Light My Path.

When the Bible mentions “wine” is it talking about the fermented wine that we have today or is it referencing grape juice?

Here are a couple of instances of wine being mentioned:

Gen 9:21 Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.

Gen 19:23 And they made their father drink wine

Obviously, the above verses are talking about fermented alcoholic wine. You can’t get drunk on grape juice.

The Hebrew word used here is Strongs H3196 yayin, yah’-yin; from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication:—banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber).

This is the same word used here:

Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Who is Melchizedek? None other than Jesus Christ himself!

Heb 7:1-3 For this Melchizedek, 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 translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

This individual is described as having no father or mother, no beginning of days or end of life. This could only be Jesus Christ before he was born a human being. He is the King of Righteousness and Peace.

So, if he brought wine to share with Abraham, how can it be wrong to drink it?

Issac also drank wine.

Gen 27:25 …And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.

Wine was required as part of some sacrifices to God.

Num 15:5 And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.

The Israelites were not forbidden to drink wine or strong drink.

Deut 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,

All the above scriptures quoted use the same Hebrew word for wine.

There were times to abstain. Daniel did not drink wine when he was taken to Babylon. Although, the reason could have been that the wine was offered to false gods and would have made Daniel unclean to drink it.

Anyone taking a Nazarite vow was forbidden to drink wine. But it was only while under the vow that a Nazarite could not drink wine. Afterward he was permitted. The word here for wine is the same word meaning fermented.

Num 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.

There were other times when drinking alcoholic beverages was not allowed such as when the priests were serving in the tabernacle.

Lev 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 forever throughout your generations:

Here is a Psalm praising God for his provision. He is praised for providing wine among other good things.

Psa 104:14-15 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
And vegetation for the service of man,
That he may bring forth food from the earth,

And wine that makes glad the heart of man,
Oil to make his face shine,
And bread which strengthens man’s heart.

Let’s look at the New Testament.

The Greek word for wine in the New Testament is οἶνος oînos, oy’-nos; a primary word (or perhaps of Hebrew origin (H3196)); “wine” (literally or figuratively):—wine.

This Greek word is most likely derived from the same Hebrew word for fermented intoxicating wine.

Jesus Christ’s first recorded miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding.

This example of putting new wine into old bottles only makes sense if the grape juice fermented and that is the reason it would burst the old bottles which no longer had the elasticity to expand during the fermentation process.

Matt 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.

Christ was accused of being a wine-bibber. Why would they have accused him of that unless He actually drank wine? Christ says in the following verse that unlike John the Baptist who did not drink wine, He did.

Luke 7:33-34 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 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 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

Obviously, the above verse is talking about fermented alcoholic wine. Old grape juice would not be better than fresh. But aged wine is definitely better than new.

Are there warnings about drinking wine or strong drink in the Bible?

Most definitely!

Psa 20:1 Wine is a mocker,
Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Prov 21:17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

Prov 23:29-35 Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?

Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.

Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;

At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.

Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.

Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:

“They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

These verses are clearly describing an alcoholic. Yes, wine can be abused like anything else. The bible also condemns gluttony but no one would think they should stop eating. Anything can be done in excess. You can even die from drinking too much water.

There are certain people who should not indulge in drinking alcohol. Some people are more sensitive to it and are more likely to become addicted.

Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

This verse does not say drink no wine but to not be drunk with wine.

Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

Is this verse saying that you are never to drink wine? No, it is saying don’t indulge in these things if it will offend someone else whose company you share. For example, if you have someone over for dinner and you know they don’t drink then don’t drink in front of them. It is just common courtesy.

Is it unhealthy to consume alcohol?

In searching the internet, you will find articles that say drinking any amount of alcohol is bad for you and there are others that attest to many health benefits especially attributed to red wine. It is full of antioxidants. In moderation red wine supports heart and brain health, digestion, may lower cancer risk and can help with anxiety and improve sleep. The key here, of course, is moderation.

Even Paul told Timothy to drink some wine for his health:

1 Tim 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

In conclusion, drinking alcohol is not prohibited by the Bible. It is a choice. It is something that can add enjoyment when taken in moderation and is not to be used in excess.