from פּוּר; a wine-press (as crushing the grapes); winepress.
Transliteration:pûwrâh
Pronunciation:poo-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פּוּרָה (pûwrâh), transliterated as "pûwrâh," is derived from the root `{{H6332}}` (פּוּר - pûr), meaning "to crush" or "to break." This etymological connection directly informs its primary and almost exclusive meaning: a "winepress" or "wine vat." Specifically, it refers to the apparatus used for treading or pressing grapes to extract their juice for wine production. While it can sometimes encompass the entire winepress structure, its root emphasis on "crushing" often points to the part of the press where the treading occurs or the vat where the crushed grapes are collected. The term signifies a place of intense pressure and transformation, where raw material (grapes) is processed into a valuable product (wine).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word פּוּרָה (pûwrâh) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, yet each occurrence is profoundly significant:
* **Isaiah 63:3:** "I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood splattered on my garments, and I stained all my raiment." [[Isaiah 63:3]]
* Here, the "winepress" (pûwrâh) is employed as a vivid and terrifying metaphor for divine judgment. The imagery portrays God Himself as the solitary treader of the winepress, crushing His enemies (symbolized as grapes) in His wrath. The resulting "lifeblood" (or "juice" in a more literal sense of the root, but clearly blood in this context) splattering on His garments powerfully conveys the severity, finality, and personal involvement of God in executing His righteous indignation. This passage underscores God's absolute sovereignty and power in judgment, a terrifying prospect for those who oppose Him.
* **Haggai 2:16:** "From the time that one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the winepress (pûwrâh) to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty." [[Haggai 2:16]]
* In contrast to the metaphorical use in Isaiah, here פּוּרָה (pûwrâh) refers to a literal agricultural implement. The prophet Haggai is describing the economic hardship and diminished agricultural yields experienced by the people of Judah due to their neglect of rebuilding the temple. The expectation of drawing fifty measures from the winepress but finding only twenty illustrates a tangible lack of blessing and productivity. This verse highlights the practical, economic significance of a productive winepress in ancient Israelite society and serves as a direct consequence of their disobedience, underscoring God's withholding of abundance.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H6332}}` (פּוּר - pûr):** The root verb, meaning "to crush," "break," or "tread." This fundamental connection defines the action performed within the pûwrâh.
* **`{{H1660}}` (גַּת - gat):** This is a more common Hebrew word for "winepress" or "wine vat," often referring to the entire installation, including both the treading floor and the collecting vat. While semantically overlapping, pûwrâh specifically emphasizes the *crushing* aspect.
* **`{{H3342}}` (יֶקֶב - yegev):** Another frequently used term for a "winepress," similar to `{{H1660}}`, denoting the structure itself.
* **Agricultural Imagery:** The winepress, along with other agricultural metaphors, is a pervasive symbol in the Bible. It represents harvest, labor, and the processing of produce, often serving as a powerful vehicle for conveying spiritual truths, particularly concerning judgment, blessing, and the consequences of human actions.
* **Divine Judgment:** The imagery of treading the winepress of wrath is a recurring motif in prophetic literature (e.g., Joel 3:13, Revelation 14:19-20), underscoring its profound significance in depicting God's righteous indignation and ultimate victory over evil.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פּוּרָה (pûwrâh) is primarily twofold, reflecting its dual usage:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Justice in Judgment:** The metaphor in [[Isaiah 63:3]] is a stark portrayal of God's absolute sovereignty and unassisted power in executing judgment. The "winepress of wrath" depicts a terrifying aspect of God's character – His righteous indignation against sin and rebellion. It underscores that divine judgment is not a passive event but an active, crushing demonstration of His justice, from which there is no escape for those who stand against Him. The imagery of blood rather than wine powerfully conveys the destructive and life-ending nature of this judgment.
* **Consequences of Disobedience and Covenant Faithfulness:** In [[Haggai 2:16]], the literal winepress serves as a tangible indicator of God's covenant relationship with His people. The diminished yield from the pûwrâh symbolizes God's withholding of material blessings as a consequence of their spiritual neglect and disobedience. It teaches that faithfulness to God's commands, particularly regarding worship and the honoring of His dwelling, directly impacts the prosperity and well-being of His people. The empty winepress becomes a sign of divine displeasure and a call to repentance and renewed obedience.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פּוּרָה (pûwrâh), derived from a root meaning "to crush," denotes a "winepress" or "wine vat." Though appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, its uses are highly impactful. In [[Isaiah 63:3]], it functions as a powerful metaphor for God's solitary and decisive judgment, wherein His wrath is likened to the treading of grapes, yielding blood. In [[Haggai 2:16]], it refers to a literal agricultural implement, illustrating the diminished harvest and economic hardship resulting from the people's disobedience. Semantically related to other terms for winepresses like `{{H1660}}` (גַּת) and `{{H3342}}` (יֶקֶב), pûwrâh emphasizes the crushing action inherent in its function. Theologically, it profoundly underscores God's sovereign power and justice in judgment, while also highlighting the direct consequences of human obedience or disobedience within the covenant relationship, serving as a reminder of divine accountability and the call to faithfulness.
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