This verse from 1 Esdras 4:16 is a bit obscure without the surrounding context. Let's break it down and then look at the bigger picture to understand its likely meaning:
"Even of them came they:" This refers back to the previous verses which discuss the relative power and influence of different things: kings, women, and ultimately, wine. "They" likely refers to the effects and influence of wine (or perhaps the benefits of wine, but the context suggests the influence is what's meant.) So, those effects/benefits can be traced back to...
"and they nourished them up that planted the vineyards," "They" (again, the effects/benefits of wine) supported and sustained ("nourished") those who cultivated the vineyards (the people who planted and cared for the grapevines).
"from whence the wine comes." This simply states the obvious: that vineyards are the source of wine.
In context, the verse is part of a speech given by a young man (later identified as Zerubbabel) during a competition to determine who is wisest. He is arguing that wine is the most powerful force.
Here's the most likely interpretation of the entire verse:
The verse is arguing that even the people who plant and care for the vineyards—the very source of the powerful influence of wine—are themselves supported and nourished by that influence (or perhaps the wealth generated by that influence). In other words, wine benefits everyone, even those responsible for its existence.
The argument is essentially:
Wine is so powerful that it even sustains the people who make it possible. Its influence is all-encompassing, benefiting not only those who partake in it but also those who cultivate it.
This verse from 1 Esdras 4:16 is a bit obscure without the surrounding context. Let's break it down and then look at the bigger picture to understand its likely meaning:
"Even of them came they:" This refers back to the previous verses which discuss the relative power and influence of different things: kings, women, and ultimately, wine. "They" likely refers to the effects and influence of wine (or perhaps the benefits of wine, but the context suggests the influence is what's meant.) So, those effects/benefits can be traced back to...
"and they nourished them up that planted the vineyards," "They" (again, the effects/benefits of wine) supported and sustained ("nourished") those who cultivated the vineyards (the people who planted and cared for the grapevines).
"from whence the wine comes." This simply states the obvious: that vineyards are the source of wine.
In context, the verse is part of a speech given by a young man (later identified as Zerubbabel) during a competition to determine who is wisest. He is arguing that wine is the most powerful force.
Here's the most likely interpretation of the entire verse:
The verse is arguing that even the people who plant and care for the vineyards—the very source of the powerful influence of wine—are themselves supported and nourished by that influence (or perhaps the wealth generated by that influence). In other words, wine benefits everyone, even those responsible for its existence.
The argument is essentially:
Wine is so powerful that it even sustains the people who make it possible. Its influence is all-encompassing, benefiting not only those who partake in it but also those who cultivate it.
