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•VINE OF SODOM referred to only in Deuteronomy 32:32. Among the many conjectures as to this tree, the most probable is that it is the ‘osher of the Arabs, which abounds in the region of the Dead Sea. Its fruit are the so-called “apples of Sodom,” which, though beautiful to the eye, are exceedingly bitter to the taste. (See EN-GEDI.) The people of Israel are referred to here by Moses as being utterly corrupt, bringing forth only bitter fruit.‌‌

•VIOL Hebrews nebel (Isaiah 5:12, R.V., “lute;” 14:11), a musical instrument, usually rendered “psaltery” (q.v.)

•VIPER In Job 20:16, Isaiah 30:6; 59:5, the Hebrews word eph’eh is thus rendered. The Hebrew word, however, probably denotes a species of poisonous serpents known by the Arabic name of ‘el ephah. Tristram has identified it with the sand viper, a species of small size common in sandy regions, and frequently found under stones by the shores of the Dead Sea. It is rapid in its movements, and highly poisonous. In the New Testament echidne is used (Matthew 3:7; 12:34; 23:33) for any poisonous snake. The viper mentioned in Acts 28:3 was probably the vipera aspis, or the Mediterranean viper. (See ADDER.)

•VIRGIN In a prophecy concerning our Lord, Isaiah (7:14) says, “A virgin [R.V. marg., ‘the virgin’] shall conceive, and bear a son” (comp. Luke 1:31-35). The people of the land of Zidon are thus referred to by Isaiah (23:12), “O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon;” and of the people of Israel, Jeremiah (18:13) says, “The virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.”

•VISION (Luke 1:22), a vivid apparition, not a dream (comp. Luke 24:23; Acts 26:19; 2 Corinthians 12:1).

•VOWS voluntary promises which, when once made, were to be kept if the thing vowed was right. They were made under a great variety of circumstances (Genesis 28: 18-22; Leviticus 7:16; Numbers 30:2-13;

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