Song of Solomon 1:2 — Word Study
WLCיִשָּׁקֵ֙נִי֙ מִנְּשִׁיק֣וֹת פִּ֔יהוּ כִּֽי־ טוֹבִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן׃
BSALet him kiss menâshaq▸ [touch, caress] with the kissesnᵉshîyqâh [signs of affection] of his mouthpeh [lips, edge of something] Forkîy your lovedôwd [beloved, strong affection] is more delightfulṭôwb [pleasant, beneficial] than wineyayin [fermented drink, intoxication]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִשָּׁקֵ֙נִי֙ | let him kiss me | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| מִנְּשִׁיק֣וֹת | from [the] kisses of | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct |
| פִּ֔יהוּ | mouth his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| כִּֽי־ | for | Particle |
| טוֹבִ֥ים | [are] good | Adj |
| דֹּדֶ֖יךָ | love your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| מִיָּֽיִן׃ | more than wine | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine. |
| KJV | Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. |
| ASV | Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine. |
| YLT | Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth, For better [are] thy loves than wine. |
| WEB | Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is better than wine. |
| BBE | Let him give me the kisses of his mouth: for his love is better than wine. |
Where they part company is מִנְּשִׁיק֣וֹת — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause expresses a desire, supported by a prepositional phrase and a causal clause that explains the reason for that desire.
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Song of Solomon 1:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Song of Solomongenerated
Song of Solomon 1:2 expresses a deep longing for affection, where the speaker desires a kiss from their beloved. This verse captures the essence of romantic love, emphasizing the sweetness and delight that love brings, comparing it favorably to wine. The surrounding verses further explore themes of beauty and desire, illustrating the richness of love's experience.
The Key Word — יִשָּׁקֵ֙נִי֙, yi.sha.Ke.nigenerated
The verb יִשָּׁקֵ֙נִי֙ (yi.sha.Ke.ni) is a form of the root נָשַׁק (nashaq), meaning 'to kiss.' It is in the imperfect tense, indicating a desire or wish, and includes a suffix meaning 'me.' This highlights the intimacy and longing present in the act of kissing.
The use of this verb in the context of romantic affection underscores the depth of the speaker's feelings. The act of kissing is not only a physical gesture but a profound expression of love and connection.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יִשָּׁקֵ֙נִי֙ (let him kiss me) governs the sentence, with a prepositional phrase מִנְּשִׁיק֣וֹת (from the kisses) following it, and a noun phrase פִּ֔יהוּ (his mouth) providing further detail. The structure emphasizes the longing expressed by the speaker.
The sentence flows from the desire for a kiss to the reason for that desire, creating a connection between the act of kissing and the sweetness of love, which is described in the following clause.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יִשָּׁקֵ֙נִי֙ with με (me), which maintains the direct address of the speaker's desire for a kiss. This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of the Hebrew without additional interpretation.
The translation of מִנְּשִׁיק֣וֹת as φιλημάτων (of kisses) shows a consistent emphasis on affection, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Song of Solomon 1:2 expresses a desire for intimacy through a kiss, emphasizing that the beloved's love is sweeter than wine. This verse captures the beauty of romantic affection and the longing for closeness.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The speaker is expressing a desire for intimacy and affection from their beloved, highlighting the importance of physical touch in their relationship.
Love is compared to wine to illustrate its sweetness and intoxicating effects, suggesting that it brings joy and pleasure, much like a fine drink.
Kisses are a sign of affection and intimacy, representing a deep emotional connection between the speaker and their beloved.
This verse encapsulates the themes of love, desire, and intimacy that permeate the Song of Solomon, showcasing the beauty and depth of romantic relationships.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways I can express love and affection to those I care about?
- How does the comparison of love to wine resonate with my own experiences of love?
- In what ways can I cultivate deeper intimacy in my relationships?
- What role does physical touch play in expressing love and affection?
The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is better than wine.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine.
Oh, how I wish you would kiss me passionately! For your lovemaking is more delightful than wine.
Tyndale line
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
Because of the sauour of thy good ointments thy name is as an ointment powred out: therefore the virgins loue thee.
Strictly literal
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.
Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth, For better [are] thy loves than wine.
Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth, || For better [are] your loves than wine.
Oh that he might kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy caresses are more pleasant than wine.
Oh, that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, The woman speaking to the man for your love is better than wine.
From the Latin
Smelling sweet of the best ointments. Thy name is as oil poured out: therefore young maidens have loved thee.
Simplified
Kiss me, kiss me with your mouth again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.
Let him give me the kisses of his mouth: for his love is better than wine.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text (MT) of Song of Solomon 1:2 reads, "יִשָּׁקֵ֙נִי֙ מִנְּשִׁיק֣וֹת פִּ֔יהוּ כִּֽי־ טוֹבִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן׃" The Septuagint (LXX) aligns closely with the MT, matching all seven words, though its word order and articles differ as it presents a different grammatical structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls (6Q6) offer a similar reading to the MT, with three words preserved on the leather, one partly restored, and the rest supplied by an editor. Overall, the MT, LXX, and Dead Sea Scrolls agree on the essential wording and meaning of the verse, with minor variations in presentation and restoration.
יִשָּׁקֵ֙נִי֙ מִנְּשִׁיק֣וֹת פִּ֔יהוּ כִּֽי־ טוֹבִ֥ים דֹּדֶ֖יךָ מִיָּֽיִן׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ישק׳ני מנשיקות [פי׳הו] [כי] טובים דדי׳ך [מיין]
3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Song of Solomon 1:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נָשַׁק (nashaq) primarily means 'to kiss,' with various forms indicating gentle touching or equipping with weapons. The exact meaning can be uncertain, possibly extending to handling or being equipped. It appears in contexts related to affection and attachment, as well as in descriptions of armed individuals.
נָשַׁק vb. kiss
Qal kiss
Pi. kiss
Hiph. of wings of cherubim, gently touching each other
base
[נָשַׁק] vb. exact meaning uncertain; prob. either handle or be equiped with
base
H5401a נָשַׁק kiss H5401b נָשַׁק exact meaning uncertain; prob. either handle or be equiped with
5401 nashaq naw-shak'
a primitive root (identical with 5400, through the idea of
fastening up; compare 2388, 2836); to kiss, literally or
figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip
with weapons:--armed (men), rule, kiss, that touched.
see HEBREW for 05400
see HEBREW for 02388
see HEBREW for 02836
נָשַׁק (na.shaq) — to kiss.
1) to put together, kiss
1a) (Qal) to kiss
1b) (Piel) to kiss
1c) (Hiphil) to touch gently
נָשַׁק (na.shaq) — to handle.
1) to handle, be equipped with
1a) (Qal) to be equipped
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqi3ms/Sp1bs
נְשִׁיקָה (nshiyqah) means 'kiss' and is derived from the root word for 'to kiss' (H5401). The entries consistently define it as a noun referring to the act of kissing.
[נְשִׁיקָה] n.f. kiss
base
H5390 נְשִׁיקָה
5390 nshiyqah nesh-ee-kaw'
from 5401; a kiss:--kiss.
see HEBREW for 05401
נְשִׁיקָה (ne.shi.qah) — kiss.
kiss
Prep | N-fp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural constructHR/Ncfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.
פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth
mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
external organ
much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
as laughing; panting
of God
of idols
of musical instr. = sound
of animals; hence of edge of sword
mouth = opening, orifice
extremity, end
= portion
with preps.
base
H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
. external organ
. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
. as laughing; panting
. of God
. of idols
. of musical instr. = sound
. of animals
. mouth = opening, orifice
. . extremity, end
. = portion
. with preps.
6310 peh peh
from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether
literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically
edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)
according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,
assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +
file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)
say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,
tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.
see HEBREW for 06284
פֶּה (peh) — lip.
: lip/mouth
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.
: edge
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.
: word/command
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
טוֹב (tov) is a Hebrew word meaning good or pleasant, encompassing a wide range of meanings from agreeable to the senses to ethical goodness. It can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, referring to things like welfare, happiness, and prosperity. The feminine form, טוֹבָה (tovah), specifically denotes welfare or good things.
טוֹב adj. pleasant, agreeable, good
pleasant, agreeable to the senses
pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well
good, excellent, of its kind
good, rich, valuable in estimation
good, appropriate, becoming
c. מִן compar. = better
of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous
of man's intellectual nature, good understanding
good, kind, benign
good (ethical), right
base
טוֹב n.m. a good thing, benefit, welfare
welfare, prosperity, happiness
good things
good = benefit
moral good
base
טוֹבָה n.f. welfare, benefit, good things, good
welfare, prosperity, happiness
good things
bounty, good
base
H2896a טוֹב pleasant, agreeable, good . pleasant, agreeable to the senses
. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well
. good, excellent, of its kind
. good, rich, valuable in estimation
. good, appropriate, becoming
. c. מִן compar. =better
. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous
. of man's intellectual nature, good understanding
. good, kind, benign
. good (ethical), right
H2896b טוֹב a good thing, benefit, welfare H2896c טוֹבָה welfare, benefit, good things, good
2896 towb tobe
from 2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used
likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine,
the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a
good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or
women), also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better,
bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour,
fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s),
graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving,
merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious,
prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well
((-favoured)).
see HEBREW for 02895
טוֹב (tov) — pleasant.
adj
1) good, pleasant, agreeable
1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)
1b) pleasant (to the higher nature)
1c) good, excellent (of its kind)
1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation
1e) good, appropriate, becoming
1f) better (comparative)
1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)
1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)
1i) good, kind, benign
1j) good, right (ethical)
Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
טוֹב (tov) — good.
1) a good thing, benefit, welfare
1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness
1b) good things (collective)
1c) good, benefit
1d) moral good
טוֹבָה (to.vah) — welfare.
1) welfare, benefit, good things
1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness
1b) good things (collective)
1c) bounty
Adj — AdjHAampa
good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.
(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:
(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).
דּוֹד (dod) means 'beloved' and can refer to love in a general sense, as well as specifically to an uncle. It is derived from a root meaning 'to boil,' figuratively relating to love. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to affection and familial ties.
דּוֹד n.m. beloved, love (pl.), uncle
base
H1730 דּוֹד beloved, love (pl.), uncle
1730 dowd dode
or (shortened) dod {dode}; from an unused root meaning
properly, to boil, i.e. (figuratively) to love; by
implication, a love- token, lover, friend; specifically an
uncle:--(well-)beloved, father's brother, love, uncle.
דּוֹד (dod) — beloved.
: beloved
1) beloved, love, uncle
1a) loved one, beloved
1b) uncle
1c) love (pl. abstract)
דּוֹד (dod) — beloved: love.
: love
1) beloved, love, uncle
1a) loved one, beloved
1b) uncle
1c) love (pl. abstract)
דּוֹד (dod) — beloved: male relative.
: male_relative
1) beloved, love, uncle
1a) loved one, beloved
1b) uncle
1c) love (pl. abstract)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
יַ֫יִן (yayin) means 'wine' and is associated with fermentation and intoxication. It appears in various contexts, including banqueting. The word is derived from an unused root that suggests the idea of effervescence.
יַ֫יִן 141 n.m. wine
base
H3196 יַ֫יִן wine
3196 yayin yah'-yin
from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as
fermented); by implication, intoxication:--banqueting, wine,
wine(-bibber).
יַ֫יִן (ya.yin) — wine.
wine
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
Wine
The common Hebrew word for wine is yayin, from a root meaning “to boil up,” “to be in a ferment.” Others derive it from a root meaning “to tread out,” and hence the juice of the grape trodden out. The Greek word for wine is oinos_, and the Latin _vinun. But besides this common Hebrew word, there are several others which are thus rendered.
(1.) Ashishah (2 Sam. 6:19; 1 Chr. 16:3; Cant. 2:5; Hos. 3:1), which, however, rather denotes a solid cake of pressed grapes, or, as in the Revised Version, a cake of raisins.
(2.) ‘Asis, “sweet wine,” or “new wine,” the product of the same year (Cant. 8:2;
The manufacture of wine is carried back in the Bible to the age of Noah, (Genesis 9:20,21) to whom the discovery of the process is apparently, though not explicitly, attributed. The natural history and culture of the vine are described under a separate head. [VINE] The only other plant whose fruit is noticed as having been converted into wine was the pomegranate. (Solomon 8:2) In Palestine the vintage takes place in September, and is celebrated with great rejoicing. The ripe fruit was gathered in baskets, (Jeremiah 6:9) as represented in Egyptian paintings, and was carried to the wine-press. It was then placed in the upper one of the two vats or receptacles of which the winepress was formed, and was subjected to the process of "treading," which has prevailed in all ages in Oriental…
The vine being natural to the soil of Canaan and its vicinity, wine was much used as a beverage, especially at festivals, Es 1:7 5:6 Da 5:1-4 Joh 2:3. As one of the staple products of the Holy Land, it was employed for drink-offerings in the temple service, Ex 20:26 Nu 15:4-10; it was included among the "first-fruits," De 18:4, and was used in the celebration of the Passover, and subsequently of the Lord’s supper, Mt 26:27-29. Together with corn and oil it denoted all temporal supplies,
