Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, vines hold significant agricultural, symbolic, and spiritual importance. They are frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing prosperity, peace, and divine blessing, as well as judgment and desolation when neglected or destroyed.
Agricultural SignificanceVines, particularly grapevines, were a staple of ancient Near Eastern agriculture. The cultivation of vineyards was a common practice in Israel, and the produce of the vine, especially wine, was a central element of daily life and religious rituals. The Promised Land is described as a land of "wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey" (
Deuteronomy 8:8), highlighting the vine's importance in the region's economy and sustenance.
Symbolism and Spiritual Meaning1.
Prosperity and Blessing: Vines are often used to symbolize abundance and divine favor. In the peaceful and prosperous reign of Solomon, "Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his own vine and his own fig tree" (
1 Kings 4:25). This imagery conveys a sense of security and prosperity granted by God.
2.
Israel as a Vine: The nation of Israel is frequently depicted as a vine or vineyard planted and tended by God. In
Isaiah 5:1-7, the "Song of the Vineyard" portrays Israel as a vineyard that God carefully cultivated, expecting it to yield good grapes, but it produced only wild grapes, symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness and resulting judgment.
3.
Judgment and Desolation: The destruction or neglect of vines often symbolizes divine judgment. In
Jeremiah 12:10, God laments, "Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground; they have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland" . This reflects the consequences of Israel's disobedience and the resulting desolation.
4.
Christ the True Vine: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine to describe His relationship with His followers. In
John 15:1-5, Jesus declares, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me" . This passage emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ to bear spiritual fruit and live a life pleasing to God.
Cultural and Religious PracticesWine, the product of the vine, played a significant role in Jewish religious practices and celebrations. It was used in offerings and feasts, symbolizing joy and God's provision. The Passover meal, which Jesus celebrated with His disciples at the Last Supper, included wine, which He used to institute the New Covenant, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you" (
Luke 22:20).
ConclusionThroughout the Bible, vines serve as a powerful symbol of God's relationship with His people, illustrating themes of blessing, judgment, and the necessity of remaining connected to Christ for spiritual vitality.
Strong's Hebrew
7796a. Soreq -- "choicevines," a valley where Delilah livedSoreq or Soreq. 7796, 7796a. Soreq or Soreq. 7796b . "choice
vines," a valley
where Delilah lived. Transliteration: Soreq or Soreq Short Definition: Sorek.
...7795b. shurah -- probably row (of olive trees orvines)
... 7795a, 7795b. shurah. 7796 . probably row (of olive trees orvines).
Transliteration: shurah Short Definition: rows. Word Origin...
3755. karam -- to tend vineyards, dressvines
... 3754, 3755. karam. 3756 . to tend vineyards, dressvines. Transliteration:
karam Phonetic Spelling: (ko-rame') Short Definition: vinedressers....
7796. Sowreq -- "choicevines," a valley where Delilah lived
... 7795b, 7796. Sowreq. 7796a . "choicevines," a valley where Delilah lived.
Transliteration: Sowreq Phonetic Spelling: (so-rake') Short Definition: Sorek. Sorek...
3754. kerem -- a vineyard
...vines, increase of the vineyards, vintage. From an unused root of uncertain meaning;
a garden or vineyard --vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage....
1612. gephen -- a vine
... Definition: vine. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a vine
NASB Word Usage vine (45),vines (10). vine, tree. From an...
5139. nazir -- one consecrated, devoted
... from nazar Definition one consecrated, devoted NASB Word Usage consecrated ones
(1), Nazirite (9), Nazirites (2), one distinguished (2), untrimmedvines (2)....
Library
The Vow of Chastity, and Its Rites in the Law;vines, Christ, and...
... Discourse V."Thallousa. Chapter V."The Vow of Chastity, and Its Rites in
the Law;Vines, Christ, and the Devil. I will now endeavour...
The Malignity of the Devil as an Imitator in all Things; Two Kinds...
... Discourse X."Domnina. Chapter V."The Malignity of the Devil as an Imitator
in All Things; Two Kinds of Fig-Trees andVines....
October 3. "The Little Foxes that Spoil thevines" (Song of...
... OCTOBER 3. "The little foxes that spoil thevines" (Song of Solomon, ii. 15).
"The little foxes that spoil thevines" (Song of Solomon, ii.15)....
Take us the Little Foxes that Spoil thevines; for Our vine is in...
... CHAPTER II. 15. Take us the little foxes that spoil thevines; for our vine
is in blossom. The faithful soul prays her beloved that...
The Figtree Hath Put Forth Her Green Figs, and the Floweringvines...
... CHAPTER II. 13. The figtree hath put forth her green figs, and the flowering
vines give a good smell. Arise my love, my fair one, come....
Chapter ii.
... The figtree putteth forth her green figs, and thevines with the tender grapes
give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, come away.13....
The vineyards
... "Thevines in the vineyard, children, are like these men.... "And look, dear children,
at the vine-dresser, when he is cutting and pruning thevines....
Letter xv. --To Adelphius the Lawyer .
... For forthwithvines, spread out over the slopes, and swellings, and hollows at the
mountain's base, cover with their colour, like a green mantle, all the lower...
Supposing Him to be the Gardener
... dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice." To what purpose does
he dwell in the vineyards but that he may see how thevines flourish and...
Of True Fasting and Its Reward: Also of Purity of Body.
... And when he was gone, the slave took and staked the vineyard; and when he had finished
the staking of thevines, he saw that the vineyard was full of weeds....
Thesaurus
Vines (39 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Vines (39 Occurrences). Luke 20:10
... his payment?
who puts in
vines and does not take the fruit of them? or
...Fig-trees (5 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 8:8 a land of wheat and barley, andvines and fig-trees and pomegranates;
a land of olive-trees and honey; (ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS)....
Pomegranate (11 Occurrences)
...Vines, figs and pomegranates are mentioned (Numbers 20:5) as fruits the Israelites
missed in the wilderness; the promised land was to be one "of wheat and...
Figtree
... which Adam and Eve converted into aprons (Genesis 3:7). The promised land was described
(Deuteronomy 8:8) as "a land of wheat and barley, andvines and fig...
Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... which Adam and Eve converted into aprons (Genesis 3:7). The promised land was described
(Deuteronomy 8:8) as "a land of wheat and barley, andvines and fig...
Fig (45 Occurrences)
... which Adam and Eve converted into aprons (Genesis 3:7). The promised land was described
(Deuteronomy 8:8) as "a land of wheat and barley, andvines and fig...
Vine-rows (1 Occurrence)
Vine-rows. Vine-plants, Vine-rows.Vines . Multi-Version Concordance Vine-rows
(1 Occurrence).... (See RSV). Vine-plants, Vine-rows.Vines . Reference Bible
Uncared-for (2 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:5 That which comes to growth of itself may not be cut, and the grapes
of your uncared-forvines may not be taken off; let it be a year of rest for...
Figs (27 Occurrences)
... It is no place of seed, or of figs, or ofvines, or of pomegranates; neither is
there any water to drink." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Ruining (2 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Song of Songs 2:15 Take for us the foxes, the little foxes, which
do damage to thevines; ourvines have young grapes. (See NAS)....
Resources
How can we learn to trust God like the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:17-19)? | GotQuestions.orgHow does God restore the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that you will know them by their fruit in Matthew 7:16? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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