ὑδροποτέω
hydropotéō
G5202 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To habitually drink water, in contrast to consuming alcoholic beverages; often carries the nuance of abstaining from wine or other fermented drinks, especially in contexts where such abstention marks particular behavior or self-discipline.
Semantic Range
to drink (only) water, to abstain from wine or fermented drink, to practice water-drinking as a habit or regimen
Root / Etymology
From ὕδωρ (water) and a verbal form related to πίνω (to drink), forming a compound meaning 'to drink water.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Koine Greek, ὑδροποτέω is a rare term, attested in medical or philosophical writings to denote someone who drinks only water, often with ascetic or health-related connotations. In the New Testament (1 Timothy 5:23), the term is specifically used in contrast to the consumption of wine, reflecting a period’s interest in personal regimen and possibly influenced by contemporary medical advice. Classical Greek mostly uses ὑδροπότης for a water-drinker, with the verb form being much less common. The word does not inherently convey religious abstention but rather describes the action or the personal regimen. English translations may render 'drink only water' or 'be a water-drinker,' but may miss the contextual implications linked to health, asceticism, or personal discipline evident in period usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a compound of ὕδωρ and a derivative of πίνω; to be a water-drinker, i.e. to abstain from vinous beverages:--drink water.
Root Family
ὑδροποτ- (hydropotéō) — to drink water, to abstain from wine
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5202-01 |
ὑδροπότει | udropotei | V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG |
drink water | Be a water-drinker | be a water-drinker | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5202-01 |
1 Timothy 5:23 | ὑδροπότει | udropotei | V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG |
drink water | Be a water-drinker | be a water-drinker |