The grape was a prolific and essential fruit crop in Israel from which wine and raisins were made. It is repeatedly used throughout the Bible in a figurative sense. In the Old Testament the nation of Israel was spoken of as a vine (vineyard), brought out of Egypt, which would eventually be overrun by brambles and thistles, and spoiled: "You [God] brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land…. Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes?" (Psalm 80:8-12).

"A nation has invaded My land, powerful and without number; it has the teeth of a lion, the fangs of a lioness. It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees. It has stripped off their bark and thrown it away, leaving their branches white." (Joel 1:6-7).

Jesus takes up the same imagery in the parable about the men who should have been caring for God's vineyard, but who were disowned because they refused to give God the harvest, and murdered the messengers He sent to them-including His Son:

"There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then He rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. When the harvest time approached, He sent his servants to the tenants to collect His fruit…." (Matthew 21:33-41).

In contrast, Jesus spoke of himself as the 'true vine' cared for by His Father the husbandman, and of which we may be the branches. If we remain 'in him' we will produce good fruit. If not we will be cut off.

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:1-2).

Gehenna
Genesis
Gentiles
Ghosts
  1. To "give up the ghost"
  2. "Holy Ghost"
Glory
God
Old Testament names for God
  El
  Eloah
  Elah
  El Shaddai
  Elohim
  Yahweh
Gog, Magog
Gospel
Grace
Grapevine
Grave