βότρυς
a cluster of grapes
Definition
βότρυς specifically refers to a cluster or bunch of grapes, as they grow on the vine. In the New Testament, it is used in a literal, agricultural sense to describe the fruit of the grapevine. The word carries no distinct metaphorical meaning in its single biblical occurrence, but its imagery is inherently tied to viticulture and harvest. This singular usage appears in Revelation 14:18, where it is directly associated with the ripe harvest of the earth.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Revelation 14:18. In this apocalyptic context, an angel calls for the harvest of the earth's grapes, commanding, 'Send your sharp sickle and gather the clusters (βότρυς) of the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.' Its usage is purely literal, describing the physical fruit to be gathered in a scene of divine judgment.
Etymology
The word βότρυς is a native Greek noun. It is derived from the verb βόσκω (boskō), meaning 'to feed' or 'to graze,' likely connecting to the idea of the grape cluster as the nourishing fruit of the vine. It is the standard term for a bunch of grapes in ancient Greek literature.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a common noun, its sole use in Revelation 14:18 is theologically significant. The 'cluster of grapes' is part of the powerful imagery of the grape harvest, which symbolizes God's final judgment. This connects to Old Testament prophetic imagery (e.g., Isaiah 63:1-6) where trampling grapes represents the execution of divine wrath. Understanding this specific term enriches the reading by grounding the apocalyptic symbol in the concrete, agricultural reality of a grape harvest, intensifying the metaphor of a ripe earth facing judgment.
In the ancient Mediterranean world, grapes and wine were central to diet, economy, and religious practice. A 'cluster' (βότρυς) represented the valuable yield of the vine, the result of a year's labor. The image of harvesting clusters would immediately convey ideas of culmination, ripeness, and the gathering of produce, which in the context of Revelation 14, is powerfully repurposed to signify the culmination of human history under God's judgment.
σταφυλή (staphylē, G4718) — This is another word for a 'cluster of grapes,' often used interchangeably, but σταφυλή can also refer to a single grape. βότρυς more consistently denotes the bunch as a whole.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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