Definition and Terminology:
In biblical times, the term "liquor" as understood in modern contexts is not directly mentioned. However, the Bible frequently references alcoholic beverages, primarily wine and strong drink. The Hebrew word "yayin" and the Greek "oinos" are commonly translated as "wine," while "shekar" in Hebrew is often rendered as "strong drink" or "intoxicating drink."

Biblical References and Context:
The Bible contains numerous references to wine and strong drink, reflecting their common use in ancient Near Eastern culture. Wine was a staple in daily life, used in religious ceremonies, celebrations, and as a symbol of joy and blessing. However, the Scriptures also provide warnings about the potential for misuse and the moral and spiritual dangers associated with excessive consumption.

Positive Uses and Symbolism:
Wine is frequently depicted as a symbol of God's blessing and provision. In Psalm 104:14-15 , it is noted that God provides "wine that gladdens the heart of man." Additionally, wine is used in religious rituals, such as the drink offerings in the Old Testament (Exodus 29:40) and the Last Supper in the New Testament, where Jesus uses wine as a symbol of His blood (Matthew 26:27-28).

Warnings and Prohibitions:
The Bible also contains stern warnings against the abuse of alcohol. Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." The dangers of drunkenness are highlighted in several passages, including Ephesians 5:18 , which admonishes, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Moral and Spiritual Implications:
Drunkenness is consistently portrayed as a vice that leads to moral decay and spiritual downfall. The account of Noah's drunkenness (Genesis 9:20-21) and Lot's intoxication (Genesis 19:30-36) serve as cautionary tales of the consequences of overindulgence. The New Testament further emphasizes the importance of sobriety and self-control, urging believers to live lives that reflect their faith and commitment to God.

Cultural and Historical Considerations:
In biblical times, wine was often diluted with water, and its alcoholic content was generally lower than that of modern liquors. The process of fermentation and the preservation of wine were well understood, and wine was a practical necessity in a time when safe drinking water was not always available. Despite its common use, the Bible's teachings encourage moderation and caution, recognizing the potential for alcohol to lead individuals away from righteous living.

Conclusion:
While the Bible acknowledges the role of wine and strong drink in society, it consistently advocates for moderation and warns against the dangers of excess. Believers are called to exercise wisdom and self-control, ensuring that their actions align with their faith and the teachings of Scripture.Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Topicalbible.org

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

Isaiah 5:11
Woe to them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Topicalbible.org

Romans 13:13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) A distilled alcoholic beverage such as brandy, wine, whisky, beer.

2. (n.) A solution of a medicinal substance in water; -- distinguished from tincture and aqua.

3. (v. t.) To supply with liquor.

4. (v. t.) To grease.

LIQUOR

lik'-er: Every sort of intoxicating liquor except the beverage prepared from the juice of the grape (yayin), according to the usage of the Old Testament, is comprehended under the generic term shekhar (compare shakhar, to "be drunk"), rendered "strong drink" (compare Greek sikera in Luke 1:15). The two terms, yayin and shekhar, "wine" and "strong drink," are often found together and are used by Old Testament writers as an exhaustive classification of the beverages in use among the ancient Hebrews (Leviticus 10:9 1 Samuel 1:15 Proverbs 20:1, etc.).

See WINE; DRINK, STRONG.

4608. sikera -- fermented liquor
... fermented liquor. Part of Speech: Noun, Indeclinable, Other Type Transliteration:
sikera Phonetic Spelling: (sik'-er-ah) Short Definition: intoxicating drink ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4608.htm - 6k5435. sobe -- a drink, liquor
... 5434, 5435. sobe. 5436 . a drink, liquor. Transliteration: sobe Phonetic
Spelling: (so'-beh) Short Definition: drink. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/5435.htm - 6k

1831. dema -- juice
... Word Origin from dama Definition juice NASB Word Usage vintage (1). liquor. From
dama'; a tear; figuratively, juice -- liquor. see HEBREW dama'. 1830, 1831. ...
/hebrew/1831.htm - 6k

4197. mezeg -- a mixture
... liquor. From an unused root meaning to mingle (water with wine); tempered wine --
liquor. 4196, 4197. mezeg. 4198 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4197.htm - 5k

4952. mishrah -- juice
... liquor. From sharah in the sense of loosening; maceration, ie Steeped juice -- liquor.
see HEBREW sharah. 4951, 4952. mishrah. 4953 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4952.htm - 6k

7941. shekar -- intoxicating drink, strong drink
... from shakar Definition intoxicating drink, strong drink NASB Word Usage drink (2),
drink of strong (1), drink or strong (1), drunkards* (1), liquor (1), strong ...
/hebrew/7941.htm - 6k

Thy Navel is Like a Round Goblet which Wanteth not Liquor; Thy ...
... CHAPTER VII. 2. Thy navel is like a round goblet which wanteth not liquor;
thy belly is like a heap of wheat set about with lilies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/2 thy navel is like.htm

Temperance and the Teen Age
... boy life. Liquor is the greatest plague in a community, and does more to
curse the community than any other one thing. It breaks ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xvii temperance and the teen.htm

A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... This is a tremendous argument against selling liquor. ... Every man who sells liquor
has a drunken son or a drunken brother or some drunken relative. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iv a man expects.htm

A Rum-Seller's Son Blows his Brains Out.
... Mothers and fathers went to him and begged him not to sell their children
liquor. He told them it was his business to sell liquor ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a rum-sellers son blows his.htm

Hymnus Ante Cibum
... 20. Hic mihi nulla rosae spolia, nullus aromate fragrat odor, sed liquor influit
ambrosius nectareamque fidem redolet fusus ab usque Patris gremio. 25. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/iii hymnus ante cibum.htm

Of the Simple and Unchangeable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy ...
... is called simple, because it has not anything which it can lose, and because it
is not one thing and its contents another, as a cup and the liquor, or a body ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 10 of the simple and.htm

Whether Plain Water is Necessary for Baptism?
... being mixed with it: just as neither is water changed wherein meat and the like
are boiled: except the substance boiled be so dissolved that the liquor be of a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether plain water is necessary.htm

To Win Souls Requires Wisdom.
... I have had professors of religion bring persons to me, pretending they were under
conviction; for you know that people in liquor are often very fond of talking ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture x to win souls.htm

Satan's Banquet
... Satan. The young man takes it, and sips the liquor. ... opening. The governor
of the feast commandeth another liquor to be broached. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/satans banquet.htm

Drunkenness.
... We do not advocate the presence of these fountains; but while we seek to destroy
them beseechingly we cry, "Beware!" The social factor in the liquor traffic is ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/ii drunkenness.htm

Liquor (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A solution of a medicinal substance in water; -- distinguished from tincture
and aqua. 3. (vt) To supply with liquor. 4. (vt) To grease. Int. ...LIQUOR. ...
/l/liquor.htm - 9k

Drink (414 Occurrences)
... Drink, strong: (Hebrews shekar'), an intoxicating liquor (Judges 13:4; Luke 1:15;
Isaiah 5:11; Micah 2:11) distilled from corn, honey, or dates. ...
/d/drink.htm - 45k

Wine (282 Occurrences)
... (9.) Shekar, "strong drink," any intoxicating liquor; from a root meaning "to drink
deeply," "to be drunken", a generic term applied to all fermented liquors ...
/w/wine.htm - 68k

Stoop (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A vessel of liquor; a flagon. 3. (n.) A post fixed in the earth. ... 10. (vt)
To cause to incline downward; to slant; as, to stoop a cask of liquor. 11. ...
/s/stoop.htm - 10k

Strong (736 Occurrences)
... from grain or from the juice of apples, or when honeycombs are boiled down into
a sweet and strange drink, or the fruit of palm oppressed into liquor, and when ...
/s/strong.htm - 44k

Nip (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A sip or small draught; esp., a draught
of intoxicating liquor; a dram. 2. (vt) To catch and enclose ...
/n/nip.htm - 7k

Navel (4 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 7:2 Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor:
thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies. ...
/n/navel.htm - 9k

Loss (90 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) That which is lost or from which one has parted; waste; -- opposed to gain
or increase; as, the loss of liquor by leakage was considerable. ...
/l/loss.htm - 37k

Libation (29 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of pouring a liquid or liquor, usually wine,
either on the ground or on a victim in sacrifice, in honor of some deity ...
/l/libation.htm - 15k

Liquids (3 Occurrences)

/l/liquids.htm - 7k

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