Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrews hometz, Gr. oxos, Fr. vin aigre; i.e., "sour wine." The Hebrew word is rendered vinegar in Psalm 69:21, a prophecy fulfilled in the history of the crucifixion (Matthew 27:34). This was the common sour wine (posea) daily made use of by the Roman soldiers. They gave it to Christ, not in derision, but from compassion, to assuage his thirst. Proverbs 10:26 shows that there was also a stronger vinegar, which was not fit for drinking. The comparison, "vinegar upon nitre," probably means "vinegar upon soda" (as in the marg. of the R.V.), which then effervesces. Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A sour liquid used as a condiment, or as a preservative, and obtained by the spontaneous (acetous) fermentation, or by the artificial oxidation, of wine, cider, beer, or the like. 2. (a.) Hence, anything sour; -- used also metaphorically. 3. (v. t.) To convert into vinegar; to make like vinegar; to render sour or sharp. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia VINEGAR vin'-e-ger (chomets; oxos): Vinegar, whose use as a condiment (Ruth 2:14) needs no comment, is formed when a saccharine fluid passes through a fermentation that produces acetic acid. In the ancient world vinegar was usually made of wine, although any fruit juice can be utilized in its manufacture, and "vinegar of strong drink" (palm juice?) is mentioned in Numbers 6:3. Undiluted vinegar is of course undrinkable, and to offer it to a thirsty man is mockery (Psalm 69:21), but a mixture of water and vinegar makes a beverage that was very popular among the poor (Greek oxos, oxukraton, Latin posca-names applied also to diluted sour wine). It is mentioned in Numbers 6:3 (forbidden to the Nazirite) and again in the Gospels in the account of the Crucifixion. The executioners had brought it in a vessel (John 19:29) for their own use and at first "offered" it to Christ, while keeping it out of reach (Luke 23:36). But at the end the drink was given Him on a sponge (Mark 15:36 Matthew 27:48 John 19:29, 30). In addition, the King James Version, following Textus Receptus of the New Testament, has "vinegar.... mingled with gall" in Matthew 27:34, but this rests on a false reading, probably due to Psalm 69:21, and the Revised Version (British and American) rightly has "wine." Vinegar, like all acids, is injurious to the teeth (Proverbs 10:26); and when it is combined with niter an effervescence is produced (Proverbs 25:20). The appropriateness of the last figure, however, is obscure, and Septuagint reads "as vinegar on a wound," causing pain. Burton Scott Easton

Multi-Version Concordance Vinegar (11 Occurrences) Matthew 27:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. (KJV DBY WBS YLT) Matthew 27:48 Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him a drink. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV) Mark 15:36 One ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Let him be. Let's see whether Elijah comes to take him down." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV) Luke 23:36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV) John 19:29 Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV) John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished." He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV) Numbers 6:3 he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Ruth 2:14 At meal time Boaz said to her, "Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar." She sat beside the reapers, and they reached her parched grain, and she ate, and was satisfied, and left some of it. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) Psalms 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Proverbs 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Proverbs 25:20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)