Topical Bible: The Vine: The Fruit of Eaten Dried

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Topical Encyclopedia

The vine, a symbol of prosperity and divine blessing, holds a significant place in biblical literature and theology. The fruit of the vine, primarily grapes, is not only consumed fresh but also dried to produce raisins, a staple in the ancient Near Eastern diet. This entry explores the biblical references and theological implications of dried grapes, or raisins, within the scriptural narrative.

Biblical References

Raisins are mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, often highlighting their role as a source of sustenance and a symbol of abundance. In 1 Samuel 25:18, Abigail, the wife of Nabal, prepares a generous offering for David, which includes "a hundred clusters of raisins." This act of hospitality underscores the value and desirability of dried grapes as a gift and provision.

Similarly, in 1 Samuel 30:12, when David and his men find an Egyptian servant who had been left for dead, they revive him with "a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins." This narrative illustrates the nourishing and restorative properties of raisins, emphasizing their importance in times of need.

In 2 Samuel 16:1, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, brings provisions to King David, including "a hundred clusters of raisins." This gesture of loyalty and support during Absalom's rebellion further highlights the significance of raisins as a valuable commodity and a means of expressing allegiance.

Theological Implications

The vine and its fruit are rich in symbolic meaning throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, the vine often represents Israel, as seen in passages like Isaiah 5:1-7, where the vineyard is a metaphor for God's chosen people. The fruitfulness of the vine is a reflection of Israel's faithfulness and obedience to God.

Raisins, as a product of the vine, carry this symbolism of fruitfulness and divine blessing. Their presence in offerings and gifts signifies abundance and the provision of God. The process of drying grapes to make raisins can also be seen as a metaphor for preservation and endurance, qualities that are esteemed in the biblical narrative.

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of the vine to describe His relationship with His followers. In John 15:5, He declares, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit." This passage emphasizes the necessity of remaining connected to Christ to produce spiritual fruit, echoing the Old Testament themes of faithfulness and divine blessing.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, the cultivation of vineyards and the production of wine and raisins were integral to the economy and daily life. The climate and geography of the region were well-suited for growing grapes, making them a common and valuable crop. Raisins, due to their long shelf life, were an essential food source, especially during times of scarcity.

The process of drying grapes to make raisins involved spreading the grapes on mats or hanging them in the sun, allowing them to dehydrate naturally. This method preserved the fruit's sweetness and nutritional value, making raisins a practical and desirable food item.

Conclusion

The vine and its fruit, particularly in their dried form as raisins, hold a multifaceted role in the biblical narrative. They serve as symbols of divine blessing, sustenance, and faithfulness, reflecting the broader theological themes of fruitfulness and provision found throughout Scripture.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 25:18
Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 30:12
And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague
... of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the
vine do yield ... to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/joels rhapsody of the locust.htm

The vineyard of the Lord
... of a strange vine unto Me?" "Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto
himself ... take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/the vineyard of the lord.htm

None but Jesus --Second Part
... There are some clusters of this vine which we shall not be able to gather ... as father
Adam when he stood in integrity, ere he had eaten of the fruit of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/none but jesussecond part.htm

Separation to God.
... The fruit of the vine is a type of earth-born ... I said; "it will all be burned" This
useless fruit of the ... was wholly the LORD'S; no part of it was eaten by the ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Divine Destruction and Protection
... fruit, though scarcely seen; others, like the vine, creeping upon ... verdant, lader
with blossoms and with fruit; others dead ... consume it, and it shall be eaten away ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/divine destruction and protection.htm

The Narrative of Zosimus Concerning the Life of the Blessed.
... saying, For forty years I have not eaten bread, for ... For the earth produces most fragrant
fruit, and out of the ... of men; with us there is no vine, nor ploughed ...
/.../unknown/the narrative of zosimus/the narrative of zosimus concerning.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and ... fit to build withal;
but a fig-tree, or a vine, if they bring not forth fruit, yea, good ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... the north, and her coast remains practically such as it was thousands of years ago:[*]
the interior alone has suffered change, having been dried up, hardened ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Shortest of the Seven Cries
... Our first parents plucked forbidden fruit, and by eating slew the ... What but for the
juice of the vine that he ... my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/the shortest of the seven.htm

Joy, a Duty
... When the fig-tree does not blossom, when there is no fruit on the vine and no ... without
fear, for there is good salt with that food which is eaten as coming ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/joy a duty.htm