Grapevines have been cultivated in Palestine since the earliest times. For a grapevine to bear good fruit, it needs a lot of care. The soil must be kept loose and moist and the vines must be pruned. Also, a grapevine must be given a climbing support so that it can form many branches with fruit. A grapevine bears fruit for the first time after about three years and can grow older than 100 years.
The grapevine serves in many places in the Bible as an image of man's relationship with God. Jesus refers to himself as the true vine and his followers as the branches that can only live in connection with him (John 15:1-8). Together with bread, wine was one of the staple foods in biblical times. In times of need, it is water and bread.
The grapevine and the fig tree are often mentioned in the Bible as a pair of plants because they symbolize happiness and peace and the Peace Kingdom of God.