vinegar Summary and Overview

Heb. hometz, Gr. oxos, Fr. vin aigre; i.e., "sour wine." The Hebrew word is rendered vinegar in Ps. 69:21, a prophecy fulfilled in the history of the crucifixion (Matt. 27:34). This was the common 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. Prov. 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.

The Hebrew word translated "vinegar" was applied to a beverage consisting generally of wine or strong drink turned sour, but sometimes artificially made by an admixture of barley and wine, and thus liable to fermentation. It was acid even to a proverb, #Pr 10:26| and by itself formed an unpleasant draught, #Ps 49:21| but was used by laborers. #Ru 2:14| Similar was the acetum of the Romans --a thin, sour wine, consumed by soldiers. This was the beverage of which the Saviour partook in his dying moments. #Mt 27:48; Mr 15:36; Joh 19:29,30|

VIN'EGAR . The Hebrew word denotes a beverage either consisting simply of wine turned sour, and for that reason proscribed to the Nazarite, Num 6:3, or produced artificially. Its excessive acidity, Prov 10:26, made it an unpalatable drink, Ps 69:21; but like the Roman ponea, it was much used for sopping bread. Ruth 2:14. It was this beverage which was offered to our Saviour in his dying moments. Matt 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29. The effervescence which it produced when poured upon nitre was well known to the Hebrews, and is used to represent in an impressive manner the incongruity of mirth and sorrow. Prov 25:20.

Hebrew chomets, Greek oxos. Wine soured. Acid and unpalatable (Proverbs 10:26), yet to thirsty labourors the acid relieved thirst (Rth 2:14). So it was used by Roman soldiers, pure, or mixed with water and called posca. Pourer on nitre or potash it causes effervescence (Proverbs 25:20). Instead of cordials, Christ's enemies gave Him on the cross first vinegar mixed with gall (Matthew 27:34), and myrrh (Mark 15:23); which after tasting He declined, for He would not encounter sufferings in a state of stupefaction by the myrrh; to criminals it would have been a kindness, to the Sinbearer it was meant as an insult (Luke 33:36). Toward the close of His crucifixion, to fulfill Scripture He cried "I thirst," and vinegar was brought which He received (John 19:28; Matthew 27:48).