Jeroboams

Jeroboams is a term with more than one use in historic and wine contexts. It commonly refers to two biblical figures named Jeroboam who ruled the northern Kingdom of Israel, as well as to a large wine bottle size used in modern drink culture. The different senses share the same name but belong to distinct domains of reference.

In biblical history, Jeroboam I is traditionally regarded as the first king of the northern kingdom formed after the division of the United Monarchy around 931 BCE. According to the Hebrew Bible, he led ten of the twelve tribes in secession from the Davidic line and established the political entity known as the Kingdom of Israel. To prevent pilgrimages to Jerusalem, he set up religious centers at Bethel and Dan and promoted calf worship as a political and religious alternative. His dynasty, the house of Jeroboam, ruled the northern kingdom for roughly two centuries, lasting until the Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE.

Jeroboam II is a later king of the northern kingdom, generally dated to about 793–753 BCE. His reign is described in biblical narratives as a period of relative prosperity and territorial expansion, sometimes seen as a high point before the Assyrian pressure intensified. Like Jeroboam I, his era is associated with traditional criticisms of Israelite worship continuing the calf cult and with prophetic activity from figures such as Hosea and Amos during the broader period.

In the context of wine and spirits, a Jeroboam is a large bottle size, typically about 3 liters, equal to four standard 750 ml bottles. The term is widely used in Champagne and other wine regions and is often found in plural as Jeroboams when referring to multiple such bottles. The name derives from the biblical figure, though the bottle size is a separate usage.