Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, berries are not frequently mentioned explicitly, but they are part of the broader category of fruits and plants that are integral to the agrarian society of ancient Israel and the surrounding regions. The Bible often uses agricultural imagery to convey spiritual truths, and while specific types of berries are not detailed, the concept of fruitfulness is a recurring theme.
Biblical References and Symbolism1.
General Fruitfulness: The Bible frequently uses the imagery of fruit and fruitfulness to describe the blessings of God and the spiritual health of His people. For example, in
Genesis 1:29 , God provides plants and fruits for sustenance: "Then God said, 'Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food.'" While not specifically mentioning berries, this passage underscores the provision of God through the bounty of the earth.
2.
The Promised Land: The land of Canaan, described as a land "flowing with milk and honey" (
Exodus 3:8), is indicative of abundance and fertility, which would include a variety of fruits, possibly including berries. The richness of the land is a testament to God's promise and blessing to His people.
3.
Symbol of Judgment and Restoration: In
Isaiah 5:1-7, the "Song of the Vineyard" uses the imagery of a vineyard to describe Israel's unfaithfulness and the resulting judgment. While the focus is on grapes, the broader symbolism of fruit-bearing plants, including berries, can be inferred. The expectation of good fruit and the disappointment of wild or sour fruit serve as a metaphor for the spiritual state of the people.
4.
New Testament Imagery: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the metaphor of fruit to describe the evidence of a true disciple. In
John 15:5 , He states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." While the specific fruit is not named, the principle of bearing fruit, which could include berries, is central to the Christian life.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Israel, the diet would have included a variety of fruits, possibly including wild berries. These would have been gathered and consumed as part of the daily sustenance. The agricultural practices of the time were closely tied to the cycles of planting and harvest, and the presence of fruit-bearing plants was a sign of God's provision and blessing.
Spiritual LessonsThe concept of fruitfulness, whether through berries or other fruits, is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. It serves as a metaphor for spiritual growth, productivity, and the evidence of a life lived in accordance with God's will. The expectation of bearing good fruit is a call to faithfulness and obedience, reflecting the character of God in the life of the believer.
In summary, while berries are not specifically highlighted in the biblical text, the broader themes of fruitfulness and divine provision encompass them within the rich tapestry of biblical symbolism and teaching.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Berry.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BERRIESber'-is: Occurs inJames 3:12 (the King James Version) in the phrase "olive berries" (elaiai). The Revised Version (British and American) reads simply "olives."
OLIVE BERRIES
ber'-iz.
SeeOLIVE TREE.
Greek
4807. sukaminos -- the mulberry tree, the sycamine... 4809 ().]. 4807 ("mulberry tree") is deciduous, yields black
berries, and
grows about six meters high (roughly 20 feet). [ the 4809
...Strong's Hebrew
891. beushim -- stinking or worthless (things), wild grapes... ones (2). wild grapes. Plural of b'osh; poison-
berries -- wild grapes. see
HEBREW b'osh. 890, 891. beushim. 892 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Psalm LXXIII.
... the olive we never saw. For whosoever may have done so will find noberries
but those of the wild olive. For that which is graffed...
What do we Count them Worth?
... "This is my ladder to heaven." Theberries are fine and set in chased gold, but
they are only solidified tears, tears shed in wrath by their god, they say...
A Provision Ground
... petals and a purple eye, followed by fat scaly yellow apples, is the Sweet- sop;
{311f} and that privet-like bush with little flowers and greenberries a Guava...
The Tongue.
... illustration which follows: "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place, sweet
water and bitter?" "Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear oliveberries, or a...
Separation to God.
... He was not forbidden to eat poisonberries, nor was he merely required to abstain
from the wine and strong drink which might easily become a snare; fresh...
A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... you may see by its little green mouse-tails, a pepper-weed, {77} first cousin to
the great black pepper-bush in the gardens near by, with theberries of which...
Semi-Parasitism.
... The Mistletoeberries, which contain the seed of the future plant, are developed
specially to minister to this degeneracy, for they glue themselves to the...
Saint George Kills the Enchanter Osmond.
... was to be seen. Scarcely food even from theberries in the woods could they
procure to satisfy their hunger. In this extremity, after...
Judged by Fruit
... show in detail a cluster of virtues which are like luscious fruit in a beautiful
garden, but also a cluster of evils, which are like poisonedberries upon the...
The Burial and Assumption of the Blessed virgin
... shrubs brought with their roots from elsewhere. Some had leaves, some blossoms,
and someberries. They made the water from a near...
Thesaurus
Berries (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BERRIES. ber'-is: Occurs in James 3:12 (the King
James Version) in the phrase "olive
berries" (elaiai).
... OLIVE
BERRIES. ber'-iz.
...Olive-berries (1 Occurrence)
Olive-berries. Olive, Olive-berries. Olive-branches . Multi-Version
Concordance Olive-berries (1 Occurrence). James...
Myrtle (7 Occurrences)
... It has solitary axillary white or rosy flowers, followed by black
several-seededberries. The ancients considered it sacred to Venus....
Tree (245 Occurrences)
... described graphically in Isaiah 17:6: "There shall be left therein gleanings, as
the shaking (margin "beating") of an olive-tree, two or threeberries in the...
Olive (61 Occurrences)
... James (3:12) calls the fruit "oliveberries." The phrase "vineyards and olives"
(Judges 15:5, AV) should be simply "olive-yard," or "olive-garden," as in the...
Food (2953 Occurrences)
... Theberries of the olive (zayith) were doubtless eaten, then as now, though
nowhere in Scripture is it expressly so stated. The...
Beryl (12 Occurrences)
Outmost (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive
tree, two or threeberries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in...
Olive-tree (17 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:6 Yet there shall be left therein gleanings, as the shaking of an
olive-tree, two or threeberries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five...
Olive-branches (2 Occurrences)
Olive-branches. Olive-berries, Olive-branches. Olive-gardens . Multi-Version
Concordance... (ASV DBY). Olive-berries, Olive-branches. Olive-gardens ....
Resources
Who was Hadassah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian consider alternative medicine? | GotQuestions.orgBerries: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
