Botrys is a term that appears in biblical literature and is often associated with grapes or clusters of grapes. The word itself is derived from the Greek "βότρυς," which means a cluster, particularly of grapes. In the context of the Bible, botrys is symbolic of abundance, fertility, and the blessings of God, often used metaphorically to describe the prosperity and fruitfulness of the land promised to the Israelites.

Biblical References:

While the specific term "botrys" does not appear in the English translations of the Bible, the concept is closely related to the imagery of vineyards and grape clusters, which are prevalent throughout the Scriptures. Grapes and vineyards are frequently mentioned in the context of God's blessings and the prosperity of His people.

1. Symbol of Abundance and Blessing:
· In the Old Testament, the Promised Land is often described as a land "flowing with milk and honey," and its fertility is symbolized by the abundance of grapes. For instance, when the spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan returned, they brought back a cluster of grapes so large that it had to be carried on a pole between two men (Numbers 13:23). This imagery underscores the richness and fertility of the land God promised to His people.

2. Metaphor for Israel:
· The vineyard is a common metaphor for Israel in the prophetic books. In Isaiah 5:1-7, the prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a vineyard to describe God's care for Israel and His disappointment with their lack of righteousness. The vineyard, expected to produce good grapes, instead yields wild grapes, symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness.

3. New Testament Imagery:
· In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of the vine and branches to describe the relationship between Himself and His followers. In John 15:1-5 , Jesus declares, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." This passage emphasizes the importance of remaining in Christ to bear spiritual fruit, drawing on the rich symbolism of the vineyard.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, vineyards were a significant part of the agricultural landscape. Grapes were a staple crop, used for eating fresh, drying as raisins, and fermenting into wine. The cultivation of vineyards required careful attention and labor, making them a fitting symbol for God's nurturing care and the expected fruitfulness of His people.

The imagery of botrys, or grape clusters, thus serves as a powerful symbol throughout the Bible, representing not only physical abundance but also spiritual fruitfulness and the blessings that come from a faithful relationship with God.BOTRYS

bot'-ris (Botrus; modern Batrun): A town of Phoenicia on the coast some miles North of Gebal (Byblus) on the southern side of the bold promontory called in classic times Theoprosopon. It is said to have been founded by Ithobal (Ethbaal), king of Tyre, whose daughter married Ahab (Josephus, Ant, VIII, xiii, 2). The town is not mentioned in Scripture.

How Ahab when He had Taken Jezebel to Wife Became More Wicked than ...
... This Ethbaal built the city Botrys in Phoenicia, and the city Auza in Libya." By
these words he designed the want of rain that was in the days of Ahab, for at ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how ahab when.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... facts are known which can enlighten us as to the activity which prevailed under
Eth-baal: we know, however, that he rebuilt the small town of Botrys, which had ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... Phoenicia"Arad, Marathus, Simyra, Botrys"Byblos, its temple, its goddess, the myth
of Adonis: Aphaka and the valley of the Nahr-Ibrahim, the festivals of ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Botrys
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BOTRYS. bot'-ris (Botrus; modern Batrun):
A town of Phoenicia on the coast some miles North of Gebal ...
/b/botrys.htm - 6k

Bothers (1 Occurrence)

/b/bothers.htm - 6k

Arkite (7 Occurrences)
... the name Irkatah and taken by Tiglathpileser III in 738 BC Not being on the sea
its trade was small and it probably belonged to Tripoli or Botrys originally. ...
/a/arkite.htm - 9k

Bottle (28 Occurrences)

/b/bottle.htm - 23k

Lebanon (66 Occurrences)
... of man and his domestic animals, he crosses by turns at higher and higher levels
the headwaters of the Ibrahim, Fedar, Jozeh, Byblus and the Botrys rivers, and ...
/l/lebanon.htm - 45k

Tyre (59 Occurrences)
... the Baal-worship into Israel. Eth-baal was an energetic monarch, and is
said to have rounded Botrys (Batrun). He reigned 32 years ...
/t/tyre.htm - 45k

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