from בָּצַר; clipped, i.e. the grape crop; vintage.
Transliteration:bâtsîyr
Pronunciation:baw-tseer'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word בָּצִיר (bâtsîyr, `{{H1210}}`) is a noun derived from the verb בָּצַר (bâtsar, `{{H1219}}`), which means "to cut off," "to prune," or "to gather." Consequently, בָּצִיר primarily denotes the *result* of this cutting or gathering in the context of viticulture. Its core meaning encompasses the "grape crop" or "vintage," referring both to the grapes themselves that have been harvested and, by extension, to the *time* of the grape harvest. The term inherently carries the nuance of completion and collection, signifying the culmination of the growing season for grapes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term בָּצִיר (bâtsîyr, `{{H1210}}`) appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but each instance is rich in contextual significance:
* **[[Leviticus 26:5]]**: "Your threshing will continue until the grape harvest, and the grape harvest will continue until the time for sowing, and you will eat your fill of bread and dwell in your land securely." Here, בָּצִיר is presented as part of God's promised blessings for obedience to the covenant. The overlapping agricultural seasons—threshing extending to grape harvest, and grape harvest to sowing—emphasize an extraordinary abundance and continuous provision, underscoring divine favor.
* **[[Judges 8:2]]**: "And he said to them, 'Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?'" In this diplomatic response by Gideon to the disgruntled Ephraimites, בָּצִיר serves as a metaphor for a significant achievement or outcome. Gideon humbly suggests that even the "gleaning" (a small, residual harvest) of Ephraim's contribution was superior to the main "vintage" of his own clan, skillfully deflecting anger and acknowledging their value.
* **[[Isaiah 24:13]]**: "For thus it shall be in the midst of the earth, among the peoples, as when an olive tree is beaten, as at the gleaning when the grape harvest is over." This passage describes a scene of widespread desolation and judgment upon the earth. The imagery of a meager "gleaning when the grape harvest is over" (or "the end of the vintage") powerfully depicts the extreme scarcity of survivors, likening them to the few grapes left after a thorough harvest, emphasizing utter destruction.
* **[[Jeremiah 48:32]]**: "From the weeping of Jazer I weep for you, O vine of Sibmah; your branches crossed the sea, reached to Jazer; upon your summer fruits and your grape harvest the destroyer has fallen." In this lament over the destruction of Moab, the "grape harvest" is listed among the valuable agricultural produce that has been utterly destroyed by an invading force. The obliteration of the vintage symbolizes the complete ruin and cessation of prosperity for Moab.
* **[[Micah 7:1]]**: "Woe is me! For I am as when the summer fruit has been gathered, as when the grape harvest has been gleaned; there is no cluster to eat, no first-ripe fig that my soul desires." The prophet Micah uses the imagery of a completed בָּצִיר to express lament over the moral and spiritual decay of Israel. The absence of any remaining grapes after the harvest serves as a poignant metaphor for the scarcity of righteous individuals in the land, illustrating a profound spiritual famine and moral bankruptcy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for בָּצִיר (bâtsîyr, `{{H1210}}`) is its root verb בָּצַר (bâtsar, `{{H1219}}`), which conveys the action of "cutting off" or "fortifying" (making inaccessible by cutting off). This root highlights the precise nature of the grape harvest, involving the cutting of clusters from the vine.
Other related terms and concepts include:
* קָצִיר (qatsiyr, `{{H7105}}`): A more general term for "harvest," often referring to grain harvest.
* עָנָב (anav, `{{H6025}}`): "Grape," the fruit itself.
* גֶּפֶן (gephen, `{{H1612}}`): "Vine," the plant.
* יַיִן (yayin, `{{H3196}}`): "Wine," the product of the vintage.
* בָּכּוּר (bakkur, `{{H1061}}`): "First-fruits," indicating the initial and often choicest part of a harvest.
* Agricultural cycles: The concept of בָּצִיר is embedded within the broader understanding of Israel's agricultural calendar, which was deeply intertwined with their religious festivals and their understanding of divine blessing and judgment.
* Abundance and scarcity: The word often appears in contexts that highlight either plentiful provision or devastating lack.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of בָּצִיר (bâtsîyr, `{{H1210}}`) is multifaceted, serving as a powerful symbol in the biblical narrative:
* **Divine Provision and Blessing:** In contexts like [[Leviticus 26:5]], the successful and abundant בָּצִיר is a direct manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness and blessing. It signifies prosperity, security, and a land yielding its full increase, demonstrating God's care for His people when they walk in obedience.
* **Judgment and Desolation:** Conversely, the destruction or scarcity of the בָּצִיר (as seen in [[Isaiah 24:13]] and [[Jeremiah 48:32]]) serves as a potent metaphor for divine judgment. The loss of the vintage symbolizes the complete stripping away of prosperity, security, and the very means of sustenance, reflecting God's wrath against sin and rebellion.
* **Metaphor for Spiritual State:** In [[Micah 7:1]], the imagery of a completely gleaned בָּצִיר extends beyond mere agricultural loss to represent a spiritual famine. The lack of "clusters" signifies the scarcity of righteous individuals, illustrating a society devoid of moral integrity and fidelity to God. This highlights how natural phenomena are often employed to convey profound spiritual truths.
* **Human Labor and Divine Sovereignty:** While the בָּצִיר is the culmination of human labor in cultivating the vineyard, its success or failure is ultimately presented as dependent on divine favor or judgment. This reinforces the theological principle that human effort, while necessary, is always subject to God's sovereign will and blessing.
### Summary
The Hebrew word בָּצִיר (bâtsîyr, `{{H1210}}`) refers specifically to the grape harvest or vintage, deriving from the root בָּצַר (bâtsar, `{{H1219}}`) which signifies "to cut off." Its usage in the biblical text reveals a profound theological duality. On one hand, בָּצִיר symbolizes the abundant blessing and faithful provision of God for His obedient people, signifying prosperity and security. On the other hand, its absence or destruction serves as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment, desolation, and the complete removal of blessing due to sin. Furthermore, it can metaphorically represent the scarcity of righteousness in a morally bankrupt society. Thus, בָּצִיר encapsulates the cyclical nature of divine interaction with humanity, illustrating how the physical realities of the harvest powerfully convey spiritual truths about God's covenant, His justice, and His unfailing sovereignty over all creation.
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