You Have Questions.  The Bible Has Answers.

Does the Bible
permit drinking alcohol and wine?


Does the Bible
permit drinking alcohol and wine?

 

Q. Does the Bible approve of drinking alcohol and wine (alcoholic beverages)?

(Submitted by: Andy)

A. Let's take a look at the Old Testament first:

"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread [food] and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God." (Genesis 14:18)

The Hebrew word translated "wine" above is yayin, (Strong’s Concordance #3196), which is from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication:--banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber).

Family Bible Notes says on Genesis 14:18 that Melchizedek is a name meaning 'King of Righteousness.' The word Salem in Hebrew means peace, (Hebrews 7:2), which is supposed to have been the name of the place afterwards called Jerusalem.

This Melchizedek brought Abram wine [by implication, intoxication -- banqueting, wine, intoxication] to drink and being the Spiritual High Priest of God, He would never give any man that which is bad for them, or sin.

"For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;" (Hebrews 7:1-2)

"Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:" [Condition as harvested from the vine - before processing.] (Genesis 27:28, see below)

The word wine above in Hebrew is tiyrosh, (Strong’s Concordance #8492) from the Hebrew word (Strong's Concordance #3423) meaning in the sense of expulsion; must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine:--(new, sweet) wine.

"The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!" (Luke 7:34)

The word wine above is Strong's Concordance #3630, which is derived from another Greek word: ο ι ν ο ς, or "oinos" (Strong's Concordance #3631), meaning "wine" (literally or figuratively):--winebibber.

Christ never sinned, even though He did drink wine and went to celebrations, such as the wedding where he made the wine from water. Because we are all free moral agents – all responsible for our conduct. If we conduct ourselves as they falsely accused Christ in the above verse and are gluttonous on food and drunkards - we are alone responsible for what we do!

It is Biblically permitted to drink alcohol / wine in moderation as it is to eat in moderation - God is not going to step in and stop you when you reached your limit.

 
Written by:  Don Smith
 
Additional Bible Study Materials
What is the correct way to fast?
Does God want us to be vegetarians?  Are we not to kill animals?
Does the Bible approve of smoking marijuana or pot?
 


 
   
 
 

Visit the BEST Web Sites!

 
 
 
THE Bible Study Web Site at BibleStudy.org
You Have Questions.  The Bible Has Answers!