GRAPEVINE
This term generally designates the true vine (“Vitis vinifera”), native to Western Asia (south of the Caspian Sea) (cf. Gen. 9:20, 21). The Egyptians cultivated it (Gen. 40:9-11; Ps. 78:47).
There are sculptures from the Old Kingdom depicting vines, grapes and presses, as well as wine making. The land and climate of Palestine are suitable for its cultivation, which was practiced from the beginning in Canaan (Gen. 14:18).
The vine grew in the plains of Philistia, Jezreel, Gennesaret (1 Kings 21:1; Wars 3:10, 8) and prospered in the rugged regions near Hebron, Shiloh, Shechem (Num. 13:23; Judges 9 :27; 21:20; Jer. 31:5), En-gedi (Song. 1:14), Heshbon, Eleale, Sibma east of the Jordan (Is. 16:8-10; Jer. 48:32) and in Lebanon (Hos. 14.7).
There is a huge difference between good plants and wild ones (Is. 5:2; Jer. 2:21). The vineyards were frequently found either on the summits or on the slopes of the hills, sometimes descending on artificial terraces (Is. 5:1; Jl. 3:18).
It was protected with a fence or wall (Num. 22:24; Ps. 80:8-12; Pr. 24:30, 31; Song 2:15; Is. 5:5). The land was cleared of stones, a hut or tower was erected for the guardian, and a winepress was carved in the rock (Is. 1:8; 5:1-7; Mt. 21:33-41).
These ancient winepresses still exist in large numbers in Palestine. Of all
Of the cultivated plants, it is the vine that requires the most care (Mt. 20:1-16; Lev. 25:3; Pr. 24:30, 31; Is. 5:6; Jn. 15.2).
The vine was allowed to spread over the ground, only lifting up the fruit-bearing branches (Is. 16:8; Ezek. 17:6). Sometimes the vine was made to climb trees or over and between trellises (1 Kings 4:25; Mich. 4:4).
Black grapes were particularly cultivated (Is. 63:2; Rev. 14:19-20). In privileged places, ripening ended before the month of August. Grapes were consumed fresh or raisins (Num. 6:3; Deut. 23:24); A highly appreciated element of food, it was also preserved in the form of cakes (1 Sam. 25:18; 1 Chron. 16:3).
Its juice was drunk fresh or fermented (see WINE). The harvests began in mid-September and continued until October, in the midst of a festive atmosphere. The grapes were trampled in the winepress to obtain the wine (Judg. 9:27; Is. 16:10; Jer, 25:30; 48:33).
Israel is likened to a vine (Ps. 80:8-13). In Isaiah 5 it is likened to a vineyard. God laid it out on a fertile hillside, planting it with the choicest vines, and doing everything possible for its protection and yield.
But when fruit was sought from it, it turned out that it only produced wild grapes. Finally, God removed its fence, abandoning it to the elements and to be trampled by all; a prophetic image of Israel in its state of apostasy.
The Lord Jesus, just as he became the true Servant of Jehovah where Israel had failed (see SERVANT OF JEHOVAH), also became the true vine; His disciples become the branches. There can be no true fruit in your lives except as long as you abide in Him (John 15:1-5).