The vine-tree, often simply referred to as the "vine," holds significant symbolic and practical importance throughout the Bible. It is primarily associated with the production of grapes, which are used for making wine, a staple in ancient Near Eastern culture and a symbol of joy and blessing.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Symbol of Israel: The vine is frequently used as a metaphor for Israel. In Psalm 80:8-9 , the psalmist writes, "You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land." Here, the vine represents the nation of Israel, which God brought out of Egypt and planted in the Promised Land.

2. Symbol of Judgment: The vine also serves as a symbol of judgment when Israel fails to produce good fruit. In Isaiah 5:1-7 , the "Song of the Vineyard" describes how God expected Israel to yield good grapes but instead it produced wild grapes. This passage highlights God's disappointment and the subsequent judgment on Israel for its unfaithfulness.

3. Symbol of Prosperity and Peace: The vine is a symbol of prosperity and peace. In 1 Kings 4:25 , during Solomon's reign, it is noted, "Throughout Solomon’s days, Judah and Israel dwelt securely, from Dan to Beersheba, each man under his own vine and his own fig tree." This imagery conveys a time of safety and abundance.

4. New Testament Imagery: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the vine metaphorically to describe His relationship with His followers. In John 15:1-5 , Jesus declares, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard... 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.

5. Eschatological Symbol: The vine also appears in eschatological contexts. In Revelation 14:18-19 , an angel is instructed to "gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe." This imagery is associated with the final judgment and the harvest of the earth.

Cultural and Agricultural Context

In the ancient Near East, the cultivation of vines was a common agricultural practice. The vine required careful tending and pruning to produce a fruitful harvest, which is reflected in the biblical metaphor of God as the vinedresser. The process of winemaking was integral to the culture, and wine was used in religious rituals, celebrations, and daily life.

Theological Implications

The vine-tree imagery in the Bible underscores themes of divine care, judgment, and the necessity of a fruitful life in accordance with God's will. It serves as a reminder of God's expectations for His people to live in faithfulness and to bear the fruits of righteousness. The New Testament expansion of this imagery through Christ highlights the importance of a personal relationship with Him as the source of spiritual vitality and growth.1612. gephen -- a vine
... vine, tree. From an unused root meaning to bend; a vine (as twining), especially
the grape -- vine, tree. 1611, 1612. gephen. 1613 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1612.htm - 5k

The Fruitless vine
... REV. CH SPURGEON. At New Park Street Chapel, Southwark. "And the word of the Lord
came unto me, saying, Son of man, What is the vine-tree more than any tree, or ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the fruitless vine.htm

Separation to God.
... dried. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made
of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.". The ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

The Wicked Husbandmen.
... 2. Ezekiel 15:2-5: "Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree,
or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xi the wicked husbandmen.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... Well, but mark the answer of God, 'Son of man, What is the vine-tree more than any
tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

"Which we have Heard and Seen,"
... physicians, devils dispossessed, life restored, water converted into excellent wine,
without the maturation of the sun, or the help of the vine tree, a little ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv which we have.htm

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in ...
... great meditation of the song of Solomon. He is the vine tree, and we are
branches planted in him. Nay, this union is so strict, that ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i there is therefore.htm

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
... this rape. III. UPON THE VINE-TREE. What is the vine, more than another
tree? Nay most, than it, more tall, more comely be. What ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a book for boys and.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... The trees in the field of Jotham's parable, despised the vine-tree, which cheers
both God and man, and the olive which is full of fatness, and the fig-tree ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
... As the Lord speaks to the house of Israel, "Shall wood be taken of the vine tree
to do any work?" Even so the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 15:2-6. If it ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture i gods glory the.htm

Meditation on God
... them to rot and perish. They extract none of the sweet juice of wisdom
from the precious fruits of the vine-tree. A man who reads ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/meditation on god.htm

Vine-tree (3 Occurrences)
Vine-tree. Vines, Vine-tree. Vineyard . Multi-Version Concordance
Vine-tree (3 Occurrences). Numbers 6:4 All the days ...
/v/vine-tree.htm - 7k

Woods (37 Occurrences)
... numbered. (BBE). Ezekiel 15:2 Son of man, what is the vine-tree more than any
branching tree which is among the trees of the woods? (BBE). ...
/w/woods.htm - 18k

Vines (39 Occurrences)

/v/vines.htm - 18k

Vine-branch (2 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ezekiel 15:2 Son of man, what is the vinetree more than any tree, the
vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest? (WEB ASV DBY YLT). ...
/v/vine-branch.htm - 7k

Kernels (4 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Numbers 6:4 All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that
is made of the vinetree, from the kernels even to the husk. (KJV ASV WBS YLT). ...
/k/kernels.htm - 7k

Fuel (13 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 15:6 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: As the vinetree among the trees
of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the ...
/f/fuel.htm - 12k

Branching (12 Occurrences)
... images. (BBE). Ezekiel 15:2 Son of man, what is the vine-tree more than any
branching tree which is among the trees of the woods? (BBE). ...
/b/branching.htm - 10k

Surpass (8 Occurrences)
... (DBY WBS). Ezekiel 15:2 Son of man, what is the vinetree more than any tree, the
vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest? (See RSV). ...
/s/surpass.htm - 8k

Forest (67 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 15:2 Son of man, what is the vinetree more than any tree, the
vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest? (WEB ...
/f/forest.htm - 37k

Vine (76 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 15:2 Son of man, what is the vinetree more than any tree, the
vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest? (WEB ...
/v/vine.htm - 46k

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