Wild Grapes

WILD GRAPES (בְּאֻשִֽׁים, bad grapes). Two references are found, i.e. in Isaiah 5:2 and 4, “wild grapes.” The tr. could just as easily be “bad grapes.” The reference, of course, is to the rebellious Israelites, and therefore the writer believes that there is the true vine on the one hand, Vitis vinefera, and the wild vine on the other hand, Vitis orientalis. This produces grapes of little value. The berries are black, “dry,” tiny and extremely acid. The plant is found in the Mediterranean regions. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915) A word closely allied to bo’shah, Job 31:40, translated "cockle" (which see). It implies something noisome or worthless, but no particular fruit.