Wine was an important beverage in the ancient world. As a result, wine is a significant symbol throughout the Old and New Testaments.

In the Middle East, wine is made from grapes that are picked late in the summer and then spread out on the ground for a while before they are pressed to get out the juice. The annual Festival of Shelters, which celebrated Israel’s journey through the desert on their way to the promised land, took place in the early fall. It was at this time that grapes were gathered (Deut 16.13-15). Pits or vats were dug out of the rock or out of rocky ground. The pits were joined together in pairs, so that when the grapes were pressed in the upper pit, the juice would flow down into the lower pit. Workers squeezed the juice out of the grapes by walking back and forth on them in the pit (Isa 16.10). The juice was collected from the lower pit in clay jars or in bags made from animal skins. These containers had to have an opening to let out the gas that was created as the wine fermented (Job 32.19). Skins that had become old and stiff would often burst when new wine was stored in them (Matt 9.17).

Palestine and Syria produced large quantities of excellent wine. Even before the people of Israel settled in Canaan, they knew the land was fertile. When Moses sent spies to inspect the land, they brought back a bunch of grapes so large it had to be carried on a pole (Num 13.21-27). Other reports of the things produced in Canaan often mention grain, olive oil, and wine (Gen 27.28; Deut 7.13; 18.4; 2 Kgs 18.32; Jer 31.12).

Since water was scarce in Palestine, people drank wine at both ordinary meals and banquets, and especially at wedding feasts (John 2.1-12). Wine was also used as medicine (Luke 10.34; 1 Tim 5.23). Jewish people visiting the temple brought wine with them (1 Sam 1.24) and drank it when they celebrated Passover.

Because wine and winemaking were so familiar to people in Israel and Judah, the prophets could refer to them when trying to explain God’s attitude toward the people. Joel, for instance, compares God’s coming judgment of the wicked with the stomping of grapes (Joel 3.13). He also says wine is one of the good things God will give the people to bless them (Joel 3.18).

In the New Testament, wine is the symbol of Jesus’ blood, which was poured out when he died in order to save people from their sins (Mark 14.23-25). Jesus compared the new life he brings to new wine put in fresh wine skins (Matt 9.17). And the writer of Revelation uses the image of grapes being crushed in a pit to describe how God will judge the wicked (Rev 14.19,20).