μέθη (G3178) — Greek Lexicon

μέθη

méthē

G3178 noun

SILEX Entry

Root μεθ- intoxication, drunkenness

Definition

The state of being drunk, intoxication; the condition resulting from consuming intoxicating drink, primarily wine. In extended usage, denotes excessive drinking, debauchery, or habitual drunkenness. The term typically emphasizes the effect (loss of self-control) rather than the act of drinking itself.

Semantic Range

intoxication (by drink), drunken state, habitual drunkenness, excess associated with drinking, metaphorical excess or debauchery

Root / Etymology

Uncertain. No clear relationship to other extant Greek roots. Used as a substantive with no attested verbal or adjectival cognates in classical or Koine Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

μέθη is attested in classical Greek literature (e.g., Homer, Herodotus) with reference to physical intoxication primarily caused by wine. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and specifically in the Septuagint and New Testament, it retains its core meaning of drunkenness and the resulting lack of self-restraint. The word is most often used in moral contexts to warn against excess (e.g., Proverbs LXX, Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:21). It is distinguished from words describing 'wine' itself (οἶνος), focusing instead on the state resulting from its overconsumption. In philosophical and moral writings, μέθη can be expanded metaphorically to symbolize moral laxity or reckless indulgence, but this secondary usage is rare in biblical contexts. Standard English translations such as 'drunkenness' capture the primary, though not always the metaphorical, sense of the word.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary word; an intoxicant, i.e. (by implication) intoxication:--drunkenness.

Root Family

μέθη (methē) — intoxication, drunkenness

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G3178-01`	μέθαι	methai	`N NOM F PL`	drunkenness	states of intoxication	1
`G3178-03`	μέθῃ	methe	`N DAT F SG`	drunkenness	to intoxication	1
`G3178-02`	μέθαις	methais	`N DAT F PL`	drunkenness	in states of drunkenness	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G3178-03`	Luke 21:34	μέθῃ	methe	`N DAT F SG`	drunkenness	to intoxication
`G3178-02`	Romans 13:13	μέθαις	methais	`N DAT F PL`	drunkenness	in states of drunkenness
`G3178-01`	Galatians 5:21	μέθαι	methai	`N NOM F PL`	drunkenness	states of intoxication

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