In biblical times, bottles were essential containers used for storing liquids such as water, wine, and oil. The term "bottle" in the Bible often refers to vessels made from animal skins, particularly goatskins, which were sewn together and sealed to hold liquids. These skin bottles were practical for the nomadic lifestyle of many biblical peoples, as they were durable and flexible.

Old Testament References

The use of bottles is mentioned in several Old Testament passages. In Joshua 9:4, the Gibeonites, seeking to deceive the Israelites, "took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and old wineskins, cracked and mended." This passage highlights the common use of wineskins as bottles and their tendency to wear out over time.

In Job 32:19, Elihu compares his pent-up words to new wine needing to be released: "Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin." This metaphor illustrates the pressure that builds up in a new wineskin as the wine ferments, emphasizing the need for proper containment.

New Testament References

The New Testament also references bottles, particularly in the context of wineskins. Jesus uses the imagery of wineskins to teach about the incompatibility of old and new covenants. In Matthew 9:17, He states, "Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will spill and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." This teaching underscores the necessity of new structures to accommodate new teachings and practices.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Bottles, particularly wineskins, held cultural and symbolic significance in biblical times. They were not only practical items but also served as symbols of preservation and transformation. The process of fermentation in wineskins was a natural transformation that required careful management, paralleling spiritual growth and renewal.

The imagery of bottles bursting due to fermentation is a powerful metaphor for the transformative power of God's work in individuals and communities. Just as new wine requires new wineskins, so too does the new life in Christ require a transformation of the heart and mind.

Conclusion

In summary, bottles in the Bible, primarily made from animal skins, were vital for daily life and carried rich symbolic meaning. They illustrate themes of preservation, transformation, and the necessity of new structures for new life. The biblical references to bottles, particularly wineskins, provide insight into the cultural practices of the time and the spiritual lessons conveyed through these everyday objects.2534. chemah -- heat, rage
... 2), wrathful* (1). anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furiously heat,
indignation, poison, rage, wrath ful. Or (Dan. 11:44) chemac ...
/hebrew/2534.htm - 6k

The Parable of the New Patch on the Old Garment, and of the New ...
... Section 138. The Parable of the New Patch on the Old Garment, and of the New Wine
in Old Bottles. Christ added another illustration in the form of a parable. ...
/.../section 138 the parable of.htm

A Teacher with Authority
... And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles,
and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter ii a teacher with.htm

The Publicans' Friend
... And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles,
and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the publicans friend.htm

Alcuin on True Missionary Labours.
... He refers to the fact, that when Christ was asked why his disciples did not fast,
he replied: "No man putteth new wine into old bottles, lest the bottles burst ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/alcuin on true missionary labours.htm

The Judges Said: we Desire to have Information from You on this ...
... For our Lord Jesus Christ, indeed, seems to me to have spoken of these in His parables,
when He said: "No man can put new wine into old bottles, else the ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/18 the judges said we.htm

The Embalming of the Body of Jesus.
... The women had with them some large leathern bottles and a vase filled with
water standing upon a coal fire. They gave the Blessed ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter li the embalming of.htm

The Call of Levi the Publican Christ in Relation to the Baptist. ...
... You are inflated about the old bottles, and brain-muddled with the new wine; and
therefore to the old (that is to say, to the prior) gospel you have sewed on ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xi the call of levi.htm

Levi-Matthew
... Jesus further illustrated this fact, saying, "No man putteth new wine into old bottles;
else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 28 levi-matthew.htm

Acts of Saint Philip the Apostle when He Went to Upper Hellas.
... something new, you ought to throw away from you the disposition of the old man;
as my Lord said, It is impossible to put new wine into old bottles, since the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of philip/acts of saint philip the.htm

The Stony Heart Removed
... Manhood is like one of the old skin bottles of the Orientals; he who would put the
new wine into it shall find that the bottles will burst, and his wine will ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the stony heart removed.htm

Bottles (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bottles (12 Occurrences). Matthew 9:17 Neither
do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break ...
/b/bottles.htm - 9k

Wine-bottles (2 Occurrences)
Wine-bottles. Winebibbings, Wine-bottles. Wine-cakes . Multi-Version
Concordance Wine-bottles (2 Occurrences). Joshua ...
/w/wine-bottles.htm - 7k

Skin-bottles (1 Occurrence)
Skin-bottles. Skin, Skin-bottles. Skin-disease . Multi-Version
Concordance Skin-bottles (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 25:18 ...
/s/skin-bottles.htm - 6k

Bottle (28 Occurrences)
... "Bottles of wine" in the Authorized Version of Hosea 7:5 is properly rendered in
the ... The clouds are figuratively called the "bottles of heaven" (Job 38:37). ...
/b/bottle.htm - 23k

Perish (186 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break,
and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into ...
/p/perish.htm - 38k

Runneth (36 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break,
and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into ...
/r/runneth.htm - 16k

Glass (12 Occurrences)
... history, at least BC 1500. Various articles both useful and ornamental were
made of it, as bottles, vases, etc. A glass bottle with ...
/g/glass.htm - 21k

Putteth (182 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Luke 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the
new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. ...
/p/putteth.htm - 38k

Break (257 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break,
and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into ...
/b/break.htm - 46k

Run (147 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break,
and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into ...
/r/run.htm - 43k

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