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בָּצִיר (ba.tsir)

ba.tsir

vintage

H1210 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 7 verses

H:N-M

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
7 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-M

Definition

Definition

vintage

Brown-Driver-Briggs

בָּצִיר n.m. vintage

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

vintage

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word ba-tsir refers to the grape harvest, a time of intense labor and joyful anticipation in ancient Israel. It marks the end of the agricultural year, where the work of planting and tending finally yields its fruit. This imagery reminds us that seasons of waiting are not wasted; they lead to a gathering of what has been nurtured over time.

When Scripture speaks of the vintage failing or being cut short, it highlights how fragile our security can be if we rely solely on earthly provisions. Yet, even in warnings of loss, there is an invitation to look beyond the harvest for true sustenance. The rhythm of sowing and reaping points to a deeper reality: God provides for His people when they trust in Him rather than their own strength.

For your daily life, this word encourages patience. Just as grapes must ripen before they can be pressed, our spiritual growth often requires time and quiet faithfulness. We are invited to rest in the knowledge that our efforts, however small, are seen and valued by God.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • [the] grape harvest3×
  • of the/ vintage1×
  • more than/ [the] grape harvest of1×
  • grape harvest/ your1×
  • grape harvest1×
  • and/ grape harvest1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • מִ/בְצִ֥יר1×
  • וּ/בָצִ֖יר1×
  • הַ/בָּצִֽיר\׃1×
  • בָּצִ֔יר1×
  • בָּצִ֑יר1×
  • בְּצִירֵ֖/ךְ1×
  • בָצִֽיר\׃1×
  • בָצִ֔יר1×

Key Verses

  • Leviticus 26:5
    Your threshing shall continue until the vintage, and the vintage shall continue until the sowing time. You shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

    This verse links the vintage with the threshing season to promise a time of uninterrupted blessing and safety for those who obey God.

  • Judges 8:2
    He said to them, “What have I now done in comparison with you? Isn’t the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

    Gideon uses the 'gleaning' versus the 'vintage' to illustrate how even the leftovers of Ephraim’s harvest were superior to Abiezer’s main yield, highlighting humble service.

  • Isaiah 32:10
    For days beyond a year you will be troubled, you careless women; for the vintage will fail. The harvest won’t come.

    The prophet warns careless women that the vintage will fail, using the loss of the grape harvest as a metaphor for coming social and spiritual disorder.

  • Micah 7:1
    Misery is mine! Indeed, I am like one who gathers the summer fruits, as gleanings of the vineyard. There is no cluster of grapes to eat. My soul desires to eat the early fig.

    Micah compares his sorrow to a harvester finding no grapes, showing how the absence of the vintage symbolizes total spiritual barrenness in a corrupt land.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word batsir mean?

Batsir (H1210) translates to 'vintage' or 'grape harvest.' In the Old Testament, it specifically refers to the time when grapes are gathered and pressed. It is often used metaphorically to represent the culmination of a season’s work or the judgment that follows a period of growth.

How is batsir different from other words for harvest?

While general terms like 'qatsir' (H6987) refer to the grain harvest in spring, 'batsir' is distinct because it pertains to the late summer or autumn grape harvest. This timing made it a significant marker for the end of the agricultural year and often carried stronger symbolic weight regarding judgment or finality.

Where does this word appear in the Bible?

It appears seven times in the Hebrew Bible, including Leviticus 26:5, Judges 8:2, Isaiah 24:13, Isaiah 32:10, Jeremiah 48:32, Micah 7:1, and Zechariah 11:2. These passages use the image of the vintage to discuss blessings, warnings, or lament.

Why is the vintage important in biblical imagery?

The vintage was a critical economic event for ancient Israelites, providing wine and food for the winter. Biblically, it symbolizes both God’s provision (Leviticus 26:5) and His judgment (Isaiah 24:13), as the pressing of grapes was often likened to the crushing of enemies or the execution of divine justice.

Every Occurrence (7 verses across 6 books)

Leviticus 1 verse
Judges 1 verse
Isaiah 2 verses
Jeremiah 1 verse
Micah 1 verse
Zechariah 1 verse