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ὄξος

óxos

G3690 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ὀξ- sharp, acid, sour

Definition

A beverage made from sour wine or vinegar, especially as a common, inexpensive drink among working classes in Greco-Roman antiquity; specifically denotes 'sour wine' or vinegar used for drinking, refreshment, or culinary purposes. The term may also refer to any diluted, sour fermented liquid used to quench thirst or flavor food.

Semantic Range

vinegar, sour wine, diluted sour beverage, vinegar-based drink, culinary vinegar, watery acidic drink

Root / Etymology

ὄξος derives from the adjective ὀξύς ('sharp, acid, pungent'), reflecting the sour or acidic quality of the liquid. Ultimately related to the Indo-European root for sharpness or acidity.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ὄξος typically referred to a mildly acidic, sour beverage—most often diluted wine or vinegar—widely consumed by lower social classes (notably soldiers, slaves, and laborers) for refreshment. In Roman times, it corresponded to the Latin 'acetum' or 'posca' (water mixed with vinegar), favored for cheapness, presumed health benefits, and ability to mask unsafe water. In the Septuagint (LXX), ὄξος is used for Hebrew חֹמֶץ (ḥōmets), usually denoting vinegar or sour wine. In the New Testament, the most notable occurrence is in the Passion narratives, where ὄξος is offered to Jesus on a sponge (cf. John 19:29-30; Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36), reflecting the common practice of extending a sour wine drink to those on crucifixion. English translations typically render ὄξος as 'vinegar;' however, the substance was likely a diluted sour wine or vinegar-based drink, not the concentrated vinegar of modern usage. The nuance of a lower-class, thirst-quenching beverage is not always captured in standard translations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὀξύς; vinegar, i.e. sour wine:--vinegar.

Root Family

ὄξος (oxos) — sharp, acid, sour; sour wine; vinegar

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3690-02 ὄξους oxous N GEN N SG of sour wine of sour wine 4
G3690-01 ὄξος oxos N ACC N SG sour wine sour wine 2

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3690-02 Matthew 27:48 ὄξους oxous N GEN N SG of sour wine
G3690-02 Mark 15:36 ὄξους oxous N GEN N SG with sour wine of sour wine
G3690-01 Luke 23:36 ὄξος oxos N ACC N SG sour-wine sour wine
G3690-02 John 19:29 ὄξους oxous N GEN N SG of sour wine of sour wine
G3690-02 John 19:29 ὄξους oxous-2 N GEN N SG sour wine of sour wine
G3690-01 John 19:30 ὄξος oxos N ACC N SG sour wine sour wine
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