WINE IN CHRISTENDOM
By O Khodjo
Welcome to mis-translations and mis-interpretations
The Place of Alcohol in the Scriptures from the Old Testament
An examination of the Hebrew text reveals that the one English word "wine" is used to translate some dozen Hebrew and Aramaic words of varying meaning. "Wine" may indicate the fruit of the vine such as grapes; raisins or cakes of raisins; liquids - thick, thin or boiled; beverages - alcoholic or non-alcoholic; and wines - sour, sweet or vinegar. We find the Hebrew word for "new wine" (Isa 65:8) is "Tirosh", while "strong drink" is "shekar" and "old wine" is "Yayin" (Isa 5:11). Therefore, no biblical reference to "wine" in the English versions can be interpreted correctly without taking into account the particular Hebrew word used, the context, the people concerned and the period of reference. “Tirosh” and “Yayin” has always been translated wine (Greek=oinos) in the New Testament. But “Tirosh” is not fermented whiles “Yayin” is fermented, and both means “oinos” in Greek. The Greek had only one word for wine
The Greeks had only one word, "oinos" that means “wine = tirosh (new wine = unfermented)
It also means
Wine = yayin (fermented)”. So in the New Testament it is always translated wine unless the text says "old" or "new" wine, (Lk. 5:37-39), only the context shows which is intended.
Even then, a clear cut decision as to the exact meaning and appropriate rendering is not always possible. Moreover, it is important to note that no true comparison can be made between modern alcoholic beverages and those of ancient times, since distillation of alcohol from wine, etc., only began about 1000 A.D. It gradually began to be used as liquor, while fortification of wines with pure spirit to increase the alcoholic content was not practised until the 18th century. Natural fermentation rarely exceeds 14%, but modern alcoholic beverages may contain up to 50% alcohol. Does this make any difference? Not at all...
Drunkenness with all its consequences is always held in abhorrence in the Old Testament. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging" (Prov. 20:1). Divine displeasure is frequently associated with intoxicating drink and its results, and denounced in no uncertain terms by the prophets. (See also ISA 5:11-12; 22:13; 28:1, 7-8; 56:12; Joel 1:5; AMOS 6:6).
Canaan was an agricultural country having as its chief products corn, olives and grapes, and Israel itself is often taken as a symbol of God's vineyard:
"For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant..." Isa 5:7
Hence it is not surprising that we find the symbolism of the vine entwined in many of the most beloved and spiritual passages of both the Old and the New Testaments. "I am the vine, ye are the branches" is a deeply satisfying allegory to those whose lives are "hid in Christ". It is sometimes claimed as a result that wine (alcohol) must then be regarded as one of God's good gifts to men.
HEBREW WORDS WHICH DENOTE THE PRODUCTS OF THE VINE
The most frequently occurring words are those already mentioned; "yayin", "shekar" and "tirosh".
"Yayin" is used at least 140 times. It is regarded as a general term for the juice of the grape expressed in various ways. We can only find out which type of "wine" is meant by the scriptural context. The first mention of "yayin" is in connection with the sin of Noah (Gen 9:21). It is not included among the offerings of Abel, although he brought offerings from the fruit of the land.
The words "yayin" and "shekar", translated as "wine" and "strong drink" respectively, occur together a number of times, always indicating intoxicating beverages. The Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint (LXX), translates these words as "oinos" and "sikera".
"Shekar" is used 23 times in the Old Testament but only once in the New Testament: "...he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink." (Lk. 1:15).
The third Hebrew word frequently translated as "wine" is "tirosh". In the Septuagint (LXX) it is translated as "glukos" of which the English form today is glucose, a dextrose or grape-sugar. It is used only once in the New Testament; where in the Greek it is "gleukos" and in the English translations "new wine" (Acts 2:13). In the Old Testament "tirosh" is used some 37 times.
Another word to be noted in the Hebrew context is "asis". It occurs in Isaiah 49:26, Joel 1:5 and Amos 9:13, the translation in each case being "new wine" or "sweet wine" and the context suggesting the fresh juice of the grape.
Another of the Hebrew words used is "chemer", which denotes a thick, sticky syrup or foaming juice. It may indicate all types of wine. The Aramaic word "chamar" derives from the Hebrew word "chemer", and its use corresponds to "yayin" which means, it may be used to represent every type of wine. "Yegev" which occurs sixteen times, was originally a cavity or vat in which the grapes or olives were put for the purpose of being trodden, but later meant the whole apparatus of the wine-press. In the New Testament, references to what are clearly intoxicating beverages, occur for the most part in connection with those groups of people who had been brought into the Christian faith in Asia-Minor, Greece and Rome. This was at a time when morals were low and indulgence in alcoholic drinks excessive. In the Gospels there are only two definite allusions to intoxicating beverage. The first is surely significant. It occurs in the opening chapter of the Gospel of Luke, in the announcement made to Zacharias of the forthcoming birth of the herald of the Messiah.
"For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost..." Lk 1:15
References in the Epistles to drunkenness are numerous and explicit. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles and he was frequently confronted with excessive drinking even within the young Christian congregations where the converts were either Jews living in non-Jewish environments, or Gentiles brought in from paganism with their heathen ways of life.
On a number of occasions Paul had to rebuke his listeners in no uncertain terms: "Let us walk honestly ... not in rioting and drunkenness." (Rom. 13:13).
He warned that among the offences which will exclude men from the Kingdom of God is drunkenness: "Be not deceived ... nor drunkards ... shall inherit the kingdom of God." (1.Cor. 6:9-10)
Again he pointed out the right course to the Ephesians, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit..." (Eph 5:18).
The Galatians, too, needed the warning that those who indulge in "drunkenness, revelling, and such like ... shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:21)
It is always to do with drunkenness and not just drinking (alcohol)
THE OLD TESTAMENT APPROACH
It is an undeniable fact that many Christians of our day are woefully unknowledgeable about the Old Testament. Many are surprised when told that the Old Testament is almost wholly positive about wine and 'strong drink' (although obviously there are warnings and a few lamentable examples of the drunkenness which is to be avoided).
A typical approach is in Deuteronomy 7:13 where the 'blessings' which the Lord would grant Israel, if they were obedient, included many children, wonderful crops and herds and....'new wine and oil' In fact, the Israelites were encouraged to produce wine as a symbol of the blessings of God. When keeping the autumn-time Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites were especially commanded to behave joyfully:
'You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your WINEPRESS' (Deuteronomy 19:13, NKJV)
After being given instructions to save their tithe carefully for their feasts, the Israelites were told:
'Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink ('strong drink' KJV), or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and REJOICE' (Deuteronomy 14:26, NIV)
I am glad that the NIV has here restored the sense of the original Hebrew from the KJV (which the NKJV had lost), 'strong drink', or, 'fermented drink' (Hebrew: 'shekar': 'intensely alcoholic drink'; Hebrew word number 7941 in Strong’s) The Israelites were encouraged to drink wine or 'strong drink' when they feasted before the Lord Of course, wine was also involved in the 'drink offerings' at the tabernacle! (Exodus 29:40, Leviticus 23:13).
Judges 9:13 speaks of wine as that which '...Cheers both God and men...'
Wine continues to be symbolic of great blessings in Isaiah:
'And in this mountain The LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wine on the lees' (Isaiah 25:6)
But Was This Real Wine?
Some have claimed that the wine of the Old and New Testaments was simply grape juice. Unfortunately their argument does not stand up even under the mildest scrutiny! Good Hebrew wine and 'Strong Drink' (a potent drink probably made from dates) were quite noted. Grapes would not 'keep' unless they were turned into wine. Again, why would books like Proverbs often warn about the abuse of alcohol and drunkenness if this was only grape juice? The last quoted Scripture also shows that this was not grape juice, for 'lees' is the sediment produced by a fermenting liquid! Others have 'split hairs' in claiming that the Hebrew word used for 'new wine' refers to grape juice, but they now appear to have conclusively lost the argument because:
1. Often that particular word is certainly used of fermented wine, as in Genesis 27:28, Hosea 4:11 and Micah 6:15
2. The Ugaritic parallel term was certainly used of real wine.
3. The Septuagint (the Old Testament translated into Greek) equivalent words always refer to fermented wine.
THE NEW TESTAMENT APPROACH
(The Miracle at Cana)
The first miracle, reported by John only, is the turning of water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana (JN 2:1-11). We are not told the nature of the wine, for the Greek word "oinos" that is used here, may indicate either intoxicating or non-intoxicating wine-. The Septuagint (LXX) rendered both "yayin" and "tirosh" as "oinos" (wine) and this was followed by the New Testament, written in Greek, and by its English translations. This general term, "oinos", occurs 33 times in the New Testament,
JOHN 2:1-11(KJV) And saith unto him, every man at the beginning doth set forth good WINE; and when men have WELL DRUNK, then that which is worse (POOR QUALITY): but thou hast kept the good WINE until now
THE WORD DRUNK FROM THE SCRIPTURE IS DEFINE BY DR STRONG #G3184 AS
methuō (methē)
meth'-ay
Apparently a primary word; an intoxicant, that is, (by implication) intoxication: - drunkenness.
WINE IN THE SCRIPTURE IS DEFINE BY DR STRONG #G3631 AS
Oinos (oy'-nos)
A primary word (or perhaps of Hebrew origin [DR STRONG #H3196]=YAYIN-AS FERMENTED, INTOXICATION, WINE[BIBBER] ); “wine” (literally or figuratively): - wine.
I SAID THIS EARLIER ON THAT, THE CONTEXT WILL ALWAYS DETERMINE THE TYPE OF WINE. DR STRONG HAS JUST PROVED ME RIGHT.
Hope You Are Getting The Argument.
Take a closer look at the following scriptures which are similar
Proverbs 4:17 “For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine (yayin) of violence”…IT CANT BE A FRESH GRAPE JUICE…BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE.
Judges 13:4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine (yayin) nor strong drink (shekar), and eat not any unclean thing
Did you get that? One can always tell from the context, so long as its not talking about a Nazarite, The context will says it all, it will be completely wrong to put “Tirosh” in the context. So We Are Settled That Jesus Really gave them a Fermented Wine and Not Fresh Grape Juice as Some Theologians Claim. The director of the feast made the story clear that, it is always the good wine that comes first and that when they are fully drunk, the bad wine is served. In that manner many that are fully drunk cannot tell it’s poor quality drink that’s being served (this is logical). If we refuse to accept this logic is not a problem, that won’t change the strength of the wine in the scripture. It was a fermented wine and Jesus was responsible for it, but we are accountable for our sins.
LETS CONSIDER SOME COUPLE OF TRANSLATIONS CONCERNING THE Vs.10
Young's Literal Translation (YLT) 10and saith to him, `Every man, at first, the good WINE doth set forth; and when they may have DRUNK FREELY, then the inferior (POOR QUALITY); thou didst keep the good WINE till now.
Amplified Bible (AMP)10And said to him, Everyone else serves his best WINE first, and when people have DRUNK FREELY, then he serves that which is not so good(POOR QUALITY); but you have kept back the good WINE until now!
King James Version (KJV) 10And saith unto him, every man at the beginning doth set forth good WINE; and when men have WELL DRUNK, then that which is worse (POOR QUALITY): but thou hast kept the good WINE until now.
Darby Translation (DARBY) 10and says to him, every man sets on first the good WINE, and when [men] have WELL DRUNK, then the inferior (POOR QUALITY); thou hast kept the good WINE till now.
Most of the versions speak the same language, so I don’t need to quote more than what i have given. Well drunk, drunk freely. What do they mean? Am not answering, think about this yourself since you can read and understand English.
The first miracle of Jesus is a straight language translation, Jesus gave them alcohol and he never intended anyone to drink and gets drunk. Jesus is responsible for the wine but Jesus will not be accountable to the behaviour of those that did drink to get drunk on that occasion. The full explanation is resting on those two words (responsibility and accountability) this is as simple as ABC, not a Rocket science. The fact that there is plenty of food does not mean that one should eat till one cant breath properly no more...That is not good according to the bible and those have been grouped together with drunkard’s .Matt. 11:19, Luke 7:34,
Prov. 23:20-21 do not spend time among drunkards, among those who eat too much meat……..
YES TOO MUCH FOOD IS EQUATED TO TOO MUCH DRINK!
Basically too much of everything is wrong,
Quite obviously, Jesus did not think it wrong to enjoy drinking wine at a wedding,
Jesus is also plainly quite unembarrassed about using the metaphor of putting 'new wine into new wineskins' In Luke 5:37-39 (by the way this was clearly a reference to real, alcoholic wine which can burst weak containers!).
In fact, the word 'wine' occurs 37 times in the New Testament and is only used negatively (in association with drunkenness and excess) on 7 occasions!
I also once heard somebody say, 'We can be sure that Jesus never touched a drop of alcohol!' - is that really so? if a few still feel that the lips of Jesus were surely 'unsullied' by wine, Luke 7:33 must come as a shock to them:
'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man has come EATING AND DRINKING, and you say, "Look, a glutton and a WINEBIBBER, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"' (Luke 7:33, NKJV)
At his crucifixion he completed his mission by tasting wine and dismissing his spirit into the Fathers hands
John.19:29 After Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and released his spirit
Jesus did not apply the Nazarite code to Himself and He did drink WINE.. We don't need to be in the dark about this, or wonder whether the Nazarite 'no-drink' rule should apply to Christian ministers (Are Ministers Nazarites?) since the apostle Paul directly discusses the behavioural standards of ministers in the New Testament. Does Paul say there should be an outright alcoholic drinks ban for elders and deacons? How pray tell?
1 Timothy 3:1-13 gives us the answer, especially verses 3 and 8: both elders and deacons must not be 'given to MUCH WINE' (the Greek means 'not addicted' ), this means no alcohol ban, but only drink in moderation (which applies to all Christians!)This is why Paul clearly tells Timothy the evangelist that he should drink a little wine to help his stomach problems: We can corroborate that there was no alcohol ban for ministers.
Some Theologians Have Gone All The Way Deep Into History To Support This Luke Account With Some Historical Facts, But That Can’t Be Acceptable, Because We Only Need The Bible As A True Book And A Source Material To Deal With And Not History Books As A Source Material As Some Are Doing Now Just To Prove A Point.
When a Christian Should NEVER Drink Alcohol
1. I must say that I think it unwise for a minister to drink wine on a church service day. Why? Because wine can be quickly detected on one's breath and, as the apostle Paul shows us, we must consider the conscience of Christians of weaker understanding! As we have seen, from a biblical point of view there is absolutely nothing wrong with drinking a glass of wine, but if somebody in the congregation, of perhaps weaker understanding, sincerely believes that the minister is sinful in drinking wine, that person's conscience is being seriously affected. We must think about these ones in the church! Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. For this reason I think it unwise for any Christian to drink wine on a church going day.
2. If a Christian is mixing with unbelievers and he/she denotes a tendency for them to drink too much, the Christian should take the lead in encouraging moderation. If this fails, the Christian should surely leave any such meeting or gathering.
3. Young people are always in danger of over-drinking and it is my considered opinion that Christians should NEVER encourage younger people to drink alcohol.
4. If a Christian has previously had a problem with heavy or addictive drinking he or she should completely avoid it.
5. ABOVE ALL I WILL SUGGEST CHRISTIANS STAYS AWAY FROM ALCOHOL WHICH SHOWS A VERY GOOD SIGN OF MATURITY…THAT WILL TAKE US FAR IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.
DRUNKENNESS AND ITS EFFECT
Romans 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulsions, wrath, strife, sedition's, heresies, envying, murder, DRUNKENNESS, reveling, and such like of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD"
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
SCRIPTURES DOES NOT FORBID CHRISTIANS FROM DRINKING BEER, WINE OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. IT IS NOT ITSELF tainted by sin. IT IS DRUNKENNESS AND ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL THAT A CHRISTIAN MUST ABSOLUTELY REFRAIN FROM.
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) Do not get DRUNK on wine, which leads to debauchery (immoral behaviour). Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
The curse that drunkenness brought to some men of God
The use of alcohol in the Old Testament had tragic results. Noah's drunkenness brought him shame and led to him cursing his grandson. Lot's daughters used drink to commit incest with him and produced Ammon and Moab whose children tormented Israel for centuries. Israel drank wine and fornicated as they worshipped the golden calf and thousands died (Genesis 9:18-27, Genesis 19:31-38; Exodus 32:6, 25, 28, 35). Amnon, another drinker, seduced his half-sister Tamar and brought tragedy to David when Absalom avenged her (2 Samuel 13:13-28). The children of Job died drinking wine as did Belshazzar when he used the sacred cups from the temple in his last drunken feast (Job 1:13, 18-19; Daniel 5:2-5).
Isaiah foretold disaster for Israel if they drank, contrasting the drinkers with the spiritually thirsty whom He would fill with the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 5:11-12, 22-25; Isaiah 28:7-8, 9-13;1 Corinthians 14:21)
These are typical results of the abuse of alcohol, drunkenness and excess of it will bring judgment on your own self, BUT IT’S WRONG TO PREACH IN PULPIT THAT ITS SIN TO DRINK ALCOHOL, that s my main aim of this letter THAT WILL BE A LIE TO THE WORD OF GOD.
THE NAZARITE VOW
Numbers 6:1-3 1AND THE Lord said to Moses,
2Say to the Israelites, When either a man or a woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazarite, that is, one separated and consecrated to the Lord,
3He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar of wine or of strong drink, and shall drink no grape juice, or eat grapes, fresh or dried
Luke 1:13-15 13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
These Are Just A Few To Mention, It’s a Nazarite Vow, Not to All Of Us.
The Nazarite name (Heb. Nazir) came from the verb “Nazar”, to "separate," to be consecrated unto God (Gen. 49:26; Deut. 33:16). A Nazarite could either be a man or woman bound by a vow, to be set apart for the service of God. This obligation was for a defined period of time or for life.
Nazarites- Samson (Judges 13:5, 12-14), Samuel (1 Sam. 1:11), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:15), The Mishna mentions the usual time as thirty days, double vows for sixty days and triple vows for a hundred days were sometimes made. The vow of the apostle Paul could possibly have been a Nazarite vow, when he shaved his head at Cenchrea (Acts 18:18). According to the law (Num. 6:9, 18) and the Talmud the shaving of the head was to be done at the Temple door.
The Law of the Nazarite is found in Num. 6:1-21. During the time of consecration, they were to abstain from wine, grapes, every product of the vine, including raisins, and especially from every kind of intoxicating drink. They were not to cut their hair. Nor were they to approach any dead body, even that of his own family. A Nazarite would incur defilement by accidentally touching a dead body. He then had to undergo certain rites of purification to resume the full period of his consecration.
The priests that ministered were not to drink wine in their time of ministry.
Lev 10:8-9: Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying: "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.”
There was a time where the priests disobeyed and were getting drunk on the job.
Isa. 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.”
Only Nazarites were not allowed to cut their hair or drink wine. But Jesus was not a Nazarite, he was a Nazarene, in other words he was from Nazareth but he never took a Nazarite vow. He was known as Jesus of Nazareth (Lk.18:37; Jn.1:45). Matt 21:11: So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."
DRINK WATER NO MORE
1TIMOTHY 5:23 (Darby translation)
23Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses.
This is how the verse should read in a better understanding:"Drink NO LONGER WATER (stop drinking water), but use A LITTLE wine [don't get DRUNK] for thy stomach's sake and your often [frequent] infirmities [sicknesses]" (1Tim. 5:23).
Why Couldn’t Paul Healed Timothy Of That Sickness For Paul Was A Healer? He Was Ministering Mightily In The Gift Of Healing In His Missionary Work. He Rather Advised Timothy To Drink A Little Bit Of Wine And Stop Drinking Water! Amazing
This Wine Stated In This Scripture Is Fermented Wine According To Esword. This Is Very Clear From The Context… Paul Makes It Clear, A Little Wine, And Not Water Any longer: NOW IF THAT IS NON ALCOHOLIC WINE PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT, WHY A LITTLE THEN???
I Drink A Full Bottle Of Non-Alcoholic Wine Every day, I Mean Fresh Grape Juice (Non-Fermented); I Have Sought An Advice From My GP (Doctor), And That’s Fine. Will You Say That Is Too Much Or Little? YOU LIARS OF THE GOSPEL ANSWER THE QUESTION, WILL LEAVE IT OPEN. WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO EXECUTE SCRIPTURES. We are not sensible than the creator, so please stop defending wrongly, AND STOP FOLLOWING BLINDLY.
GREEK AND HEBREW WORDS TRANSLATED AS WINE
Yayin - | Generic term for the "juice of the grape", either fermented or unfermented; meaning "what is pressed out". Used to mean fermented wine most times in scriptures. |
Tirosh - | "Freshly expressed grape-juice in its natural condition". Translated in the Authorized Version (A.V.) as "new wine" eleven times; "wine" twenty-six times; "sweet wine" once; and "vintage" three times. Always translated as "new wine" in the Revised Version (R.V.). Not used for fermented wine. |
Shekar - | Hebrew: "What satiates, intoxicates". A saccharine drink rendered as "strong drink" (21x), and "strong wine" (1x). Described as a liquor made from dates, barley, etc. and always as a curse. In the Greek Old Testament (LXX) rendered as 'sikera', or sometimes as 'methusma' or 'methé'; and once as 'oinos'. Occurs only once in the New Testament (N.T.). |
Asis - | "Anything pressed on or trodden out". Rendered as "juice" (1x), "new wine" (2x), and "sweet wine" (2x). Not necessarily unfermented; not to be confused with "Tirosh" (Isaiah 49:26; Joel 1:5; Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13). |
Ashishah - | Denotes "a cake of raisins". Rendered wrongly in A.V. as "flagons", but corrected in the Revised Versions. |
Chemer - | "Thick, sticky syrup; foaming juice". Indicates all kinds of wine (Isaiah 27:2). |
Chamar - | The Aramaic form, used in EZRA 6:9 and DANIEL 5:1-4, literally means "foaming" and denotes fermented wine. |
Sobe - | "Anything sucked in or up". Probably indicated inspissated or boiled wines. Non-intoxicating beverage. 'Sobe-Yayin' - lit. "Soakers of wine". |
Shemer - | "What is preserved; the sediment". Rendered as "dregs", "lees", or "wine in the lees" (See Isaiah 25:6). |
Nasek - | "Drink offering". Lit. "That which is poured out; a libation". |
Mimsak - | "Anything mixed". Rendered "drink-offering", or "mixed wine" (Isaiah 65:11). |
Yeqeb - | Originally a vat or trough; then used as a wine-press or wine-vat. Occurs 16 times (e.g. Numbers 18:27). |
Enab - | Ripe or round grape, or grape-cake (Hosea 3:1). |
Chomets - | Vinegar, sour or unripe grapes (Greek: 'oxos'). |
Misteh - | General term for beverage, especially wine (Ezra 3:7; Daniel 1:10). |
Oinos - | Generic term (used in the LXX) for all kinds of wine except 'Shekar'. Also occurs in N.T. (Greek) 32 times. |
Sikera - | Greek: "Strong drink" (See 'shekar'). |
Gleukos - | Used only once (Acts 2:13), as "new wine"; corresponds to fermented. |
Methuo - | To be "drunk", or "filled to the full" (Greek). |
INFERENCES TO WINES AS USED IN SCRIPTURE
Favourable to use: Yayin:- Genesis 49:11, Genesis 49:12; Proverbs 9:2, Proverbs 9:5; Song Of Solomon 7:9; Isaiah 55:1; Hosea 14:7; Zechariah 10:7. Chemer:- Isaiah 27:2 (Some Manuscripts Use 'Chemed', Meaning Pleasant). Tirosh:- Joel 2:19. Oinos:- Revelation 6:6.
Unfavourable to use or character: Yayin:- Deuteronomy 32:33; Psalm 60:3; Psalm 75:3; Psalm 78:65: Proverbs 4:17; Isaiah 29:9; Isaiah 51:21; Zechariah 9:15. Shekar:- Isaiah 29:9. Asis:- Isaiah 49:26; Jeremiah 48:11; Zephaniah 1:12. Shemer:- Jeremiah 48:12; Zephaniah 1:12. Oinos:- Revelation 14:8; Revelation 14:10; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18:3; Revelation 19:15.
Specifically As A Blessing: Yayin:- Psalm 104:15; Amos 9:14. Asis:- Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13. Chemer:- Deuteronomy 32:14. Shemer:- Isaiah 25:6. Tirosh:- Genesis 27:28; Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 11:14; Proverbs 3:10; Isaiah 65:8; Jeremiah 31:12; Hosea 2:8-9; Joel 2:19; Zechariah 9:17.
Definitely Bad: Yayin:- Leviticus 10:9; Proverbs 20:1. Shekar:- Proverbs 20:1.
Associated With Food: Yayin:- Genesis 14:18; Genesis 27:25; Judges 19:19; 1 Samuel 10:3; 1 Samuel 16:20; 1 Samuel 25:18; 2 Samuel 16:1-2; 1 Chronicles 12:40; 2 Chronicles 2:10; 2 Chronicles 2:15; 2 Chronicles 11:11; Nehemiah 5:15; Nehemiah 13:15; Job 1:13, Job 1:18; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Isaiah 22:13; Jeremiah 40:10, Jeremiah 40:12; Daniel 1:5, Daniel 1:8, Daniel 1:16; Daniel 10:3. Yeqev:- Deuteronomy 16:13; Deuteronomy 15:14; Numbers 18:27, Numbers 18:30. Tirosh:- Genesis 27:28, Genesis 27:37; Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 11:14; Deuteronomy 12:17; Deuteronomy 14:23; Deuteronomy 18:4; Deuteronomy 28:51; Deuteronomy 33:28; 2 Kings 18:32; 2 Chronicles 31:5; 2 Chronicles 32:28; Nehemiah 5:11; Nehemiah 10:37, Nehemiah 10:39; Nehemiah 13:5, Nehemiah 13:12; Psalm 4:7; Isaiah 36:17; Isaiah 62:8; Jeremiah 31:12; Hosea 2:8-9; Hosea 2:22; Hosea 7:14; Joel 2:19, Joel 2:24; Zechariah 9:17; Micah 6:15; Haggai 1:11; Joel 1:10.
Consequences Bad: Yayin:- Genesis 19:32-35; 1 Samuel 1:14-15; 1 Samuel 25:37; 2 Samuel 13:28; Esther 1:7, Esther 1:10; Proverbs 23:30; Proverbs 31:4, Proverbs 31:6; Isaiah 5:11-12; Isaiah 5:22. Oinos:- 1 Peter 4:3.
Exhortation To Drink: Yayin:- Song Of Solomon 5:1. Shekar:- Song Of Solomon 5:1 (Lxx Translates Here As 'Methuo'). Oinos:- 1 Timothy 5:23.
Wine Forbidden: Yayin:- Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:31; Numbers 6:3-4; Judges 13:4, Judges 13:7, Judges 13:14. Shekar:- Numbers 6:3; Judges 13:4; Judges 13:7; Luke 1:15 (Sikera). Oinos:- 1 Timothy 3:3; Ephesians 5:18.
Forbidden To Priests: Yayin:- Leviticus 10:9; Jeremiah 35:6, Jeremiah 35:8, Jeremiah 35:14; Proverbs 23:20; Ezekiel 44:21. Shekar:- Leviticus 10:9. Oinos:- Titus 1:7.
Inferences of different kinds of wine: Be-Kahl Yayin:- Nehemiah 5:18; Song Of Solomon 8:2.
Used for a drink-offering: Yayin:- Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:5, Numbers 15:7, Numbers 15:10; Numbers 28:14; Deuteronomy 32:38; 1 Samuel 1:24; Hosea 9:4. Shekar:- Numbers 28:7. Chamar:- Ezra 6:9; Ezra 7:22.
Unspecified nature: Yayin:- Deuteronomy 29:6; Joshua 9:4, Joshua 9:13; 1 Chronicles 27:27; Nehemiah 2:1; Esther 5:6; Esther 7:2, Esther 7:7-8; Job 32:19; Proverbs 21:17; Ecclesiastes 2:3; Ecclesiastes 10:19; Song Of Solomon 1:2, Song Of Solomon 1:4; Song Of Solomon 4:10; Isaiah 56:12; Jeremiah 35:2, Jeremiah 35:5; Ezekiel 27:18; Amos 2:8, Amos 2:12; Amos 6:6; Hosea 4:11; Micah 2:11; Haggai 2:12. Shekar:- Deuteronomy 29:6; Isaiah 56:12; Micah 2:11. Yeqeb - Numbers 18:27; Numbers 18:30; Deuteronomy 15:14; Judges 7:25; 2 Kings 6:27; Job 24:11; Isaiah 5:2; Jeremiah 48:33; Hosea 9:2; Zechariah 14:10. Ashishah:- Hosea 3:1. Asis:- Isaiah 49:26. Sobe:- Hosea 4:18; Isaiah 1:22. Tirosh:- Hosea 4:11. Oinos:- Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37-38; Luke 7:33; Luke 10:34; John 2:3, John 2:9-10; John 4:46; Romans 14:21; 1 Timothy 5:23.
The words for wine and new wine in the Old Testament and the New Testament all carry the meaning of a fermented beverage. I have looked at several conservative scholarly sources over the years and this is a fact. The use of the words in the OT and NT bear this out. For a scriptural proof of this understanding of the term of new wine, see Acts 2:1-15. Both the Hebrew and Greek terms used for Wine refers to a fermented beverage.
The following scriptures are enough of a sampling from the Bible that will allow us to see how the subject of drinking and wine is viewed in the Bible.
Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
This is the first mention of wine in the Bible. This episode of Noah’s drunkenness ended up in Noah wishing a curse upon his youngest son. Remember that Noah was seen as a highly favoured individual in God’s eyes. He grew a vineyard, made wine and drank it. This is what the Bible says. We also see that it carried some negative consequences with it because he got drunk which is a sin, and he sinned in his sin
Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Notice that we have here, Abraham and Melchizedek sharing in a meal with bread and wine. Wine was apparently used commonly as a drink. Here, it is given in hospitality to Abraham by Melchizedek.
Genesis 19:33 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
We see wine used as a tool for evil. Lots daughters used this as a means for incest.
Genesis 27:28 Therefore, God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
This was the blessing of Isaac to his son Jacob. One of the things he prayed for was an abundance of wine. We see no hesitancy here in Isaac asking for an abundance of this for his son. Wine was a valuable commodity.
Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
Here we have a section of scripture that deals with Nazarite vows. Part of the vows involved staying away from strong (alcoholic) drinks as well as not cutting your hair or even eating a grape.
Numbers 6:20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.
Most of the time the vows were temporary in nature and after a set time the Nazarite could drink wine.
Numbers 28:7 And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering.
Wine was seen as a fit drink offering to be offered to God.
Deuteronomy 7:13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
Wine was in a list of things that God would bless his people with.
Deuteronomy 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
At the time of bringing the tithe to the Levites, you were allowed to purchase as fancy as meal as you desired and drink whatever you wanted. Notice that the catch was that “and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice thou, and thine household.” Strong drink was permitted, and was even enjoyed in the presence of GOD but notice that God set some parameters on it.
Deuteronomy 21:20-21 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
In light of the above verse where we see that God set aside a time of rejoicing, worship and “partying” as it were. Constantly being a partier outside of “God’s party schedule” had a deadly outcome. Drunkenness and gluttony were seen as a sin.
Judges 13:7 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.
This is a case where the Nazarite vow was imposed on a person. For this person, wine was never an option. This happens to be Samson who is being referred to here.
Nehemiah 2:1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
Nehemiah was a cupbearer. Part of his job was to taste all of the king’s drinks to make sure none of them were poison.
Proverbs 20:21 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Here is a warning about drinking to drunkenness and drinking too much of the time. From this we can gather that this gift from God was being abused. Just as sex is a gift from God and has been abused, so has many of the good things that God has given us.
Proverbs 23:17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Excessive drinking leads to being addicted to alcohol and the myriad of physical and mental issues that comes with it. People destroy their lives, hurt family and friends and remain forever impoverished due to this.
Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Excessive drinking and eating is condemned and a warning to those who do is issued. This also gives us insight as to what these behaviors cause and how people see this type of person.
Proverbs 31:4-7 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more
Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
Drunkenness and being a drunkard is condemned.
Isaiah 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
Drunkenness and being a drunkard is condemned again. Some of the problems with it are listed.
Joel 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine (fermented wine); for it is cut off from your mouth
Drunkenness and being a drunkard is condemned again.
John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
Jesus first miracle involved the creation of wine out of water.
Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
This passage shows that the term new wine does mean a fermented beverage.
Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Here is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible concerning the drinking of wine. If in doing so you will cause a brother to stumble or you cause confusion or offense to a weaker Christian, then DO NOT DO IT! This is especially true of anyone whose drinking has a negative impact on his or her family. This is not only wine but anything else!
1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Here the word for wine does not appear in the Greek. The word is paroiknos and its meaning is “excessive drinker” or “one addicted to wine”
1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Deacons or ones in leadership were limited in their consumption.
1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
Here Paul tells Timothy to use wine sparingly for his stomach and other infirmities.
Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre.
Again, here the word for wine does not appear in the Greek. The word is paroiknos and its meaning is “excessive drinker” or “one addicted to wine”
Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.
Leadership is limited in this area of consumption. In light of Romans 14:21 may be prohibited totally.
1 Peter 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, ravelling’s, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.
Excess of wine is listed as a sin. Lack of self-control in other areas is also listed.
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Paul here is warning of the liberty of doing something versus the benefit or usefulness of it. The last part of the verse warns that over exercise of some of these freedoms can lead to bondage by the abuse thereof. Just because you can do something it may not be a good thing to do, at least that is the way Paul saw it. In drinking, do you run the risk of drunkenness and/or becoming an alcoholic, which God expressly has said is BAD.
CONCLUSION
We have plainly seen that the Old Testament portrays wine and strong drink as blessings which God has granted to Mankind, not as a curse. But all of God's blessings can be misused and abused. Good food is a wonderful blessing, but do we say to people, 'It is better not to eat because of the danger of gluttony'? Do we say to young couples on their wedding day, 'It is better not to have sexual relations because sexual lust has ruined many a life'? Do we ever say, 'It is better not to make money because riches and prosperity have destroyed lives'?
For the same reasons, Christians should be warned of alcohol in excess as the bible says but because it’s not easy to control ourselves on drinking and the dangers it comes with, it is rather better not to touch it at ALL, better this way than to preach people that it is sin to touch alcohol; how pray tell? That’s BOGUS and a lie from HELL! This goes way beyond any mandate we have from God. The Bible is continually positive toward the wise use of alcoholic drinks, AND I REPEAT we are better off if we don’t touch it at all, A GLASS OF WINE OCCASIONALLY WILL BRING NO HARM,
It’s not sin to neither touch nor drink alcohol so stop the false preaching. Its unscriptural nonsense…
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