In biblical terminology, the term "cluster" often refers to a group or bunch of grapes. Grapes and vineyards hold significant symbolic and practical importance throughout the Bible, representing abundance, blessing, and the fruitfulness of the land promised by God to His people.

Biblical References:

1. Numbers 13:23 · One of the most notable mentions of a cluster is found in the account of the spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. "When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men, along with some pomegranates and figs." This cluster of grapes was so large that it required two men to carry it, symbolizing the fertility and abundance of the Promised Land. The Valley of Eshcol itself derives its name from this event, as "Eshcol" means "cluster" in Hebrew.

2. Song of Solomon 1:14 · In the poetic and allegorical language of the Song of Solomon, clusters of grapes are used to describe beauty and love. "My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En-gedi." Here, the imagery of a cluster conveys the richness and desirability of the beloved, drawing on the lush and fruitful connotations of vineyards.

3. Isaiah 65:8 · The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a cluster to convey a message of hope and preservation. "This is what the LORD says: 'As the new wine is found in a cluster, and one says, "Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it," so I will act on behalf of My servants; I will not destroy them all.'" The cluster here symbolizes a remnant that holds potential for blessing, emphasizing God's mercy and the preservation of His people.

Symbolism and Themes:

· Abundance and Prosperity: Clusters of grapes are often associated with the prosperity and abundance that God provides. The Promised Land is frequently depicted as a land "flowing with milk and honey," and the large cluster of grapes brought back by the spies serves as tangible evidence of this promise.

· Fruitfulness and Blessing: In biblical symbolism, vineyards and their produce often represent the fruitfulness of a life lived in accordance with God's will. The imagery of clusters of grapes can be seen as a metaphor for the blessings that come from faithfulness and obedience.

· Judgment and Mercy: The cluster also serves as a symbol of God's judgment and mercy. While the abundance of the cluster can signify blessing, the preservation of a cluster, as in Isaiah 65:8, highlights God's mercy in sparing a remnant for His purposes.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, viticulture was a significant part of agricultural life. Grapes were a staple crop, used for eating, drying as raisins, and making wine. The imagery of clusters of grapes would have been familiar and evocative to the original audience of the biblical texts, symbolizing not only physical sustenance but also spiritual truths.

The cluster, therefore, serves as a multifaceted symbol within the biblical narrative, representing God's provision, the beauty of creation, and the hope of redemption.1. (n.) A number of things of the same kind growing together; a bunch.

2. (n.) A number of similar things collected together or lying contiguous; a group; as, a cluster of islands.

3. (n.) A number of individuals grouped together or collected in one place; a crowd; a mob.

4. (v. i.) To grow in clusters or assemble in groups; to gather or unite in a cluster or clusters.

5. (v. t.) To collect into a cluster or clusters; to gather into a bunch or close body.

CLUSTER

klus'-ter:

(1) 'eshkol; compare proper name VALE OF ESHCOL. (which see), from root meaning "to bind together." A cluster or bunch of grapes (Genesis 40:10 Numbers 13:23 Isaiah 65:8 Songs 7:8 Micah 7:1, etc.); a cluster of henna flowers (Songs 1:14); a cluster of dates (Songs 7:7). "Their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter." (Deuteronomy 32:32).

(2) botrus, "gather the clusters of the vine of the earth" (Revelation 14:18).

The "cluster of raisins" (tsimmuqim) of 1 Samuel 25:18; 1 Samuel 30:12, should rather be "raisin cakes" or "dried raisins."

E. W. G. Masterman

1009. botrus -- a cluster of grapes
... a cluster of grapes. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: botrus Phonetic
Spelling: (bot'-rooce) Short Definition: a cluster of grapes Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1009.htm - 6k

4718. staphule -- a bunch of grapes
... a bunch of grapes. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: staphule Phonetic
Spelling: (staf-oo-lay') Short Definition: a grape, cluster of grapes ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4718.htm - 6k

811. eshkol -- a cluster
... 810, 811. eshkol. 812 . a cluster. Transliteration: eshkol Phonetic
Spelling: (esh-kole') Short Definition: cluster. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/811.htm - 6k

3598. Kimah -- a cluster of stars
... 3597, 3598. Kimah. 3599 . a cluster of stars. Transliteration: Kimah Phonetic
Spelling: (kee-maw') Short Definition: Pleiades. Word ...
/hebrew/3598.htm - 6k

6778. tsimmuq -- bunch of raisins
... bunch cluster of raisins. From tsamaq; a cake of dried grapes -- bunch (cluster)
of raisins. see HEBREW tsamaq. 6777, 6778. tsimmuq. 6779 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/6778.htm - 6k

My Beloved is unto Me as a Cluster of Cypress, in the vineyards of ...
... CHAPTER I. 13. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of cypress, in the vineyards of
Engaddi. My beloved, continues the lover, is unto me as a cluster of cypress. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/13 my beloved is unto.htm

It is Related Also that vinegar was Given Him to Drink, or Wine ...
... day, said to the people, "Their vine is of the vineyards of Sodom, and their branch
of Gomorrah; their grape is a grape of gall, and their cluster a cluster of ...
/.../26 it is related also.htm

The Comparison, Found in the Gospel of St. ...
... The Son, indeed, in so far as being God, is also the husbandman, and, as regards
His Manhood, a grape-cluster. True statement of the Father's pre-eminence. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xii the comparison found.htm

The Story of the Grapes from Canaan
... best plans of making war upon it. [Illustration: A cluster of grapes so
large that two men carried it]. So Moses chose out some men ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the grapes.htm

The Report of the Hebrew Spies
... When they came to the valley of Eshcol, they cut down from there a branch with one
cluster of grapes and brought it away on a pole carried by two men. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the report of the hebrew.htm

The Story of a Divine Tragedy
... Down the center were two tables, separated by a cluster of tall plants that almost
screened one from the other. ... She glanced toward the cluster of tall plants. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter x the story of.htm

Further Proofs of the Same Proposition, Drawn from the Promises ...
... And when any one of the saints shall lay hold of a cluster, [4743] another shall
cry out, "I am a better cluster, take me; bless the Lord through me." In like ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii further proofs of the.htm

Fragment iv.
... And when any one of the saints shall lay hold of a cluster, another shall cry out,
I am a better cluster, take me; bless the Lord through me.' In like manner ...
//christianbookshelf.org/papias/fragments of papias/fragment iv.htm

Judged by Fruit
... The two sets of verses taken together not only show in detail a cluster of virtues
which are like luscious fruit in a beautiful garden, but also a cluster of ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xi judged by fruit.htm

On Drinking.
... [1358] It was most requisite that in their wanderings they should be temperate.
[1359]. Afterwards the sacred vine produced the prophetic cluster. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii on drinking.htm

Cluster (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A number of similar things collected together or lying contiguous; a group;
as, a cluster of islands. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CLUSTER. ...
/c/cluster.htm - 10k

Eshcol (6 Occurrences)
... (2.) A valley in which the spies obtained a fine cluster of grapes (Numbers 13:23,
24; "the brook Eshcol, " AV; "the valley of Eshcol, " RV), which they took ...
/e/eshcol.htm - 10k

Vine (76 Occurrences)
... The men sent out by Moses brought with them from the Valley of Eshcol a cluster
of grapes so large that "they bare it between two upon a staff" (Numbers 13: 23 ...
/v/vine.htm - 46k

Pleiades (3 Occurrences)
... Hebrews kimah, "a cluster" (Job 9:9; 38:31; Amos 5:8, AV, "seven stars;" RV,
"Pleiades"), a name given to the cluster of stars seen in the shoulder of the ...
/p/pleiades.htm - 8k

Bunch (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A collection, cluster, or tuft, properly of things of the same kind, growing
or fastened together; as, a bunch of grapes; a bunch of keys. ...
/b/bunch.htm - 9k

Constellation (1 Occurrence)
... A cluster of stars, or stars which appear to be near each other in the heavens,
and which astronomers have reduced to certain figures (as the "Great Bear ...
/c/constellation.htm - 7k

Clusters (12 Occurrences)

/c/clusters.htm - 10k

Clung (7 Occurrences)

/c/clung.htm - 8k

Grapes (74 Occurrences)
... Numbers 13:23 They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch
with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it on a staff between two; they ...
/g/grapes.htm - 31k

Thence (152 Occurrences)
... Numbers 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a
branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff ...
/t/thence.htm - 37k

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