### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **ámpelos**, represented by `{{G288}}`, is the term for **a vine**. It appears 9 times in 9 unique verses in the Bible. While its literal meaning refers to the plant, its scriptural use is primarily as a powerful metaphor for relationship, spiritual life, and judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{G288}}` is used in several distinct ways. Its most prominent use is in the Gospel of John, where Jesus declares, "I am the true **vine**" [[John 15:1]]. This establishes a metaphor where the Father is the **husbandman**, and believers are the branches who must abide in the **vine** to bear fruit [[John 15:4-5]]. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the phrase "fruit of the **vine**" refers to the wine of the Last Supper, which Jesus states He will not drink again until He drinks it new in the **kingdom** of God ([[Matthew 26:29]]; [[Mark 14:25]]; [[Luke 22:18]]). Finally, in Revelation, "the **vine** of the earth" symbolizes those who are ripe for God's judgment, to be gathered and cast into the winepress [[Revelation 14:18-19]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words expand upon the imagery associated with the **vine**:
* `{{G2814}}` **klēma** (a limb or shoot): This is the direct counterpart to the **vine**, used for the **branch** that must abide in the **vine** to live and produce fruit [[John 15:4-5]].
* `{{G1092}}` **geōrgós** (a land-worker, i.e. farmer): This term describes the role of the Father as the **husbandman** who tends to the true **vine** [[John 15:1]].
* `{{G2590}}` **karpós** (fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively): This word signifies the **fruit** that is the evidence of a branch's connection to the **vine** [[John 15:5]].
* `{{G1081}}` **génnēma** (offspring; by analogy, produce): This term is used specifically to describe the "produce" or **fruit** of the **vine** in the context of the Last Supper ([[Matthew 26:29]]; [[Luke 22:18]]).
* `{{G3025}}` **lēnós** (a trough, i.e. wine-vat): This is the **winepress** into which the **vine** of the earth is cast, symbolizing divine wrath [[Revelation 14:19]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G288}}` is centered on its metaphorical applications.
* **Christ as the Source of Life:** Jesus uses the **vine** to define himself as the exclusive source of spiritual life and sustenance for believers. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself [[John 15:4]].
* **The Necessity of Abiding:** The relationship between the **vine** and the branches illustrates the necessity of a believer's continual, dependent relationship with Christ. Those who do not abide are taken away [[John 15:4-5]].
* **Eschatological Judgment:** In Revelation, the metaphor shifts from life to judgment. The "**vine** of the earth" represents a system or people designated for the harvest of God's wrath [[Revelation 14:19]].
* **Kingdom Hope:** The "fruit of the **vine**" serves as a symbol of the New Covenant and points to the future joy and fellowship of the Father's **kingdom** [[Mark 14:25]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G288}}` moves beyond its simple botanical meaning to become a cornerstone of New Testament teaching. It serves as a profound illustration of Christ as the source of all spiritual vitality, the absolute necessity for believers to remain connected to Him, and a stark symbol of the final judgment for "the **vine** of the earth." The word demonstrates how a common element of the natural world can convey deep theological truths about salvation, sanctification, and judgment.
TRV