Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:The grape is a significant fruit in the biblical narrative, symbolizing abundance, blessing, and sometimes judgment. It is frequently mentioned in the context of agriculture, diet, and religious rituals. Grapes were a staple in the diet of the ancient Near East and played a crucial role in the economy and culture of biblical times.
Biblical References and Symbolism:Grapes are first mentioned in the Bible in the context of Noah, who planted a vineyard after the flood (
Genesis 9:20). This early reference highlights the importance of viticulture in ancient societies. The fruit of the vine is often associated with joy and celebration, as seen in
Psalm 104:15, which states, "wine that gladdens the heart of man."
The Promised Land is frequently described as a land of abundance, "a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey" (
Deuteronomy 8:8). The spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan brought back a cluster of grapes so large that it had to be carried on a pole between two men (
Numbers 13:23), symbolizing the fertility and prosperity of the land God promised to the Israelites.
Religious and Cultural Significance:Grapes and wine hold significant religious symbolism in the Bible. Wine, made from grapes, was used in various offerings and rituals. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the vine as a metaphor for His relationship with His followers: "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit" (
John 15:5). This imagery emphasizes the importance of remaining connected to Christ for spiritual vitality and growth.
The Last Supper, a pivotal event in the New Testament, features wine as a symbol of the new covenant in Jesus' blood (
Matthew 26:27-28). This association underscores the sacrificial and redemptive aspects of Christ's mission.
Judgment and Consequences:While grapes often symbolize blessing, they can also represent judgment. In
Isaiah 5:1-7, the "Song of the Vineyard" uses the imagery of a vineyard producing wild grapes to depict Israel's unfaithfulness and the resulting divine judgment. Similarly,
Revelation 14:18-20 uses the metaphor of the grape harvest to describe the outpouring of God's wrath.
Agricultural Practices:Viticulture was a well-developed practice in ancient Israel. Vineyards required careful maintenance, including pruning and protection from animals and thieves. The process of winemaking involved treading grapes in a winepress, a practice vividly described in
Isaiah 63:2-3, where the imagery of treading the winepress is used to depict divine judgment.
Conclusion:The grape, with its rich symbolism and practical importance, is a multifaceted element in the biblical narrative. It represents both the blessings of God and the consequences of disobedience, serving as a powerful reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Grape[VINE]
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The fruit of the vine, which was extensively cultivated in Palestine. Grapes are spoken of as "tender" (Cant. 2:13, 15), "unripe" (
Job 15:33), "sour" (
Isaiah 18:5), "wild" (
Isaiah 5:2, 4). (See
Revelation 14:18;
Micah 7:1;
Jeremiah 6:9;
Ezek. 18:2, for figurative use of the word.) (see
VINE.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A well-known edible berry growing in pendent clusters or bunches on the grapevine. The berries are smooth-skinned, have a juicy pulp, and are cultivated in great quantities for table use and for making wine and raisins.
2. (n.) The plant which bears this fruit; the grapevine.
3. (n.) A mangy tumor on the leg of a horse.
4. (n.) Grapeshot.
Greek
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
...288. ampelos -- vine
... vine. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ampelos Phonetic Spelling:
(am'-pel-os) Short Definition: a vine Definition: a vine,grape-vine....
Strong's Hebrew
6025. enab -- agrape... 6024, 6025. enab. 6026 . a
grape. Transliteration: enab Phonetic Spelling:
(ay-nawb') Short Definition: grapes.
... ripe
grape, wine.
...1154. beser -- unripegrape
... 1153, 1154. beser. 1155 . unripegrape. Transliteration: beser Phonetic Spelling:
(beh'-ser) Short Definition:grape. Word Origin see boser. unripegrape...
2785. chartsannim -- probablygrape kernels,grape stones
... 2784, 2785. chartsannim. 2786 . probablygrape kernels,grape stones.
Transliteration: chartsannim Phonetic Spelling: (kchar-tsan') Short Definition:...
5563. semadar -- blossom (of thegrape)
... 5562, 5563. semadar. 5564 . blossom (of thegrape). Transliteration: semadar
Phonetic Spelling: (sem-aw-dar') Short Definition: blossom.... tendergrape....
2085. zag -- skin (of thegrape)
... 2084, 2085. zag. 2086 . skin (of thegrape). Transliteration: zag Phonetic
Spelling: (zawg) Short Definition: skin. Word Origin...
6024. Anab -- "grape," a place in the hill country of Judah
... 6023, 6024. Anab. 6025 . "grape," a place in the hill country of Judah.
Transliteration: Anab Phonetic Spelling: (an-awb') Short Definition: Anab....
1210. batsir -- a vintage
... Word Origin from batsar Definition a vintage NASB Word Usagegrape (1),grape
gathering (2),grape harvest (2), vintage (2). vintage....
1155. boser -- unripe or sour grapes
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition unripe or sour grapes NASB Word Usage
grape (1), sour grapes (3), unripegrape (1). sourgrape....
1219. batsar -- to cut off, make inaccessible, enclose
... mighty things (1), thwarted (1). cut off, fortify,grape gatherer, mighty
things, restrain, strong, wall up,. A primitive root; to...
6528. peret -- the broken off
... Word Origin from parat Definition the broken off NASB Word Usage fallen fruit (1).
grape. From parat; a stray or single berry --grape. see HEBREW parat....
Library
Whether Wine of theGrape is the Proper Matter of this Sacrament?
... OF THE MATTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether wine of thegrape
is the proper matter of this sacrament? Objection 1: It...
What the Blood of theGrape Signifies.
... Chapter LIV."What the blood of thegrape signifies. "And that expression which
was committed to writing [2118] by Moses, and prophesied...
If You Give aGrape to Him when Hungry...
... Book II. 23 If you give agrape to him when hungry? If you give agrape
to him when hungry, a must-cake, an onion, a thistle, [3547...
It is Related Also that vinegar was Given Him to Drink, or Wine...
... Agreeably with which Moses, even in his day, said to the people, "Their vine is
of the vineyards of Sodom, and their branch of Gomorrah; theirgrape is agrape...
The Debt of Iren??us to Justin Martyr
... he shall come for whom it is reserved: and he shall be the expectation of the Gentiles;
binding his colt to the vine; washing his robe in the blood of thegrape...
On Earthly Things
... [John 15:5, Deut.32:32]. The fruit of thegrape is righteousness; in the
song of Isaiah: I have waited for thegrape to ripen. The...
Fragment Lv. "Then Drew Near unto Him the Mother of Zebedee's...
... I may refer, for example, to the premature fruit of thegrape, or of the fig, or
to any fruit whatsoever, from which, during its process [of growth], no man...
Christ Predicted by Moses.
... come for whom it is reserved; and He shall be the desire of the nations, binding
His foal to the vine, washing His robe in the blood of thegrape." [1827] It...
That the Son of God Should be Born, and in what Way He was To...
... he shall come for whom it remaineth; [209] and he shall be the expectation of the
Gentiles: washing his robe in wine, and his garment in the blood of thegrape...
Psalm LXXXIV.
... Thegrape hangs on the vines, and the olive on its trees.... "For the courts of
the Lord." Thegrape when pressed hath failed: but for what?...
Thesaurus
Grape (20 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) Grapeshot. Multi-Version Concordance
Grape (20 Occurrences).
... Of the blood
of the
grape you drank wine. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV).
...Grape-cakes (4 Occurrences)
Grape-cakes.Grape-cake,Grape-cakes.Grape-crusher . Multi-Version
ConcordanceGrape-cakes (4 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 12:40...
Grape-cutting (1 Occurrence)
Grape-cutting.Grape-crushing,Grape-cutting. Grapegatherer .
Multi-Version ConcordanceGrape-cutting (1 Occurrence)....
Grape-crushing (2 Occurrences)
Grape-crushing.Grape-crusher,Grape-crushing.Grape-cutting .
Multi-Version ConcordanceGrape-crushing (2 Occurrences). Judges...
Grape-gatherers (2 Occurrences)
Grape-gatherers. Grapegatherers,Grape-gatherers.Grape-gleanings .
Multi-Version ConcordanceGrape-gatherers (2 Occurrences)....
Grape-gleanings (1 Occurrence)
Grape-gleanings.Grape-gatherers,Grape-gleanings. Grapes .
Multi-Version ConcordanceGrape-gleanings (1 Occurrence)....
Grape-cake (1 Occurrence)
Grape-cake.Grape,Grape-cake.Grape-cakes . Multi-Version Concordance
Grape-cake (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 16:3 and giveth a...
Grape-crusher (1 Occurrence)
Grape-crusher.Grape-cakes,Grape-crusher.Grape-crushing . Multi-Version
ConcordanceGrape-crusher (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 6:27...
Grape-vine (1 Occurrence)
Grape-vine. Grapevine,Grape-vine. Grapevines . Multi-Version
ConcordanceGrape-vine (1 Occurrence). Numbers 6:4 All...
Grape-gatherer (1 Occurrence)
Grape-gatherer. Grapegatherer,Grape-gatherer. Grapegatherers .
Multi-Version ConcordanceGrape-gatherer (1 Occurrence)....
Resources
Should wine or grape juice be used for communion? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of gleaning in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgGrape: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
