Vine. The first mention of the vine occurs in Genesis 1:9-21. It was cultivated in Egypt. Genesis 1:40-11, Psalms 78:47. The vines of Palestine were celebrated both for luxuriant growth and for the immense clusters of grapes which they produced, which were sometimes carried on a staff between two men, as in the case of the spies. Numbers 13:23. Special mention is made in the Bible of the vines of Eshcol, Numbers 13:24, Numbers 32:9, of Sibmah, Heshbon, and Elealeh, Isaiah 1:16-10, Jeremiah 48:32, and of Engedi. Song of Solomon 1:14. To dwell under the vine and fig tree is an emblem of domestic happiness and peace, 1 Kings 4:25, Psalms 128:3, Micah 4:4; the rebellious people of Israel are compared to "wild grapes," "an empty vine," "the degenerate plant of a strange vine," etc. Isaiah 5:2, Isaiah 5:4, Jeremiah 2:21, Hosea 10:1. It is a vine which our Lord selects to show the spiritual union which subsists between himself and his members. John 1:15-6. The vine trailed on the ground or upon supports. This latter mode of cultivation appears to be alluded to by Ezekiel. Ezekiel 1:19-12. The vintage, which formerly was a season of general festivity, began in September. The towns were deserted; the people lived among the vineyards in the lodges and tents. Comp. Judges 9:27, Isaiah 16:10, Jeremiah 25:30. The grapes were gathered with shouts of joy by the "grape gatherers," Jeremiah 25:30, and put into baskets. See Jeremiah 6:9. They were then carried on the head and shoulders, or slung upon a yoke, to the "wine-press." The vineyard, which was generally on a bill, Isaiah 5:1, Jeremiah 31:5, Amos 9:13, was surrounded by a wall or hedge in order to keep out the wild boars. Psalms 1:80-19, Psalms 1:13-6, jackals and foxes. Numbers 22:24, Nehemiah 4:3, Song of Solomon 2:15, Ezekiel 1:13-5, Matthew 21:33. Within the vineyard was one or more towers of stone in which the vine-dressers lived. Isaiah 1:8, Isaiah 5:2, Matthew 21:33. The vat, which was dug, Matthew 21:33, or hewn out of the rocky soil, and the press, were part of the vineyard furniture. Isaiah 6:2.