In the context of the Bible, "liquors" generally refer to alcoholic beverages, which include wine, strong drink, and other fermented substances. The Bible provides various references to the consumption, production, and effects of alcoholic beverages, offering both cautionary and permissible perspectives.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently mentions wine and strong drink. Wine was a common part of daily life and religious ceremonies. For instance, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine to Abram (Genesis 14:18). Wine was also used in offerings to God, as seen in the instructions for the drink offering in the book of Numbers (Numbers 15:5-10).

However, the Old Testament also warns against the excessive consumption of alcohol. Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This highlights the potential for alcohol to lead individuals away from wisdom and righteousness. Similarly, Isaiah 5:11 warns, "Woe to those who rise early in the morning to pursue strong drink, who linger into the evening to be inflamed by wine."

The Nazarite vow, as described in Numbers 6:1-4, required abstinence from wine and strong drink, indicating a special dedication to God that involved avoiding intoxicating substances.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, wine continues to play a significant role. Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), which underscores the cultural and social importance of wine. Additionally, wine is central to the Last Supper, where Jesus uses it as a symbol of His blood in the institution of the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:27-29).

The New Testament also advises moderation and warns against drunkenness. Ephesians 5:18 instructs, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This verse contrasts the negative effects of drunkenness with the positive influence of the Holy Spirit.

Paul advises Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach ailments (1 Timothy 5:23), suggesting that wine was also recognized for its medicinal properties.

Cultural and Historical Context

In biblical times, wine was a staple beverage due to the scarcity of clean water. It was often diluted with water to reduce its potency. The process of fermentation was well understood, and wine was a significant agricultural product.

The term "strong drink" in the Bible typically refers to beverages with higher alcohol content than wine, possibly similar to modern-day liquors or spirits. These were less common but still present in ancient cultures.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible's treatment of alcohol reflects a balance between its acceptance as a part of daily life and its potential for abuse. The scriptures encourage moderation, self-control, and awareness of the impact of one's actions on others. Romans 14:21 advises, "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble."

Overall, the biblical perspective on liquors emphasizes the importance of using discernment and maintaining a lifestyle that honors God and respects others.

Evil Habits and Injurious Indulgences.
... powerful antiseptic. It is the intoxicating ingredient found in distilled
liquors. An appetite for spirituous liquors is unnatural. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xiv evil habits and.htm

Whether Wine of the Grape is the Proper Matter of this Sacrament?
... Now that is properly called wine, which is drawn from the grape, whereas other liquors
are called wine from resemblance to the wine of the grape. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether wine of the grape.htm

An Account of the General Conference of 1796
... The following rule respecting the use and sale of spirituous liquors was made, and
still continues, unhappily, [Bangs apparently thought that the regulation ...
/.../chapter 2 an account of.htm

Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
... The men who distil liquors are, for the most part, unscrupulous; and the higher
the tax, the more inducement to illicit distillation. Oh! ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/talmage a bloody monster.htm

The General Conference of 1832
... "The duty and necessity of strict and exemplary abstinence from indulgence in the
use of ardent spirits and intoxicating liquors of every sort, will be found ...
/.../chapter 11 the general conference.htm

The Making of the King James Version; Its
... horse, though he is an ungainly rider, and has fallen off his horse three or four
times during his royal progress; is a heavy drinker of the liquors of the ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture ii the making of.htm

The General Conference of 1820
... preachers, " to the instruction of children " to the condition of the slaves, "
to the cause of missions " to the use of spirituous liquors, " to the ...
/.../chapter 5 the general conference.htm

Of Positiveness.
... They are the gentle insinuations which pierce (as oil is the most penetrating of
all liquors) but in these Magisterial documents men think themselves attacked ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section xi of positiveness.htm

The Second Awakening.
... Wine and liquors were kept in many rooms; intemperance, profanity, gambling, and
licentiousness were common. I hardly know how I escaped. . . . ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xiv the second awakening.htm

Chapter four
... some of them in his paper. What would He do with that other long advertisement
of choice liquors and cigars? As a member of a church ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter four.htm

Liquors (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Liquors (1 Occurrence). Exodus 22:29 Thou shalt
not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of ...
/l/liquors.htm - 6k

Drink (414 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To quaff exhilarating or intoxicating liquors, in merriment or feasting;
to carouse; to revel; hence, to lake alcoholic liquors to excess; to be ...
/d/drink.htm - 45k

Drinking (114 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The practice of partaking to excess of intoxicating liquors. 4. (n.) An
entertainment with liquors; a carousal. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/drinking.htm - 38k

Bar (27 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) Any tribunal; as, the bar of public opinion; the bar of God. 11. (n.) A
barrier or counter, over which liquors and food are passed to customers; hence ...
/b/bar.htm - 21k

Still (2005 Occurrences)
... 18. (n.) A vessel, boiler, or copper used in the distillation of liquids; specifically,
one used for the distillation of alcoholic liquors; a retort. ...
/s/still.htm - 10k

Sober (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Temperate in the use of spirituous
liquors; habitually temperate; as, a sober man. 2. (superl ...
/s/sober.htm - 12k

Spirit (706 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) Rum, whisky, brandy, gin, and other distilled liquors having much
alcohol, in distinction from wine and malt liquors. 14. ...
/s/spirit.htm - 101k

Strong (736 Occurrences)
... or coffee. 11. (superl.) Full of spirit; containing a large proportion
of alcohol; intoxicating; as, strong liquors. 12. (superl ...
/s/strong.htm - 44k

Liquor (5 Occurrences)

/l/liquor.htm - 9k

List (17 Occurrences)

/l/list.htm - 14k

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