Vine

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Grape cultivation in Israel

The vine is a perennial deciduous climbing plant of the grape family. It thrives in hot, dry climates and mountainous terrain, and has been cultivated in Israel since ancient times. Grapes are one of the seven principal agricultural products of Israel,[1] and wine was an important beverage for the Israelites, especially in times when water was scarce.

In the Bible, the vine is frequently used as a symbol of happiness, prosperity, and of Israel as God’s chosen people. Jesus described Himself as the “true vine” and His followers as the branches, teaching that those who remain in Him will bear much fruit, but apart from Him they can do nothing; like severed branches, they will be cast away and burned.

Grape Cultivation in Israel

Synagogue mosaic at Acre, Israel, depicting the episode in which the spies cut a cluster of grapes and carried it back on a pole.
  • Grape Cultivation

Israel’s hot, arid summers with little rainfall provided ideal conditions for grape cultivation. The earliest biblical reference to viticulture is the account of Noah, who planted a vineyard after the flood.[2] Later, when the Israelites, after the Exodus, sent spies into Canaan, they returned from the Valley of Eshcol carrying a single cluster of grapes on a pole between two men,[3] evidence of the land’s fertility and of Israel’s long tradition of vine cultivation.

The prophet Isaiah described the process of vineyard-making.[4] Because Israel had little flat terrain and was largely mountainous, hillsides were cut into terraces for planting vines. The soil was cleared of stones, and the fields were enclosed with stone walls or wooden fences to protect against wild animals and thieves.[5][6] Within the vineyard, farmers built huts or stone towers to serve as watchposts,[7] where the owner or workers resided during harvest to guard the crop.[8]

Harvested grapes were eaten fresh, boiled into jam, or dried in the sun to make raisins. Raisins were a valuable food source during winter, a restorative for the hungry,[9] and served as provisions for travelers and armies.[10][11]

  • Winemaking
Remains of an ancient winepress at Rishon LeZion, Israel

Most harvested grapes were used to make wine. After being washed, the grapes were placed in rock-hewn winepresses, where workers trod them while singing.[12] The juice flowed through carved channels into a basin, was strained through clean cloth, and then stored in jars or wineskins to ferment. For the Israelites, wine was an essential beverage, especially at the end of the dry season when stored water supplies diminished, providing both refreshment and nutrients such as iron and minerals. Wine was also mixed with barley to produce vinegar or with myrrh to create an anesthetic.[13] It was likewise used as a remedy for wounds and illnesses.[14][15]

Wine played an important role in religious and social life, being used in Sabbath meals, major feasts, and weddings. At a wedding in Cana of Galilee, when the wine ran out, Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine.[16]

Wine in the Mosaic Law

Aaron’s Sons, Nadab and Abihu, Destroyed by Fire, Matthäus Merian: After the death of Nadab and Abihu, God commanded that priests were not to drink wine when entering the Tent of Meeting.
  • Regulations for Priests and Nazirites

After the death of Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, who offered unauthorized fire before the LORD and were consumed, God commanded Aaron that priests must not drink wine or strong drink when entering the Tent of Meeting.[17] From that time, priests were forbidden to drink wine before performing temple service. The prophet Ezekiel likewise recorded that priests were not to drink wine when entering the inner court of the temple.[18]

Nazirites were subject to stricter regulations. A Nazirite was one who vowed to set himself apart in dedication to God. Nazirites were required to abstain from wine and strong drink and were forbidden to consume grapes in any form, including fresh grapes, raisins, seeds, or skins.[19]

  • Laws Concerning Vineyards

The Mosaic Law also included statutes concerning vineyards. A man who had planted a vineyard but had not yet harvested from it was exempted from military service.[20] Vineyards were to be kept free of mixed crops,[21] and gleanings—grapes missed during harvesting or fallen to the ground—were to be left for foreigners, orphans, and widows.[22] Like other fields, vineyards were to lie fallow in the sabbatical year after six years of cultivation.[23]

Metaphor and Symbolism

Vine in the Old Testament

Peace and Prosperity

  • Judah and Israel . . . lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig tree. (1 Kings 4:25).

The expression, “under their own vine and fig tree,” appears several times in the Old Testament.[24][25] For the Israelites, cultivating their own vineyard and resting beneath the vine without fear of thieves or war symbolized happiness. Accordingly, during Solomon’s peaceful and prosperous reign, the people lived securely under their vines and fig trees.[26] The psalmist also described the happiness of those who fear God, likening their wives to fruitful vines.[27]

People of Israel

  • You brought a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. (Psalm 80:8)

The Bible frequently uses the imagery of a vineyard or vine to symbolize Israel, God’s chosen people.[28] The psalmist portrays the Exodus and Israel’s settlement in Canaan as God bringing a vine out of Egypt and planting it.[29] The prophet Isaiah described God’s care for His people as that of a vinedresser who waters and guards His vineyard day and night.[30] Conversely, leaders of Israel who failed to guide the people rightly and brought them to ruin are depicted as having plundered and destroyed the vineyard.[31][32]

  • Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. (Isaiah 5:2)

The Bible also employed the vine as a metaphor in reproving the sins of the Israelites who betrayed God and fell into idolatry. The prophet Hosea noted that although God had regarded the people of Israel with joy, as one who finds grapes in the wilderness and had bestowed blessings upon them, they abandoned Him and turned to idols.[33][34] Concerning the idolatrous Israelites, the Bible declares: “He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit,” and “I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?”[4][35]

  • “As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem.” (Ezekiel 15:6).

God warned of judgment against Israel when they failed to bear good fruit and fell into sin. The prophet Ezekiel likened the inhabitants of Jerusalem to vine branches that are worthless except to be burned.[36] Jeremiah and Isaiah also used the image of trampling the winepress to describe God’s judgment on the nations in the last days.[37][38]

Parables of Jesus

  • Parable of the True Vine

During His discourse with the disciples at the celebration of the New Covenant Passover, Jesus described Himself as the true vine, God as the gardener, and His disciples who kept the Passover as the branches:


“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

John 15:1–6


This parable of Jesus evokes the image of a gardener cultivating a vineyard. A vine must be pruned each year in order to bear good fruit. Just as a farmer prunes the branches to obtain quality grapes, so God purifies His people so that they may bear more fruit. Jesus taught that those who abide in Him will bear much fruit. Those who keep the New Covenant Passover, eating His flesh and drinking His blood, remain in Him.[39] As branches attached to the vine receive nourishment from it and yield an abundance of grapes, so believers, by abiding in Christ, receive His grace and bear abundant spiritual fruit. Conversely, those who turn away from Christ are like branches severed from the vine. A branch cut off from the vine not only fails to bear fruit but is also destined to be thrown into the fire as fuel.[36] Likewise, those who turn away from Christ can do nothing and cannot receive salvation.

  • Parable of the Wicked Tenants

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke record this parable. A landowner planted a vineyard, rented it to farmers, and went on a journey.[40][41][42] When he sent servants to collect his share of the fruit, the tenants beat or killed them. Finally, he sent his son, but they killed him as well. The owner then destroyed the tenants and entrusted the vineyard to others.

In this parable, the vineyard represents Israel,[28] and the owner represents God. The chief priests and Pharisees recognized that Jesus was speaking about them, and they sought to arrest Him. God had entrusted Israel to its religious leaders, yet they failed to render fruit to Him and ultimately led Jesus to death. Through this parable, Jesus warned them of impending judgment.

The Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek, Pieter Pauwel Rubens, 1625: The priest of God Most High, Melchizedek, blesses Abraham through bread and wine.

Symbols of Melchizedek

In the Old Testament, Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God, blessed Abraham through bread and wine after his victory in battle.[43] Unlike other priests who offered sacrifices with the blood of animals, Melchizedek used bread and wine as a sign of blessing.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to this earth and, on the Passover, granted the blessings of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life through the bread and wine, the symbols of Melchizedek.[44][45] The bread and wine of the New Covenant Passover attest that Jesus is the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.[46]

The New Covenant Passover established by Jesus was later abolished at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. In this age, the Passover of the new covenant has been restored by Christ Ahnsahnghong. The bread and wine of the New Covenant Passover are the signs that testify that Christ Ahnsahnghong is the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek and the Second Coming Christ.[47]

For details, refer to: Melchizedek

See also

  • Sermon: Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing

References

  1. ↑ "Deuteronomy 8:8".
  2. ↑ "Genesis 9:20".
  3. ↑ "Numbers 13:23".
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Isaiah 5:1-2".
  5. ↑ "Song of Songs 2:15".
  6. ↑ "Psalms 80:8-14".
  7. ↑ "Isaiah 1:8".
  8. ↑ Isaiah 5: God’s Vineyard, Grace and Peace, Joanne, May 4, 2022
  9. ↑ "1 Samuel 30:12".
  10. ↑ "1 Samuel 25:18".
  11. ↑ "1 Chronicles 12:40".
  12. ↑ "Isaiah 16:10".
  13. ↑ "Mark 15:23".
  14. ↑ "1 Timothy 5:23".
  15. ↑ "Luke 10:30-34".
  16. ↑ "John 2:1-11".
  17. ↑ "Leviticus 10:1-9".
  18. ↑ "Ezekiel 44:21".
  19. ↑ "Numbers 6:2-4".
  20. ↑ "Deuteronomy 20:6".
  21. ↑ "Deuteronomy 22:9".
  22. ↑ "Deuteronomy 24:21".
  23. ↑ "Leviticus 25:3-5".
  24. ↑ "Micah 4:4".
  25. ↑ "Zechariah 3:10".
  26. ↑ "1 Kings 4:25".
  27. ↑ "Psalms 128:3-4".
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Isaiah 5:7".
  29. ↑ "Psalms 80:8-11".
  30. ↑ "Isaiah 27:2-3".
  31. ↑ "Isaiah 3:14-15".
  32. ↑ "Jeremiah 12:10".
  33. ↑ "Hosea 9:10".
  34. ↑ "Hosea 10:1-2".
  35. ↑ "Jeremiah 2:21".
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Ezekiel 15:2-6".
  37. ↑ "Jeremiah 25:30-31".
  38. ↑ "Isaiah 63:3".
  39. ↑ "John 6:56".
  40. ↑ "Matthew 21:33-46".
  41. ↑ "Mark 12:1-12".
  42. ↑ "Luke 20:9-18".
  43. ↑ "Genesis 14:17-20".
  44. ↑ "Matthew 26:19-28".
  45. ↑ "John 6:54".
  46. ↑ "Hebrews 5:8-10".
  47. ↑ "Isaiah 25:6-9".
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