In Syria, at the present day, clusters weighing ten or twelve pounds have been gathered. When Jacob blessed Judah, he made special reference to the vine, as indicating prosperity (Gen. xlix. 11). Frequent allusions occur in the Bible to vineyards, to vine-dressers, to the rejoicings at the vintage, the gathering and the gleaning of grapes, the treading of the grapes, the wine-presses and the wine-fats,—all indicating the important place which the vine occupied among the vegetable productions of Palestine. Some choice vines are mentioned under the name of Sorek (Gen. xlix. 11; Isa. v. 2; Jer. ii. 21). The vineyards of Eshcol, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sibmah, Jazer, and Engedi, were celebrated (Song of Sol. i. 14; Isa. xvi. 8-10; Jer. xlviii. 32, 33).

The grape-vine has followed the footsteps of man, and has been transplanted by him into all parts of the world. The juice of the young fruit, called verjuice, is very sour; that of the riper fruit is called must, and is used as a refreshing drink in some countries. It is probably referred to in some passages of Scripture in which the juice of the grape and the blood of grapes are mentioned. The dried fruit known as raisins is also noticed in the Bible (1 Sam. xxv. 18, xxx. 12; 2 Sam. xvi. 1; 1 Chron. xii. 40). Many illustrations are taken from the vine. Israel is represented as a vine brought from Egypt and planted by the Lord (Ps. lxxx. 8-11 ; Isa. v. 7 ; Jer. ii. 21). Dwelling under the vine and fig-tree is an emblem of peace and tranquillity (Mic. iv. 4; Zech. iii. 10); a fruitful vine is associated with domestic happiness (Ps. cxxviii. 3). The production of wild grapes, and of grapes of gall, an empty vine, and a strange vine, are used to illustrate the departure of Israel from God (Deut. xxxii. 32, 33; Isa. v. 2, 4; Jer. ii. 21; Hos. x. 1). Wild grapes are by some translated putrid grapes. They are considered by Berkeley as grapes affected with rot or mildew. Our Saviour calls Himself the true vine, into which His disciples are grafted, so as to bring forth much fruit (John xv.)