Wine: Commerce In
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Wine, a significant agricultural product in biblical times, played a crucial role in the economy and daily life of ancient Israel and surrounding regions. The commerce of wine is frequently mentioned in the Bible, reflecting its importance as a staple commodity and a symbol of prosperity and blessing.

Biblical References to Wine Commerce

The trade of wine is evident in several passages throughout the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, the abundance of wine is often associated with divine blessing and prosperity. For instance, in Deuteronomy 7:13, God promises to bless the fruit of the Israelites' womb, land, grain, new wine, and oil, indicating the centrality of wine in agricultural and economic life.

The book of Isaiah also highlights the commercial aspect of wine. Isaiah 55:1 invites those who are thirsty to "come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost," symbolizing the free offer of God's grace but also reflecting the common practice of buying and selling wine.

In the New Testament, wine commerce is implied in the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), where the vineyard owner hires laborers to work in his vineyard, a setting that presupposes the production and sale of wine.

Wine as a Trade Commodity

Wine was a valuable trade commodity in the ancient Near East. The Phoenicians, known for their seafaring and trade, were instrumental in spreading viticulture and wine commerce across the Mediterranean. Ezekiel 27:18 mentions the trade between Damascus and Tyre, where wine from Helbon was exchanged for goods, illustrating the extensive trade networks and the demand for quality wine.

The economic significance of wine is further underscored in Hosea 2:8, where God laments that Israel attributed their grain, new wine, and oil to Baal, not recognizing them as gifts from Him. This passage highlights the role of wine in the economy and its potential to lead people away from acknowledging God's provision.

Wine Production and Economic Impact

The production of wine involved several stages, from vineyard cultivation to harvesting, pressing, fermenting, and storage. The process required skilled labor and significant resources, making it a substantial economic activity. The parable of the tenants in Mark 12:1-12 describes a vineyard owner who invests in a vineyard, complete with a winepress, indicating the economic investment and potential returns from wine production.

Wine's economic impact extended beyond its immediate sale. It was used in religious rituals, hospitality, and as a staple in daily meals, further embedding it in the social and economic fabric of biblical societies.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

While wine was a symbol of blessing and prosperity, the Bible also warns against its misuse. Proverbs 20:1 cautions, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This dual perspective on wine—both as a blessing and a potential source of moral downfall—reflects the need for responsible commerce and consumption.

In summary, the commerce of wine in biblical times was a complex and integral part of the economy, deeply intertwined with agricultural practices, trade, and social customs. The Bible's references to wine commerce provide insight into the economic life of ancient societies and the moral considerations surrounding this significant commodity.
Nave's Topical Index
Revelation 18:13
And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Commerce
... But no sketch of commerce among the early Jews, however brief, would be complete ...
beans, and gourds from Egypt and Greece; plates from Babylon, wine from Italy ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... and the East made the people familiar with foreign luxury, while commerce supplied
its ... To begin with: the wine was mixed with water, and, indeed, some thought ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

In Our Last Chapter we Sought to Show that in Rev. . .
... Sixty years ago it was asked, "Is not commerce the sovereign influence of the day ...
that, "The inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in our last chapter we.htm

Petty Dishonesty.
... bad silk, and makes shoddy cloth, and the wine-merchant doctors his wine, and the ...
and the farm work is half done, and the whole trade and commerce of the ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlvi petty dishonesty.htm

The Way to the City
... so fast as it does in these great centres of civilisation and commerce in which
you ... They put a very evil-tasting ingredient into spirits of wine to prevent its ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the way to the city.htm

The Fidelity of the Senses, Impugned by Plato, vindicated by ...
... perfume afterwards was less strong to the smell, and the wine more flat ... resources,
so many pursuits, such business, such offices, such commerce, such remedies ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xvii the fidelity of the.htm

The Unknown Giver and the Misused Gifts
... has been a little change in the money market, some little turn in commerce, and
all ... away my corn in the time thereof," that is, in harvest, "and my wine in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the unknown giver and the.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... one for those of another district, and produced the latest articles of commerce
or of ... or Babylonian beer, Egyptian drink, and home-made cider or wine, were sold ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... [677] Hence, although the stream of commerce between Acco and the ... the whole being
perhaps concluded by a benediction over the statutory cup of wine, which was ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... occasion at least he fell under the intoxicating influence of the fermented wine. ...
and Moses the world had made great advancement in culture, commerce, law and ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine? | GotQuestions.org

What is consubstantiation? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus choose the wedding at Cana for His first miracle? | GotQuestions.org

Wine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Alcohol

Alcoholism

Wine

Wine in Bottles

Wine in Excess: Forbidden

Wine in Excess: Impairs the Health

Wine in Excess: Impairs the Judgment and Memory

Wine in Excess: Inflames the Passions

Wine in Excess: Infuriates the Temper

Wine in Excess: Leads to Remorse

Wine in Excess: Leads to Sorrow and Contention

Wine in Skins (Rv)

Wine in Times of Scarcity, Was Mixed With Water

Wine of Abominations

Wine of Staggering (Rv)

Wine of the Abominations of the Apostasy

Wine of the Blessing of the Gospel

Wine of the Blood of Christ

Wine of the Divine Judgments

Wine of the Joy of Wisdom

Wine of the Joys of Spiritual Matters

Wine of the Wrath and Judgments of God

Wine of Violence and Rapine

Wine Press

Wine Press in Vineyards

Wine Press of the Judgments of God

Wine Press: General Scriptures Concerning

Wine Press: Treading The, of the Sufferings of Christ

Wine Press: Trodden With Joy and Shouting

Wine used at Meals

Wine was Kept in Bottles

Wine was Made of The Juice of the Grape

Wine was Made of The Juice of the Pomegranate

Wine was Stored in Cellars

Wine was Used for Drink offerings in Idolatrous Worship

Wine was Used for Drink offerings in the Worship of God

Wine was Used: As a Beverage from the Earliest Age

Wine was Used: As a Medicine

Wine was Used: At all Feasts and Entertainments

Wine with Corn and Oil, Denoted all Temporal Blessings

Wine: Abstinence from of Daniel

Wine: Abstinence from of the Courtiers of Ahasuerus

Wine: Abstinence from of Timothy

Wine: Admonitions Against the Use of

Wine: An Article of Extensive Commerce

Wine: Banquets of

Wine: Cellars For

Wine: Cheap Wine (Like Vinegar) Given to Jesus at the Crucifixion

Wine: Cheering God and Man

Wine: Commerce In

Wine: Consequence of Putting (When New), Into Old Bottles

Wine: Custom of Giving to Persons in Pain or Suffering, Mixed With

Wine: Custom of Presenting to Travellers

Wine: Denied to the Israelites in the Wilderness, So That They Could Know That the Lord Was Their God

Wine: Fermented

Wine: First Fruits of, to be offered to God

Wine: First Mention of

Wine: First Mode of Making, Notice

Wine: Forbidden to Kings

Wine: Forbidden to Nazarites

Wine: Forbidden to Nazarites During Their Separation

Wine: Forbidden to Priests While on Duty

Wine: Forbidden to the Priests While Engaged in the Tabernacle

Wine: from Pomegranates

Wine: Generally Made by Treading the Grapes in a Press

Wine: Given by Melchizedek to Abraham

Wine: Given in Abundance to the Jews when Obedient

Wine: Gladdening the Heart

Wine: Improved by Age

Wine: Inflames the Eyes

Wine: Intoxication from the Use of

Wine: Intoxication From: Ahasuerus

Wine: Intoxication From: Amnon

Wine: Intoxication From: Falsely Charged Against the Disciples

Wine: Intoxication From: Joseph and his Brothers

Wine: Intoxication From: Kings of Israel

Wine: Intoxication From: Lot

Wine: Intoxication From: Nabal

Wine: Intoxication From: Noah

Wine: Kept in Jars

Wine: Made by Jesus at the Marriage Feast in Cana

Wine: Made from Grapes

Wine: Making Mirthful

Wine: Many Kinds of

Wine: Medicinal Use of

Wine: New

Wine: Offered With Sacrifices

Wine: Often Spiced to Increase Its Strength

Wine: Old

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Assyria

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Canaan in General

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Helbon

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Lebanon

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Moab

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Possessions of Judah

Wine: Recommended by Paul to Timothy

Wine: Red, Most Esteemed

Wine: Refined

Wine: Refining of, Alluded To

Wine: Sacramental Use of

Wine: Samson's Mother Forbidden to Drink

Wine: Sometimes Mixed With Milk As a Beverage

Wine: Strengthening

Wine: Sweet, Esteemed for Flavour and Strength

Wine: Symbolical of the Blood of Jesus

Wine: The Jews Frequently Deprived of, As a Punishment

Wine: The Jews Frequently Drank, to Excess

Wine: The Love of Christ to be Preferred To

Wine: The Rechabites Never Drank

Wine: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Wine: Water Miraculously Turned Into

Related Terms

Wine-skins (7 Occurrences)

Wine-press (11 Occurrences)

Wine-servant (8 Occurrences)

Wine-vat (7 Occurrences)

Wine-drinking (4 Occurrences)

Wine-presses (4 Occurrences)

Wine-vats (2 Occurrences)

Wine-vine (2 Occurrences)

Wine-servants (2 Occurrences)

Wine-bottles (2 Occurrences)

Wine-crusher (2 Occurrences)

Wine-drinker (2 Occurrences)

Wine-tank (1 Occurrence)

Wine-store (1 Occurrence)

Wine-flasks (1 Occurrence)

Wine-offerings (1 Occurrence)

Wine-cup (1 Occurrence)

Wine-bibber (2 Occurrences)

Wine-cellars (1 Occurrence)

Wine-fat (1 Occurrence)

Wine-crushing (1 Occurrence)

Wine-cakes (1 Occurrence)

Wine-bibbers (1 Occurrence)

Wine-skin (2 Occurrences)

Bottles (12 Occurrences)

Vat (7 Occurrences)

Burst (33 Occurrences)

Beer (15 Occurrences)

Skins (27 Occurrences)

Vinegar (11 Occurrences)

Pours (21 Occurrences)

Presses (12 Occurrences)

Strong (736 Occurrences)

Bottle (28 Occurrences)

Stagger (20 Occurrences)

Safe (388 Occurrences)

Spilled (6 Occurrences)

Bacchus

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Preserved (27 Occurrences)

Plentiful (17 Occurrences)

Bunches (7 Occurrences)

Addicted (9 Occurrences)

Scent (6 Occurrences)

Split (36 Occurrences)

Sour (15 Occurrences)

Spilt (2 Occurrences)

Awaking (24 Occurrences)

Pouring (21 Occurrences)

Bitter (203 Occurrences)

Agape

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)

Quarter (33 Occurrences)

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Shouts (34 Occurrences)

Poured (155 Occurrences)

Appetite (22 Occurrences)

Victuals (32 Occurrences)

Summer (28 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Pomegranate (11 Occurrences)

Mirth (18 Occurrences)

Bread-maker (8 Occurrences)

Brawler (3 Occurrences)

Clusters (12 Occurrences)

Contributions (19 Occurrences)

Cracked (6 Occurrences)

Adulteries (10 Occurrences)

Storerooms (10 Occurrences)

Cana (4 Occurrences)

Asses (68 Occurrences)

Vineyards (55 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Vines (39 Occurrences)

Soothing (40 Occurrences)

Kine (24 Occurrences)

Provisions (41 Occurrences)

Wine: Cheering God and Man
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