In biblical times, the term "bottles" typically referred to containers made from animal skins, commonly used for storing and transporting liquids such as water, wine, and milk. These skin bottles, also known as wineskins, were crafted from the hides of goats or sheep. The process involved cleaning and tanning the skins, then sewing them together to form a watertight vessel. The neck of the animal often served as the neck of the bottle, which could be tied or sealed to prevent spillage.

Biblical References and Usage

The use of bottles, particularly wineskins, is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible. One notable reference is found in the teachings of Jesus, where He uses the imagery of wineskins to illustrate a spiritual truth. In Matthew 9:17 , Jesus 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 metaphor highlights the necessity of renewal and transformation, emphasizing that the new covenant brought by Christ requires a new receptacle, symbolizing the transformation of the heart and mind.

In the Old Testament, the use of skin bottles is also evident. Joshua 9:4 describes how the Gibeonites, seeking to make a treaty with Israel, "resorted to a ruse: They set out as if they were ambassadors, taking with them worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and old wineskins, cracked and mended." This account illustrates the commonality of wineskins in daily life and their role in the cultural and social practices of the time.

Cultural and Practical Significance

The practicality of skin bottles lay in their durability and flexibility. Unlike clay or ceramic vessels, which were prone to breaking, skin bottles could withstand the rigors of travel and were easily portable. They were particularly suited for nomadic lifestyles, as they could be slung over the shoulder or attached to pack animals.

The process of fermentation in wineskins also had practical implications. As new wine fermented, it released gases that would expand the wineskin. New wineskins, being more elastic, could accommodate this expansion, whereas old, brittle skins would burst under the pressure. This practical aspect of wineskin usage underscores the wisdom in Jesus' parable, as it was a familiar concept to His audience.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Beyond their practical use, bottles and wineskins carry symbolic meaning in Scripture. They often represent the vessel of the human soul or spirit, which must be renewed and made pliable to receive the new life offered through Christ. The imagery of new wine in new wineskins serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the Gospel and the necessity of spiritual renewal.

In Psalm 119:83 , the psalmist laments, "Though I am like a wineskin dried by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes." Here, the wineskin symbolizes the psalmist's affliction and weariness, yet it also reflects a steadfast commitment to God's Word despite trials.

In summary, bottles in biblical times were essential, practical items that also carried rich symbolic meaning. Their use in Scripture provides insight into the daily life of ancient peoples and serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths that continue to resonate with believers today.Habakkuk 2:15
Woe to him that gives his neighbor drink, that put your bottle to him, and make him drunken also, that you may look on their nakedness!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... are in a cup; she has therefore but her cup to be drank out; wherefore ... 9). And as
to the saints that would very willingly see her downfall, how often have they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

The Holy War,
... again. And that he might leave no argument unurged that might tend to make
them secure, he said, and said it often, O Mansoul! consider ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... hence it is that he is so often said to ... of those proverbs and sayings of the ancients,
occasioned by ... and the fruits thereof watered with "the bottles of heaven ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... treasury. Besides, Sir, words easy to be understood do often hit the mark,
when high and learned ones do only pierce the air. He ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

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