Topical Encyclopedia
A vat, in biblical terms, refers to a large container or receptacle used for holding liquids, particularly in the processes of winemaking and oil production. The term is often associated with the agricultural practices of ancient Israel and is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible. Vats were essential components in the production and storage of wine and olive oil, two significant commodities in the biblical economy and culture.
Biblical References:1.
Wine Production: Vats are frequently mentioned in the context of winemaking. Grapes were harvested and placed in a winepress, where they were trodden to extract juice. This juice would then flow into a vat, where it was collected and allowed to ferment into wine. The process is vividly described in the book of Isaiah: "The new wine mourns, the vine withers; all the merry-hearted sigh" (
Isaiah 24:7). This passage highlights the importance of wine and, by extension, the vats used in its production.
2.
Oil Production: Similarly, vats were used in the production of olive oil. Olives were crushed, and the oil was collected in vats. This process is alluded to in the book of Joel: "The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil" (
Joel 2:24). Here, the abundance of produce, including oil, is a sign of divine blessing and prosperity.
3.
Symbol of Abundance and Blessing: Vats are often used metaphorically in the Bible to symbolize abundance and divine blessing. In Proverbs, the promise of plenty is associated with honoring the Lord: "Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine" (
Proverbs 3:10). This imagery conveys the idea that faithfulness to God results in material and spiritual blessings.
4.
Judgment and Wrath: Conversely, vats can also symbolize judgment and the outpouring of God's wrath. In the book of Revelation, the imagery of a winepress is used to depict divine judgment: "So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the grapes of the earth, and he threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath" (
Revelation 14:19). Here, the vat becomes a vessel of God's righteous judgment upon the wicked.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Israel, the production of wine and oil was not only a vital economic activity but also held religious significance. Wine was used in various religious ceremonies and offerings, while olive oil was essential for anointing and as a source of light in lamps. The presence of vats in these processes underscores their importance in daily life and worship.
Vats were typically constructed from stone or clay and varied in size depending on their intended use. Archaeological discoveries have unearthed ancient winepresses and vats, providing insight into the agricultural practices of biblical times.
Theological Significance:The use of vats in biblical narratives and metaphors serves to illustrate broader theological themes. The imagery of overflowing vats as a sign of blessing emphasizes God's provision and faithfulness to His people. Conversely, the use of vats in the context of judgment underscores the seriousness of divine justice.
In summary, vats in the Bible are more than mere agricultural tools; they are rich symbols of blessing, abundance, and divine interaction with humanity. Through their use in both literal and metaphorical contexts, vats convey profound spiritual truths about God's relationship with His creation.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A large vessel, cistern, or tub, especially one used for holding in an immature state, chemical preparations for dyeing, or for tanning, or for tanning leather, or the like.
2. (n.) A measure for liquids, and also a dry measure; especially, a liquid measure in Belgium and Holland, corresponding to the hectoliter of the metric system, which contains 22.01 imperial gallons, or 26.4 standard gallons in the United States.
3. (n.) A wooden tub for washing ores and mineral substances in.
4. (n.) A square, hollow place on the back of a calcining furnace, where tin ore is laid to dry.
5. (n.) A vessel for holding holy water.
6. (v. t.) To put or transfer into a vat.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FAT (VAT)WINE, WINE PRESS, II.
VAT
SeeWINEVAT.
Greek
3025b. lenos -- a trough, ie a (wine)vat... 3025a, 3025b. lenos. 3026 . a trough, ie a (wine)
vat. Transliteration:
lenos Short Definition: winepress. Word Origin a prim. word
...5276. hupolenion -- a vessel or trough beneath a winepress (to...
... Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hupolenion Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ol-ay'-nee-on)
Short Definition: a pit under the wine-press Definition: a wine-vat, pit under...
3025. lenos -- receiving
... receiving. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: lenos Phonetic Spelling:
(lay-nos') Short Definition: a winepress Definition: a trough,vat, winepress...
Strong's Hebrew
3342. yeqeb -- winevat... 3341, 3342. yeqeb. 3343 . wine
vat. Transliteration: yeqeb Phonetic
Spelling: (yeh'-keb) Short Definition:
vat. Word Origin from
...1660. gath -- a wine press
... winepress fat. Probably from nagan (in the sense of treading out grapes); a
wine-press (orvat for holding the grapes in pressing them) -- (wine-)press (fat)....
Library
Vision Second. Again, of his Neglect in Chastising his Talkative...
... to the villages. From Cum??--Vat. While I was journeying in the district of the
Cumans.--Pal.... [58] God ... against. Omitted inVat. [59] Not, omitted inVat....
Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the...
... So the ??thiopic version. "Proceeding with these thoughts in my mind."--Vat.... [23]
Creatures. Creature or creation.--Lips.,Vat., ??th. [24] Pathless place....
Vision Fourth. Concerning the Trial and Tribulation that are to...
... Easily.--Lips., Sin. [132] He might strengthen me, omitted inVat. [133] For ...
marvels. This clause is connected with the subsequent sentence inVat....
Commandment Second. On Avoiding Evil-Speaking, and on Giving Alms...
... brother. [James 4:11.] And if you believe the slanderer, you will also be guilty
of sin, in that you have belived one who speaks evil of your brother.--Vat....
Commandment Fifth. Of Sadness of Heart, and of Patience.
... But rejoicing he will be expanded, and he will feast in the vessel in which he dwells,
and he will serve the Lord joyfully in the midst of great peace.--Vat....
After this Event all the Effects which He had Brought with Him...
... [2120] But the Codex Reg. Alex.Vat. reads, "erat enim multum pecuni?? arida"--for
she had a great greed for money.... Alex.Vat. reads septuaginta, seventy....
Commandment Tenth. Of Grief, and not Grieving the Spirit of God...
... Footnotes: [210] TheVat.... [Luke 8:14.]. [212] This ... repented, omitted inVat.
[2 Corinthians 7:10. Compare this Commandment in Wake's translation and notes.]....
No One, However, Has ever Made Such an Unblushing Advance in the...
... Alex.Vat. reads, "in qua cum habitaret, et ??gyptiorum," etc.... The form Tereventus
is also given; and the Codex Reg. Alex.Vat. has Terybeneus....
Commandment Third. On Avoiding Falsehood, and on the Repentance of...
... [159] [Ephesians 4:25, 29.]. [160] Dwelleth in you. Who put the spirit within
you.--Vat.... [162] Cunningly to all. Have ever lived in dissimulation.--Vat....
Commandment Twelfth. On the Twofold Desire. The Commandments of...
... God. Whoever, therefore, shall abstain from evil desire, shall live to
God.--Vat. [228] God. The Lord.--Vat. [229] Go ... wishes. And...
Thesaurus
Vat (7 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) A vessel for holding holy water. 6. (vt) To put or transfer into a
vat.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAT (
VAT). WINE, WINE PRESS, II.
VAT.
...Wine-vat (7 Occurrences)
Wine-vat. Winevat, Wine-vat. Wine-vats . Multi-Version Concordance
Wine-vat (7 Occurrences). Numbers 18:27 and your...
Press-vat (1 Occurrence)
Press-vat. Pressured, Press-vat. Presume . Multi-Version Concordance
Press-vat (1 Occurrence). Haggai 2:16 Since those...
Press (57 Occurrences)
... 2. Wine Press: (1) Properly speaking, the actual wine press was called gath (Judges
6:11, etc.), and the receivingvat ("fat") yeqebh (Numbers 18:27, etc...
Wine (282 Occurrences)
... 11. (10.) Yekebh (Deuteronomy 16:13, but in RV correctly "wine-press"),
avat into which the new wine flowed from the press. Joel...
Winevat (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia WINEFAT; WINE PRESS; WINEVAT. win'-fat, win'-pres,
win'-vat. See CRAFTS, II, 19; VINE; WINE. WINEVAT. See WINEFAT, WINEVAT....
Fat (150 Occurrences)
... In Joel 2:24 the word is equivalent to "vat," a vessel.... Noah Webster's
Dictionary. 1. (n.) A large tub, cistern, or vessel; avat....
Presume (10 Occurrences)
Vastly (1 Occurrence)
Resources
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