Greek word · G2767

κεράννυμι

kerannymi

to mix

To mix or blend, especially wine with water or spices, and so to prepare a drink. The word for the large mixing bowl used at Greek banquets, the kratēr, comes from the same root.

Appears 3 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κεράννυμι

[in LXX for מָסַךְ, Isaiah 5:22, al. ;]

to mix, mingle, chiefly of the diluting of wine: Revelation 18:6; by oxymoron, κεκεράσμενος ἄκρατος, Revelation 14:10.†

SYN.: μίγνυμι. κ. implies "a mixing of two things, so that they are blended and forma compound, as in wine and water, whereas μ. implies a mixing without such composition, as in two sorts of grain" (LS, see word κρᾶσις) (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 18:6

Range of meaning

To mix or blend, especially wine with water or spices, and so to prepare a drink. The word for the large mixing bowl used at Greek banquets, the kratēr, comes from the same root.

Against the English

BSB, ESV and NASB keep "mix." KJV says "filled… fill," which loses the picture of preparing a drink. NLT's "brewed" gets the idea across but adds "terror" to the cup.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rev 14:10 uses the same verb in a paradox: God's wine is "mixed unmixed" (κεκερασμένου ἀκράτου). It is prepared and spiced for strength, yet not watered down. LXX Ps 74:9 (= 75:8) speaks of a cup "full of mixture" (κεράσματος). Wisdom in Prov 9:2, 5 "mixes her wine."

Where it appears

Revelation · 3

  1. Revelation 14:10 κεκερασμένου mixed

    he too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented in fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.

    Here: Perfect participle, 'having been mixed'. The perfect means the drink is already prepared and is standing ready. This verb was the ordinary word for mixing a serving of wine.

  2. Revelation 18:6 ἐκέρασεν, κεράσατε she has mixed,, do mix

    Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.

    Here: "She mixed," meaning she prepared a drink by blending wine. She was the one who mixed the intoxicating drink and served it to others.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.