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 (Genesis 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. (Genesis 40:9-11; Psalms 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, (Numbers 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, (Numbers 13:24; 32:9) of Sibmah, Heshbon and Elealeh (Isaiah 16:8,9,10; Jeremiah 48:32) and of Engedi. (Solomon 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, (1 Kings 4:25; Psalms 128:3; Micah 4:4) the rebellious people of Israel are compared to "wild grapes," "an empty vine," "the degenerate plant of a strange vine," etc. (Isaiah 6:2,4; Jeremiah 2:21; Hosea 10:1) It is a vine which our Lord selects to show the spiritual union which subsists between himself and his members. (John 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. (Ezekiel 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. (Judges 8:27; Isaiah 16:10; Jeremiah 25:30) The grapes were gathered with shouts of joy by the "grape gatherers," (Jeremiah 25:30) and put into baskets. See (Jeremiah 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, (Isaiah 5:1; Jeremiah 31:5; Amos 9:13) was surrounded by a wall or hedge in order to keep out the wild boars, (Psalms 80:13) jackals and foxes. (Numbers 22:24; Nehemiah 4:3; Solomon 2:15; Ezekiel 13:4,5; Matthew 21:33) Within the vineyard was one or more towers of stone in which the vine-dressers lived. (Isaiah 1:8; 5:2; Matthew 21:33) The vat, which was dug, (Matthew 21:33) or hewn out of the rocky soil, and the press, were part of the vineyard furniture. (Isaiah 5:2)

Vine

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, Genesis 9:20 14:18 19:22 Job 1:18. The grape-vine grew plentifully in Palestine, De 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.

The grapes of Egypt, Genesis 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, Numbers 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.

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

Binding his colt to the vine,

And to the choice vine the foal of his ass;

Washing his garments in wine,

His clothes in the blood of the grape.

Genesis 49:11.

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, Psalm 128:3 Micah 4:4.

The law enjoined that he who planted a vine should not eat of the produce of it before the fifth year, Le 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, Exodus 23:11 Le 25:4,5,11. See also Le 19:10 De 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, De 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, De 20:6.

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, John 15:1-8.

In the expression, "The vine of Sodom," De 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.

For the "wild grapes" in Isaiah 5:2,4, see under GRAPES.

The Jews planted their VINEYARDS most commonly on the side of a hill or mountain, Jeremiah 31:5, (See MOUNTAIN,) the stones being gathered out, and the space hedged round with thorns, or walled, Isaiah 5:1-6 Psalm 80:1-19 Matthew 21:33. Vineyards were sometimes rented for a share of their produce, Matthew 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, Isaiah 7:23, and that it required two hundred more to pay the dressers, So 8:11-12. In these vineyards the keepers and vinedressers labored, digging, planting, propping, and pruning or purging the vines, John 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, 2 Kings 25:12 2 Chronicles 26:10 So 1:6 Isaiah 61:5. Scripture alludes to the fragrance of the "vines with the tender grapes," So 2:13, and draws from the vineyard many illustrations and parables, Jud 9:12 Matthew 20:1 21:28.

The vineyard of Naboth, 1 Kings 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, Psalm 80:12-13 So 2:15, becomes, when all are gathered, an apt image of desolation, Isaiah 1:8. A beautiful allegory in Psalm 80:1-19 represents the church as a vineyard, planted, defended, cultivated, and watered by God.

The VINTAGE followed the wheat harvest and the threshing, Le 26:5 Am 9:13. The "first ripe grapes" were gathered in June, or later on elevated ground, Numbers 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, Jeremiah 6:9, carried and thrown into the wine-vat or wine-press, where they were probably first trodden by men, and then pressed, Revelation 14:18-20. It was a laborious task, lightened with songs, jests, and shouts of mirth, Jeremiah 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, Isaiah 63:1-3 Revelation 19:15. The vintage was a season of great mirth, Isaiah 16:9,10, and often of excesses and idolatry, Jud 9:27; while the mourning and languishing of the vine was a symbol of general distress, Isaiah 24:7 Habakkuk 3:17 Malachi 3:11. Of the juice of the squeezed grapes were formed wine and vinegar. See PRESS.

Grapes were also dried into raisins. A part of Abigail's present to David was one hundred clusters of raisins, 1 Samuel 25:18; and when Zibah met David, his present contained the same quantity, 2 Samuel 16:1 1 Samuel 30:12 1 Chronicles 12:40. Respecting other uses of the fruits of the vine, see GRAPES, HONEY, VINEGAR, and WINE.

SODOM, VINE OF

(gephen cedhom):

"For their vine is of the vine of Sodom,

And of the fields of Gomorrah:

Their grapes are grapes of gall,

Their clusters are bitter" (Deuteronomy 32:32).

This must be distinguished from the "Apples of Sodom" (which see), described by Josephus (BJ, IV, viii, 4), which appear to have been an actual species of fruit, probably either the colocynth or the fruit of the Usher tree, Calotropis procera. It would appear, however, from the above, the only passage referring to the Vine of Sodom, that this expression is metaphorical and does not refer to any particular plant.

E. W. G. Masterman

VINE

vin:

1. Hebrew Words:

(1) gephen, usually the cultivated grape vine. In Numbers 6:4 Judges 13:14 we have gephen ha-yayin, literally, "vine of wine," translated "grape vine" (Numbers) and "vine," margin "grape vine" (Judges); 2 Kings 4:39, gephen sadheh English Versions of the Bible "wild vine"; Deuteronomy 32:32, gephen cedhom, "vine of Sodom."

(2) soreq, in Isaiah 5:2, "choicest vine"; soreq, in Jeremiah 2:21, "noble vine"; soreqah, in Genesis 49:11, "choice vine"; compare SOREK, VALLEY OF (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) nazir, in Leviticus 25:5, 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 nazir should be batsir, "vintage."

For the blossom we have peraq (Isaiah 18:5), "blossom"; nitstsah, either the blossom or half-formed clusters of grapes (Genesis 40:10 Isaiah 18:5); cemadhar, "sweet-scented blossom" (Songs 2:13, 15; Songs 7:12).

For grapes we have commonly: `enabh (a word common to all Semitic languages) (Genesis 40:10 Deuteronomy 32:14 Isaiah 5:2, etc.); dam `anabhim, literally, "blood of grapes," i.e. wine (Genesis 49:11); bocer, "the unripe grape" (Isaiah 18:5, "ripening grape," the King James Version "sour grape"; Job 15:33, "unripe grapes"; Jeremiah 31:29; Ezekiel 18:2, "sour grapes"); be'ushim "wild grapes" (Isaiah 5:2, 4; see GRAPES, WILD); 'eshkol, a "cluster" of ripe grapes (Genesis 40:10 Songs 7:8 Habakkuk 3:17, etc.; compare ESHCOL (which see)); qartsannim, usually supposed to be the kernels of grapes (Numbers 6:4).

2. Greek and Latin:

In Greek we have ampelos, "vine" (Matthew 26:29, etc.), staphule (Sirach 39:26, "blood of grapes"; Matthew 7:16, "grapes," etc.), and botrus (Revelation 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 debhash (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 (Judges 9:13 Psalm 104:15). But the Nazirite might eat nothing of the vine "from the kernels even to the husk" (Numbers 6:4 Judges 13:14).

The land promised to the children of Israel was one of "vines and fig trees and pomegranates" (Deuteronomy 8:8); they inherited vineyards which they had not planted (Deuteronomy 6:11 Joshua 24:13 Nehemiah 9:25). Jacob's blessing on Judah had much reference to the suitability of his special part of the land to the vine (Genesis 49:11). When the leading people were carried captive the poor were left as vine dressers (2 Kings 25:12 Jeremiah 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" (Isaiah 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 (Isaiah 5:2 Matthew 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 Genesis 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 1 Kings 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 (Proverbs 24:30-31); in the early spring the plants must be pruned by cutting off dead and fruitless branches (Leviticus 25:3, 4 Isaiah 5:6) which are gathered and burned (John 15:6). As the grapes ripen they must be watched to keep off jackals and foxes (Songs 2:15), and in some districts even wild boars (Psalm 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 Isaiah 16:10). The gleanings are left to the poor of the village or town (Leviticus 19:10 Deuteronomy 24:21 Judges 8:2 Isaiah 17:6; Isaiah 24:13 Jeremiah 49:9 Micah 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 (Isaiah 34:4), and the place desolate.

5. Vine of Sodom:

The expression "vine of Sodom" (Deuteronomy 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).

SeeSODOM, VINE OF.

Figurative: Every man "under his vine and under his fig-tree" (1 Kings 4:25 Micah 4:4 Zechariah 3:10) was a sign of national peace and prosperity. To plant vineyards and eat the fruit thereof implied long and settled habitation (2 Kings 19:29 Psalm 107:37 Isaiah 37:30; Isaiah 65:21 Jeremiah 31:5 Ezekiel 28:26 Amos 9:14); to plant and not eat the fruit was a misfortune (Deuteronomy 20:6; compare 1 Corinthians 9:7) and might be a sign of God's displeasure (Deuteronomy 28:30 Zephaniah 1:13 Amos 5:11). Not to plant vines might be a sign of deliberate avoidance of permanent habitation (Jeremiah 35:7). A successful and prolonged vintage showed God's blessing (Leviticus 26:5), and a fruitful wife is compared to a vine (Psalm 128:3); a failure of the vine was a sign of God's wrath (Psalm 78:47 Jeremiah 8:13 Joel 1:7); it might be a test of faith in Him (Habakkuk 3:17). Joseph "is a fruitful bough,.... his branches run over the wall" (Genesis 49:22). Israel is a vine (Isaiah 5:1-5) brought out of Egypt (Psalm 80:8 Jeremiah 2:21; Jeremiah 12:10; compare Ezekiel 15:2, 6; Ezekiel 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 (Matthew 20:1; 21:28, 33), and He has made the vine ever sacred in Christian symbolism by His teaching regarding the true vine (John 15).

E. W. G. Masterman

One of the most important products of Palestine. The first mention of it is in the history of Noah (Genesis 9:20). It is afterwards frequently noticed both in the Old and New Testaments, and in the ruins of terraced vineyards there are evidences that it was extensively cultivated by the Jews. It was cultivated in Palestine before the Israelites took possession of it. The men sent out by Moses brought with them from the Valley of Eshcol a cluster of grapes so large that "they bare it between two upon a staff" (Numbers 13: 23). The vineyards of En-gedi (Cant. 1:14), Heshbon, Sibmah, Jazer, Elealeh (Isaiah 16:8-10; Jeremiah 48:32, 34), and Helbon (Ezek. 27:18), as well as of Eshcol, were celebrated.

The Church is compared to a vine (Psalm 80:8), and Christ says of himself, "I am the vine" (John 15:1). In one of his parables also (Matthew 21:33) our Lord compares his Church to a vineyard which "a certain householder planted, and hedged round about," etc.

Hosea 10:1 is rendered in the Revised Version, "Israel is a luxuriant vine, which putteth forth his fruit," instead of "Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself," of the Authorized Version.

Vine of Sodom

Referred to only in Deuteronomy 32:32. Among the many conjectures as to this tree, the most probable is that it is the `osher of the Arabs, which abounds in the region of the Dead Sea. Its fruit are the so-called "apples of Sodom," which, though beautiful to the eye, are exceedingly bitter to the taste. (see EN-GEDI.) The people of Israel are referred to here by Moses as being utterly corrupt, bringing forth only bitter fruit.

1. (n.) Any woody climbing plant which bears grapes.

2. (n.) Hence, a climbing or trailing plant; the long, slender stem of any plant that trails on the ground, or climbs by winding round a fixed object, or by seizing anything with its tendrils, or claspers; a creeper; as, the hop vine; the bean vine; the vines of melons, squashes, pumpkins, and other cucurbitaceous plants.

1612. gephen -- a vine
... << 1611, 1612. gephen. 1613 >>. a vine. Transliteration: gephen Phonetic
Spelling: (gheh'-fen) Short Definition: vine. Word Origin of ...
/hebrew/1612.htm - 5k

8321a. soreq -- (choice species of) the vine
... << 8321, 8321a. soreq. 8321b >>. (choice species of) the vine. Transliteration:
soreq Short Definition: vine. Word Origin from the same ...
/hebrew/8321a.htm - 5k

8321b. soreqah -- (choice) vine
... (choice) vine. Transliteration: soreqah Short Definition: vine. Word Origin from
the same as saroq Definition (choice) vine NASB Word Usage choice vine (1). ...
/hebrew/8321b.htm - 5k

8291. saruq -- vine tendrils or clusters
... << 8290, 8291. saruq or saroq. 8292 >>. vine tendrils or clusters. Transliteration:
saruq or saroq Phonetic Spelling: (sar-ook') Short Definition: clusters. ...
/hebrew/8291.htm - 6k

8321. soreq -- (choice species of) the vine
... << 8320, 8321. soreq. 8321a >>. (choice species of) the vine. Transliteration: soreq
Phonetic Spelling: (so-rake') Short Definition: choicest. choicest, noble wine ...
/hebrew/8321.htm - 6k

2156. zemorah -- branch, twig, shoot
... Word Origin from zamar Definition branch, twig, shoot NASB Word Usage branch (2),
twig (1), vine branches (1), vine slips (1). vine, branch, slip. ...
/hebrew/2156.htm - 6k

5139. nazir -- one consecrated, devoted
... Or nazir {naw-zeer'}; from nazar; separate, ie Consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite);
hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn ...
/hebrew/5139.htm - 6k

3755. karam -- to tend vineyards, dress vines
... vine dresser as one or two words. Active participle of an imaginary denominative
from kerem; a vinedresser -- vine dresser (as one or two words). ...
/hebrew/3755.htm - 6k

7796. Sowreq -- "choice vines," a valley where Delilah lived
... Sorek The same as soreq; a vine; Sorek, a valley in Palestine -- Sorek. see HEBREW
soreq. << 7795b, 7796. Sowreq. 7796a >>. Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7796.htm - 5k

7795b. shurah -- probably row (of olive trees or vines)
... Word Origin from the same as shor Definition probably row (of olive trees or vines)
NASB Word Usage vine rows (1). << 7795a, 7795b. shurah. 7796 >>. ...
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