Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, Egypt is frequently mentioned in connection with the cultivation and significance of the vine. The vine, a symbol of prosperity and abundance, is often associated with the fertile lands of Egypt, which were renowned for their agricultural productivity. The vine's presence in Egypt is emblematic of the nation's wealth and the sustenance it provided to its inhabitants and neighboring regions.Biblical References: 1. Genesis 40:9-11 : The account of Pharaoh's cupbearer provides an early reference to the vine in Egypt. In his dream, the cupbearer sees a vine with three branches that budded, blossomed, and produced clusters of ripe grapes. He then pressed the grapes into Pharaoh's cup. This imagery underscores the vine's role in Egyptian culture and its association with the royal court, highlighting the importance of wine in ceremonial and daily life. 2. Psalm 78:47 : "He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamore-figs with sleet." This verse recounts the plagues that God sent upon Egypt, emphasizing the destruction of their vines as a significant loss. The mention of vines alongside sycamore-figs illustrates the agricultural richness of Egypt and the severity of the divine judgment that befell the land. 3. Isaiah 19:6-7 : "The streams of Egypt will dwindle and dry up; the reeds and rushes will wither. The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the sown land along the Nile will dry up, blow away, and be no more." While not directly mentioning vines, this prophecy against Egypt implies the devastation of its agriculture, including vineyards, due to the drying up of the Nile. The vine, as a staple of Egyptian agriculture, would have been affected by such a calamity. Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Egypt, the cultivation of vines and the production of wine were integral to both daily life and religious practices. The fertile Nile Delta provided ideal conditions for growing grapes, and vineyards were a common sight. Wine was consumed by the elite and used in religious rituals, making it a symbol of both earthly and spiritual abundance. The vine's significance in Egypt is also reflected in its art and iconography. Tomb paintings and artifacts often depict scenes of grape harvesting and wine production, underscoring the vine's role in Egyptian society. This cultural backdrop provides a deeper understanding of the biblical references to vines in Egypt, highlighting the nation's historical reputation for viticulture. Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, the vine in Egypt serves as a metaphor for God's provision and judgment. The prosperity associated with the vine is a testament to God's blessings, while its destruction in the plagues signifies divine retribution. The vine's dual role as a symbol of abundance and a target of judgment reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations and their fortunes. In summary, Egypt's celebrated association with the vine in the Bible underscores its historical and cultural significance as a land of agricultural abundance. The vine serves as a powerful symbol within the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of prosperity, divine blessing, and judgment. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 78:47He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 80:8 Library The Nile and Egypt the Legendary History of Egypt The Political Constitution of Egypt The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt Ezekiel Travailing for Souls Book 13 Footnotes The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Immaculate Conception The Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers. Resources Does the vine and branches passage in John 15 mean that salvation can be lost? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the True Vine” (John 15:1)? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to abide in Christ? | GotQuestions.org Vine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Vine of Sodom Bad and Unfit for Use The Vine: (Its Fruitful Branches) of Saints The Vine: (Its Quick Growth) of the Growth of Saints in Grace The Vine: (Its Rich Clusters) of the Graces of the Church The Vine: (Of Unfruitful Branches) Mere Professors The Vine: (Pruning of) God's Purifying his People by Afflictions The Vine: (Sitting Under One's Own) Peace and Prosperity The Vine: (Unfruitful) the Wicked The Vine: (Worthlessness of Its Wood) the Unprofitableness, of The Vine: Cultivated by the Walls of Houses The Vine: Cultivated in the Valleys The Vine: Cultivated in Vineyards from the Time of Noah The Vine: Cultivated: On the Sides of Hills The Vine: Foxes Destructive To The Vine: Frequently Injured by Hail and Frost The Vine: Frequently Made Unfruitful As a Punishment The Vine: God Made, Fruitful for his People when Obedient The Vine: Nazarites Prohibited Eating Any Part of The Vine: Perfumed the Air With the Fragrance of Its Flowers The Vine: Places Celebrated For: Egypt The Vine: Places Celebrated For: Eshcol The Vine: Places Celebrated For: Lebanon The Vine: Places Celebrated For: Sibmah The Vine: Probably Produced Two Crops of Fruit in the Year The Vine: Proverbial Allusion to Fathers Eating the Unripe Fruit of The Vine: Required to be Dressed and Pruned to Increase Its The Vine: Sometimes Cast Its Fruit Before It Came to Perfection The Vine: The Dwarf and Spreading Vine Particularly Esteemed The Vine: The Fruit of Called Grapes The Vine: The Fruit of Eaten Dried The Vine: The Fruit of Eaten Fresh from the Tree The Vine: The Fruit of Made Into Wine The Vine: The Fruit of Peculiarly Sour when Unripe The Vine: The Fruit of Sold in the Markets The Vine: The Wild Boar Destructive To The Vine: The Wood of, Fit Only for Burning The Vine: Young Cattle Fed on Its Leaves and Tender Shoots Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |