Title: The Meaning of Grapes and the Vineyard in the Bible

Topic: Word

Summary: A look at the unity of Scripture through the lens of imagery regarding grapes and the vineyard. The Old and New Testaments sing the same song throughout.

Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.

References:
Mark 11:12, 20
Genesis 14:18; 49:8
Deuteronomy 34:14, Deuteronomy 34:28
2 Kings 25:11-12
Psalms 80:89
Isaiah 5; 37:30-31
Jeremiah 2:20-21; 12
Ezekiel 19:10
Hosea 9:10; 10:1-2
Amos 9:11-end
Matthew 21:28
Luke 6:43-45; 13:1-10
Deuteronomy 6:10-12
Isaiah 65:17, 19
Zephaniah 1:12-18
John 15:1
Galatians 4:24

1179. 'Therefore it used to be said, Like Nimrod, mighty in hunting before Jehovah' means that since so many were being persuaded this became a proverbial expression. In addition to this it means that such a religion easily captivates people's minds. This becomes clear from what has been stated and also from the actual sense of the letter. Moreover because in early times names were given to real things this name was given to this form of worship, that is to say, it used to be said that 'Nimrod', meaning that form of worship, was 'mighty in hunting', that is, was one that captivated people's minds. The reason for the words 'before Jehovah' is that people with whom that form of worship existed called separated faith 'Jehovah' or 'a man Jehovah', as is clear from what has been stated already about Cain in 340, who likewise means faith separated from charity. The difference between Cain and Ham however lies in the fact that the former existed in the celestial Church which had perception, while the latter existed in the spiritual Church which had none. As a consequence the former was far more monstrous than the latter. In early times such people were called 'mighty', as in Isaiah,

All the glory of Kedar will be brought to an end, and the remainder of the number of the bows of the mighty men of the sons of Kedar will be diminished. Isaiah 21:16-17.

And in Hosea,

You have ploughed wickedness, you have reaped iniquity, you have eaten the fruit of lying, because you have trusted in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men. Hosea 10:13.

And in other places. They called themselves 'men' (vir) and 'mighty' from faith, for one particular word in the original language expresses the idea of being 'mighty' and at the same time that of a man (vir), and it is used in the Word in reference to faith, and indeed in both senses.