ἄντλημα
ántlēma
G502 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A vessel or container used for drawing or scooping up liquid, particularly water. Its primary sense is an implement for extracting water from a well or a cistern, and by extension refers to any kind of drawing-pail or bucket used for transferring liquids.
Semantic Range
drawing-vessel, bucket, pail, container for scooping water, implement for extracting liquid
Root / Etymology
From ἀντλέω (antleō), meaning 'to draw (especially water)'; -μα suffix forms a noun indicating the means or result of an action. Thus, ἄντλημα is 'that which is used for drawing (water)'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἄντλημα is a relatively rare term in Koine Greek, appearing in John 4:11 in the New Testament, where it denotes the bucket or vessel a person would use to draw water from a deep well. The word has a practical, non-figurative meaning, without specific religious or symbolic overtones in its known attestations. In classical Greek, it similarly refers to a container or bucket, especially for baling or drawing fluids. The Septuagint does not use this term. English translations often render it 'bucket' or 'vessel,' but this may obscure its specific association with the activity of drawing water. The meaning stayed stable from classical through Koine usage, always focused on the utilitarian object rather than any ceremonial or metaphorical role. Related words include ἀντλέω ('to draw [water]'), but contrast with terms like σταμνίς (pitcher, jug), which do not necessarily imply the action of extracting liquid from a source such as a well.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἀντλέω; a baling-vessel:--thing to draw with.
Root Family
ἄντλημα (antlēma) — drawing-vessel, bucket, implement for drawing water
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G502-01 |
ἄντλημα | antlema | N ACC N SG |
bucket | a water-drawing vessel | a water-drawing vessel | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G502-01 |
John 4:11 | ἄντλημα | antlema | N ACC N SG |
bucket | a water-drawing vessel | a water-drawing vessel |