Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VINE, VINEYARD

The origin of viticulture in the southern Levant is dated to the Chalcolithic period (4000-3500 b.c.), based on the discovery of wine-treading installations in the region. The geography, soil, and climate of the eastern Mediterranean steppe and hill country were favorable for vineyard cultivation. Upper Mediterranean basin finds of the two strains of grapes, Vitis silvestris (a wild grape species common to parts of Europe and North Africa) and Vitis vinifera (domesticated grapes), have been dated to the Neolithic period (8000-3500), but no examples of Vitis silvestris have been uncovered in Israel.

The first example of viticulture in the Bible is the account of Noah’s planting of a vineyard, which presumes an earlier knowledge of the practice by this “man of the soil” (Gen. 9:20). Examples of Vitis vinifera were found in the Early Bronze strata at Lachish, and the region remains a prominent producer of grapes today. The region of modern Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon produced an abundance of wine in the Middle Bronze Age, where according to the annals of Sinuhe, “Figs were in it and grapes, and it had more wine than water” (ANET, 19). During the Late Bronze Age, viticulture was a vital element of the economy of Canaan. Thutmose III brought back grapevines and other botanical varieties from Canaan to Egypt. Solomon traded wine along with wheat, barley, and olive oil in securing lumber and other products and services for the building of the Jerusalem temple (2 Chr. 2:8-10).

Vineyard horticulture is described variously in the Bible and ancient texts. In the rocky terrain of ancient Israel extensive ground preparation was necessary (Isa. 5:1-8). Clearing stones and hoeing preceded the selection and planting of choice grape vine stock. Apparently red grapes were preferred, as Heb. śōrēq suggests (Jer. 2:21; Isa. 5:2). Other varieties, such as the gepen sĕmāḏar (Cant. 7:12[MT 13]) and gepen bôqēq (Hos. 10:1), some of which produced green or white grapes, are recounted. The vinedresser would build a wall of gathered stones or heavy brush and briers around the vineyard for protection from people and animals and for defining of boundaries, and then a stone watchtower was erected within the enclosure. Ancient law permitted the eating of grapes while within a neighbor’s vineyard, but removal of grapes using any kind of vessel was prohibited (Deut. 23:24). Pathways between neighboring walled vineyards were common, as where the angel wielding a sword stood before Balaam and his donkey (Num. 22:24-33).

Vines could be oriented to spread along the contours of the ground in very small hill country plots or trained to grow on supporting poles and trellises, creating linear rows or canopies (ANEP, 156). Pruning was necessary to maximize the grape production and ensure the ripening of the fruit (Isa. 18:5; John 15:2). The pruning knife (mazmerâ) was a small curved knife, like a small sickle. No pruning or other form of viticulture was to be done during the Sabbatical Year for the land (Lev. 25:4-5).

The joyous time of harvesting occurred from late summer through the fall, according to the region and elevation (Judg. 9:27; cf. Isa. 16:9-10). The grape clusters were removed with a knife from vines which were at least four years old. The produce of the fourth year was dedicated to the Lord as an offering of praise, and then the year following the vineyard owner could reap the benefits of the produce (Lev. 19:23-25). One who was called into military service could be released at the time of harvest to enjoy the fruit of the vine if he had not yet done so (Deut. 20:6). Gleaning of the grape harvest was a special provision for the poor, aliens, widows, and orphans who otherwise might not be able to enjoy the plentiful produce of the land (Lev. 19:10; Deut. 24:21).

Though some grapes were consumed right from the vine, most were brought to the winepresses for the family activity of treading the grapes. Winepresses of the OT and NT periods have been discovered throughout the hill country and valleys of modern Israel and Palestine. Most of the Iron Age installations are of the hewn stone type (yeqeḇ) and found in proximity to the vineyards; others built of stone and mortar (gaṯ) occur in town and city environs, more common in the Roman and Byzantine eras.

Throughout Israelite history the vineyard played an important role in the agricultural and literary aspects of her religious development. A fruitful vineyard was a symbol of God’s faithful beneficence. A large grape cluster from the vineyards of the Eshcol Valley was brought back to the Israelite camp at Kadesh as evidence of the great productivity of the Promised Land (Num. 13:23-24; Deut. 6:11). The vineyards would continue to be fruitful if the people observed the Lord’s commandments (Deut. 8:6-10). Jesus used similar imagery of the vine and vine dressing to describe the nature of discipleship, by which the branches of his disciples bear abundant fruit as they are sustained and nurtured by the central vine in keeping his commandments (John 15:1-17). The wise psalmist stated that one who fears God will be blessed with a wonderful wife who is like a fruitful vine (Ps. 128:1-3).

The vineyard could also be a symbol of judgment upon the nation. Isaiah’s “Song of the Vineyard” portrays Israel as the choicest of vines planted and nurtured by the Lord, but which yielded sour fruit. The result would be the devastation of the vineyard and its protection because of Israel’s injustice and unrighteousness (Isa. 5:1-7; cf. Ps. 80:8-16[9-17]; Hos. 10:1-2; Jer. 8:13). The vines would dry up and be stripped bare by their ravaging enemies (Joel 1:6-12). Judgment upon the nations surrounding Israel can also be contextualized in vineyard imagery (Jer. 48:32-33).

Abstention from the vineyard and its produce carried a special connotation of consecration in the Bible. Nazirites were prohibited from contact with or consumption of anything originating in the vineyard, whether vines, grapes, or juice and wine produced from them (Num. 6:1-4). The faithful Rechabites also abstained from consumption of wine and cultivation of vineyards (Jer. 35:1-11). Priests were to refrain from wine consumption during their time of cultic service (Lev. 10:8).

Israel’s restoration after exile and captivity was to be evidenced in the productivity of the vineyards, with wine dripping from the mountains as the people plant vineyards and drink their wine (Amos 9:13-15; cf. Hos. 2:15[17]; 14:7[8]). The Lord will water and watch over his vineyard continually so that it bears abundant fruit (Isa. 27:2-4; Jer. 31:1-14).

Bibliography. O. Borowski, Agriculture in Iron Age Israel (Winona Lake, 1987); R. Frankel, The History of the Processing of Wine and Oil in Galilee in the Period of the Bible, the Mishnah, and the Talmud (diss., Tel Aviv, 1984); J. M. Renfrew, Palaeoethnobotany (New York, 1973); Wine and Oil Production in Antiquity in Israel and Other Mediterranean Countries. JSOT/ASORMS 10 (Sheffield, 1999).

R. Dennis Cole

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VINE, VINEYARD

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)