Greek word · G3354

μετρέω

metreō

to measure

To measure, or to measure out and apportion. The passive means to be measured out, or to have a portion given to you.

Appears 11 times in 9 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

μετρέω, -ῶ

(μέτρον), [in LXX: Exodus 16:18, Numbers 35:5, Ruth 3:15, Isaiah 40:12, (מָדַד), Da Th Daniel 5:26 (מָדַד), Wisdom of Solomon 4:8 * ;]

1. to measure, of space, number, value, etc.: with accusative of thing(s), Revelation 11:2 21:15, 17; with dative instr., Revelation 11:1 21:16. Metaphorical, ἑαυτὸν ἐν ἑαυτῷ, 2 Corinthians 10:12.

2. to measure out, give by measure: prov., ἐν ὧ μέτρῳ κ.τ.λ., Matthew 7:2, Mark 4:24, Luke 6:38 (WH, mg., cf. ἀντι-μετρέω).†

(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 Matthew 7:2

Range of meaning

To measure, or to measure out and apportion. The passive means to be measured out, or to have a portion given to you.

Against the English

The KJV's "mete" (an old word for measuring out or apportioning) is now unfamiliar. Readers may confuse it with "meet," or know it only from "mete out punishment," which is narrower than the Greek. The KJV's "again" comes from a different Greek reading (see textual notes).

How it drifted

"Mete" dropped out of ordinary speech after the 17th century except in the phrase "mete out."

Used elsewhere in the period

It is used in the Septuagint for measuring grain (Ruth 3:15; Exod 16:18). The Greek wording here matches Mark 4:24 exactly, and Luke 6:38 is very close.

From the study of Revelation 11:2

Range of meaning

To measure, mete out, or allot. In prophetic visions, measuring marks out what God claims, plans to rebuild or protects. Less often it marks out what is destined for destruction.

Against the English

English 'measure' sounds technical, like surveying. The prophetic act is a claim of ownership and a promise of safety.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezekiel 40–42: an angel with a measuring reed measures the future temple and its courts. Zechariah 2:1–5: a man with a measuring line measures Jerusalem, which God will protect as 'a wall of fire'. Measuring for judgment: 2 Samuel 8:2; 2 Kings 21:13; Lamentations 2:8; Amos 7:7–9. Revelation 21:15–17 measures the New Jerusalem.

From the study of 2 Corinthians 10:12

Range of meaning

To measure, to survey, to measure out or apportion.

Against the English

'Measure' is accurate. What English readers can miss is that it begins an extended picture of measuring that runs through vv. 13–16.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matt 7:2 ('with the measure you use'); Rev 11:1 and 21:15 (measuring the temple and the city). In v. 13 Paul uses metron (measure) and kanōn (a measuring rod, and by extension an allotted area or jurisdiction).

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 7:2 μετρεῖτε, μετρηθήσεται you measure,, it will be measured

    For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

    Here: Present tense, your habit of measuring things out. The picture is someone who deals out portions to others, whether generously, stingily or dishonestly.

Mark · 2

  1. Mark 4:24 μετρεῖτε μετρηθήσεται you measure, it will be measured

    He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.

    Here: "You measure out". It describes how much you deal out or apply. Here it refers to how much of yourself you give to the hearing.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 6:38 μετρεῖτε, you measure,

    Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

    Here: Present tense, “you habitually measure”: your ordinary way of dealing with people, whether stingy or generous, harsh or merciful.

2 Corinthians · 1

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:12 μετροῦντες measuring

    We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.

    Here: 'Measuring.' This sets up the measuring imagery of vv. 13–16 (metron, 'measure'; kanōn, 'measuring line, assigned area'). They use themselves as the ruler. Paul's measure is one God has assigned.

Revelation · 5

  1. Revelation 11:1 μέτρησον do measure

    Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.

    Here: A single, decisive command. In the prophets, measuring marks something off and claims it, usually for keeping and restoring (Ezek 40–42; Zech 2), sometimes for ruin. The contrast with the unmeasured court in 11:2 shows that here it means claiming and protecting.

  2. Revelation 11:2 μετρήσῃς, may measure,

    But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.

    Here: In prophetic tradition, measuring marks something off as God's own and under his protection (Ezekiel 40–42; Zechariah 2:1–5). Leaving something unmeasured leaves it outside that protection.

  3. Revelation 21:15 μετρήσῃ he may measure

    The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls.

    Here: 'That he might measure'. In prophetic visions measuring lays out and shows the full extent of what God is building and claiming. It is not a surveyor finding out something unknown.

  4. Revelation 21:16 ἐμέτρησεν he measured

    The city lies foursquare, with its width the same as its length. And he measured the city with the rod, and all its dimensions were equal—12,000 stadia in length and width and height.

  5. Revelation 21:17 ἐμέτρησεν he measured

    And he measured its wall to be 144 cubits, by the human measure the angel was using.

    Here: 'He measured', a single completed act. The subject is the angel of 21:9, one of the seven bowl angels, who holds a golden measuring rod (21:15). In prophetic visions, measuring something marks it off as known, owned and protected by God.

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