Definition and Composition:
Vinegar is a sour liquid produced through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. It is commonly derived from wine, cider, or other alcoholic liquids. In biblical times, vinegar was a staple in the diet and was used for various purposes, including as a condiment, preservative, and even for medicinal purposes.

Biblical References:
Vinegar is mentioned several times in the Bible, often in contexts that highlight its sourness and its use as a common beverage among the people of ancient Israel.

1. Ruth 2:14 · In the Book of Ruth, Boaz invites Ruth to eat with his workers, saying, "Come over here and have some bread and dip it in the vinegar." This passage illustrates the use of vinegar as a condiment, enhancing the flavor of food.

2. Psalm 69:21 · The psalmist, in a prophetic lament, states, "They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst." This verse is often seen as a messianic prophecy, later fulfilled in the New Testament during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

3. Proverbs 10:26 · "Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him." This proverb uses vinegar metaphorically to describe the irritation and discomfort caused by a lazy person, emphasizing the sharpness and unpleasantness associated with vinegar.

4. Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36; John 19:29-30 · These New Testament passages describe the crucifixion of Jesus, where He is offered vinegar to drink. In John 19:29-30, it is written, "A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished.' And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit." This act fulfilled the prophecy from Psalm 69:21 and is significant in the narrative of Christ's passion.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient times, vinegar was a common and inexpensive beverage, often consumed by laborers and soldiers. It was known as "posca" in Roman culture, a mixture of vinegar and water, which was refreshing and had the added benefit of killing harmful bacteria in the water. The offering of vinegar to Jesus on the cross was likely an act of mockery, as it was a drink associated with the lower classes and not suitable for a king.

Symbolism and Interpretation:
Vinegar in the Bible often symbolizes bitterness and suffering. The offering of vinegar to Jesus during His crucifixion is a poignant moment that underscores His humility and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It serves as a reminder of the suffering He endured for humanity's redemption.

Practical Uses:
Beyond its symbolic meanings, vinegar was valued for its practical uses in the ancient world. It was used to preserve food, as a cleaning agent, and for its supposed health benefits. The versatility of vinegar made it an essential item in the daily life of biblical peoples.

In summary, vinegar in the Bible is a multifaceted substance, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. Its presence in key biblical narratives highlights its cultural significance and its role in fulfilling prophetic scripture.Vinegar

The Hebrew word translated "vinegar" was applied to a beverage consisting generally of wine or strong drink turned sour, but sometimes artificially made by an admixture of barley and wine, and thus liable to fermentation. It was acid even to a proverb, (Proverbs 10:26) and by itself formed an unpleasant draught, (Psalms 49:21) but was used by laborers. (Ruth 2:14) Similar was the acetum of the Romans --a thin, sour wine, consumed by soldiers. This was the beverage of which the Saviour partook in his dying moments. (Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29,30)

Vinegar

Poor or sour wine, the produce of the second or acetous fermentation of vinous liquors. The term sometimes designates a thin, sour wine, much used by laborers and by the Roman soldiers, Numbers 6:3 Ruth 2:14 2 Chronicles 2:10 John 19:29. See GALL. In other places it denotes the common sharp vinegar, which furnished the wise man with two significant illustrations, Proverbs 10:26 25:20.

Hebrews hometz, Gr. oxos, Fr. vin aigre; i.e., "sour wine." The Hebrew word is rendered vinegar in Psalm 69:21, a prophecy fulfilled in the history of the crucifixion (Matthew 27:34). This was the common sour wine (posea) daily made use of by the Roman soldiers. They gave it to Christ, not in derision, but from compassion, to assuage his thirst. Proverbs 10:26 shows that there was also a stronger vinegar, which was not fit for drinking. The comparison, "vinegar upon nitre," probably means "vinegar upon soda" (as in the marg. of the R.V.), which then effervesces. 1. (n.) A sour liquid used as a condiment, or as a preservative, and obtained by the spontaneous (acetous) fermentation, or by the artificial oxidation, of wine, cider, beer, or the like.

2. (a.) Hence, anything sour; -- used also metaphorically.

3. (v. t.) To convert into vinegar; to make like vinegar; to render sour or sharp.

VINEGAR

vin'-e-ger (chomets; oxos): Vinegar, whose use as a condiment (Ruth 2:14) needs no comment, is formed when a saccharine fluid passes through a fermentation that produces acetic acid. In the ancient world vinegar was usually made of wine, although any fruit juice can be utilized in its manufacture, and "vinegar of strong drink" (palm juice?) is mentioned in Numbers 6:3. Undiluted vinegar is of course undrinkable, and to offer it to a thirsty man is mockery (Psalm 69:21), but a mixture of water and vinegar makes a beverage that was very popular among the poor (Greek oxos, oxukraton, Latin posca-names applied also to diluted sour wine). It is mentioned in Numbers 6:3 (forbidden to the Nazirite) and again in the Gospels in the account of the Crucifixion. The executioners had brought it in a vessel (John 19:29) for their own use and at first "offered" it to Christ, while keeping it out of reach (Luke 23:36). But at the end the drink was given Him on a sponge (Mark 15:36 Matthew 27:48 John 19:29, 30). In addition, the King James Version, following Textus Receptus of the New Testament, has "vinegar.... mingled with gall" in Matthew 27:34, but this rests on a false reading, probably due to Psalm 69:21, and the Revised Version (British and American) rightly has "wine." Vinegar, like all acids, is injurious to the teeth (Proverbs 10:26); and when it is combined with niter an effervescence is produced (Proverbs 25:20). The appropriateness of the last figure, however, is obscure, and Septuagint reads "as vinegar on a wound," causing pain.

Burton Scott Easton

3690. oxos -- sour wine
... sour wine. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: oxos Phonetic Spelling:
(oz-os) Short Definition: vinegar, sour wine Definition: vinegar, sour wine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3690.htm - 7k2558. chomets -- vinegar
... 2557, 2558. chomets. 2559 . vinegar. Transliteration: chomets Phonetic
Spelling: (kho'-mets) Short Definition: vinegar. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2558.htm - 6k

It is Related Also that vinegar was Given Him to Drink, or Wine ...
... 26. It is related also that vinegar was given Him to drink, or wine mingled
with myrrh which is bitterer than gall. Hear what the ...
/.../26 it is related also.htm

Of the Harmony of the Four Evangelists in their Notices of the ...
... Prologue. Chapter XVII."Of the Harmony of the Four Evangelists in Their
Notices of the Draught of Vinegar. 54. Matthew proceeds ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xvii of the harmony of.htm

The Crucifixion.
... knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished,
saith, I thirst.29 There was set there a vessel full of vinegar: ^a 48 And ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 3.htm

Faustus Rejects the Old Testament Because it Leaves no Room for ...
... If it contains wine, it should be filled up with wine, honey with honey,
vinegar with vinegar. For to pour gall on honey, or water ...
/.../faustus rejects the old testament.htm

Whether Wine of the Grape is the Proper Matter of this Sacrament?
... Objection 2: Further, vinegar is a kind of wine drawn from the grape, as Isidore
says (Etym. xx). But this sacrament cannot be celebrated with vinegar. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether wine of the grape.htm

John Chapter xix. 24-30.
... Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with
vinegar, and fixed it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxix john chapter xix.htm

An Eye-Witness's Account of the Crucifixion
... Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with
vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth. ...
/.../an eye-witnesss account of the.htm

The Burning ??sculapius; Tricks with Fire.
... the magician) lays his hand upon the cauldron of pitch, [250] which is in, as it
were, a boiling state; and throwing in (at the same time) vinegar and nitre ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the burning aesculapius tricks.htm

And There is no Truth in the Statement of Celsus...
... and degrading things were which Christ suffered, in these words: "For what better
was it for God to eat the flesh of sheep, or to drink vinegar and gall, than ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xiii and there is.htm

Expository Treatise against the Jews.
... Many a time dost thou boast thyself, in that thou didst condemn Jesus of Nazareth
to death, and didst give Him vinegar and gall to drink; and thou dost vaunt ...
/.../expository treatise against the jews.htm

Vinegar (11 Occurrences)
... vin aigre; ie, "sour wine." The Hebrew word is rendered vinegar in Psalm 69:21,
a prophecy fulfilled in the history of the crucifixion (Matthew 27:34). ...
/v/vinegar.htm - 13k

Hyssop (12 Occurrences)
... suits the conditions of John 19:29, it being maintained that a stem of caper would
make a good object on which to raise the "sponge full of vinegar" to the ...
/h/hyssop.htm - 14k

Nitre (2 Occurrences)
... because, rising from the bottom of the Lake Natron in Egypt, it becomes dry and
hard in the sun, and is the soda which effervesces when vinegar is poured on it ...
/n/nitre.htm - 9k

Sour (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Having an acid or sharp, biting taste,
like vinegar, and the juices of most unripe fruits; acid; tart. ...
/s/sour.htm - 12k

Spunge (3 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it
with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/s/spunge.htm - 7k

Sponge (3 Occurrences)
... Sponge (3 Occurrences). Matthew 27:48 Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge,
and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him a drink. ...
/s/sponge.htm - 10k

Gall (17 Occurrences)
... The drink offered to our Lord was vinegar (made of light wine rendered acid, the
common drink of Roman soldiers) "mingled with gall," or, according to Mark (15 ...
/g/gall.htm - 17k

Filled (336 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:48 Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled
it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him a drink. ...
/f/filled.htm - 35k

Reed (41 Occurrences)
... The "reed" on which they put the sponge filled with vinegar (Matthew 27:48) was,
according to John (19:29), a hyssop stalk, which must have been of some length ...
/r/reed.htm - 29k

Offered (320 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV DBY RSV NIV). Mark 15:36 One ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar,
put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Let him be. ...
/o/offered.htm - 37k

Why did Jesus say, “I thirst,” from the cross? | GotQuestions.org

How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.org

What were the seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org

Vinegar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus