Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the term "cluster" often refers to a group or bunch of grapes. Grapes and vineyards hold significant symbolic and practical importance throughout the Bible, representing abundance, blessing, and the fruitfulness of the land promised by God to His people.
Biblical References:1.
Numbers 13:23 · One of the most notable mentions of a cluster is found in the account of the spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. "When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men, along with some pomegranates and figs." This cluster of grapes was so large that it required two men to carry it, symbolizing the fertility and abundance of the Promised Land. The Valley of Eshcol itself derives its name from this event, as "Eshcol" means "cluster" in Hebrew.
2.
Song of Solomon 1:14 · In the poetic and allegorical language of the Song of Solomon, clusters of grapes are used to describe beauty and love. "My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi." Here, the imagery of a cluster conveys the richness and desirability of the beloved, drawing on the lush and fruitful connotations of vineyards.
3.
Isaiah 65:8 · The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a cluster to convey a message of hope and preservation. "This is what the LORD says: 'As the new wine is found in a cluster, and one says, "Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it," so I will act on behalf of My servants; I will not destroy them all.'" The cluster here symbolizes a remnant that holds potential for blessing, emphasizing God's mercy and the preservation of His people.
Symbolism and Themes:·
Abundance and Prosperity: Clusters of grapes are often associated with the prosperity and abundance that God provides. The Promised Land is frequently depicted as a land "flowing with milk and honey," and the large cluster of grapes brought back by the spies serves as tangible evidence of this promise.
·
Fruitfulness and Blessing: In biblical symbolism, vineyards and their produce often represent the fruitfulness of a life lived in accordance with God's will. The imagery of clusters of grapes can be seen as a metaphor for the blessings that come from faithfulness and obedience.
·
Judgment and Mercy: The cluster also serves as a symbol of God's judgment and mercy. While the abundance of the cluster can signify blessing, the preservation of a cluster, as in
Isaiah 65:8, highlights God's mercy in sparing a remnant for His purposes.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Israel, viticulture was a significant part of agricultural life. Grapes were a staple crop, used for eating, drying as raisins, and making wine. The imagery of clusters of grapes would have been familiar and evocative to the original audience of the biblical texts, symbolizing not only physical sustenance but also spiritual truths.
The cluster, therefore, serves as a multifaceted symbol within the biblical narrative, representing God's provision, the beauty of creation, and the hope of redemption.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A number of things of the same kind growing together; a bunch.
2. (n.) A number of similar things collected together or lying contiguous; a group; as, a cluster of islands.
3. (n.) A number of individuals grouped together or collected in one place; a crowd; a mob.
4. (v. i.) To grow in clusters or assemble in groups; to gather or unite in a cluster or clusters.
5. (v. t.) To collect into a cluster or clusters; to gather into a bunch or close body.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CLUSTERklus'-ter:
(1) 'eshkol; compare proper name VALE OF ESHCOL. (which see), from root meaning "to bind together." A cluster or bunch of grapes (Genesis 40:10Numbers 13:23Isaiah 65:8Songs 7:8Micah 7:1, etc.); a cluster of henna flowers (Songs 1:14); a cluster of dates (Songs 7:7). "Their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter." (Deuteronomy 32:32).
(2) botrus, "gather the clusters of the vine of the earth" (Revelation 14:18).
The "cluster of raisins" (tsimmuqim) of1 Samuel 25:18;1 Samuel 30:12, should rather be "raisin cakes" or "dried raisins."
E. W. G. Masterman
Greek
1009. botrus -- acluster of grapes... a
cluster of grapes. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: botrus Phonetic
Spelling: (bot'-rooce) Short Definition: a
cluster of grapes Definition: a
...4718. staphule -- a bunch of grapes
... a bunch of grapes. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: staphule Phonetic
Spelling: (staf-oo-lay') Short Definition: a grape,cluster of grapes...
Strong's Hebrew
811. eshkol -- acluster... 810, 811. eshkol. 812 . a
cluster. Transliteration: eshkol Phonetic
Spelling: (esh-kole') Short Definition:
cluster. Word Origin
...3598. Kimah -- acluster of stars
... 3597, 3598. Kimah. 3599 . acluster of stars. Transliteration: Kimah Phonetic
Spelling: (kee-maw') Short Definition: Pleiades. Word...
6778. tsimmuq -- bunch of raisins
... bunchcluster of raisins. From tsamaq; a cake of dried grapes -- bunch (cluster)
of raisins. see HEBREW tsamaq. 6777, 6778. tsimmuq. 6779 . Strong's Numbers
Library
My Beloved is unto Me as aCluster of Cypress, in the vineyards of...
... CHAPTER I. 13. My beloved is unto me as acluster of cypress, in the vineyards of
Engaddi. My beloved, continues the lover, is unto me as acluster of cypress....
It is Related Also that vinegar was Given Him to Drink, or Wine...
... day, said to the people, "Their vine is of the vineyards of Sodom, and their branch
of Gomorrah; their grape is a grape of gall, and theircluster acluster of...
The Comparison, Found in the Gospel of St. ...
... The Son, indeed, in so far as being God, is also the husbandman, and, as regards
His Manhood, a grape-cluster. True statement of the Father's pre-eminence....
The Story of the Grapes from Canaan
... best plans of making war upon it. [Illustration: Acluster of grapes so
large that two men carried it]. So Moses chose out some men...
The Report of the Hebrew Spies
... When they came to the valley of Eshcol, they cut down from there a branch with one
cluster of grapes and brought it away on a pole carried by two men....
The Story of a Divine Tragedy
... Down the center were two tables, separated by acluster of tall plants that almost
screened one from the other.... She glanced toward thecluster of tall plants....
Further Proofs of the Same Proposition, Drawn from the Promises...
... And when any one of the saints shall lay hold of acluster, [4743] another shall
cry out, "I am a bettercluster, take me; bless the Lord through me." In like...
Fragment iv.
... And when any one of the saints shall lay hold of acluster, another shall cry out,
I am a bettercluster, take me; bless the Lord through me.' In like manner...
Judged by Fruit
... The two sets of verses taken together not only show in detail acluster of virtues
which are like luscious fruit in a beautiful garden, but also acluster of...
On Drinking.
... [1358] It was most requisite that in their wanderings they should be temperate.
[1359]. Afterwards the sacred vine produced the propheticcluster....
Thesaurus
Cluster (6 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A number of similar things collected together or lying contiguous; a group;
as, a
cluster of islands.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CLUSTER.
...Eshcol (6 Occurrences)
... (2.) A valley in which the spies obtained a finecluster of grapes (Numbers 13:23,
24; "the brook Eshcol, " AV; "the valley of Eshcol, " RV), which they took...
Vine (76 Occurrences)
... The men sent out by Moses brought with them from the Valley of Eshcol acluster
of grapes so large that "they bare it between two upon a staff" (Numbers 13: 23...
Pleiades (3 Occurrences)
... Hebrews kimah, "acluster" (Job 9:9; 38:31; Amos 5:8, AV, "seven stars;" RV,
"Pleiades"), a name given to thecluster of stars seen in the shoulder of the...
Bunch (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A collection,cluster, or tuft, properly of things of the same kind, growing
or fastened together; as, a bunch of grapes; a bunch of keys....
Constellation (1 Occurrence)
... Acluster of stars, or stars which appear to be near each other in the heavens,
and which astronomers have reduced to certain figures (as the "Great Bear...
Clusters (12 Occurrences)
Clung (7 Occurrences)
Grapes (74 Occurrences)
... Numbers 13:23 They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch
with onecluster of grapes, and they bore it on a staff between two; they...
Thence (152 Occurrences)
... Numbers 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a
branch with onecluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff...
Resources
Is belief in God a virus? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Canaanites? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was Israel called the land of milk and honey? | GotQuestions.orgCluster: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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