Topical Encyclopedia Grapes hold significant importance in the biblical narrative, symbolizing abundance, blessing, and divine provision. They are frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures, reflecting their central role in the agricultural and economic life of ancient Israel.Biblical References and Symbolism Grapes are first mentioned in Genesis 9:20-21, where Noah, a man of the soil, plants a vineyard and becomes drunk on the wine produced from the grapes. This early reference sets the stage for the dual nature of grapes and wine in the Bible, representing both blessing and potential moral pitfalls. In the Promised Land, grapes are a symbol of the land's fertility and God's provision. When the twelve spies were sent to explore Canaan, they returned with 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 abundance and prosperity that awaited the Israelites in the land God had promised them. The grapevine is also used metaphorically to describe Israel. In Psalm 80:8-9, the psalmist writes, "You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land." Here, the vine represents Israel, planted and nurtured by God, intended to bear fruit for His glory. Grapes in Worship and Sacrifice Grapes and their byproduct, wine, were integral to the sacrificial system and religious observances. In Leviticus 23:13, wine is included as a drink offering during the Feast of Weeks, signifying joy and celebration in the presence of the Lord. The use of wine in offerings highlights its role as a symbol of thanksgiving and covenant relationship with God. Moral and Ethical Teachings The Bible also addresses the ethical implications of wine consumption. Proverbs 20:1 warns, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This cautionary note reflects the potential for grapes, when fermented into wine, to lead to excess and moral compromise. Conversely, wine is also seen as a gift from God that brings joy and gladness. Psalm 104:14-15 states, "He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart." This passage acknowledges the rightful enjoyment of God's creation when used in moderation and gratitude. New Testament Context In the New Testament, grapes and wine continue to hold symbolic significance. Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana involved turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), demonstrating His divine authority and the joy of the new covenant. Furthermore, during the Last Supper, Jesus used wine as a symbol of His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:27-28). The imagery of the vine and branches in John 15:1-5 further emphasizes the relationship between Christ and His followers. 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 to make it even more fruitful." This metaphor illustrates the necessity of abiding in Christ to bear spiritual fruit. Conclusion Throughout the Bible, grapes serve as a powerful symbol of God's provision, the potential for both blessing and moral challenge, and the deep spiritual truths of the Christian faith. Their presence in Scripture invites believers to reflect on the abundance of God's creation and the call to live fruitful lives in Christ. ATS Bible Dictionary GrapesThe fruit of the vine. The grapes of Palestine were very fine, of great size and high flavor, Numbers 13:24. At present, and probably the same has always been true, the wine that is made requires but a small part of the annual yield of the vines. Dr. Robinson says, "No wine is made from the very extensive vineyards of Hebron, except a little by the Jews." While yet green, grapes are used for food in various ways; and are dried in the sun, or their juice preserved in bottles, to secure a pleasant vegetable tart all the year round, Numbers 6:4. Ripe grapes may be had in Syria four or five months, Le 26:5; and when the season closes many are hung up in clusters, suitably protected, and remain without drying up all through the winter. Grapes are exceedingly cheap, and form no small part of the ordinary food. Ripe grapes are also dried into raisins; and after the hanging grapes are gone, the raisins are used until the return of new grapes. Besides the law which protected the first three years' growth of the vine, (see FRUITS,) there was another law requiring the Jews to leave the gleanings of their vineyards for the poor, Le 19:10,23. The law also allowed one who was passing a vineyard to pick a few grapes to eat on the spot, but not to carry any away, De 23:24. Everywhere we encounter proofs of the admirable humanity that characterized the Mosaic legislation. A vineyard nearly stripped of its clustered treasures was a frequent image of desolation, Isaiah 17:6 24:13 Obadiah 1:5. See VINE. "Wild grapes" were the fruit of a wild vine, probably the Vitis Labrusca of Linnaeus, the wild claret-grape. The fruit of the wild vine is called oenanthes, of the flower of wine. They never ripen, and are good only for verjuice. In Isaiah 5:2,4, God complains of his people whom he had planted as a choice vine, an excellent plant, that he had a right to require of them good fruit, but they had brought forth only wild grapes-fruit of a bad smell, and a bad taste. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia GRAPES, WILD(be'ushim, Isaiah 5:2, 4): A word closely allied to bo'shah, Job 31:40, translated "cockle" (which see). It implies something noisome or worthless, but no particular fruit. GRAPES graps. Greek 4718. staphule -- a bunch of grapes ... a bunch of grapes. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: staphule Phonetic Spelling: (staf-oo-lay') Short Definition: a grape, cluster of grapes ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4718.htm - 6k 1009. botrus -- a cluster of grapes 129. haima -- blood 4608. sikera -- fermented liquor 2970. komos -- a village festival, revel 2915. krithe -- barley 5166. trugao -- to gather in 3631. oinos -- wine 1098. gleukos -- sweet new wine Strong's Hebrew 891. beushim -- stinking or worthless (things), wild grapes... beushim. 892 . stinking or worthless (things), wild grapes. Transliteration: beushim Phonetic Spelling: (be-oo-sheem') Short Definition: ones. ... wild grapes. ... /hebrew/891.htm - 6k 1155. boser -- unripe or sour grapes 5332. netsach -- juice (of grapes), blood, gore 811. eshkol -- a cluster 1660. gath -- a wine press 6025. enab -- a grape 5955. oleloth -- a gleaning 3342. yeqeb -- wine vat 1219. batsar -- to cut off, make inaccessible, enclose 8492. tirosh -- must, fresh or new wine Library The Story of the Grapes from Canaan "Do Men Gather Grapes of Thorns?" Since we Understand that in Several Churches Grapes are Brought to ... This Thy Stature is Like to a Palmtree, and Thy Breasts to ... The Wine of Prayer The Vow of Chastity, and Its Rites in the Law; vines, Christ, and ... Obedience. Whether Wine of the Grape is the Proper Matter of this Sacrament? The Pride of Amaryllis The Cross and the Winepress. Thesaurus Grapes (74 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia GRAPES, WILD. (be'ushim, Isaiah 5:2, 4): A word closely allied to bo'shah, Job 31:40, translated "cockle" (which see). ...GRAPES. graps. ... /g/grapes.htm - 31k Grape (20 Occurrences) Raisins (9 Occurrences) Gleaning (10 Occurrences) Eshcol (6 Occurrences) Clusters (12 Occurrences) Cluster (6 Occurrences) Vines (39 Occurrences) Figs (27 Occurrences) Juice (8 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of gleaning in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that you will know them by their fruit in Matthew 7:16? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Grapes (74 Occurrences)Matthew 7:16 Matthew 21:34 Mark 12:2 Luke 6:44 1 Corinthians 9:7 Revelation 14:18 Revelation 14:19 Revelation 14:20 Revelation 19:15 Genesis 40:10 Genesis 40:11 Genesis 49:11 Leviticus 19:10 Leviticus 25:5 Leviticus 25:11 Leviticus 26:5 Numbers 6:3 Numbers 6:4 Numbers 13:20 Numbers 13:23 Numbers 13:24 Numbers 18:30 Deuteronomy 23:24 Deuteronomy 24:21 Deuteronomy 28:30 Deuteronomy 28:39 Deuteronomy 32:14 Deuteronomy 32:32 Judges 6:11 Judges 8:2 Judges 9:27 1 Samuel 25:18 1 Samuel 30:12 2 Samuel 6:19 2 Samuel 16:1 1 Chronicles 12:40 1 Chronicles 16:3 Nehemiah 13:15 Job 15:33 Job 24:11 Job 24:18 Psalms 80:12 Song of Songs 2:15 Song of Songs 7:7 Isaiah 5:2 Isaiah 5:4 Isaiah 16:10 Isaiah 17:6 Isaiah 18:5 Isaiah 24:13 Isaiah 32:10 Isaiah 62:9 Isaiah 63:2 Isaiah 65:8 Jeremiah 6:9 Jeremiah 8:13 Jeremiah 25:30 Jeremiah 31:6 Jeremiah 31:29 Jeremiah 31:30 Jeremiah 48:32 Jeremiah 48:33 Jeremiah 49:9 Lamentations 1:15 Ezekiel 18:2 Hosea 9:2 Hosea 9:10 Joel 3:13 Amos 9:13 Obadiah 1:5 Micah 6:15 Micah 7:1 Habakkuk 3:17 Malachi 3:11 Subtopics Related Terms |