Vine

Vine it is a very frequent symbol in the Prophets to represent the nation of Israel as a vine; as in Psa 80:8, "Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt, thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it." See the rest of the Psalm; and Jer 2:21; Eze 19:10; Hos 10:1.

Israel is represented as a vineyard in Isa 5.; Jer 12:10; and by our Saviour in Mat 20:21; Mat 20:28; Mat 20:33; Mar 12:1; and Luk 20:9.

In the dream of Mandane, mother to Cyrus, a vine issuing out of her, and overshadowing a kingdom, signifies Cyrus her son usurping his grandfather’s kingdom, and founding a new monarchy.^f1

And the Persian Oneirocritic, in ch. cclv. says: "If any one dreams that he hath planted a vineyard, he shall acquire riches, nobility, and authority, though slowly." And on the contrary, "that if he dreams of plucking up his vine­yard-he will lose his riches and power, and be reduced to poverty."

The vine is also the image of the Christian Church; the branches of the vine are the members of the Church; the useless shoots and unfruitful luxuriant branches are the insincere nominal professors; and the pruning of such shoots and branches of the vine is the excision of such false hypo­critical professors, at least the separation of them from the Church by God’s judgments. Isa 18:5; Joh 15:1-6.

The vine of the earth signifies an apostate Church, Rev 1418-19. " Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth," &c.

F1 Val. Max. L. ί. c. 7. Justin. Hist. L. i. Herodot. Hist. L. i. § 10s.

See VINEYARD

גפן , Gen 40:9; αμπελος, Mat 26:29; Mar 14:25; Luk 22:18; Joh 15:4-5; Jas 3:12; Rev 14:19; a noble plant of the creeping kind, famous for its fruit, or grapes, and the liquor they afford. The vine is a common name or genus, including several species under it; and Moses, to distinguish the true vine, or that from which wine is mode, from the rest, calls it, the wine vine, Num 6:4. Some of the other sorts were of a poisonous quality, as appears from the story related among the miraculous acts of Elisha, 2Ki 4:39; 2Ki 4:41. (See Grapes.) The expression of “sitting every man under his own vine,” probably alludes to the delightful eastern arbours, which were partly composed of vines. Capt. Norden, in like manner, speaks of vine arbours as common in the Egyptian gardens; and the Praenestine pavement in Dr. Shaw gives us the figure of an ancient one. Plantations of trees about houses are found very useful in hot countries, to give them an agreeable coolness. The ancient Israelites seem to have made use of the same means, and probably planted fruit trees, rather than other kinds, to produce that effect. “It is their manner in many places,” says Sir Thomas Rowe’s chaplain, speaking of the country of the Great Mogul, “to plant about and among their buildings, trees which grow high and broad, the shadow whereof keeps their houses by far more cool: this I observed in a special manner, when we were ready to enter Amadavar; for it appeared to us as if we had been entering a wood rather than a city.” “Immediately on entering,” says Turner, “I was ushered into the court yard of the aga, whom I found smoking under a vine, surrounded by horses, servants, and dogs, among which I distinguished an English pointer.”

There were in Palestine many excellent vineyards. Scripture celebrates the vines of Sorek, of Sebamah, of Jazer, of Abel. Profane authors mention the excellent wines of Gaza, Sarepta, Libanus, Saron, Ascalon, and Tyre. Jacob, in the blessing which he gave Judah, “Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes,” Gen 49:11; he showed the abundance of vines that should fall to his lot. “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches hang over the wall,”

Gen 49:22. “To the northward and westward,” says Morier, “are several villages, interspersed with extensive orchards and vineyards, the latter of which are generally enclosed by high walls. The Persian vine dressers do all in their power to make the vine run up the wall, and curl over on the other side, which they do by tying stones to the extremity of the tendril. The vine, particularly in Turkey and Greece, is frequently made to entwine on trellises around a well, where, in the heat of the day, whole families collect themselves, and sit under the shade.”

Noah planted the vine after the deluge, and is supposed to have been the first who cultivated it, Gen 9:20. Many are of opinion that wine was not unknown before the deluge; and that this patriarch only continued to cultivate the vine after that event, as he had done before it: but the fathers think that he knew not the force of wine, having never used it before, nor having ever seen any one use it. He was the first that gathered the juice of the grape, and preserved it till by fermentation it became a potable liquor. Before him men only ate the grapes like other fruit. The law of Moses did not allow the planters of vineyards to eat the fruit before the fifth year, Lev 19:24-25. The Israelites were also required to indulge the poor, the orphan, and the stranger, with the use of the grapes on the seventh year. A traveller was allowed to gather and eat the grapes in a vineyard as he passed along, but he was not permitted to carry any away, Deu 23:24. The scarcity of fuel, especially wood, in most parts of the east, is so great, that they supply it with every thing capable of burning; cow dung dried, roots, parings of fruits, withered stalks of herbs and flowers, Mat 6:30. Vine twigs are particularly mentioned as used for fuel in dressing their food, by D’Arvieux, La Roque, and others: Ezekiel says, in his parable of the vine, used figuratively for the people of God, “Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? Or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon? Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel,” Eze 15:3-4. “If a man abide not in me,” saith our Lord, “he is cast forth as a branch” of the vine, “and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned,” Joh 15:6.

Of this valuable and familiar plant there are several varieties, the natural products of warm climates, where also it has been cultivated from the earliest times. Hence the early and frequent mention of its products in Scripture, Gen 9:20 14:18 19:22 Job 1:18 . The grape-vine grew plentifully in Palestine, Deu 8:8, and was particularly excellent in some of the districts. The Scriptures celebrate the vines of Sibmah and Eshcol; and profane authors mention the excellent wines of Gaza, Sarepta, Lebanon, Sharon, Ascalon, and Tyre. See SOREK.\par The grapes of Egypt, Gen 40:11, being small, we may easily conceive of the surprise which was occasioned to the Israelites by witnessing the bunch of grapes brought by the spies to the camp, from the valley of Eshcol, Num 13:23 . The account of Moses, however, is confirmed by the testimony of several travelers; and even in England a bunch of Syrian grapes has been produced which weighed nineteen pounds, was twenty-three inches in length, and nineteen and a half in its greatest diameter. At the present day, although the Mohammedan religion does not favor the cultivation of the vine, there is no want of vineyards in Palestine. Besides the large quantities of grapes and raisins which are daily sent to the markets of Jerusalem and other neighboring places, Hebron alone in the first half of the eighteenth century, annually sent three hundred camel loads, or nearly three hundred thousand pounds weight of grape juice, or honey of raisins, to Egypt.\par In the East, grapes enter very largely into the provisions at an entertainment, and in various forms contribute largely to the sustenance of the people. See GRAPES. To show the abundance of vines which should fall to the lot of Judah in the partition of the promised land, Jacob, in his prophetic benediction, says of this tribe, he shall be found\par Binding his colt to the vine,\par And to the choice vine the foal of his ass;\par Washing his garments in wine,\par His clothes in the blood of the grape.\par Gen 49:11 .\par In many places the vines spread over the ground and rocks unsupported. Often, however, they are trained upon trellis-work, over walls, trees, arbors, the porches and walls of houses, and at times within the house on the side of the central court. Thus growing, the vine became a beautiful emblem of domestic love, peace, and plenty, Psa 128:3 Mic 4:4 .\par The law enjoined that he who planted a vine should not eat of the produce of it before the fifth year, Lev 19:23-25 . Nor did they gather their grapes on the sabbatical year; the fruit was then left for the poor, the orphan, and the stranger, Exo 23:11 Lev 25:4,5,11 . See also Lev 19:10 Deu 24:21 . At any time a traveler was permitted to gather and eat grapes in a vineyard, as he passed along, but was not permitted to carry any away, Deu 23:24 . Another generous provision of the Mosaic code exempted from liability to serve in war a man who, after four years of labor and of patience, was about to gather the first returns from his vineyard, Deu 20:6 .\par Josephus describes a magnificent and costly vine of pure gold, with precious stones for grapes, which adorned the lofty eastern gate of the Holy Place. It was perhaps in view of this that our Savior said, "I am the true Vine;" and illustrated the precious truth of his oneness with his people, Joh 15:1-8 .\par In the expression, "The vine of Sodom," Deu 32:32, there does not seem to be an allusion to any then existing degenerate species of vine. The writer means rather to say that their vine, that is figuratively their corrupt character, instead of yielding good grapes, bears only poisonous fruit, like that for which the shores of the Dead Sea have always been famed- such as "the apples of Sodom," for example, said to be beautiful without, but nothing but shreds or ashes within.\par For the "wild grapes" in Isa 5:2,4, see under GRAPES.\par The Jews planted their VINEYARDS most commonly on the side of a hill or mountain, Jer 31:5, (See MOUNTAIN,) the stones being gathered out, and the space hedged round with thorns, or walled, Isa 5:1-6 Psa 80:1-19 Mat 21:33 . Vineyards were sometimes rented for a share of their produce, Mat 28:20 ; and from other passages we may perhaps infer that a good vineyard consisted of a thousand vines, and produced a rent of a thousand silverlings, or shekels of silver, Isa 7:23, and that it required two hundred more to pay the dressers, Son 8:11-12 . In these vineyards the keepers and vinedressers labored, digging, planting, propping, and pruning or purging the vines, Joh 15:2, gathering the grapes, and making wine. They formed a distinct class among cultivators of the ground, and their task was sometimes laborious and regarded as menial, 2Ki 25:12 2Ch 26:10 Son 1:6 Isa 61:5 . Scripture alludes to the fragrance of the "vines with the tender grapes," Son 2:13, and draws from the vineyard many illustrations and parables, Jdg 9:12 Mat 20:1 21:28.\par The vineyard of Naboth, 1Ki 21:1-29, has become a perpetual emblem of whatever is violently taken from the poor by the rich or the powerful. The deserted hut or tower, in which a watchman kept guard during, the season of ripe grapes, Psa 80:12-13 Son 2:15, becomes, when all are gathered, an apt image of desolation, Isa 1:8 . A beautiful allegory in Psa 80:1-19 represents the church as a vineyard, planted, defended, cultivated, and watered by God.\par The VINTAGE followed the wheat harvest and the threshing, Lev 26:5 1Sa 9:13 . The "first ripe grapes" were gathered in June, or later on elevated ground, Num 13:20 ; and grapes continued to be gathered for four months afterwards. The general vintage, however, was in September, when the clusters of grapes were gathered with a sickle, and put into baskets, Jer 6:9, carried and thrown into the wine-vat or wine-press, where they were probably first trodden by men, and then pressed, Jer 14:18-20 . It was a laborious task, lightened with songs, jests, and shouts of mirth, Jer 25:30 48:33. It is mentioned as a mark of the great work and power of the Messiah, that he had trodden the figurative wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with him, Isa 63:1-3 Jer 19:15 . The vintage was a season of great mirth, Isa 16:9,10, and often of excesses and idolatry, Jdg 9:27 ; while the mourning and languishing of the vine was a symbol of general distress, Isa 24:7 Hab 3:17 Mal 3:11 . Of the juice of the squeezed grapes were formed wine and vinegar. See PRESS.\par Grapes were also dried into raisins. A part of Abigail’s present to David was one hundred clusters of raisins, 1Sa 25:18 ; and when Zibah met David, his present contained the same quantity, 2Sa 16:1 1Sa 30:12 1Ch 12:40 . Respecting other uses of the fruits of the vine, see GRAPES, HONEY, VINEGAR, and WINE.\par

Vine. The well-known valuable plant (Vitis vinifera) very frequently referred to in the Old and New Testaments, and cultivated from the earliest times. The first mention of this plant occurs in Gen 9:20-21. That it was abundantly cultivated in Egypt is evident from the frequent representations on the monuments, as well as from the scriptural allusions. Gen 40:9-11; Psa 78:47.

The vines of Palestine were celebrated both for luxuriant growth and for the immense clusters of grapes which they produced, which were sometimes carried on a staff between two men, as in the case of the spies, Num 13:23, and as has been done in some instances in modern times. Special mention is made in the Bible of the vines of Eshcol, Num 13:24; Num 32:9, of Sibmah, Heshbon and Elealeh, Isa 16:8-10; Jer 48:32, and of Engedi. Son 1:14.

From the abundance and excellence of the vines, it may readily be understood, how frequently this plant is the subject of metaphor in the Holy Scriptures. To dwell under the vine and tree is an emblem of domestic happiness and peace, 1Ki 4:25; Psa 128:3; Mic 4:4, the rebellious people of Israel are compared to "wild grapes," "an empty vine," "the degenerate plant of a strange vine," etc. Isa 6:2; Isa 6:4; Jer 2:21; Hos 10:1.

It is a vine which our Lord selects to show the spiritual union which subsists between himself and his members. Joh 15:1-6. The ancient Hebrews probably allowed the vine to go trailing on the ground or upon supports. This latter mode of cultivation appears to be alluded to by Ezekiel. Eze 19:11-12. The vintage, which formerly was a season of general festivity, began in September. The towns were deserted; the people lived among the vineyards in the lodges and tents. Compare Jdg 8:27; Isa 16:10; Jer 25:30.

The grapes were gathered with shouts of joy by the "grape gatherers," Jer 25:30 and put into baskets. See Jer 6:9. They were then carried on the head and shoulders, or slung upon a yoke, to the "wine-press." Those intended for eating were perhaps put into flat open baskets of wickerwork, as was the custom in Egypt.

In Palestine, at present, the finest grapes, says Dr. Robinson, are dried as raisins, and the juice of the remainder, after having been trodden and pressed, "is boiled down to a sirup, which, under the name of dibs, is much used by all classes, wherever vineyards are found, as a condiment with their food."

The vineyard, which was generally on a hill, Isa 5:1; Jer 31:5; Amo 9:13, was surrounded by a wall or hedge in order to keep out the wild boars, Psa 80:13, jackals and foxes. Num 22:24; Neh 4:3; Son 2:15; Eze 13:4-5; Mat 21:33. Within the vineyard was one or more towers of stone in which the vine-dressers lived. Isa 1:8; Isa 5:2; Mat 21:33. The vat, which was dug, Mat 21:33, or hewn out of the rocky soil, and the press, were part of the vineyard furniture. Isa 5:2.

Noah appears as its first cultivator (Gen 9:20-21); he probably preserved the knowledge of its cultivation from the antediluvian world. Pharaoh’s dream (Gen 40:9-11, see Speaker’s Commentary) implies its prevalence in Egypt; this is confirmed by the oldest Egyptian monuments. So also Psa 78:47. Osiris the Egyptian god is represented as first introducing the vine. Wine in Egypt was the beverage of the rich people; beer was the drink of the poor people. The very early monuments represent the process of fermenting wine. The spies bore a branch with one cluster of grapes between two on a staff from the brook Eshcol. Bunches are found in Palestine of ten pounds weight (Reland Palest., 351). Kitto (Phys. Hist. Palest., p. 330) says a bunch from a Syrian vine was sent as a present from the Duke of Portland to the Marquis of Rockingham, weighing 19 pounds, and was carried on a staff by four, two bearing it in rotation.

Sibmah, Heshbon, and Elealeh (Isa 16:8-10; Jer 48:31) and Engedi (Son 1:14) were famous for their vines. Judah with its hills and tablelands was especially suited for vine cultivation; "binding his foal unto the vine and his ass’ colt unto the choice vine he washed his garments in wine and his clothes in the blood of grapes, his eyes shall be red with wine" (Gen 49:11-12). Both Isaiah (Isaiah 5) and the Lord Jesus make a vineyard with fence and tower, the stones being gathered out, the image of Judah (Mat 21:33). Israel is the vine brought out of Egypt, and planted by Jehovah in the land of promise (Psa 80:8; compare Isa 27:2-3). The "gathering out of the stones" answers to God’s dislodging the original inhabitants before Israel, and the "fencing" to God’s protection of Israel from surrounding enemies.

"The choicest vine" (sowreq, still in Morocco called serki, the grapes have scarcely perceptible stones; Jdg 16:4 mentions a town called from this choice vine Sorek) is the line of holy patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, etc. The square "tower" was to watch against depredations, and for the owner’s use; the "fence" to keep out wild boars, foxes, jackals, etc. (Psa 80:13; Son 2:15). The "fence" may represent the law, the "stones" gathered out Jerome thinks are the idols; the "tower" the temple "in the midst" of Judaea; the "winepress," generally hewn out of the rocky soil, the altar. The vine stem is sometimes more than a foot in diameter, and 30 ft. in height.

"To dwell under the vine and fig tree" symbolizes peace and prosperity (1Ki 4:25). When apostate, Israel was "an empty vine," "the degenerate plant of a strange vine," "bringing forth fruit unto himself" not unto God (Jer 2:21; Hos 10:1). In Eze 15:2-4 God asks "what is the vine wood more than any tree?" i.e., what is its preeminence? None. Nay the reverse. Other trees yield good timber; but vine wood is soft, brittle, crooked, and seldom large; "will men take a pin of it, to hang any vessel thereon?" not even a "pin" or wooden peg can be made of it. Its sole excellence above all trees is its fruit; when not fruit bearing it is inferior to other trees. So, if God’s people lose their distinctive excellency by not bearing fruits of righteousness, they are more unprofitable than the worldly, for they are the vine, the sole end of their being is to bear fruit to His glory.

In all respects, except in bearing fruit unto God, Israel was inferior to other nations, as Egypt, Nineveh, Babylon, in antiquity, extent, resources, military power, arts and sciences. Its only use when fruitless is to be "cast into the fire for fuel." Gephen is a general term for the vine, from whence the town Gophna, now Jifna, is named. Nazir is "the undressed vine," one every seventh and 50th year left unpruned. The vine is usually planted on the side of a terraced hill, the old branches trailing along the ground and the fruit bearing shoots being raised on forked sticks. Robinson saw the vine trained near Hebron in rows eight or ten feet apart; when the stock is six or eight feet high, it is fastened in a sloping direction to a stake, and the shoots extend front one plant to another, forming a line of festoons; sometimes two rows slant toward each other and form an arch.

Sometimes the vine is trained over a rough wall three feet high, sometimes over a wooden framework so that the foliage affords a pleasant shade (1Ki 4:25). The vintage is in September. The people leave the towns and live in lodges and tents among the vineyards (Jdg 9:27); sometimes even before the vintage (Son 7:11-12). The grape gatherers plied their work with shouts of joy (Jer 25:30). The finest grapes in Palestine are now dried as raisins, tsimuq. The juice of the rest, is boiled down to a syrup, called fibs, much used as an accompaniment of foods. The vine was Judaea’s emblem on Maccabean coins, and in the golden cluster over the porch of the second temple. It is still to be seen on their oldest tombstones in Europe. The Lord Jesus is the antitypical vine (John 15).

Every branch in Jesus He "pruneth," with afflictions, that it may bring forth more fruit. So each believer becomes "pure" ("pruned," katharoi, answering to kathairei, "He purgeth" or pruneth). The printing is first in March, when the clusters begin to form. The twig formed subsequently has time to shoot by April, when, if giving no promise, it is again lopped off; so again in May, if fruitless; at last it is thrown into the fire. On the road from Akka to Jerusalem, Robinson saw an upper ledge of rock scooped into a shallow trough, in which the grapes were trodden, and by a hole in the bottom the juice passed into a lower vat three feet deep, four square (Bib. Res. 3:137). Other winepresses were of wood; thus the stone ones became permanent landmarks (Jdg 7:25). The vine is the emblem, as of Christ, so of the church and each believer.

Vine of Sodom. Deu 32:32; Isa 1:10; Jer 23:14. (See APPLES OF SODOM.) J.D. Hooper objects to the Calotropis or Asclepias procera, the osher of the Arabs, that the term "vine" would scarcely be given to any but a trailing or other plant of the habit of a vine, and that its beautiful silky cotton within would never suggest the idea of anything but what is exquisitely lovely. He therefore prefers the Cucumis colocynthis. Tacitus writes, "all herbs growing along the Dead Sea are blackened by its exhalations, and so blasted as to vanish into ashes" (Hist. 5:7).

Josephus (B. J. 4:8, section 4) says" the ashes of the five cities still grow in their fruits, which have a color as if they were fit to be eaten, but if you pluck them they dissolve into smoke and ashes." The Asclepius gigantea or Calotropis has a trunk six or eight inches in diameter, and from ten to 15 ft. high, the bark cork-like and grey. The yellow apple-like fruit is yellow and soft and tempting to the eye, but when pressed explodes with a puff, leaving in the hand only shreds and fibres. The acrid juice suggests the gall in Deu 32:32, "their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter."

Vine. The first mention of the vine occurs in Gen 9:20-21. It was cultivated in Egypt. Gen 40:9-11; Psa 78:47. The vines of Palestine were celebrated both for luxuriant growth and for the immense clusters of grapes which they produced, which were sometimes carried on a staff between two men, as in the case of the spies. Num 13:23. Special mention is made in the Bible of the vines of Eshcol, Num 13:24; Num 32:9, of Sibmah, Heshbon, and Elealeh, Isa 16:8-10; Jer 48:32, and of Engedi. Son 1:14. To dwell under the vine and fig tree is an emblem of domestic happiness and peace, 1Ki 4:25; Psa 128:3; Mic 4:4; the rebellious people of Israel are compared to "wild grapes," "an empty vine," "the degenerate plant of a strange vine," etc. Isa 5:2; Isa 5:4; Jer 2:21; Hos 10:1. It is a vine which our Lord selects to show the spiritual union which subsists between himself and his members. Joh 15:1-6. The vine trailed on the ground or upon supports. This latter mode of cultivation appears to be alluded to by Ezekiel. Eze 19:11-12. The vintage, which formerly was a season of general festivity, began in September. The towns were deserted; the people lived among the vineyards in the lodges and tents. Comp. Jdg 9:27; Isa 16:10; Jer 25:30. The grapes were gathered with shouts of joy by the "grape gatherers," Jer 25:30, and put into baskets. See Jer 6:9. They were then carried on the head and shoulders, or slung upon a yoke, to the "wine-press." The vineyard, which was generally on a bill, Isa 5:1; Jer 31:5; Amo 9:13, was surrounded by a wall or hedge in order to keep out the wild boars. Psa 80:1-19; Psa 13:1-6, jackals and foxes. Num 22:24; Neh 4:3; Son 2:15; Eze 13:4-5; Mat 21:33. Within the vineyard was one or more towers of stone in which the vine-dressers lived. Isa 1:8; Isa 5:2; Mat 21:33. The vat, which was dug, Mat 21:33, or hewn out of the rocky soil, and the press, were part of the vineyard furniture. Isa 6:2.

GRAPE:

vı̄n:

1. Hebrew Words:

(1) גּפן, gephen, usually the cultivated grape vine. In Num 6:4; Jdg 13:14 we have היּין גּפן, gephen ha-yayı̄n, literally, “vine of wine,” translated “grape vine” (Numbers) and “vine,” margin “grape vine” (Jgs); 2Ki 4:39, שׂדה גּפן, gephen sādheh English Versions of the Bible “wild vine”; Deu 32:32, סדם גּפן, gephen ṣ^edhōm, “vine of Sodom.”

(2) שרק, sōrēḳ, in Isa 5:2, “choicest vine”; שׂורק, sōrēḳ, in Jer 2:21, “noble vine”; שרקה, sōrēḳāh, in Gen 49:11, “choice vine”; compare VALLEY OF SOREK (which see). The Hebrew is supposed to indicate dark grapes and, according to rabbinical tradition, they were unusually sweet and almost, if not quite, stoneless.

(3) נזיר, nāzı̄r, in Lev 25:5, Lev 25:11, “undressed vine,” the King James Version “vine undressed,” margin “separation.” This may mean an unpruned vine and be a reference to the uncut locks of a Nazirite, but it is equally probable that נזיר, nāzı̄r should be בּציר, bācı̄r, “vintage.”

For the blossom we have פּרח, peraḥ (Isa 18:5), “blossom”; נצּה, niccāh, either the blossom or half-formed clusters of grapes (Gen 40:10; Isa 18:5); סמדר, ṣ^emādhar, “sweet-scented blossom” (Son 2:13, Son 2:15; Son 7:12).

For grapes we have commonly: ענב, ‛ēnābh (a word common to all Semitic languages) (Gen 40:10; Deu 32:14; Isa 5:2, etc.); ענבים דּם, dam ‛ănābhı̄m, literally, “blood of grapes,” i.e. wine (Gen 49:11); בּסר, bōṣer, “the unripe grape” (Isa 18:5, “ripening grape,” the King James Version “sour grape”; Job 15:33, “unripe grapes”; Jer 31:29 f; Eze 18:2, “sour grapes”); בּאשׁים, b^e’ushı̄m “wild grapes” (Isa 5:2, Isa 5:4; see GRAPES, WILD); אשׁכּל, ’eshkōl, a “cluster” of ripe grapes (Gen 40:10; Son 7:8 f; Hab 3:17, etc.; compare ESHCOL (which see)); חרצנּים, ḥarcannı̄m, usually supposed to be the kernels of grapes (Num 6:4).

2. Greek and Latin:

In Greek we have ἄμπελος, ámpelos, “vine” (Mat 26:29, etc.), σταφυλή, staphulḗ (Sirach 39:26, “blood of grapes”; Mat 7:16, “grapes,” etc.), and βότρυς, bótrus (Rev 14:18), “cluster of the vine.” In the Latin of 2 Esdras vinea is “vine” in 5:23 (“vineyard” in 16:30, 43); botrus (9:21) and racemus (16:30) are “cluster”; acinium (9:21) and uva (16:26) are “a grape.”

3. Antiquity and Importance:

Palestine appears to have been a vine-growing country from the earliest historic times. The countless wine presses found in and around centers of early civilization witness to this. It is probable that the grape was largely cultivated as a source of sugar: the juice expressed in the “wine press” was reduced by boiling to a liquid of treacle-like consistency known as “grape honey,” or in Hebrew d^ebhash (Arabic, dibs). This is doubtless the “honey” of many Old Testament references, and before the days of cane sugar was the chief source of sugar. The whole Old Testament witnesses to how greatly Palestine depended upon the vine and its products. Men rejoiced in wine also as one of God’s best gifts (Jdg 9:13; Psa 104:15). But the Nazirite might eat nothing of the vine “from the kernels even to the husk” (Num 6:4; Jdg 13:14).

The land promised to the children of Israel was one of “vines and fig trees and pomegranates” (Deu 8:8); they inherited vineyards which they had not planted (Deu 6:11; Jos 24:13; Neh 9:25). Jacob’s blessing on Judah had much reference to the suitability of his special part of the land to the vine (Gen 49:11). When the leading people were carried captive the poor were left as vine dressers (2Ki 25:12; Jer 52:16), lest the whole land should lapse into uncultivated wilderness. On the promised return this humble duty was, however, to fall to the “sons of the alien” (Isa 61:5 the King James Version).

4. Its Cultivation:

The mountain regions of Judea and Samaria, often little suited to cereals, have always proved highly adapted to vine culture. The stones must first be gathered out and utilized for the construction of a protecting wall or of terraces or as the bases of towers (Isa 5:2; Mat 21:33). Every ancient vineyard had its wine press cut in a sheet of rock appearing at the surface. As a rule the vinestocks lie along the ground, many of the fruit-bearing branches falling over the terraces (compare Gen 49:22); in some districts the end of the vine-stock is raised by means of a cleft stick a foot or more above the surface; exceptionally the vine branches climb into trees, and before a dwelling-house they are sometimes supported upon poles to form a bower (compare 1Ki 4:25, etc.).

The cultivation of the vine requires constant care or the fruit will very soon degenerate. After the rains the loosely made walls require to have breaches repaired; the ground must be plowed or harrowed and cleared of weeds - contrast with this the vineyard of the sluggard (Pro 24:30-31); in the early spring the plants must be pruned by cutting off dead and fruitless branches (Lev 25:3, Lev 25:4; Isa 5:6) which are gathered and burned (Joh 15:6). As the grapes ripen they must be watched to keep off jackals and foxes (Son 2:15), and in some districts even wild boars (Psa 80:13). The watchman is stationed in one of the towers and overlooks a considerable area. When the grape season comes, the whole family of the owner frequently take their residence in a booth constructed upon one of the larger towers and remain there until the grapes are practically finished. It is a time of special happiness (compare Isa 16:10). The gleanings are left to the poor of the village or town (Lev 19:10; Deu 24:21; Jdg 8:2; Isa 17:6; Isa 24:13; Jer 49:9; Mic 7:1). In the late summer the vineyards are a beautiful mass of green, as contrasted with the dried-up parched land around, but in the autumn the leaves are sere and yellow (Isa 34:4), and the place desolate.

5. Vine of Sodom:

The expression “vine of Sodom” (Deu 32:32) has been supposed, especially because of the description in Josephus (BJ, IV, viii, 4), to refer to the colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), but it is far more probable that it means “a vine whose juices and fruits were not fresh and healthy, but tainted by the corruption of which Sodom was the type” (Driver, Commentary on Deuteronomy). See SODOM, VINE OF.

Figurative: Every man “under his vine and under his fig-tree” (1Ki 4:25; Mic 4:4; Zec 3:10) was a sign of national peace and prosperity. To plant vineyards and eat the fruit thereof implied long and settled habitation (2Ki 19:29; Psa 107:37; Isa 37:30; Isa 65:21; Jer 31:5; Eze 28:26; Amo 9:14); to plant and not eat the fruit was a misfortune (Deu 20:6; compare 1Co 9:7) and might be a sign of God’s displeasure (Deu 28:30; Zep 1:13; Amo 5:11). Not to plant vines might be a sign of deliberate avoidance of permanent habitation (Jer 35:7). A successful and prolonged vintage showed God’s blessing (Lev 26:5), and a fruitful wife is compared to a vine (Psa 128:3); a failure of the vine was a sign of God’s wrath (Psa 78:47; Jer 8:13; Joe 1:7); it might be a test of faith in Him (Hab 3:17). Joseph “is a fruitful bough,... his branches run over the wall” (Gen 49:22). Israel is a vine (Isa 5:1-5) brought out of Egypt (Psa 80:8 f; Jer 2:21; Jer 12:10; compare Eze 15:2, Eze 15:6; Eze 17:6). At a later period vine leaves or grape clusters figure prominently on Jewish coins or in architecture.

Three of our Lord’s parables are connected with vineyards (Mat 20:1 ff; Mat 21:28, Mat 21:33 ff), and He has made the vine ever sacred in Christian symbolism by His teaching regarding the true vine (Jn 15).

(ἄìðåëïò, âüôñõò, ἀìðåëþí)

Apart from the Gospels, the only books in the NT containing a reference to the vine or to grapes are the Epistle of St. James (Jam_3:12) and the Apocalypse (Rev_14:18). In 1Co_9:7 a vineyard supplies the subject for one of St. Paul’s rhetorical questions. Wine is frequently alluded to, chiefly in apostolic exhortations against excess in this direction (see article Abstinence).

In the apocalyptic vision, as elsewhere in the NT, the work of judgment is compared to the vintage. In the OT both the vintage and the wheat-harvest are used as similes of the overthrow of the enemies of Jahweh, but here the wheat-harvest represents the ingathering of the faithful (see article Harvest).

In Palestine the vintage is the latest crop gathered in the autumn. In the warmer parts of the country it commences at the beginning of September. There are few countries so well adapted for the cultivation of the vine, and the extensiveness of the industry in ancient times is attested by the numerous presses and vats found all over the country. From the Mishna we learn that vine-culture was still flourishing about a.d. 200, but with the coming of the Arabs it almost entirely disappeared. Within the last century, however, it has revived under European influence, and large numbers of imported vines have been planted by German and Jewish colonists.

The mode of their cultivation depends on the natural characteristics of the particular district. In very stony soils parallel ridges are made of the loose stones, and the vines are planted near the side of one or other of these ridges. The shoots are trained up these primitively constructed walls, carried over the top, and brought down to the other sides by stones attached to them. Where, however, the conditions permit, and the vineyards are extensive, the plants are arranged at a considerable distance apart, and are allowed to grow to a height of about 6 or 8 ft.; the bearing shoots supported by poles are carried horizontally across to the adjoining row. In ancient times they were carefully fenced in to protect them from human spoliators, on the one hand, and from the trespasses of sheep and cattle, whose partiality for vine-leaves is well known, on the other (cf. Psa_80:12-13, Ca 2:15, Isa_5:2). Apparently every vineyard had its own wine-press. In many cases it is difficult to say whether the fruit-press under consideration was an olive-press or a wine-press. Those which are deep and well adapted for treading were probably wine-presses.

No doubt many of the large quantities of grapes produced in olden days were used for dibs, a thick sweet juice which is still made in Syria, and which was probably used to a much greater extent in ancient times when cane-sugar was unknown.

See, further, articles Abstinence, Harvest.

Literature.-H. B. Tristram, The Natural History of the Bible10, London, 1911, pp. 402-413; W. M. Thomson, The Land and the Book, 3 vols., ed. do., 1881-86, passim; J. C. Geikie, The Holy Land and the Bible, do., 1903, pp. 50-52, 74; H. B. Swete, The Apocalypse of St. John 2, do., 1907, p. 254 f.: J. B. Mayor, The Epistle of St. James 3, do., 1910, p. 125 C. Bigg, International Critical Commentary , ‘The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude,’ Edinburgh, 1901, p. 168; The Speaker’s Commentary, iii. [London, 1881] 776; R. A. S. Macalister, The Excavation of Gezer, 3 vols., do., 1912, passim; Dict. of Christ and the Gospels ii. 800 f., 824; Hastings’ Single-vol. Dictionary of the Bible , pp. 959, 973 f.; Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) iv. 868-870.

P. S. P. Handcock.

This plant is used as a type of the nation of Israel, and of other nations. Sometimes it is spoken of as a good vine, and in other passages as a vine that was unprofitable and that brought forth evil fruit. GOD speaks of this vine as His own planting, when it refers to Israel. He expected it to bring forth good fruit that would be for His glory, and would bring joy to His heart. Instead of doing so, it brought forth evil fruit in most of the cases where it refers to Israel.

Gen 49:11 (b) This vine is Israel. Judah was tied to Israel by blood bonds, and his children also bore the same relationship.

Deu 32:32 (a) The vine in this case refers to the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is in contrast with what they should be, the vine of Israel. GOD is telling us that Israel had become so corrupt that they were more like those two wicked cities than like His city, and their works were as evil as those of Sodom.

Jdg 9:12 (b) Jotham is telling the people of Israel that they have invited a weak, helpless person to be their king, because he considered that Abimelech was an incompetent man.

Psa 80:8 (a) The nation of Israel is compared to the vine. GOD brought them from Egypt and placed them in the land of Palestine. They replaced the heathen nations whom GOD enabled Joshua to conquer.

Psa 128:3 (a) In this case the wife is compared to a vine because she would be beautiful in her life, and fruitful in her conduct. Children would be born into the family, and they would be a blessing to the mother, to the father, and to the nation.

Jer 2:21 (a) Here we read the sad lament of the Lord because of the evil conduct of His people. The vine is Israel. They did not act like a good vine bearing grapes, but as an evil vine, bearing useless fruit, or poisonous fruit.

Eze 17:6 (b) This vine is probably the apostate Kingdom of Israel. The first great eagle, the King of Babylon, invaded Israel and took some of the people away as captives to his own land. The second eagle was the King of Egypt. Israel sent messengers to Egypt to obtain help, but Egypt failed and Israel was destroyed. It is a wonderful allegory which is described in verses Eze 17:12- 18. (See also Isa 5:2; Jer 2:21; Eze 15:2).

Hos 10:1 (a) GOD expected fruit from His people Israel. He received none. Israel turned to idolatry and to wicked practices learned from the people of the land. They served themselves, and satisfied their own lusts, while GOD’s Word was neglected, and His service ignored.

Joh 15:1 (a) In this case the Lord JESUS Himself is the vine. Those who are saved by His grace are the branches. GOD sees the believer as a very part of CHRIST JESUS Himself. The branch bears the likeness of the vine, and has the same living sap flowing through it constantly. It bears the kind of fruit that characterizes the vine. All the fruit on the vine is found on the branches. Let us be bearing fruit for Him.

Rev 14:18 (a) This vine refers to the people of the earth of every kindred and nation who are enemies of GOD, enemies of Israel, and reject the authority of JESUS CHRIST.

See Grapes

See GRAPES.