Greek word · G502

ἄντλημα

antlēma

bucket

Something used to draw water (from antleō, “to draw”; see 2:8–9; 4:7, 15): a bucket, usually leather, lowered on a rope.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἄντλημα, -τος, τό

(ἀντλέω),

(a) prop., what is drawn (Diosc.);

(b) a vessel to draw with, a bucket (Plut.; see Abbott, Essays, 88): John 4:11.†

(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 John 4:11

Range of meaning

Something used to draw water (from antleō, “to draw”; see 2:8–9; 4:7, 15): a bucket, usually leather, lowered on a rope.

Against the English

KJV, BSB and WEB have “nothing to draw with,” which is accurate. YLT's “not even a vessel” keeps the emphatic “not even.” Some paraphrases add “rope,” which is implied rather than stated.

Used elsewhere in the period

Found only here in the New Testament. Rare in Greek literature. It is used for a bucket or for the act of drawing water (LSJ, BDAG).

Where it appears

John · 1

  1. John 4:11 ἄντλημα to draw with

    “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water?

    Here: A vessel for drawing water, usually a leather bucket on a rope that travelers carried with them. The word appears only here in the New Testament. Jesus has none, so in practical terms he cannot reach the water.

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