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μέθυσος

méthysos

G3183 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Habitually intoxicated with fermented drink; a person given to excessive consumption of wine or other alcoholic beverages. In New Testament usage, denotes one addicted to drunkenness or persistently engaging in overindulgence in wine or strong drink. Can include the resulting social status or reputation associated with persistent intoxication.

Semantic Range

habitual drunkard, one addicted to wine, habitual or confirmed intoxication, sot, tippler

Root / Etymology

From the verb μεθύω (to be drunk with wine), with the suffix -σος forming a noun denoting a person characterized by this action. Cognate with μέθυ (wine), sharing the same root indicating intoxication via wine.

Historical & Contextual Notes

μέθυσος appears rarely in classical literature but is attested as early as the 5th century BCE (e.g., Aristophanes), typically designating a habitual drunkard or someone addicted to wine. In the Hellenistic period and Koine Greek, the term maintains this connotation, often joined with other terms denoting immoral conduct in moral or vice lists, as in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 5:11, 6:10). It is socially pejorative, referring not to a single instance of drunkenness but habitual or identity-forming excess. The standard English translation 'drunkard' captures the core idea, but the original word is rooted specifically in wine-intoxication, not general substance abuse. Contrasts with μεθυσκός (occasionally tipsy, drunk) and the verb μεθύω (to be drunk). In the LXX, similar terms are used but μέθυσος itself is rare.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μεθύω; tipsy, i.e. (as noun) a sot:--drunkard.

Root Family

μεθυ- (methýskō) — to intoxicate, to make drunk

Root μεθυ- to be drunk, to intoxicate, to cause to be drunk
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3182 μεθύσκω to be made drunk
G3184 μεθύω they were intoxicated

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3183-01 μέθυσοι methusoi N NOM M PL drunkards habitual drunkards habitual drunkards 1
G3183-02 μέθυσος methusos N NOM M SG drunkard habitual drunkard habitual drunkard 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3183-02 1 Corinthians 5:11 μέθυσος methusos N NOM M SG drunkard habitual drunkard habitual drunkard
G3183-01 1 Corinthians 6:10 μέθυσοι methusoi N NOM M PL drunkards habitual drunkards habitual drunkards
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