Wine

The juice of the grape is the subject of special praise in the Scriptures. The “vine tree” is distinguished from the other trees in the forest (Ezekiel 15:2). The fig-tree is next in rank to the vine (Deuteronomy 8:8), though as food the fig is of greater importance (comp. Numbers 20:5) than the “wine which cheereth God and man” (Judges 9:13; comp. Psalms 104:15; Ecclesiastes 10:19). Wine is a good stimulant for “such as be faint in the wilderness” (2 Samuel 16:2), and for “those that be of heavy hearts” (Proverbs 31:6).

The goodness of wine is reflected in the figure in which Israel is likened to a vine brought from Egypt and planted in the Holy Land, where it took deep root, spread out, and prospered (Psalms 80:9-11). The blessed wife is like “a fruitful vine by the sides of thy house” (Psalms 128:3). When peace reigns every man rests “under his vine and under his fig-tree” (1 Kings 5:5 [A. V. 4:25]). An abundance of wine indicates prosperity. Jacob blessed Judah that “he washed his garments in wine and his clothes in the blood of grapes” (Genesis 49:11).

Bread as an indispensable food and wine as a luxury represent two extremes; they were used as signs of welcome and good-will to Abraham (Genesis 14:18). A libation of wine was part of the ceremonial sacrifices, varying in quantity from one-half to one-fourth of a hin measure (Numbers 28:14).

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Author: Jewish Encyclopedia

Keywords: Wine

Source: Isidore Singer (editor), The Jewish Encyclopedia (12 Volumes), (1906).

Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.