The Hebrew word bâtsîyr, represented by H1210, refers to the vintage or the grape crop. It appears 7 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from a root meaning "clipped," it specifically denotes the result of the grape harvest, a crucial part of the agricultural cycle.
In biblical usage, H1210 serves as an indicator of either divine blessing or judgment. In a state of blessing, the harvest is so abundant that the "threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time" Leviticus 26:5. Conversely, it is used by the prophets to illustrate loss and desolation. This can be seen in warnings that "the vintage shall fail" Isaiah 32:10, or when a spoiler falls upon the summer fruits and the vintage Jeremiah 48:32. It can also describe a remnant, as in the "gleaning grapes when the vintage is done" Isaiah 24:13.
Several related words help define the agricultural and symbolic context of the vintage:
- H5955 ʻôlêlâh (gleaning grapes): This term describes the leftovers after the main harvest is complete. It is often used in parallel with bâtsîyr to emphasize scarcity or what little remains after a judgment, as when the prophet laments being like the "grapegleanings of the vintage" with no cluster to eat Micah 7:1.
- H1612 gephen (a vine): As the source of the grapes, the state of the vine is intrinsically linked to the vintage. In Jeremiah's prophecy, judgment is pronounced against the "vine of Sibmah" as a spoiler falls upon its vintage Jeremiah 48:32.
- H3615 kâlâh (to end, fail, be done): This verb is used to describe the outcome of the vintage. It can signify the natural completion of the harvest Isaiah 24:13 or a disastrous failure as a form of judgment when the vintage fails to materialize Isaiah 32:10.
- H1786 dayish (threshing-time): This word appears in sequence with bâtsîyr to illustrate a period of exceptional abundance where one part of the harvest cycle extends into the next, with the threshing reaching the vintage Leviticus 26:5.
The theological weight of H1210 is directly tied to Israel's covenant relationship with God.
- A Measure of Blessing: An overflowing vintage is a tangible sign of God's favor and provision for His people. A harvest so plentiful that it extends from one season to the next symbolizes a land where the people dwell safely under divine blessing Leviticus 26:5.
- A Harbinger of Judgment: The failure or destruction of the vintage is a powerful prophetic symbol for divine punishment. It represents the withdrawal of provision and the coming of trouble and loss upon the people for their unfaithfulness (Isaiah 32:10, Jeremiah 48:32).
- A Metaphor for Value: The term is used metaphorically to establish value and worth. In Judges, the gleanings of one group are declared better than the entire vintage of another, showing how it can be used in comparisons beyond its literal agricultural meaning Judges 8:2.
In summary, H1210 is a specific agricultural term that carries significant symbolic meaning. While literally referring to the grape harvest, it functions as a powerful barometer for the spiritual state of the nation. Its abundance represents prosperity and God's favor, while its failure or destruction serves as a stark illustration of judgment, loss, and the consequences of disobedience.
TRV