D. Mark Tolliver

The Essence of Wine: the Meaning of ????? in the Hebrew Bible D. Mark Tolliver

This work explores the meaning of the word ????? in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the context of agricultural jargon. Based on an examination of the etymology and history of translation of the term, as well as on a study of both ancient and modern winemaking technology, this work proposes that ????? denotes a young, immature wine that has not undergone secondary or malo-lactic fermentation. This understanding sheds light on the term, which is shown to have connotations of fertility and divine blessing, freshness and sacramentality and hope. This work contends that interpreting ????? in this way supplements the meaning of the Biblical passages in which it occurs.