UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to drink, drinking

Semantic entry: 23.34

Semantic domains: Physiological Processes and States

Subdomains: Eat, Drink

Definition: to consume liquids, particularly water and wine

Notes: In a number of languages a clear distinction is made between drinking water and drinking alcoholic beverages. Still other terms may be employed in speaking of drinking soups or broths.

Sense 2: to absorb, to soak up

Semantic entry: 14.35

Semantic domains: Physical Events and States

Subdomains: Events Involving Liquids and Dry Masses

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of πίνω[a] ‘to drink,’ 23.34: πίνω / 23.34: πόσις) the action of a material which soaks up a liquid

Notes: Instead of speaking about ‘the ground absorbing the rain’ or ‘… drinking up the rain,’ it is often more natural to describe the event as ‘the rain disappearing into the ground’ or ‘the rain flowing into the ground.’

Sense 3: to undergo a difficult experience, to drink the cup, to suffer

Semantic entry: 24.81

Semantic domains: Sensory Events and States

Subdomains: Pain, Suffering

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to drink a cup) to undergo a trying, difficult experience

Notes: In a number of languages it is not possible to use the phrase ‘to drink the cup,’ since this will almost inevitably refer to the drinking of a poison cup as a means of proving innocence in an ordeal. Even if one uses a literal rendering of the idiom ‘to drink the cup,’ it is usually necessary to have some explanation as to the significance of the idiom.

Collocations: πίνω ποτήριον