Topical Bible: The Vine: The Fruit of Called Grapes

◄ The Vine: The Fruit of Called Grapes ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The vine, particularly the grapevine, holds significant symbolism and practical importance throughout the Bible. Grapes, the fruit of the vine, are frequently mentioned in Scripture, symbolizing abundance, blessing, and divine favor. The cultivation of vineyards and the production of wine are integral to the agricultural and cultural life of the ancient Near East, including Israel.

Biblical Symbolism and Usage

1. Symbol of Prosperity and Blessing: Grapes and vineyards are often used as symbols of prosperity and divine blessing. In Genesis 49:11, Jacob's blessing over Judah includes imagery of abundance: "He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes." This imagery suggests a land so fruitful that wine is as plentiful as water.

2. Metaphor for Israel: The vine is a common metaphor for Israel in the Old Testament. In Psalm 80:8, the psalmist writes, "You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it." This metaphor illustrates God's care and cultivation of His chosen people, Israel, as a vinedresser tends to a vineyard.

3. Judgment and Accountability: The vine also serves as a symbol of judgment and accountability. In Isaiah 5:1-7, the "Song of the Vineyard" describes God's disappointment with Israel, depicted as a vineyard that produced wild grapes despite His careful cultivation. This passage underscores the expectation of righteousness and justice from God's people.

4. New Testament Imagery: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the vine as a powerful metaphor for His relationship with His followers. In John 15:1-5, Jesus declares, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser... Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me." This passage emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ to bear spiritual fruit.

Cultural and Religious Practices

1. Wine Production: Grapes were primarily cultivated for wine production, a staple in the diet and religious practices of ancient Israel. Wine was used in various offerings and celebrations, as seen in Leviticus 23:13, where wine accompanies grain offerings during the Feast of Weeks.

2. Vineyards as Inheritance: Vineyards were considered valuable property and often passed down as inheritance. The account of Naboth's vineyard in 1 Kings 21 highlights the significance of vineyards as family heritage and the moral implications of coveting and seizing such property.

3. Symbol of Joy and Celebration: Wine, the product of grapes, is associated with joy and celebration. In Ecclesiastes 9:7, the Preacher advises, "Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved your works." This reflects the cultural view of wine as a gift from God to be enjoyed responsibly.

Conclusion

The vine and its fruit, grapes, are deeply woven into the fabric of biblical narrative and theology. They serve as symbols of God's provision, the spiritual state of His people, and the joy found in His blessings. Through the imagery of the vine, Scripture communicates profound truths about God's relationship with humanity and the expectations of faithfulness and fruitfulness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 40:10
And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Simplified Spelling.
... The classical fox called the grapes sour because he couldn't ... the crowd just because
of the ripe good fruit hanging in ... more so, some coming to the vine drawn by ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/simplified spelling.htm

Christ the True vine, and as Bread.
... life to him who learns them and reduces them to practice, are the bread of life,
but cannot properly be called the fruit of the vine, while secret and ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/33 christ the true vine.htm

How the vine of the Priest of Rieti, Whose House St Francis ...
... the priest being revealed to the saint, he called him to ... of the merits of St Francis,
the vine, though despoiled ... come to abound in the good fruit of repentance ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xix how the vine.htm

Whether Wine of the Grape is the Proper Matter of this Sacrament?
... Mat.26:29): "I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine." Secondly,
because ... Now that is properly called wine, which is drawn from the grape ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether wine of the grape.htm

The True Branches of the True vine
... there are, as there are in every so-called Christian communion ... the wood of the vine
for any work?' Vine-wood is worthless, its only use is to bear fruit; and if ...
/.../the true branches of the.htm

Where to Find Fruit
... If you are holy, it is because he has called you to ... what fruit you had then ... Then indeed
the vine flourished, the tender grape appeared, the pomegranates budded ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/where to find fruit.htm

John Chapter xv. 1-3.
... by any personal propriety, that He is thus called a vine ... 2. "I am," He says, "the
true vine, and my Father ... Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, He taketh ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxx john chapter xv.htm

God's Purpose for his Church
... These sentinels gave the message of warning; and when they were called to lay off
their ... "Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 1 gods purpose for.htm

The Wicked Husbandmen.
... Frequently in the Scriptures the seed of Abraham, called by God and endowed with
many ... bad fruit; it is not a case in which a vine bears no fruit; it is ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xi the wicked husbandmen.htm

How Fruits Grow
... There is a very clever trick in India called the mango ... forth much fruit; and bringing
forth much fruit is Happiness ... fruits of the wild grape or of the True Vine. ...
/.../the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/how fruits grow.htm