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ληνός

lēnós

G3025 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A vat or trough used for pressing or collecting liquid, especially the receptacle in which grapes are trodden to extract their juice and the lower reservoir which collects the must; by extension, any container in which fruit juice is gathered during processing, particularly for wine.

Semantic Range

winepress, trough, vat for collecting grape juice, container for fruit juice, receptacle in wine production

Root / Etymology

The term ληνός is of uncertain etymology, appearing as a primary Greek noun with no securely attested Indo-European root or formation. Some have associated its form with words in pre-Greek or non-Indo-European substrate languages, reflecting the importance of viticulture in the ancient Aegean and Near East.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ληνός is first attested in classical Greek (e.g., Homer, Odyssey 21.351), where it refers concretely to the trough or vat used in wine production, typically constructed of stone or wood. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts—including the Septuagint and the New Testament—the term retains this technical meaning, most often as part of descriptions of agricultural practices or as a figure for judgment or abundance (cf. Revelation 14:19–20). The word commonly appears in Greek translations of Hebrew יקב (winepress) and related terms, sometimes referring specifically to the lower collection vat distinct from the upper press. English translations often render ληνός as 'winepress,' but the term includes both the pressing vat and the collection vessel, and the imagery may overlap with other pressing or collection devices in ancient viticulture. There is no strong evidence for broader metaphorical or religious senses beyond these uses, though the imagery of the winepress takes on symbolic significance in apocalyptic literature.

Translation Consistency

primary "winepress" 3 occurrences

Most faithful and natural English term for a receptacle used to tread and collect grape juice; aligns with the majority of existing renderings and covers trough/vat senses without unnecessary ambiguity. 'Press' or 'vat' are either too generic or lose the specific wine‑production sense.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"grape-press vat" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; a trough, i.e. wine-vat:--winepress.

Root Family

λην- (lēnós) — to collect, to press

Root λην- to collect, to press

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3025-01 ληνὸν lenon N ACC F SG winepress winepress vat winepress vat 3
G3025-02 ληνὸς lenos N NOM F SG winepress grape-press vat grape-press vat 1
G3025-03 ληνοῦ lenou N GEN F SG winepress of a grape-press vat grape-press vat 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3025-01 Matthew 21:33 ληνὸν lenon N ACC F SG winepress winepress vat winepress vat
G3025-01 Revelation 14:19 ληνὸν lenon N ACC F SG winepress winepress vat winepress vat
G3025-02 Revelation 14:20 ληνὸς lenos N NOM F SG winepress grape-press vat grape-press vat
G3025-03 Revelation 14:20 ληνοῦ lenou N GEN F SG winepress of a grape-press vat grape-press vat
G3025-01 Revelation 19:15 ληνὸν lenon N ACC F SG winepress winepress vat winepress vat
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