Topical Bible: Vine-plants

Topical Encyclopedia

Vine-plants hold significant symbolism and practical importance throughout the Bible, serving as a metaphor for spiritual truths and as a staple in the agricultural life of ancient Israel. The vine is frequently mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing prosperity, peace, and the relationship between God and His people.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

In the Old Testament, the vine often represents Israel as God's chosen people. Isaiah 5:1-7 presents the "Song of the Vineyard," where God likens Israel to a vineyard He has carefully tended, expecting it to yield good grapes, but it produces only wild grapes. This passage illustrates God's care and the expectation of righteousness from His people. Similarly, in Jeremiah 2:21, God laments, "I planted you as a choice vine from the very best seed. How then could you turn against Me into a corrupt, wild vine?"

The vine also symbolizes peace and prosperity. In 1 Kings 4:25, during Solomon's reign, "Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his own vine and fig tree," indicating a time of peace and security. This imagery is echoed in Micah 4:4, where the prophet envisions a future time of peace: "Each man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, with no one to frighten him."

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the vine as a powerful metaphor for the relationship between Himself and His followers. In John 15:1-5, Jesus declares, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." This passage emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ to bear spiritual fruit, highlighting the intimate connection between believers and their Savior.

Agricultural and Economic Importance

Vine-plants were a crucial part of the agricultural economy in biblical times. Grapes were used to produce wine, a staple beverage in ancient Israel. The process of planting, tending, and harvesting vineyards required significant labor and skill, as seen in the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). The vineyard owner hires laborers at different times of the day, illustrating the kingdom of heaven and God's generosity.

The importance of vineyards is also evident in the laws given to Israel. In Leviticus 19:10, God commands, "You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This law reflects God's concern for the poor and the sojourner, ensuring they have access to food.

Judgment and Restoration

The vine is also used as a symbol of judgment and restoration. In Ezekiel 15, God compares Jerusalem to a useless vine, destined for the fire due to its unfaithfulness. Yet, the promise of restoration is also present. In Amos 9:14, God promises, "I will restore My people Israel. They will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit."

In Revelation 14:18-20, the vine imagery is used in the context of judgment, where the angel with authority over fire calls for the harvest of the earth's vine, symbolizing the final judgment of the wicked.

Vine-plants, therefore, serve as a rich symbol throughout Scripture, representing both the blessings of God and the responsibilities of His people. They illustrate themes of judgment, restoration, and the necessity of remaining in Christ to bear fruit.

Library

The Evil one Perceived his Great Humiliation, and Boasted Himself ...
... of his vineyard he labours. He chooses and plants vine-plants; while his
mind is a vine of the vines of Sodom. He keeps off the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xl the evil one.htm

For the Epiphany
... Blessed be the Pure One! 21. In the seventeenth year, let the Vine praise the Lord
that garnished it. He planted a vineyard, souls were as vineplants. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiii for the epiphany.htm

John ii. 4
... But now to show that it is He who transmutes water in the vine plants, and who converts
the rain by its passage through the root into wine, He effected that in ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxii john ii 4.htm

The Two Sons.
... hill-side on which the terraced vineyard hung, and saw there the head and hands
of his son glancing quickly from place to place among the vine plants. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/x the two sons.htm

Thesaurus

Vine-plants (1 Occurrence)
Vine-plants. Vine-knives, Vine-plants. Vine-rows . Multi-Version
Concordance Vine-plants (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 16:8 ...
/v/vine-plants.htm - 6k

Vine-knives (2 Occurrences)
Vine-knives. Vine-keepers, Vine-knives. Vine-plants . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Vine-keepers, Vine-knives. Vine-plants . Reference Bible.
/v/vine-knives.htm - 7k

Vine-rows (1 Occurrence)
Vine-rows. Vine-plants, Vine-rows. Vines . Multi-Version Concordance Vine-rows
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Vine-plants, Vine-rows. Vines . Reference Bible
/v/vine-rows.htm - 6k

Wither (30 Occurrences)
... 16:8 For the fields of Heshbon are waste, the vine of Sibmah is dead; the lords
of nations were overcome by the produce of her vines; her vine-plants went as ...
/w/wither.htm - 15k

Tendrils (4 Occurrences)
... 16:8 For the fields of Heshbon are waste, the vine of Sibmah is dead; the lords
of nations were overcome by the produce of her vines; her vine-plants went as ...
/t/tendrils.htm - 7k

Deserts (18 Occurrences)
... 16:8 For the fields of Heshbon are waste, the vine of Sibmah is dead; the lords
of nations were overcome by the produce of her vines; her vine-plants went as ...
/d/deserts.htm - 12k

Clusters (12 Occurrences)
... 16:8 For the fields of Heshbon are waste, the vine of Sibmah is dead; the lords
of nations were overcome by the produce of her vines; her vine-plants went as ...
/c/clusters.htm - 10k

Trampled (41 Occurrences)
... 16:8 For the fields of Heshbon are waste, the vine of Sibmah is dead; the lords
of nations were overcome by the produce of her vines; her vine-plants went as ...
/t/trampled.htm - 19k

Vines (39 Occurrences)
... 16:8 For the fields of Heshbon are waste, the vine of Sibmah is dead; the lords
of nations were overcome by the produce of her vines; her vine-plants went as ...
/v/vines.htm - 18k

Resources

Does the vine and branches passage in John 15 mean that salvation can be lost? | GotQuestions.org

What is a husbandman in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the True Vine” (John 15:1)? | GotQuestions.org

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