Joh 2:6-8 | RWP | e4.org | Waterpots ( υδρια ). Old word from υδωρ (water) and used in papyri for pots or pans for holding money or bread as well as water. These stone ( λιθινα as in ) jars full of water were kept handy ( set there , κειμενα , present middle participle of κειμα ) at a feast for ceremonial cleansing of the hands ( ; ), "after the Jews' manner of purifying" ( κατα τον καθαρισμον των Ιουδαιων ). See ; for the word καθαρισμος (from καθαριζω ) which fact also raised a controversy with disciples of John because of his baptizing ( ). Containing ( χωρουσα ). Present active participle feminine plural of χωρεω , old verb from χωρος , place, space, having space or room for. Two or three firkins apiece ( ανα μετρητας δυο η τρεις ). The word μετρητης , from μετρεω , to measure, simply means "measurer," an amphora for measuring liquids (in Demosthenes, Aristotle, Polybius), the Hebrew bath ( ), here only in N.T., about 8 1/2 English gallons. Each υδρια thus held about 20 gallons. This common distributive use of ανα occurs here only in this Gospel, but is in . In a much smaller υδρια was used for carrying water.

‏ John 2:6-8

Waterpots ( υδρια ). Old word from υδωρ (water) and used in papyri for pots or pans for holding money or bread as well as water. These stone ( λιθινα as in 2Co 3:3) jars full of water were kept handy ( set there, κειμενα, present middle participle of κειμα ) at a feast for ceremonial cleansing of the hands (2Ki 3:11; Mr 7:3), "after the Jews' manner of purifying" ( κατα τον καθαρισμον των Ιουδαιων ). See Mr 1:44; Lu 2:22 for the word καθαρισμος (from καθαριζω ) which fact also raised a controversy with disciples of John because of his baptizing (Joh 3:25).

Containing ( χωρουσα ). Present active participle feminine plural of χωρεω, old verb from χωρος, place, space, having space or room for.

Two or three firkins apiece ( ανα μετρητας δυο η τρεις ). The word μετρητης, from μετρεω, to measure, simply means "measurer," an amphora for measuring liquids (in Demosthenes, Aristotle, Polybius), the Hebrew bath (2Ch 4:5), here only in N.T., about 8 1/2 English gallons. Each υδρια thus held about 20 gallons. This common distributive use of ανα occurs here only in this Gospel, but is in Re 4:8. In Joh 4:28 a much smaller υδρια was used for carrying water.

Fill ( γεμισατε ). Effective first aorist active imperative of γεμιζω, to fill full.

With water ( υδατος ). Genitive case of material.

Up to the brim ( εως ανω ). "Up to the top." See εως κατω (Mt 27:51) for "down to the bottom." No room left in the waterpots now full of water.

Draw out now ( Αντλησατε νυν ). First aorist active imperative of αντλεω, from ο αντλος, bilge water, or the hold where the bilge water settles (so in Homer). The verb occurs in Joh 4:7, 15, for drawing water from the well, and Westcott so interprets it here, but needlessly so, since the servants seem bidden to draw from the large water-jars now full of water. Apparently the water was still water when it came out of the jars (verse 9), but was changed to wine before reaching the guests. The water in the jars remained water.

Unto the ruler of the feast ( τω αρχιτρικλινω ). Dative case. The τρικλινος was a room ( οικος ) with three couches ( κλινη ) for the feast. The αρχιτρικλινος was originally the superintendent of the dining-room who arranged the couches and tasted the food, not the toast-master ( συμποσιαρχης ).

And they bare it ( ο δε ηνεγκαν ). Second aorist active indicative of φερω. Apparently not knowing at first that they bore wine.