sour wine (posea) daily made use of by the Roman soldiers. They gave it
to Christ, not in derision, but from compassion, to assuage his thirst.
Proverbs 10:26 shows that there was also a stronger vinegar, which was
not fit for drinking. The comparison, “vinegar upon nitre,” probably means
“vinegar upon soda” (as in the marg. of the R.V.), which then effervesces.
- VINE OF SODOM referred to only in Deuteronomy 32:32. Among the
many conjectures as to this tree, the most probable is that it is the ‘osher
of the Arabs, which abounds in the region of the Dead Sea. Its fruit are the
so-called “apples of Sodom,” which, though beautiful to the eye, are
exceedingly bitter to the taste. (See EN-GEDI.) The people of Israel are
referred to here by Moses as being utterly corrupt, bringing forth only
bitter fruit. - VIOL Hebrews nebel (Isaiah 5:12, R.V., “lute;” 14:11), a musical
instrument, usually rendered “psaltery” (q.v.) - VIPER In Job 20:16, Isaiah 30:6; 59:5, the Hebrews word eph’eh is thus
rendered. The Hebrew word, however, probably denotes a species of
poisonous serpents known by the Arabic name of ‘el ephah. Tristram has
identified it with the sand viper, a species of small size common in sandy
regions, and frequently found under stones by the shores of the Dead Sea.
It is rapid in its movements, and highly poisonous. In the New Testament
echidne is used (Matthew 3:7; 12:34; 23:33) for any poisonous snake. The
viper mentioned in Acts 28:3 was probably the vipera aspis, or the
Mediterranean viper. (See ADDER.) - VIRGIN In a prophecy concerning our Lord, Isaiah (7:14) says, “A virgin
[R.V. marg., ‘the virgin’] shall conceive, and bear a son” (comp. Luke
1:31-35). The people of the land of Zidon are thus referred to by Isaiah
(23:12), “O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon;” and of the people
of Israel, Jeremiah (18:13) says, “The virgin of Israel hath done a very
horrible thing.” - VISION (Luke 1:22), a vivid apparition, not a dream (comp. Luke 24:23;
Acts 26:19; 2 Corinthians 12:1). - VOWS voluntary promises which, when once made, were to be kept if
the thing vowed was right. They were made under a great variety of
circumstances (Genesis 28: 18-22; Leviticus 7:16; Numbers 30:2-13;