Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VINEGAR

The product of soured or over-fermented wine. Boaz invites Ruth to dip her food in vinegar to season it (Heb. ḥōmēṣ; Ruth 6:21; NRSV “sour wine”). Diluted vinegar was commonly served to quench laborers’ thirsts, although Nazirites were forbidden to drink vinegar (Num. 6:3). The psalmist feels mocked by enemies who serve him vinegar to quench his thirst (Ps. 69:21[MT 22]), perhaps because undiluted vinegar induced thirst. Proverbs refers to vinegar as an irritant to the teeth (Prov. 10:26) and to a wound (25:20).

The Gospels report that on the cross Jesus was offered wine (Gk. oínos) and vinegar, or “sour wine” (oxós; Matt. 27:34 par.). Roman soldiers commonly kept vinegary wine on hand to quench their thirst, and this could be an act of kindness or an attempt to revive Jesus. Other elements of mockery in this scene, however, make the offering of vinegar much more likely an act of derision.

Bibliography. R. E. Brown, The Death of the Messiah (New York, 1994) 2:1058-66.

Chris Caldwell

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VINEGAR

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)