Bible Study on Wine and Grape Juice

I was recently asked by a brother in the Lord “Is it wrong to consume alcohol?” This is a common question in the Body of Christ and after much research, I find division in the Church on this topic. Some say wine is ok and others say that the wine mentioned in the bible is grape juice. While studying what different Churches say on each side of the fence, I find many words of men and little scripture. This results in confusion for seekers of Truth.

My goal on this post is to end this confusion and allow God to speak for Himself. If the reader is seeking out the Truth, then I believe you will find the answer in Him and His Word alone. We must study and see what God says with limited words of man. This means that we must read things in their contextual meanings.

Contextual reading is very important as I will not be posting the full context of every scripture (only a reference point). Many of them, if read alone, will give you a false meaning on this topic. If you are seeking a definitive answer on this topic from me, you won’t get it. I’ll try to keep my opinions limited until the end. I’m merely laying out the facts for you to do a study and hear from God on the matter. Again, I am not laying out an answer, but it is a guide with reference points for further reading so that God may speak to you.

According to my bible software, there are 212 scriptures relating to wine, and wine has approximately 10 different definitions in the bible. Some individual definitions have multiple meanings, and they depend on the context of the scripture. This bible study will show examples of wine and juice, as well as winepressing, grapes, etc. God will speak on this matter only if the seeker of Truth reads in context.

Seeker of Truth: Please prayerfully get prepared before reading. Let us get out of ourselves and our own understandings, then chow down on God’s word here. If we have a predetermined notion and we already have an answer that we want to hear, we may miss God’s Word. We should always let God be the Teacher on matters where there is separation in the Church. The only way to do this is to get out of ourselves and our own ideals, into the Spirit of God, and into His Word. So stand in agreement with me that the Guide guides us and our Teacher teaches us in this bible study on wine and grape juice. In Jesus name, amen.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I felt the need to clarify something on this post. If we are seeking to find out if we can drink and how much is acceptable, we really should ask ourselves why we are seeking out such information. Is the flesh seeking this so that it can continue doing the things it likes to do? Are we trying to find out if our drinking is acceptable to God because we like it? Or, are we seeking because the Spirit of God is convicting us of our drinking? Is the Spirit giving us an unction of disagreement with our drinking?

We really should be honest with ourselves. If we are seeking to justify the flesh’s desire to drink, we really should stop reading now and get our heart right with God first.

OT Definitions of Wine and Grape Juice

References from the Sword Searcher software – KJV and Strong’s Hebrew dictionary

As we are reading scripture and our eyes come across the word wine, our minds may instantly/automatically interpret the word as the fermented drink, but the scripture can be speaking of wine, grape juice, or strong drink. We will see in this bible study that it can also mean much more. It’s very important to understand the different definitions before we can have an understanding of the scripture.

One word from the bible in the Hebrew that refers to blood, is used as an analogy for the juice of the grape –

#1818 dam (dawm)
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood):–blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), + innocent.

A study for #1818 in the bible has given me 295 results. After I scanned over them, it is obvious that the word is used as blood. The only scripture I found relating this word to wine or grapes is in 1 scripture. –

Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

There is great significance for the analogy between blood and wine, but as far as this bible study on wine and grape juice goes, there is nothing for us here. Let us move on..

In this next usage, they do indeed call it wine, but it has 2 meanings, juice and fermented wine. This is where context of scripture is important. Watch the definition here –

#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:–(new, sweet) wine.

It says: from 3423 in the sense of expulsion. #3423 has no relation to wine, grapes, or juice. The definition of #3423 pertains to expulsion, to destroy, inherit, rob, drive out, expel, etc.  #8492 is relating to the expulsion of the grape juice from the grape. But, let us not forget where it says it by implication rarely fermented wine – new, sweet wine.

There are 38 scriptures with this word for wine in it. Only the Word of God can tell us what is referred to as grape juice and which is referred to as fermented wine. If it isn’t specific on what kind of wine it is, we must not draw our own conclusions –

Genesis 27:27-28 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed: Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

Numbers 18:12 All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.

Deuteronomy 18:4 The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.

2 Chronicles 32:28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.

Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.

Proverbs 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Isaiah 36:17 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.

Hosea 2:22 And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.

Hosea 4:11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

Joel 1:10 The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.

Zechariah 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

We can see a common theme here (which was evident in the un-posted scriptures too). There is freshness, newness of the field, grapes in the presses, the firstfruit, and almost always referring to harvest, corn, etc. Yes, I could draw a conclusion from Zechariah 9:17 that the word cheerful refers to fermented drink. But, it is obviously showing a cheerfulness for the corn too. The Word seems pretty straight forward to me on this definition. Let us continue.. .

This word relates to winepresses, wine-vats, and wine. It refers to the juice and collection process of pressing the grapes. Here is the word –

#3342: yeqeb yeh’-keb
from an unused root meaning to excavate; a trough (as dug out); specifically, a wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the juice drains; or the upper, in which the grapes are crushed):–fats, presses, press-fat, wine(-press).

There is only 1 scripture that I found in my bible study that used this word as: wine. In its context, we see it means the same thing as the others (referring to Deuteronomy 16:13) –

Numbers 18:27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.

Deuteronomy 16:13 Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:

2 Kings 6:27 And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?

Proverbs 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Pertaining to the Deuteronomy scripture, the feast of the tabernacles was when they finished working in the fields and brought the harvest in. It is obviously referring to the same newness as the previous word and means juice. Let us continue..

I find another use of wine –

enab ay-nawb’
from an unused root probably meaning to bear fruit; a grape:–(ripe) grape, wine.

All but one scripture that used this word, used: grapes. The 1 that used: wine, it refers to a pressed together cake of raisins (Hosea 3:1) –

Hosea 3:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

Deuteronomy 32:32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:

As we can see in the previous use of wine, there is nothing pertaining to drink. It’s all about the actual grape. Let us continue…

This one seems very similar to #8492 above. The words used in scripture are juice, new wine, and sweet wine –

#6071: aciyc aw-sees’
from 6072; must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out):–juice, new (sweet) wine.

There are a total of 5 scriptures with this word. Here are a couple of them. –

Isaiah 49:26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Joel 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

In the case of Isaiah 49:26, to be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine, the definition of drunk can mean be filled with and can be a figure of speech. I.e He was drunk with joy. It can also mean the term drunk as we know it. It is important to show both sides and let God speak to you on this matter. Careful, we can speak in our minds on this matter too. Here is the definition of drunk, pray on this and let the Spirit of God alone speak to you on the scripture –

a primitive root; to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence:–(be filled with) drink (abundantly), (be, make) drunk(-en), be merry. (Superlative of 8248.)

Let us continue…

The following word used in the bible are represented with: thy wine, their drink, and as drunkards. The scriptures are below, respectively –

#5435 cobe’ so’-beh
from 5433; potation, concretely (wine), or abstractly (carousal):–drink, drunken, wine.

Isaiah 1:21-22 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

Hosea 4:18 Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.

Nahum 1:10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

We can see the tone here pertaining to drunkenness. The Lord is very plain on His view of drunkenness, drunkards, etc. We’ll get to that later. Let us continue…

These next 2 definitions are very similar. The first reference has 2 scriptures and the words used in the bible are: the pure and red wine, respectively in Deuteronomy 32:14 and Isaiah 27:2. The 2nd reference has 6 scriptures and they all refer to wine and are only found in Ezra and Daniel –

#2561 chemer kheh’-mer
from 2560; wine (as fermenting):–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.

Isaiah 27:2 In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.

#2562 chamar (Aramaic), kham-ar’
(Aramaic) corresponding to 2561; wine:–wine.

Ezra 7:22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.

Daniel 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

Interesting enough, all of the Daniel references pertained to wickedness. Now, we are getting into the last 2 definitions of the Old Testament pertaining to wine.

So far, all of the aforementioned definitions and scriptures mainly refer to grapes, juice, sweet wine, etc. I did not see anything definitive with the definitions and usage that would lead me to believe it was wine as we know it. But now, we get to our understandings of wine.

This next one, as to whether this was actual liquor as we understand it or if it was regular wine, I cannot say. I do not know if they had the knowledge of distilling. I do have knowledge of winemaking, but I prefer to keep my opinion to myself on this matter and continue to let God speak for Himself. So here ya go –

#7941 shekar shay-kawr’
from 7937; an intoxicant, i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor:–strong drink, + drunkard, strong wine.

So the obvious on #7941 is that it is plainly an intoxicant and makes you drunk. There is an obvious tone of a heightened level. I.e. strong wine, strong drink, intensely alcoholic liquor, and strong wine. I think this topic warrants tearing down this word a bit further. The definition says it comes from #7937. This is the same word as mentioned above for drunk –

#7937 shakar shaw-kar’
a primitive root; to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence:–(be filled with) drink (abundantly), (be, make) drunk(-en), be merry. (Superlative of 8248.)

This is where wine can make us to become tipsy, to satiate with a stimulating drink, be filled with drink abundantly, be drunk, make drunken, etc. So I think we get the idea here. If we’re tipsy, slurring words, drunk, etc. we fall into this category. Let’s see what the Word says on #7941. It is referenced 20 times. I’m going to paste almost all of them. Please be aware of the context and I’ll interject a bit –

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:

I highly recommend a study and read of context in Leviticus 10. Leviticus 10:9 cannot be read out of context.

Numbers 6:3 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, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

Again, context. In context, you will find who the Lord is referring to as “he”.

Numbers 28:7 And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering.

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,

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.

Judges 13:4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

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 Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

Judges 13:14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.

1 Samuel 1:15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

Psalms 69:12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

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!

Isaiah 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

Isaiah 24:9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

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 judgement

Isaiah 29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

Isaiah 56:12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

Context for Isaiah 56:12 is important.

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.

We must know who ‘this people’ is referring to. It is not referring to you Christian. Context…

1 more definition in the OT for wine. It is used 134 times. 132 times as: wine, 1 time as: winebibber, and 1 time as: banquet. Here is the definition –

#3196 yayin yah’-yin
from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication:–banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber).

Effervesce means to bubble, hiss, give off gas, etc. For anyone who has made wine or beer, they know that the fermentation process has a lot of bubbling, hissing, gas being put off, etc. It puts off so much gas that it foams up. For me, it is obvious that this word for wine is wine that is in midst of fermentation. Let us look at scripture, lots of it –

Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

Genesis 9:24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.

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.

Genesis 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

Genesis 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

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:

Leviticus 23:13 And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.

Numbers 6:3 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, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

Numbers 6:4 All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.

Numbers 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.

Numbers 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.

Numbers 15:7 And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Numbers 15:10 And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Numbers 28:14 And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.

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,

Deuteronomy 28:39 Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.

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.

Deuteronomy 32:33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

Deuteronomy 32:38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.

Joshua 9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;

Joshua 9:13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

Judges 13:4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

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 Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

Judges 13:14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.

Judges 19:19 Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.

1 Samuel 1:14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

1 Samuel 1:15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

1 Samuel 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

1 Samuel 10:3 Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

1 Samuel 16:20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

1 Samuel 25:18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

1 Samuel 25:37 But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.

2 Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

2 Samuel 16:1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

2 Samuel 16:2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

1 Chronicles 9:29 Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.

1 Chronicles 12:40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.

1 Chronicles 27:27 And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:

2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.

2 Chronicles 2:15 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:

2 Chronicles 11:11 And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.

Nehemiah 2:1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.

Nehemiah 5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

Nehemiah 5:18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.

Nehemiah 13:15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

Esther 1:7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.

Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

Esther 5:6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

Esther 7:2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

Esther 7:7 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

Esther 7:8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

Job 1:13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

Job 32:19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

Psalms 60:3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

Psalms 75:8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.

Psalms 78:65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Psalms 104:15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

Proverbs 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

Proverbs 9:2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

Proverbs 9:5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 21:17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Proverbs 23:20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

Proverbs 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

Proverbs 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

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.

Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

Song of Solomon 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

Song of Solomon 1:4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Song of Solomon 4:10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!

Song of Solomon 5:1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Song of Solomon 7:9 And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.

Song of Solomon 8:2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

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!

Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Isaiah 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

Isaiah 16:10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.

Isaiah 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

Isaiah 24:9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.

Isaiah 24:11 There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.

Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

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.

Isaiah 29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

Isaiah 51:21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:

Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Isaiah 56:12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

Jeremiah 13:12 Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?

Jeremiah 23:9 Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

Jeremiah 25:15 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

Jeremiah 35:2 Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.

Jeremiah 35:5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.

Jeremiah 35:6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:

Jeremiah 35:8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;

Jeremiah 35:14 The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.

Jeremiah 40:10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.

Jeremiah 40:12 Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

Jeremiah 48:33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.

Jeremiah 51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Lamentations 2:12 They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers’ bosom.

Ezekiel 27:18 Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.

Ezekiel 44:21 Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

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 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

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.

Hosea 4:11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

Hosea 7:5 In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.

Hosea 9:4 They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

Hosea 14:7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

Joel 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

Joel 3:3 And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

Amos 2:8 And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.

Amos 2:12 But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

Amos 5:11 Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

Amos 6:6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Amos 9:14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

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.

Micah 6:15 Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.

Habakkuk 2:5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

Zephaniah 1:13 Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

Haggai 2:12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.

Zechariah 9:15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 10:7 And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.

Wine References in the NT

Now using Strong’s Greek dictionary

There are 29 references to wine in the NT. 25 of them are from this one definition –

#3631 oinos oy’-nos
a primary word (or perhaps of Hebrew origin (3196)); “wine” (literally or figuratively):–wine.
See Hebrew 3196

The definition points us back to the Hebrew word of wine that we just ended the OT examples with. Please note the word perhaps, and it also says literally or figuratively. Here is the scripture. Again, please, I urge seekers of Truth to read the scripture in context. These are just reference points –

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.

Mark 2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Mark 15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

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.

Luke 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.

Luke 5:38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

Luke 7:33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

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.

John 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

John 2:10 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.

John 4:46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

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.

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

1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

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

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;

Revelation 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Revelation 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Revelation 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Revelation 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Revelation 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

There is only 1 reference for the next definition in the New Testament. It refers to new/sweet wine –

#1088 gleukos glyoo’-kos
akin to 1099; sweet wine, i.e. (properly) must (fresh juice), but used of the more saccharine (and therefore highly inebriating) fermented wine:–new wine.

Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Then the next definition I find refers to given to wine. Here it is with the 2 scriptures –

paroinos par’-oy-nos
from 3844 and 3631; staying near wine, i.e. tippling (a toper):–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;

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Here is the final definition of wine in the New Testament that I have found. There is one reference –

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):–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:

So there ya have it. If you see something I missed or have suggestions, please hit me up in the comments.

My Opinion on Drinking Alcohol

This is my opinion on drinking alcohol. I believe it is for each person to truly and honestly seek out with God. As stated in the beginning of this post, if we are seeking out to justify drinking so we don’t feel bad (because of the Spirit’s unction that something is wrong), then our heart is in the wrong place.

We should be very aware that as a Christian, we are to be a witness of Christ. So when we are out professing ourselves to be a Christian, what does the world see? Do our friends see Christ or do they see someone who is no different than they are? How can we say “I am of Christ” but go and do things the world does?

We are set apart, to be Holy as He is Holy. For me, I completely disagree with drunkenness and agree with God that it is wrong. The Word of God is very clear on His view of drunkenness. Even a couple of drinks will loosen our guard in-Christ and the walls of protection start to come down. We will think things that we wouldn’t normally think, we’re more easy going on slipping a bit with the tongue, and it opens other wicked doors.

I was at a friend’s last night. There was drinking going on and I had a few. I was watching myself and felt the affects of the alcohol start to take hold. My tongue got looser, I felt buzzed, and so on. I started to say things that I normally wouldn’t say. I stopped drinking at this point. I had planned to be home around 11:30. After a couple of beers, I became loose. 11:30 turned into 12, turned into 12:30, turned into 1:30. Words came out of my mouth that wouldn’t normally be spoken. It all started with 1.

I’m not going to sit here and condemn anyone for drinking. Do I think there is anything wrong with having a beer once in a while? No. Do I think being buzzed (or further) is wrong in God’s eyes? Yes. Do I think we should be witnesses of Christ? Yes. Do I think I should stop drinking all together? Yes.

Let’s put it this way. If I’m professing to be a Christian, how does it look when I walk into a store and buy a 6pk or a bottle of alcohol? What if someone from Church sees me? They don’t know that the 6pk may last me a couple of weeks. They don’t know I only drink a couple at a time. It’s all about the witness. But really, it’s all about a choice to have a heart for God or a heart for things of the flesh.

Lastly, I was once guided by God to drink wine for a stomach sickness that I had been experiencing. The stomach ailment happened a few times. Each time, it lasted for weeks. Then, the last time it happened, the Lord guided me to drink a little wine for my stomach ailment. I drank, and it cleared up within a day. It hasn’t come back again in over a year. Is this something that we can use and say that “drinking is ok”? No. It can’t be taken out of context. It was meant for that specific situation and it was led by God, with confirmations. This tells me that wine is ok as long as it is led by God. I’d have to say that the other 99.99% of the time I drink, it is led by the flesh and not God.