βλητέον (blēteon)
blēteon
must be put
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word bleteon is a rare Greek gerundive adjective meaning "that which must be put" or "must be thrown." Derived from the verb ballō, it carries a sense of necessity attached to an action of placing or casting something into a container or space. Its usage is extremely limited in the New Testament, appearing only twice.
In Luke 5:38, Jesus uses this term when contrasting old and new wineskins. He states that new wine must be put (bleteon) into fresh skins. The adjective emphasizes the unavoidable requirement of the action; it is not merely advisable but essential for the preservation of the wine. This single instance highlights how the word functions to stress the imperative nature of a physical act within a metaphorical teaching about renewal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word bleteon carries a heavy sense of necessity. It is not a suggestion or a gentle recommendation. It means something must be done, without exception. In Luke 5:38, Jesus uses this term when teaching about new wine and old wineskins. He explains that new wine must be put into fresh skins to preserve both the wine and the container.
This image speaks to how we handle change in our lives. When God brings something new into your heart, old patterns may not hold it. Trying to force new grace into rigid habits often leads to brokenness. Instead, we are invited to make space for what is fresh. This word reminds us that some transitions require a complete shift in structure, not just a patch on the outside.
Trust that God provides the right vessel for every season. When you feel the pressure of change, remember that preservation comes from alignment with His timing. Let Him reshape your heart to hold the new things He wishes to give you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- must be put.1×
- must be put1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βλητέον.¶1×
- βλητέον1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 5:38
But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.
This verse explicitly uses bleteon to emphasize that putting new wine into fresh skins is an unavoidable requirement for preservation.
-
Mark 2:22
No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.”
Although this verse does not use the exact word bleteon, it describes the same principle of placing new wine into fresh skins, providing the broader context for Jesus' teaching on renewal.