is used. This properly denotes the upper one of the two vats. (See
WINE-PRESS.)
- WINE-PRESS Consisted of two vats or receptacles, (1) a trough
(Hebrews gath, Gr. lenos) into which the grapes were thrown and where
they were trodden upon and bruised (Isaiah 16:10; Lamentations 1:15; Joel
3:13); and (2) a trough or vat (Hebrews yekebh, Gr. hypolenion) into
which the juice ran from the trough above, the gath (Nehemiah 13:15; Job
24:11; Isaiah 63:2, 3; Hag. 2:16; Joel 2:24). Wine-presses are found in
almost every part of Palestine. They are “the only sure relics we have of
the old days of Israel before the Captivity. Between Hebron and
Beersheba they are found on all the hill slopes; they abound in southern
Judea; they are no less common in the many valleys of Carmel; and they
are numerous in Galilee.” The “treading of the wine-press” is emblematic
of divine judgment (Isaiah 63:2; Lamentations 1:15; Revelation 14:19, 20). - WINNOW Corn was winnowed, (1.) By being thrown up by a shovel
against the wind. As a rule this was done in the evening or during the night,
when the west wind from the sea was blowing, which was a moderate
breeze and fitted for the purpose. The north wind was too strong, and the
east wind came in gusts. (2.) By the use of a fan or van, by which the chaff
was blown away (Ruth 3:2; Isaiah 30:24; Jeremiah 4:11, 12; Matthew
3:12). - WISE MEN mentioned in Daniel 2:12 included three classes, (1)
astrologers, (2) Chaldeans, and (3) soothsayers. The word in the original
(hakamim) probably means “medicine men. In Chaldea medicine was only
a branch of magic. The “wise men” of Matthew 2:7, who came from the
East to Jerusalem, were magi from Persia or Arabia. - WISE, WISDOM a moral rather than an intellectual quality. To be
“foolish” is to be godless (Psalm 14:1; comp. Judges 19:23; 2 Samuel
13:13). True wisdom is a gift from God to those who ask it (Job 28:12-28;
Proverbs 3:13-18; Romans 1:22; 16:27; 1 Corinthians 1:17-21; 2:6-8;
James 1:5). “Wisdom” in Proverbs 1:20; 8:1; 9:1-5 may be regarded not as
a mere personification of the attribute of wisdom, but as a divine person,
“Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).
In Matthew 11:19 it is the personified principle of wisdom that is meant. - WITCH Occurs only in Exodus 22:18, as the rendering of
mekhashshepheh, the feminine form of the word, meaning “enchantress”