Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, bottles were commonly made from animal skins, particularly those of goats. These skin bottles, also known as wineskins, were essential for storing and transporting liquids such as water, milk, and wine. The process of creating these containers involved cleaning and tanning the skins, then sewing them together to form a watertight vessel. The flexibility and durability of the animal skins made them suitable for this purpose, although they were not impervious to the effects of age and use.The Bible provides insight into the use and limitations of these skin bottles. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the imagery of wineskins to illustrate a spiritual truth: "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" (Matthew 9:17). This metaphor highlights the fact that old wineskins, having been stretched and weakened by previous use, could not withstand the fermentation process of new wine, which would cause them to burst. The marred condition of old wineskins is further emphasized in the Old Testament. In the book of Joshua, the Gibeonites deceive the Israelites by presenting themselves with worn-out sacks and old wineskins that were cracked and mended (Joshua 9:4). This imagery underscores the deterioration that occurs over time, as the wineskins had become brittle and patched due to prolonged use. The use of skin bottles in biblical times reflects the resourcefulness and adaptability of ancient cultures. However, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the temporal nature of material goods. The marred condition of these bottles due to age and use is emblematic of the broader biblical theme of the impermanence of earthly possessions and the need for renewal and transformation, both physically and spiritually. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 9:14,13And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Matt. Ix. 9 Resources What is servant evangelism? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Bottles of Sinners Ripe for Judgment Bottles used for Holding: Milk Bottles used for Holding: Water Bottles used for Holding: Wine Bottles: (Broken) of Severe Judgments Bottles: (Dried Up) of the Afflicted Bottles: (Ready to Burst) the Impatient Bottles: Ancients often Drank From Bottles: First Mention of, in Scripture Bottles: Made of Skins: Marred by Age and Use Bottles: Made of Skins: Shrivelled and Dried by Smoke Bottles: Made of Skins: Sometimes Probably of Large Dimensions Bottles: Made of Skins: when Old, Unfit for Holding New Wine Bottles: Some, Made of Earthenware Related Terms |
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