κεράννυμι (kerannumi)
kerannumi
to mix
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kerannumi means to mix or mingle two substances, specifically describing the act of diluting wine with water. In the ancient world, this was a standard practice before serving a drink, creating a blended compound rather than leaving the ingredients separate. The sources note that it implies a thorough blending where the components form a single mixture, distinct from simply combining dry items like grains.
This word appears only twice in the New Testament, both within the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 14:10, John uses an oxymoron by pairing kerannumi with akratōs, meaning "unmixed" or "pure." This creates a striking image of wine that has been diluted yet remains undiluted, symbolizing the intense and unadulterated nature of God’s judgment. The contrast highlights the severity of the cup being poured out.
Translators typically render kerannumi as "mix" or "mingle," capturing the physical act of combining liquids. Its rare usage in Scripture gives it a specific literary weight, particularly in apocalyptic imagery where ordinary actions like preparing a drink become symbols of divine reality. The word anchors these visions in tangible, everyday experiences to convey profound spiritual truths.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kerannumi describes the ancient practice of mixing wine with water before serving. This was a common custom that made the drink safer and more palatable. When John writes about this in Revelation, he uses it to paint a vivid picture of divine judgment. The image is striking: a cup prepared "unmixed" (akratōs) yet described as being mixed. This oxymoron emphasizes that God’s wrath is pure, intense, and undiluted by any mercy or compromise.
For your faith, this word reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the reality of judgment. It shows that God does not water down His justice. Yet, it also points to the contrast between human rebellion and divine holiness. In a world that often seeks to soften hard truths, Scripture presents God’s standards as clear and unadulterated. This calls us to take our relationship with Him seriously.
May this understanding deepen your reverence for God’s character. It invites you to rest in the hope that His justice is perfect and His mercy is freely given to those who turn to Him. Let this truth anchor your heart in the certainty of His righteous rule.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- she has mixed,1×
- mixed1×
- do mix1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκέρασεν,1×
- κεράσατε1×
- κεκερασμένου1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 14:10
he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
This verse uses an oxymoron by pairing 'mixed' with 'unmixed' to emphasize that God's wrath is pure and undiluted.
-
Revelation of John 18:6
Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double.
Here the word describes the reciprocal nature of judgment, where Babylon receives a measure of suffering equal to what she inflicted on others.