Dictionaries :: Vinegar

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Vinegar:

Heb. hometz, Gr. oxos, Fr. vin aigre; i.e., "sour wine." The Hebrew word is rendered vinegar in Psa 69:21, a prophecy fulfilled in the history of the crucifixion (Mat 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. Pro 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.

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Vinegar:

vin'-e-ger (chomets; oxos): Vinegar, whose use as a condiment (Ru 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 Nu 6:3. Undiluted vinegar is of course undrinkable, and to offer it to a thirsty man is mockery (Ps 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 Nu 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 (Joh 19:29) for their own use and at first "offered" it to Christ, while keeping it out of reach (Lu 23:36). But at the end the drink was given Him on a sponge (Mr 15:36; Mt 27:48; Joh 19:29,30). In addition, the King James Version, following Textus Receptus of the New Testament, has "vinegar.... mingled with gall" in Mt 27:34, but this rests on a false reading, probably due to Ps 69:21, and the Revised Version (British and American) rightly has "wine." Vinegar, like all acids, is injurious to the teeth (Pr 10:26); and when it is combined with niter an effervescence is produced (Pr 25:20). The appropriateness of the last figure, however, is obscure, and Septuagint reads "as vinegar on a wound," causing pain.

Written by Burton Scott Easton

Nave's Topical Bible

Vinegar: Definition Of

A sour wine

Vinegar: Forbidden to Nazarites

Num 6:3

Vinegar: Used with Food

Rth 2:14; Psa 69:21; Pro 10:26; 25:20

Vinegar: Offered to Christ While on the Cross

Mat 27:34, 48; Jhn 19:29; with Mar 15:23

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Vinegar:

akin to oxus, "sharp," denotes "sour wine," the ordinary drink of laborers and common soldiers; it is used in the four Gospels of the "vinegar" offered to the Lord at His crucifixion. In Mat 27:34 the best texts have oinos, "wine" (RV). Some have oxos (AV, "vinegar"), but Mar 15:23 (AV and RV) confirms the RV in the passage in Matthew. This which the soldiers offered before crucifying, was refused by Him, as it was designed to alleviate His sufferings; the "vinegar" is mentioned in Mar 15:36; so Luk 23:36; Jhn 19:29, 30. In the Sept., Num6:3; Rth 2:14; Psa 69:21; Pro 25:20.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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 (Psalm 69:21) 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).