γένημα

From the study of Matthew 26:29

Range of meaning

γένημα (from the verb meaning "to come into being") means what the land or a plant produces: crop, yield, harvest produce. With "of the vine" it names the vine's product, which in practice meant wine.

Against the English

"Fruit of the vine" (KJV, BSB, WEB, NIV, ESV, NASB) is literal and accurate. Today it can sound like a botanical description of grapes, or like a deliberate way of avoiding the word "wine". YLT's "produce of the vine" is closer to the Greek word. NLT simply says "wine".

How it drifted

In first-century Judaism the phrase was a fixed liturgical name for wine, taken from the blessing said over a cup. Readers who don't know that blessing hear it as plain, generic description. Since the 19th century some readers have also taken it as a sign that the cup was not wine.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Mishnah (Jewish legal tradition written down c. 200 CE, preserving earlier practice) prescribes the blessing over wine as "Blessed are you … who creates the fruit of the vine" (borei peri ha-gefen, m. Berakhot 6:1). The same tractate's rules for Passover require cups of wine (m. Pesahim 10:1). The Greek γένημα for agricultural produce is common in the papyri and the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament). Mark 14:25 and Luke 22:18 use the same phrase.

From the study of 2 Corinthians 9:10

Range of meaning

Produce, yield, crop: what the earth or a vine brings forth (e.g., 'the fruit of the vine', Matt 26:29; Luke 12:18 in some manuscripts). It is related to, but distinct from, γέννημα, 'offspring, brood' (as in 'brood of vipers').

Against the English

BSB, ESV and NIV say 'harvest'. KJV, WEB and YLT say 'fruits'. Both are fine. 'Harvest' keeps the farming picture clearer.

Used elsewhere in the period

Hosea 10:12 in the Greek Old Testament: 'Sow for yourselves for righteousness… until the produce (genēmata) of righteousness comes to you.' Paul's phrase 'the produce of your righteousness' is almost certainly an echo of it. The Greek Old Testament uses genēma often for crops of the land (e.g., Deut 28:4).

From the study of Luke 22:18

Range of meaning

γένημα means what is produced or grows: a crop, a harvest, a yield (BDAG). It comes from γίνομαι ('come to be'). It is often confused in spelling with γέννημα ('offspring'), and manuscripts use both spellings. 'Produce of the vine' is a fixed phrase meaning wine.

Against the English

'Fruit of the vine' (KJV, BSB, WEB) is accurate and keeps the liturgical sound. 'Produce of the vine' (YLT) is closer to the actual word. Versions that render it simply as 'wine' (e.g. NLT) get the meaning right but lose the echo of the blessing.

How it drifted

Some modern readers take 'fruit of the vine' as a deliberately vague phrase that could mean fresh grape juice. In first-century Jewish usage it was the standard name for wine in the blessing said over it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Mishnah Berakhot 6:1 (written down c. 200 CE, reflecting older practice) gives the blessing over wine as 'Blessed are you… who creates the fruit of the vine' (borei peri ha-gafen), while bread is blessed as 'who brings forth bread from the earth'. Mishnah Pesachim 10:1 requires even the poorest Israelite to have at least four cups of wine at Passover. The Greek Old Testament uses γενήματα for vine yields (e.g. Hab 3:17). All three Gospel accounts of the Last Supper use the phrase (Mark 14:25; Matt 26:29).