The term "metretes" is a unit of measurement used in the context of ancient liquid capacity, particularly in the New Testament. It is a Greek term (μετρητής) that appears in the Gospel of John, specifically in the account of Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana.

Biblical Reference:

The only direct biblical reference to the metretes is found in John 2:6, which describes the water jars used by Jesus to perform His first miracle of turning water into wine. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as follows:

"Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons."

In this context, the "twenty to thirty gallons" is a translation of the Greek term "metretes," which indicates the capacity of these stone jars. The metretes is approximately equivalent to 39.39 liters or about 8.75 gallons. Therefore, each jar could hold between two and three metretes.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The use of metretes as a unit of measurement reflects the Hellenistic influence on Jewish culture during the time of Jesus. The Jewish people, living under Roman rule, were familiar with Greek language and customs, which included the use of Greek units of measurement. The metretes was a common unit for measuring liquids, particularly in trade and daily life.

The stone water jars mentioned in John 2 were used for Jewish purification rites, which required large quantities of water. The size of these jars underscores the magnitude of Jesus' miracle, as He transformed a significant volume of water into wine, demonstrating His divine authority and foreshadowing the abundance of grace He would provide through His ministry.

Theological Significance:

The miracle at Cana, involving the metretes, holds deep theological significance. It is not merely a demonstration of Jesus' power over the physical elements but also a symbolic act pointing to the new covenant He would establish. The transformation of water into wine signifies the joy and abundance of the Kingdom of God, contrasting with the old purification rituals that the water jars represented.

Furthermore, the use of metretes in this narrative highlights the historical authenticity of the Gospel account, as it reflects the everyday realities of life in first-century Judea. The specific mention of the unit of measurement adds a layer of detail that supports the reliability of the biblical text.

In summary, the metretes serves as a key detail in the account of Jesus' first miracle, providing insight into the cultural context of the time and enhancing the theological depth of the narrative.3355. metretes -- a measurer, a measure
... 3354, 3355. metretes. 3356 . a ... firkin. see GREEK metreo. (metretas) -- 1
Occurrence. 3354, 3355. metretes. 3356 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3355.htm - 6k

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... is impossible to state with certainty the exact measure represented by the two or
three firkins apiece.' For, although we know that the term metretes (AV firkin ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

Fragment iv.
... the shoots ten thousand clusters, and on every one of the clusters ten thousand
grapes, and every grape when pressed will give five-and-twenty metretes of wine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/papias/fragments of papias/fragment iv.htm

Further Proofs of the Same Proposition, Drawn from the Promises ...
... the shoots ten thousand clusters, and on every one of the clusters ten thousand
grapes, and every grape when pressed will give five and twenty metretes of wine ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii further proofs of the.htm

Period ii. The Post-Apostolic Age: AD 100-AD 140
... each one of the shoots ten thousand clusters, and on every cluster ten thousand
grapes, and every grape when pressed will yield five-and-twenty metretes of wine ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period ii the post-apostolic age .htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... [2757] Consquentia historialis intelligenti??. [2758] Metretes. [2759] Cf. 1 1
Corinthians 9:9 and Deuteronomy 25:4. [2760] Cf. 1 1 Corinthians 9:9, 10. ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

Selections from the Work against Heresies by Irenaeus, Bishop of ...
... shoots, and on each shoot ten thousand clusters, and in each cluster ten thousand
grapes, and each grape when pressed will give twenty-five metretes of wine. ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/selections from the work against 2.htm

Metretes (1 Occurrence)
...Metretes (1 Occurrence). John 2:6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there
after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. ...
/m/metretes.htm - 6k

Jews (287 Occurrences)
... John 2:6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews' manner
of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. ...
/j/jews.htm - 36k

Gallons (2 Occurrences)
... John 2:6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews' manner
of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/gallons.htm - 6k

Firkin
... fur'-kin (metretes): The liquid measure used in John 2:6 to indicate the capacity
of the water-pots mentioned in the narrative of the miracle of turning the ...
/f/firkin.htm - 7k

Thirty (189 Occurrences)
... John 2:6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews' manner
of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/thirty.htm - 39k

Twenty (282 Occurrences)
... John 2:6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews' manner
of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/twenty.htm - 40k

Rites (6 Occurrences)
... Rites (6 Occurrences). John 2:6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there
after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. ...
/r/rites.htm - 8k

Meting (3 Occurrences)

/m/meting.htm - 7k

Metropolis (1 Occurrence)

/m/metropolis.htm - 6k

Pots (30 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). John 2:6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the
Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. ...
/p/pots.htm - 15k

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