Bible Word Study
μεστόω
mestoō · I fill
μεστόω
I fill
Definition
The verb μεστόω means 'to fill' or 'to make full.' In its single New Testament occurrence, it describes people being filled with something, specifically in a metaphorical or figurative sense. It carries the sense of being completely permeated or dominated by a particular quality or substance. While the related adjective μεστός (mestos, G3324) appears more frequently, often describing being 'full of' something like grace, truth, or hypocrisy, the verb form emphasizes the action of filling.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 2:13. In this context, some bystanders mock the disciples at Pentecost, saying, 'They are filled with new wine.' The usage is figurative and pejorative, suggesting the disciples were completely under the influence of wine, though the text clarifies they were actually filled with the Holy Spirit. This single use shows the verb applied to a person being dominated by a substance or influence.
Etymology
Derived from the adjective μεστός (mestos), meaning 'full.' The verb form μεστόω is a denominative verb, meaning it is formed from a noun or adjective to indicate 'to make [adjective].' Thus, it literally means 'to make full.' It is related to the idea of being filled up or saturated.
Semantic Range
While used only once, its context in Acts 2:13 is theologically significant. The mockers' accusation of being 'filled with new wine' contrasts sharply with the reality that the disciples were 'filled with the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:4). This highlights a spiritual truth: the outward manifestations of God's Spirit can be misunderstood by the world. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by emphasizing the completeness of the filling—whether by the Spirit or, as falsely alleged, by wine. In the ancient world, 'new wine' (gleukos) referred to sweet, unfermented or freshly fermented grape juice. It was known to be intoxicating. The accusation was a common cultural slur for erratic, ecstatic behavior, often associated with religious frenzy in pagan contexts. The mockers were interpreting the disciples' Spirit-inspired speech and joy through a familiar, dismissive cultural lens. πληρόω (plēroō, G4137) — to fulfill, complete, or fill up; often used for fulfilling prophecy or being filled with the Holy Spirit in a more comprehensive sense. γεμίζω (gemizō, G1072) — to fill a container or load; more literal and physical. πίμπλημι (pimplēmi, G4130) — to fill, often used for being filled with an emotion or the Holy Spirit; a more common verb for similar figurative filling.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). Concordance and morphology data are derived from the interlinear Bible.
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]