Palestine has always been famous for its vines (Deut. 8: 7-8). The growing of grapes was part of the regular occupation of the Israelites after the settlement in Canaan. The vine was frequently regarded as a symbol of the Jewish or Christian Church (Ps. 80: 8-17; Isa. 5: 1-7; Isa. 27: 2-3; Jer. 2: 21; Ezek. 19: 10-14; Matt. 21: 33-40; Mark 12: 1-9; Luke 20: 9-16; see especially John 15: 1-8).