proverbs 9:2]] and [[Isaiah 5:22]]. These passages speak of wisdom preparing her mixed wine, or those mighty to mix strong drink, reinforcing the idea of a prepared beverage.
Other significant related terms include:
* `{{H3196}}` (יַיִן, *yayin*): The general term for wine.
* `{{H3563}}` (כּוֹס, *kos*): The "cup," a pervasive biblical metaphor for destiny, suffering, and especially divine wrath (e.g., [[Isaiah 51:17]], [[Jeremiah 25:15]], [[Revelation 14:10]]).
* The broader concept of God's wrath and judgment, often depicted as a bitter drink or a cup that must be drunk to its fullest extent.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4197}}` is profoundly tied to its unique appearance in [[Psalm 75:8]]. It underscores the precise and sovereign nature of God's judgment. The "mixed" or "tempered" wine in the cup of wrath is not a random or impulsive act, but a meticulously prepared and administered sentence. This mixture signifies that God's justice is neither diluted nor incomplete; rather, it is a full and potent expression of His righteous indignation against sin.
The image conveys that there is no escape from this divinely prepared judgment. The wicked are not merely to sip from the cup but to "wring out" and drink its "dregs," signifying the absolute and exhaustive nature of their deserved punishment. This portrayal reinforces God's ultimate authority over all creation and His unwavering commitment to justice, ensuring that every aspect of sin is met with appropriate retribution. It aligns with other biblical themes where God's wrath is depicted as a measured, yet devastating, outpouring.
### Summary
`{{H4197}}` (מֶזֶג, *mezeg*) denotes "tempered" or "mixed wine," stemming from a root concept of mingling. Its singular biblical occurrence in [[Psalm 75:8]] provides a powerful theological insight into divine judgment. Here, the "mixture" in the cup of the Lord's wrath is not for pleasant dilution but signifies a precisely prepared, potent, and inescapable outpouring of God's righteous retribution. The term emphasizes the deliberate and complete nature of divine justice, ensuring that the wicked experience the full, unmitigated measure of their deserved condemnation.
TRV