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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 means in Hebrew 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)
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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, 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 alright to drink in moderation as it is to eat in moderation - God is not going to step in and stop you when you reached your limit. Other Recommended Bible Study Resources:
Answer Given By: Don Smith |
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