UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: wine

Semantic entry: 6.197

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Plant Products

Definition: a fermented beverage made from the juice of grapes{N:001}

Notes: Though some persons have argued that whenever mention is made of Jesus either making or drinking wine, one must assume that this was only unfermented grape juice, there is no real basis for such a conclusion. Only where οἶνος νέος ‘new wine’ (6.198: οἶνος) is mentioned can one assume that this is unfermented grape juice or grape juice in the initial stages of fermentation.|In a number of languages there is no indigenous term for wine, and some expression may simply be borrowed from a dominant language. On the other hand, it is sometimes possible to employ a descriptive phrase, for example, ‘fermented fruit juice.’ In some languages the equivalent for ‘wine’ is more specifically ‘palm wine,’ that is to say, a wine made from the sap of certain palm trees. Such a term may also have a more generic meaning and be applicable to any kind of wine.|There are a number of passages in the NT where one must be particularly careful in the selection of terms to translate wine. For example, in RV EPH 5:18 · LV EPH 5:18 · Read together EPH 5:18 a literal translation of ‘do not get drunk with wine’ could be interpreted to mean that it is permissible for one to get drunk on other types of intoxicating liquors. It may, therefore, be necessary in some languages to render RV EPH 5:18 · LV EPH 5:18 · Read together EPH 5:18 as simply ‘do not get drunk.’|In RV LUK 10:34 · LV LUK 10:34 · Read together LUK 10:34 (κατέδησεν τὰ τραύματα αὐτοῦ ἐπιχέων ἔλαιον καὶ οἶνον ‘he poured on olive oil and wine and bandaged his wounds’) it is important to recognize the medicinal value of oil and wine. In some instances translators have indicated the purpose of such an activity by translating ‘to cleanse and heal his wounds he poured wine and oil on them and bandaged them.’ It may also be possible to add in a marginal note information as to the antiseptic quality of the wine and the value of the oil in the healing process.{N:002}

Further resources: realia:9.1

Sense 2: new wine, grape juice

Semantic entry: 6.198

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Plant Products

Definition: a set phrase referring to newly pressed grape juice, unfermented or in the initial stages of fermentation

Collocations: οἶνος νέος

Further resources: realia:9.1.1

Sense 3: myrrhed wine

Semantic entry: 6.204

Semantic domains: Artifacts

Subdomains: Medicines

Definition: a set phrase referring to wine drugged with myrrh and used as a stupefying potion{N:003}

Notes: In general, ἐσμυρνισμένος οἶνος must be rendered by means of a phrase or a clause, for example, ‘wine which has been mixed with a drug called myrrh’ or ‘wine mixed with a drug to reduce pain.’ It is, of course, also possible to use an abbreviated phrase such as ‘myrrhed wine’ and then to place the explanation of its function in a marginal note.

Collocations: ἐσμυρνισμένος οἶνος

Further resources: realia:1.15.5