Ancient Jewish Wine Similar to Jesus' Time Period

The production and consumption of wine were deeply integrated into ancient Jewish culture, dating back to Noah, who is credited with discovering the process (Genesis 9:20-21) ^[1]. The vine was a significant agricultural product in Palestine, cultivated extensively even before the Israelites occupied the land ^[4]. The region was known for its vineyards, with specific areas like En-gedi and Eshcol celebrated for their produce ^[4].

Ancient Jewish wine was primarily made from grapes, as indicated by references such as Genesis 49:11 ^[2]. However, other fruits were also used, with pomegranate wine mentioned in Song of Solomon 8:2 ^{[1, 2]}. The vintage season in Palestine typically occurred in September and was a time of great celebration ^[1]. Grapes were gathered in baskets ^[1] and processed in wine presses, which were common throughout Palestine ^[5]. These presses typically consisted of two vats: an upper trough (Hebrew gath, Greek lenos) where grapes were trodden, and a lower vat (Hebrew yekebh, Greek hypolenion) that collected the expressed juice ^{[5, 6]}. These vats were often hewn out of solid rock ^[6].

The quality of wine was understood to improve with age, as noted in Luke 5:39 ^[2]. There were many kinds of wine, and sweet varieties were particularly esteemed for their flavor ^[2]. Biblical texts also allude to the refining of wine (Isaiah 25:6) ^[2].

During Jesus' time, wine was commonly diluted with water. Rabbinic discussions in the Babylonian Talmud illustrate this practice, with various rabbis using the time it took to mix a cup of wine with water as a measure of time ^{[8, 9, 10]}. For instance, Rabbi Eliezer states that this mixing time is equivalent to the time needed to circle a palm tree ^[8]. Rabbi Yehoshua also refers to the time needed for mixing and drinking a cup of wine with water, specifying a total volume of a quarter-log ^{[13, 14, 15]}. This practice of diluting wine was widespread.

The significance of wine extended beyond mere consumption; it held symbolic and ritualistic importance. In the New Testament, Jesus transforms water into wine at the wedding in Cana, a miracle that Augustine interprets as Christ revealing that the Old Scripture, like water, gains its true taste and meaning when understood through Him ^[11]. The practice of giving thanks for wine was also customary, as seen in Jewish traditions where blessings were offered for the "fruit of the vine" ^[12]. John Gill notes that this blessing was given before and after meals ^[12].

While glass was known in ancient Egypt and Assyria as early as 3500 years ago, and fragments of wine-vases from the Exodus period have been found in Egypt, specific mention of glass in the Hebrew Bible is limited, with the word appearing only in Job 28:17, where it is translated as "crystal" ^[3]. This suggests that while glass vessels might have been available, they were not the primary or most common containers for wine in ancient Israel.

The abundance of vines and wine in ancient Israel is frequently used in biblical imagery. For example, the prophecy concerning Judah in Genesis 49:11 speaks of binding a foal to a vine, suggesting such a profusion of vines that they could be used for tethering animals without concern for damage, or that they would be so laden with grapes that an animal could be loaded from a single vine ^{[7, 16]}. This imagery underscores the centrality of viticulture to the economy and daily life of the region.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Wine — The manufacture of wine is carried back in the Bible to the age of Noah, (Genesis 9:20,21) to whom the discovery of the process is apparently, though not explicitly, attributed. The natural history and culture of the vine are described under a separate head. [[1296]Vine] The only other plant whose fruit is noticed as having been converted into wine was the pomegranate. (Song of Solomon 8:2) In Palestine the vintage takes place in September, and is celebrated with great rejoicing. The ripe fruit was gathered in baskets, (Jeremiah 6:9) as represented in Egyptian ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wine — First mention of -- Ge 9:20,21. Was made of The juice of the grape. -- Ge 49:11. The juice of the pomegranate. -- Song 8:2. First mode of making, notice -- Ge 40:11. Generally made by treading the grapes in a press -- Ne 13:15; Isa 63:2,3. Refining of, alluded to -- Isa 25:6. Improved by age -- Lu 5:39. Places celebrated for Canaan in general. -- De 33:28. Possessions of Judah. -- Ge 49:8,11,12. Lebanon. -- Ho 14:7. Helbon. -- Eze 27:18. Assyria. -- 2Ki 18:32; Isa 36:17. Moab. -- Isa 16:8-10; Jer 48:32,33. Many kinds of -- Ne 5:18. Sweet, esteemed for flavour ”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Glass — The Hebrew word occurs only in (Job 28:17) where in the Authorized Version it is rendered "crystal." In spite of the absence of specific allusion to glass in the sacred writings, the Hebrews must have been aware of the invention from paintings representing the process of glass-blowing, which have been discovered at Beni-hassan, and in tombs at other places, we know that the invention vas known at least 3500 years ago. Fragments too of wine-vases as old as the exodus have been discovered in Egypt. The art was also known to the ancient Assyrians. In the New Test”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Vine — One of the most important products of Palestine. The first mention of it is in the history of Noah (Gen. 9:20). It is afterwards frequently noticed both in the Old and New Testaments, and in the ruins of terraced vineyards there are evidences that it was extensively cultivated by the Jews. It was cultivated in Palestine before the Israelites took possession of it. The men sent out by Moses brought with them from the Valley of Eshcol a cluster of grapes so large that "they bare it between two upon a staff" (Num. 13: 23). The vineyards of En-gedi (Cant. 1:14), H”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Wine-press — Consisted of two vats or receptacles, (1) a trough (Heb. gath, Gr. lenos) into which the grapes were thrown and where they were trodden upon and bruised (Isa. 16:10; Lam. 1:15; Joel 3:13); and (2) a trough or vat (Heb. yekebh, Gr. hypolenion) into which the juice ran from the trough above, the gath (Neh. 13:15; Job 24:11; Isa. 63:2, 3; Hag. 2:16; Joel 2:24). Wine-presses are found in almost every part of Palestine. They are "the only sure relics we have of the old days of Israel before the Captivity. Between Hebron and Beersheba they are found on all the”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Winepress — From the scanty notices contained in the Bible we gather that, the wine-presses of the Jews consisted of two receptacles of vats placed at different elevations, in the upper one of which the grapes were trodden, while the lower one received the expressed juice. The two vats are mentioned together only in (Joel 3:13) "The press is full: the fats overflow"--the upper vat being full of fruit, the lower one overflowing with the must. [[1297]Wine] The two vats were usually hewn out of the solid rock. (Isaiah 5:2) margin; (Matthew 21:33) Ancient winepresses, so ”
Genesis “Genesis 49:12 (YLT) — Red <FI>are<Fi> eyes with wine, And white <FI>are<Fi> teeth with milk!”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 4a.2: The baraita quotes several practical examples of this period of time. This is equivalent to the time needed for circling a palm tree; this is the statement of Rabbi Yishmael. Rabbi Eliezer says: This is equivalent to the time needed for mixing a cup of wine with water, with the total volume of a quarter- log . Rabbi Yehoshua says: This is equivalent to the time needed to drink that cup of wine.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 99a.7:2: The baraita quotes several practical examples of this period of time. This is equivalent to the time needed for circling a palm tree; this is the statement of Rabbi Yishmael. Rabbi Eliezer says: This is equivalent to the time needed for mixing a cup of wine with water, with the total volume of a quarter- log . Rabbi Yehoshua says: This is equivalent to the time needed to drink that cup of wine.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 99b.7:2: The baraita quotes several practical examples of this period of time. This is equivalent to the time needed for circling a palm tree; this is the statement of Rabbi Yishmael. Rabbi Eliezer says: This is equivalent to the time needed for mixing a cup of wine with water, with the total volume of a quarter- log . Rabbi Yehoshua says: This is equivalent to the time needed to drink that cup of wine.”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER II. I-II. (part 5): poured 65 out, have poured in wine: but had He done this, He would appear to have rejected the Old Scriptures. When, however, He turns the water itself into wine, He shows us that the Old Scripture also is from Himself, for at His own command were the water-pots filled. It is from the Lord, indeed, that the Old Scripture also is; but it has no taste unless Christ is understood therein. 6. But observe what Himself saith, "The things which were written in the law, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning me." And we”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 26:26: And he took the cup and gave thanks,.... For the Jews blessed, or gave thanks for their wine, as well as for their food, and generally did it in this form (w): "Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God, the king of the world, who hast created the "fruit of the vine". Hence the phrase, "the fruit of the vine", in Mat 26:29, not that we are to suppose, that Christ used or confined himself to this form of words: and it is to be observed, that they not only gave thanks for their wine before food, and whilst they were eating (x), but also after meat; and as this relates to ”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 99a.7:10: The baraita continues: Rabbi Yehoshua says: This is equivalent to the time needed for mixing a cup of wine with water, with the total volume of a quarter- log . Ben Azzai says: This is equivalent to the time needed to drink that cup of wine. Rabbi Akiva says: This is equivalent to the time needed to roast an egg. Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says: This is equivalent to the time needed to swallow it.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 99b.7:10: The baraita continues: Rabbi Yehoshua says: This is equivalent to the time needed for mixing a cup of wine with water, with the total volume of a quarter- log . Ben Azzai says: This is equivalent to the time needed to drink that cup of wine. Rabbi Akiva says: This is equivalent to the time needed to roast an egg. Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says: This is equivalent to the time needed to swallow it.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 4a.10: The baraita continues: Rabbi Yehoshua says: This is equivalent to the time needed for mixing a cup of wine with water, with the total volume of a quarter- log . Ben Azzai says: This is equivalent to the time needed to drink that cup of wine. Rabbi Akiva says: This is equivalent to the time needed to roast an egg. Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira says: This is equivalent to the time needed to swallow it.”
Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 49:11: Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine,.... Which may be understood either of the tribe of Judah, and signify that vines should grow in such plenty, and so large and strong, that a man might fasten his ass to one of them, and if it ate and destroyed it, it would give no great concern, since the country abounded with them; or they would be so full of clusters that a man might load an ass from one of them. Some parts of the tribe of Judah were famous for vines, especially Engedi; hence we read of the vineyards of Engedi, Sol 1:14 or el”

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