Wine-Skins
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Wine-Skins in the Bible?
Wine-skins were vessels constructed from the entire hide of a goat or sheep, which was removed, cleaned, tanned, and sealed except for a single opening used for filling and dispensing contents.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the material properties of these skins, particularly their tendency to expand and eventually burst under pressure from fermenting wine, clarifies the metaphorical language used in biblical texts regarding the incompatibility of old traditions with new revelations.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Wine-Skins were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Wine-Skins in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Wine-Skins clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Wine-Skins." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/wineskins/