Dear Ask a Scholar:
Is it possible that the Hebrew word "tirosh" sometimes means "fruit", not "wine"?
Answered by Nehama R. Bersohn, lecturer in Hebrew language, Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia University, from which she holds a Ph.D in Hebrew and Jewish history. She has also taught at Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania
In most cases Tirosh is a new wine before it has fermented. However, in Isaiah ch.65 verse 8 some commentators read it as very ripe grapes (not any fruit) rather than new wine. (The complete Hebrew dictionary by Reuven Alcalay).
* * *
ABOUT “ASK A SCHOLAR”
Have a question Wikipedia can’t answer? We’ll match your question to a scholar with an answer. Questions submitted to “Ask a Scholar” should call for educated judgment rather than facts that can be found easily with an internet search. We especially welcome questions that provide professors the occasion to draw erudite distinctions and incorporate mention of matters you had no idea were connected to the topic at hand. Simply email NAS or submit questions via Intellectual Takeout's Ask the Professor feature. We'll field your question to a scholar and get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.