Jehon Grist—Reading the Bible
Wisdom in the Wine: Its Uses and Abuses in the Biblical World

For millennia, the vine and its products have been an essential part of the Biblical world. In this richly illustrated class, we’ll explore the origins and growth of viticulture in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and of course, the land of Israel. We’ll also delve into the wisdom that comes from the vine: ancient texts from these cultures extolling its joys as well as the pain of excess. From there, we’ll delve into the Biblical Wisdom and Prophetic texts (in both Hebrew and English translation) that reveal how deeply the vine’s roots reached into the minds of the Bible’s writers. One of our sessions will be held at Covenant Wines in Berkeley, whose varietals draw on the finest ancient and modern vineyard traditions.