The purpose of this file is to study how wine is used in the
scriptures. Our purpose is not to debate whether getting drunk is right or
wrong. The scriptures are quite clear on this principle. The question is whether
it is permitted for God's people to consume wine. We also need to know if all
wine is fermented? Did the Children of Israel drink unfermented wind? Did
unfermented wine exist in Bible times? Let us find out.
The following excerpt is taken from the book, Manners and
Customs of Bible Lands, page 194.
Grapesyrup or "dibs." The Arabs take the juice
of grapes, and boil it until it is as thick as molasses. They call this dibs and
they are very fond of eating it with bread, or they thin it with water and drink
it. This grapehoney was in use in Bible times. It was probably this that Jacob
sent to Joseph in Egypt (Gen.43:11), and which was purchased by the Tyrants from
the land of Palestine (Ezek. 27:17). Three hundred pounds of grapes will make
one hundred pounds of dibs.
The following excerpts are taken from Smith's Bible
Dictionary, under the heading vine and wine.
In Palestine, at present, the finest grapes, says Dr.
Robinson, are dried as raisins, and the juice of the remainder, after having
been trodden and pressed, "is boiled down to a syrup, which, under the name
of dibs, is much used by all classes, wherever vineyards are found, as a
condiment with their food.
The wines of antiquity were more like sirups; many of
them were not intoxicant; many more intoxicant in a small degree; and all of
them, as a rule, taken only when largely diluted with water. They contained,
even undiluted, but 4 or 5 percent. of alcohol.
The following excerpt is taken from the Unger's Bible
Dictionary under the heading for vine.
In Palestine the finest grapes, even today, are dried as
raisins, and the juice of the remainder, after having been trodden and pressed,
is boiled down to a syrup, which under the name of dibs is much used by all
classes, wherever vineyards are found, as a condiment with their food.
The remainder of this study will explore the Greek and
Hebrew words from which the English word wine is translated.
Strong's # 3631 oinos (oy'-nos); a primary word (or
perhaps of Hebrew origin [3196]); "wine" (literally or figuratively):
KJV-- wine. Matthew 9:17
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the
bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put
new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Attention should be paid to the way the word "new"
is used in this verse. "New" appears in this verse three times. The
word "new" is translated from two different Greek words.
"New" used with the word wine is translated from the Greek word neos.
Neos conveys the thought of something that has recently come into existence.
"New" used with the word bottles is translated from the Greek word
kainos. Kainos conveys the thought of newness as in quality. The bottles had not
been aged or marred. The word bottles is translated from the Greek word askos.
Askos means a leather bag, especially wine-skin. The new wine is pure grape
juice. When the grape juice begins to ferment in old bottles it will bust the
wine-skin. The old wine-skin which is made out of leather, can not stretch any
more. This is why the old wine-skin (bottle) will burst. The new wine-skin
(bottle) can stretch as the wine ferments.
This verse lets me know that all new wine is not fermented.
However, if new wine is left in the bottle long enough it will ferment and
become alcoholic.
Mark 15:23
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but
he received it not.
The wine in this verse was mixed with myrrh. Myrrh is a
fragrance with a bitter taste. It also works as an antiseptic and a stimulant.
Luke 1:15
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,
even from his mother's womb.
This verse makes a difference between wine and strong drink.
This shows that all wine is not considered strong drink. Wine is translated from
the Greek word oinos. This is a generic term for wine. Strong drink in this
verse is translated from the Greek word sikera. Sikera is only found once in the
New Testament scriptures. It is found in this verse and is used to describe an
intoxicant, i.e. intensely fermented liquor.
Luke 10:34
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil
and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care
of him.
The wine used in this verse may have an alcoholic content.
John 2:3, 9-10
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto
him, They have no wine. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that
was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which the servants
which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 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: but thou hast kept the good wine
until now.
Many use this scripture to justify the drinking of wine. I
am not sure that this is a safe assumption. If the word of God condemns
drunkenness, I find it hard to believe that Jesus would make wine that would get
people drunk. Let us continue our study.
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.
Wine is one of the things that Paul tells his readers not to
participate in if it will cause someone to stumble or become weak. This is also
true concerning the eating of flesh. This suggests that there is nothing
inherently wrong with wine just like there isn't anything inherently wrong with
meat. I do not believe that all wine will get you drunk. We already have seen
that there is such a thing as a new wine (when translated from the Greek word
oinos). This wine is not fermented. Therefore, when it is stored, it should be
stored in new wine-skins. There is nothing wrong with drinking this type of wine
because one would never get drunk. However, we should never let this
understanding cause us to act in such a way as to be a hinder to anyone else. If
I don’t drink fermented wine, I don't want to give the impression that I do.
However, when wine becomes fermented, we are talking about something different.
It is always wrong for a child of God to drink fermented wine whether it will be
a hinder to someone or not. My understanding concerning the use of unfermented
wine does not allow me to drink it if I know that it is causing my brother to
believe that it is permitted to drink all wine. If my liberty is causing someone
to sin, I need to stop exercising my liberty.
Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be
filled with the Spirit;
Here we find the New Testament injunction against using wine
to get drunk. The best way to obey this commandment is not to partake in the
drinking of fermented wine at all.
1 Timothy 3:8
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued,
not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Many understand this verse to teach that it is all right to
drink wine as long as one doesn't drink too much wine. The misunderstanding
centers around the words "to much." This verse is actually warning
that the deacon must not indulge in the drinking of wine. Wine that is used in
this verse has reference to the type that will make you drunk. Unfermented wine
cannot cause a deacon to become drunk or error in judgment because of a drunken
condition. The purpose of this verse is not to teach that wine is OK. The
purpose of this verse is to teach the high standards of a blameless life that
the deacon must possess.
1 Timothy 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy
stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
Paul allows Timothy the use of wine for the infirmities
of his stomach. Paul tells him to use a little wine. Most people that like wine
uses it more than for medicinal purposes. I must also repeat that I believe that
Paul would not have encouraged Timothy to use a type of wine that would cause
drunkenness.
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; See the notes for 1Tim. 3:8.
Strong's # 1098 gleukos (glyoo'-kos); akin to 1099; sweet
wine, i.e. (prop.) must (fresh juice), but used of the more saccharine (and
therefore highly inebriating) fermented wine: KJV-- new wine.
Acts 2:13
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
In this verse new wine is the same as fermented wine. We can
come to the conclusion that when new wine is translated from the Greek word
gleukos, the wine is fermented.
Strong's # 3943 paroinos (par'-oy-nos); from 3844 and
3631; staying near wine, i.e. tippling (a toper): KJV-- given to wine.
1 Timothy 3:3
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy
lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
The Greek word paroinos describes a drunkard. The best way
to avoid becoming a drunkard is to avoid the things that would make one a
drunkard. Paul warns the believers to abstain from the appearance of evil (2
Thess. 5:22).
Strong's # 3632 oinophlugia (oy-nof-loog-ee'-ah); from
3631 and a form of the base of 5397; an overflow (or surplus) of wine, i.e.
vinolency (drunkenness): KJV-- excess of wine.
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, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
Walking in the excess of wine is something that people did
before they got saved. After salvation there should be a difference in the way a
person conduct himself. A true child of God is afraid to do anything or indulge
in anything that may cause him to fail God. Therefore, they refrain from the use
of wine.
Strong's # 1081 gennema (ghen'-nay-mah); from 1080;
offspring; by analogy, produce (literally or figuratively): KJV-- fruit,
generation.
Matthew 26:29
But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this
fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's
kingdom.
Mark 14:25
Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit
of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Luke 22:18
For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the
vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
The Greek word gennema is used to describe what Jesus drunk.
It is not possible from this scripture to determine if the wine is fermented or
not. My trust in Jesus would allow me to drink any thing that Jesus would drink.
It is not safe to use Jesus to justify drinking a beverage that can make one
drunk. Once again I must say that I don't think the Word of God speaks out of
both sides of its mouth. The Word of God would not encourage one to refrain from
drunkenness and yet condone the drinking of a beverage that would make him
drunk.
Strong's # 3690 oxos (oz-os); from 3691; vinegar, i.e.
sour wine: KJV-- vinegar.
Matthew 27:34
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and
when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
In this verse Jesus refuses the wine that was mixed with
gall. This vinegar is the same as sour wine. Let us follow his example.
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said,
It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
In this verse Jesus did drink the sour wine that was offered
to him before he died. Once again we can't be sure about the strength of this
wine. However, Matthew tells us that when Jesus knew what the wine was, He
refused to take any more.
Strong's # 3196 yayin (yah'-yin); from an unused root
meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication: KJV--
banqueting, wine, wine [-bibber].
Genesis 9:21
And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was
uncovered within his tent.
In this verse we find that the yayin that Noah drank got him
drunk. This lets us know that the Hebrew word yayin is used to describe a
fermented wine.
Genesis 14:18
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine:
and he was the priest of the most high God.
Genesis 27:25
And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's
venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did
eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.
Exodus 29:40
And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with
the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine
for a drink offering.
Leviticus 10:9
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons
with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it
shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
Comments on this verse are made later under the heading of
skekar.
Numbers 6:3,4
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, or eat moist grapes, or dried. All the days of his
separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels
even to the husk.
The Nazarene was to keep himself from any thing that had the
potential to make him drunk. That is not to say that a moist grape had alcoholic
content. The instruction is given in such a way as to make the Nazarene
blameless. This is a good practice for the child of God in the days that we are
living in now.
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,
A difference is made here between wine (yayin) and strong
drink (skekar).
Job 32:19
Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is
ready to burst like new bottles.
The wine used here is the type that is allowed to ferment.
Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever
is deceived thereby is not wise.
Here the reader is warned about the danger of consuming
wine. One is deceived when he thinks that he can consume wine without it
affecting his actions. The child of God in his quest to be found in the will of
God at all times will avoid the things that may lead him from God.
Proverbs 23:30,31
They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek
mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his
colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.By looking at this scripture
in its context one can see once again the dangers of drinking wine. The best way
not to become drunk is not to consume the things that can make one drunk.
Proverbs 31:6
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and
wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
In this verse wine and strong drink is suggested as a use
for medicinal purposes.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet
acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see
what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven
all the days of their life.
Solomon purposed in his heart to give himself over unto
yayin. In this verse yayin is used to describe fermented wine. Solomon sought to
find out if yayin is one of the things man needs to make himself happy. The
conclusion he gives at the close of the book is a witness that giving oneself
over to wine in not the answer to a happy life.
Isaiah 5:11
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that
they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
This verse contains a warning to those that give themselves
over to yayin to the extent that it makes them drunk. One would never have to
worry about becoming drunk if one avoids the things that would make one drunk.
Isaiah 5:22
Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of
strength to mingle strong drink:
Here is a warning to those that partake in the use of wine
and strong drink. Note that the woe is not for those who become drunk. The woe
is against those that are mighty to drink wine and to mingle strong drink.
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.
The language of this verse should lead one to think that the
best way not to let wine or strong drink influence his judgment is to avoid
them.
Daniel 1:8
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile
himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank:
therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile
himself.
Daniel 10:3
I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in
my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were
fulfilled.
I included the above two scriptures to show that the prophet
Daniel drank wine. He refused the wine that the king served. Yet, we have
evidence that he drank wine. I am sure that Daniel was selective about the type
of wine that he drunk.
Hosea 4:11
Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
This verse can only be talking about the wine that affect
one's judgment. The wise will flee the evil of strong drink.
Micah 2:11
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie,
saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be
the prophet of this people.
This verse shows God's attitude towards people that give
themselves over to wine and strong drink.
Strong's # 8492 tiyrowsh (tee-roshe'); or tiyrosh (tee-roshe');
from 3423 in the sense of expulsion; must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed
out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine: KJV-- (new, sweet) wine.
Genesis 27:38
Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the
fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
The Hebrew word tiyrowsh carries the thought of fresh
squeezed grape juice. This is juice that hasn't had time to ferment.
Proverbs 3:10
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses
shall burst out with new wine.
God provides new wine for his people. It is the will of God
for his people not to get drunk. Wine that gets a man drunk is an invention of
man.
Strong's # 7941 shekar (shay-kawr'); from 7937; an
intoxicant, i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor: KJV-- strong drink, + drunkard,
strong wine. ***. shikkor. See 7910.
Leviticus 10:9
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons
with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it
shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
In this verse there is a distinction between yayin and
shekar. Yayin is usually translated wine and skekar is usually translated strong
drink, or strong wine. All skekar is strong drink but all yayin isn't.
Deuteronomy 29:6
Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or
strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.
This verse gives us an hint as to why God does not want his
people to indulge in wine or strong drink. Strong drink can affect one’s
judgment before he actually gets drunk.
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 Nazarene to God from the womb to the day of his
death.
In this verse we can see the true attitude of god towards
the use of wine and strong drink. God wanted Samson to be a Nazarene from the
womb. Part of Samson's holiness was to refrain from the use of any wine or
strong drink. At issue here is more than the principle of getting drunk. God
wants us to shun the very appearance of evil.
Strong's # 2561 chemer (kheh'-mer; from 2560; wine (as
fermenting): KJV-- X pure, red wine.
Deuteronomy 32:14
Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and
rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and
thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.
The Hebrew word chemer is defined to mean a fermenting wine.
However, a study of the verse above makes a suggestion that all chemer is not
intoxicating. Pure blood of the grape is juice that haven't become something
else by allowing it to ferment.
Our study shows that there was fermented wine in ancient
Israel. Some of our scriptures condemn the consumption of wine and strong drink.
Other scriptures do not offer a condemnation of drinking wine. We can find
examples of righteous men drinking wine. What conclusion can we make concerning
the drinking of wine? We must understand every scripture that mentions wine and
the consumption of it in the context in which it is written. Our belief is that
such an examination would lead people to refrain from the use of all types of
strong drink. God’s people will consider the truth concerning being grave and
sober and avoid the things that can cause one not to meet these standards of
holiness.
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