The term "pressfat" refers to a vat or container used in the process of extracting juice from grapes or olives, typically as part of winemaking or oil production. In biblical times, the pressfat was an essential component of agricultural life, symbolizing abundance, blessing, and sometimes judgment. The pressfat is often mentioned in conjunction with the winepress, where the actual treading of grapes took place.

Biblical References:

1. Joel 2:24 : "The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil." This verse highlights the pressfat as a symbol of divine blessing and prosperity. The overflowing vats signify a time of abundance and God's provision for His people.

2. Proverbs 3:9-10 : "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." Here, the pressfat is associated with the rewards of faithfulness and honoring God. The overflowing vats are a metaphor for the blessings that follow obedience and reverence to the Lord.

3. Isaiah 63:2-3 : "Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? 'I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.'" In this passage, the imagery of the winepress and pressfat is used to depict divine judgment. The treading of the winepress symbolizes God's wrath against the nations, with the pressfat serving as a vessel for the outpouring of His righteous anger.

Symbolism and Significance:

In the biblical context, the pressfat is more than just a physical container; it carries rich symbolic meaning. It represents the results of labor and the blessings of the harvest, often used to illustrate the spiritual truths of God's provision and judgment. The pressfat's overflowing nature is frequently used to depict abundance and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

The pressfat also serves as a metaphor for the process of purification and refinement. Just as grapes are crushed to produce wine, believers may undergo trials and tribulations to bring forth spiritual maturity and growth. This imagery is consistent with the biblical theme of transformation through adversity.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, the pressfat was a crucial part of the agricultural economy. Wine and olive oil were staple products, essential for daily life and religious rituals. The process of pressing grapes and olives was labor-intensive, requiring skill and effort. The pressfat, therefore, was a symbol of both the hard work of the people and the bountiful rewards of their labor.

The pressfat's role in the community extended beyond its practical use. It was a place of gathering and celebration during the harvest, a time when families and neighbors would come together to share in the fruits of their labor. This communal aspect underscores the biblical themes of fellowship and unity in the blessings of God.

In summary, the pressfat in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol, representing abundance, divine blessing, judgment, and the transformative process of spiritual growth. Its presence in Scripture serves as a reminder of God's provision and the importance of faithfulness in the lives of His people.PRESSFAT

pres'-fat (Haggai 2:16 in the King James Version, the English Revised Version "winefat," the American Standard Revised Version "winevat").

See WINE.

Pressfat (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PRESSFAT. pres'-fat ... winevat"). See WINE.
Multi-Version Concordance Pressfat (1 Occurrence). Haggai ...
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Presseth (11 Occurrences)

/p/presseth.htm - 9k

Pressing (16 Occurrences)

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Press (57 Occurrences)
... Haggai 2:16 Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures,
there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels ...
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