Doesn’t the Scriptures say that God accepts alcohol? It was used for blessings (Genesis 14:18;\u00a027:28;\u00a0Proverbs 3:10). He gave permission to use strong drink (Deuteronomy 14:26). It was used in the drink offering (Exodus 29:41).<\/p>\n
God made the grape, which would make the wine, which makes man’s hearts glad (Psalm 104:15).<\/p>\n
It is true that today’s alcohol is stronger than that used in Bible times, but so long as you are careful with how much you drink and not get drunk, there is nothing wrong with using small quantities of alcohol.<\/p>\n\t
First, let us note that all arguments are being made based on Old Testament teachings. Even if these Scriptures proved a case that alcoholic beverages were used in the past, it is still insufficient proof that the use of alcohol is permitted for Christians.<\/p>\n
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High<\/i>” (Genesis 14:18). The Hebrew word translated as “wine” here is the word\u00a0yayin.<\/i>\u00a0Yayin<\/i>\u00a0is a generic word for any liquid product made from grapes. That a variety of products can be\u00a0yayin<\/i>\u00a0is seen in\u00a0Nehemiah 5:18, “Now that which was prepared daily was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine<\/i>.”\u00a0Yayin<\/i>\u00a0does not refer to a single type of grape product. It can refer to non-alcoholic drink as in, “Gladness and joy are taken away from the fruitful field; In the vineyards also there will be no cries of joy or jubilant shouting, No treader treads out wine in the presses, For I have made the shouting to cease<\/em>” (Isaiah 16:10). The juice in the grape, waiting to be squeezed out by treading, is called\u00a0yayin<\/i>\u00a0and is translated as “wine.” It can also refer to alcoholic beverages, as in “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise<\/i>” (Proverbs 20:1). Since grape juice does not affect a person’s mental capacity, it is obvious that the wine (yayin<\/i>) in this verse refers to an alcoholic beverage.<\/p>\n Returning to\u00a0Genesis 14:18, there is insufficient information in the context of the verse to determine whether the wine (yayin<\/i>) mentioned contains alcohol. Any assumption is wishful thinking. It does not prove nor disprove that alcoholic wine was served by Melchizedek.<\/p>\n “Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine<\/i>” (Genesis 27:28). The word translated as “wine” in this verse is\u00a0tirosh<\/i>\u00a0in Hebrew.\u00a0Tirosh<\/i>, when the context makes the definition clear, always refers to fresh, unfermented grape juice. Generally, you find\u00a0tirosh<\/em>\u00a0translated as “new wine.” “As the new wine is found in the cluster<\/em>” (Isaiah 65:8). Here\u00a0tirosh<\/em>\u00a0refers to the juice of grapes before they are squeezed. “Your vats will overflow with new wine.<\/em>” (Proverbs 3:10). The juice pouring freely from the presses at harvest is called\u00a0tirosh<\/em>.\u00a0Tirosh<\/em>\u00a0never refers to an intoxicating beverage. Hence, this verse does not prove that a desire for alcoholic beverages was given as a part of a blessing.<\/p>\n “So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine<\/i>” (Proverbs 3:10). The phrase “new wine” in this verse comes from the Hebrew word\u00a0tirosh<\/i>. The translators understood that alcoholic beverages were not indicated so they used the adjective “new” to indicate that it was unfermented grape juice. Once again the point that alcoholic beverages were used as a blessing is not proven.<\/p>\n “And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household<\/i>” (Deuteronomy 14:26). Two words are used in this verse. “Wine” comes from the Hebrew word\u00a0yayin<\/i>, and “similar drink,” or “strong drink” in many translations, comes from the Hebrew word\u00a0shekar<\/i>.\u00a0Shekar<\/i>\u00a0refers to any fermented drink made from fruit or grain. The reason some translations avoid “strong drink” is that we tend to think of extremely potent drinks, such as whiskey or vodka, as strong drinks. In biblical days any alcoholic beverage was\u00a0shekar<\/i>. The technology to enhance the alcoholic content of a beverage above natural levels was not commonly used in biblical days and may have not been known. Hence, natural wines (not fortified) or beer would be equivalent to the commonly available\u00a0shekar<\/i>\u00a0of the Old Testament.<\/p>\n At first glance, it does appear that God gave the Israelites permission to consume alcoholic beverages in His presence as part of giving a tithe to Him. That is until you read a bit further. “You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you. At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do<\/i>” (Deuteronomy 14:27-29). The feast was to be shared with the Levites and the poor in the region. Yet God told the priests, “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<\/i>” (Leviticus 10:9). “Intoxicating drink” comes from the Hebrew word\u00a0shekar<\/i>. Hence, we must conclude that only Levites who were not priests could share in a feast that included\u00a0shekar<\/i>, or that the\u00a0shekar<\/i>\u00a0was not directly consumed, being used in the cooking where the alcohol would evaporate or as a flambeau.<\/p>\n Let us assume for the moment that they did consume alcohol once a year as part of the harvest tithe offering. Christians do not have a harvest tithe offering. This does not prove that Christians are allowed to consume alcohol any more than the Hebrews use of instrumental music in their worship proves that Christians used instrumental music in their worship. Hence, no proof was made. All that has been proven is the possibility that alcoholic beverages were used in some fashion in an offering that was consumed. It should be noted that, except in two verses where shekar<\/i>\u00a0is connected with an offering, its use is consistently and always condemned.\u00a0Shekar<\/i>\u00a0was not for casual consumption.<\/p>\n “And the other lamb you shall offer at twilight; and you shall offer with it the grain offering and the drink offering, as in the morning, for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD<\/i>” (Exodus 29:41). “Drink offering” comes from the Hebrew word\u00a0necek<\/i>.\u00a0Necek<\/i>\u00a0refers to something that is poured out; hence, it can refer to a libation or even an idol cast from molten metal. What was to be poured out was specified in\u00a0Exodus 29:40, “With the one lamb shall be one-tenth of an ephah of flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of pressed oil, and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering<\/i>.” The word “wine” is our old friend\u00a0yayin<\/i>. Hence, we cannot conclude that it was fermented or non-fermented. Besides, the\u00a0yayin<\/i>\u00a0was not consumed. It was poured out upon the altar and burnt in the fire. This does not prove that alcoholic beverages were approved by God for consumption.<\/p>\n “And wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart<\/i>” (Psalm 104:15). The word translated “wine” is once again\u00a0yayin<\/i>. Some will claim that “makes glad the heart” indicates that it was alcoholic. Such is an assumption. Generally, the consumption of alcohol is noted to cause depression. “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<\/i>” (Proverbs 23:29-30). By the way the “wine” in\u00a0Proverbs 23:30\u00a0is also\u00a0yayin<\/i>. The improved feeling that users of alcoholic beverages initially feel is related to its numbing or depressing effect on the mind. Since it deadens the feelings of problems and concerns, it causes a relative feeling of an improved situation. Of course, it doesn’t bring true joy because once the effect of the alcohol wears off, the problems that the user sought to escape still remain.<\/p>\n Taken in context the gladness is not an artificial, temporary “gladness” but a true gladness brought about by prosperity. The same word for “gladness” is used in “And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the LORD your God has blessed you<\/i>” (Deuteronomy 12:7). The use of “gladness” does not prove that\u00a0yayin<\/i> in Psalms 104:15 was alcoholic.<\/p>\n The case for the use of alcoholic beverages for casual consumption has not been made. For greater details on this subject, see:<\/p>\nOld Testament Beverages<\/a> Question: Doesn’t the Scriptures say that God accepts alcohol? It was used for blessings (Genesis 14:18;\u00a027:28;\u00a0Proverbs 3:10). He gave permission to use strong drink (Deuteronomy 14:26). It was used in the drink offering (Exodus 29:41). God made the grape, which would make the wine, which makes man’s hearts glad (Psalm 104:15). It is true that…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[371],"class_list":["post-2598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-alcohol"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45333,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-proverbs-316-7-give-approval-to-the-use-of-alcohol\/","url_meta":{"origin":2598,"position":0},"title":"Does Proverbs 31:6-7 give approval to the use of alcohol?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 12, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I was reviewing your articles on alcohol. I realize that you are not the author of all of the articles, but I did not see a reference to Proverbs 31:6-7. Proverbs 31 specifically does not condemn strong drink. However, you have a sermon,\u00a0Drinking in the Old Testament, posted on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1721,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-use-of-alcohol\/","url_meta":{"origin":2598,"position":1},"title":"The Use of Alcohol","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 1, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Can a Christian drink? It is a question that comes up frequently. Earlier this century, the United States ended the sale of alcoholic beverages because of the perceived dangers of these drinks. The prohibition did not last, due to strong demand for access to liquor. However,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":24555,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-romans-1421-be-used-to-justify-the-use-of-alcoholic-beverages\/","url_meta":{"origin":2598,"position":2},"title":"Can Romans 14:21 be used to justify the use of alcoholic beverages?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 17, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: May His grace continually flourish in the good work He has started in our life. About Romans 14:21, many brothers in our congregation are having a field day with this verse. The worse are the defenses they use to justify drinking. I will not say am the weak type,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":22449,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/was-timothy-a-nazirite\/","url_meta":{"origin":2598,"position":3},"title":"Was Timothy a Nazirite?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Was Timothy a Nazirite? It appeared that he was reluctant to take the wine ( grape juice) so I know that if he was a Nazirite he would not take even grapes or grape juice for medicine. I was told that it had to be alcohol because he could\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":29414,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/drinking-in-the-new-testament\/","url_meta":{"origin":2598,"position":4},"title":"Drinking in the New Testament","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 18, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 23:29-33 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Consistently in the Scriptures, drunkenness is condemned \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I Corinthians 6:9-10 - A drunkard cannot inherit the kingdom of God \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Romans 13:13 - Carousing and drunkenness is improper behavior \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Few people argue that being down and out drunk is acceptable. We understand that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14854,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/drinking-in-the-old-testament\/","url_meta":{"origin":2598,"position":5},"title":"Drinking in the Old Testament","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 6, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Consistently in the Scriptures, drunkenness is condemned \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I Cor 6:9-10 - A drunkard cannot inherit the kingdom of God \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rom 13:13 - Carousing and drunkenness is improper behavior \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Few people argue that being down and out drunk is acceptable. We understand that it is wrong. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0D.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2598"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nNew Testament Beverages<\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"