Question 1

What does "Vine" mean in the King James Bible?

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Vine" means "plant." The Israel identity. Isaiah 5 described Israel as God's vineyard -- planted, tended, protected, and expected to produce justice and righteousness. When Jesus said 'I am the true vine,' He was making a staggering claim: He was the true Israel, the faithful vine where the nation had been unfaithful. Branches in Him were the renewed people of God.

Question 2

Why did the word "Vine" disappear from modern English?

Accepted Answer

Hebrew gephen ('vine/the symbol of Israel as God's cultivated people/the covenant community God planted, tended, and expected fruit from') reduced to 'a plant that makes grapes.' The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but de-covenanted (~1800).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Vine"?

Accepted Answer

"Vine" was replaced by: "grapevine" (though this agricultural; the vine was israel's national symbol -- god's planted, tended, beloved people); "plant" (though this generic; the vine carried an entire narrative of planting, tending, disappointing fruit, and restoration); "connection" (though this abstract; when jesus said 'i am the vine,' he was claiming to be the true israel).

What Does “Vine” Mean in the Bible?

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