Wine: Forbidden to the Priests While Engaged in the Tabernacle
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of ancient Israelite worship, the consumption of wine by priests was subject to specific restrictions, particularly during their service in the Tabernacle. This prohibition is rooted in the desire to maintain holiness and clarity of mind while performing sacred duties.

The primary biblical reference for this restriction is found in Leviticus 10:8-11. Following the tragic incident involving Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who offered unauthorized fire before the LORD and were consumed by fire as a result, the LORD spoke directly to Aaron, emphasizing the importance of sobriety in the priestly service. The Berean Standard Bible records this command as follows:

"Then the LORD said to Aaron, 'You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, so that you may distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and so that you may teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses.'" (Leviticus 10:8-11)

This directive underscores the necessity for priests to remain sober while performing their duties, ensuring they can accurately discern between what is holy and common, and between what is clean and unclean. The role of the priest was not only to offer sacrifices but also to instruct the people in the laws of God. Intoxication could impair judgment and lead to errors in both ritual practice and teaching.

The prohibition of wine during service is further supported by the broader biblical principle of maintaining holiness in the presence of God. The priests, as mediators between God and the people, were held to a high standard of conduct. Their service in the Tabernacle was a representation of the divine order, and any deviation from prescribed behavior could have severe consequences, as demonstrated by the fate of Nadab and Abihu.

Additionally, the restriction on wine consumption by priests during their service can be seen as a reflection of the broader biblical theme of self-control and the avoidance of excess. Proverbs 20:1 warns, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This wisdom literature reinforces the idea that sobriety is essential for those in positions of responsibility and leadership.

In summary, the prohibition of wine for priests while engaged in the Tabernacle service is a significant aspect of the Levitical code, emphasizing the need for holiness, clarity, and discernment in the worship of God. This commandment served to protect the sanctity of the priestly office and ensure the proper execution of their sacred duties.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 10:9
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest you die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The General Conference of 1832
... made equally binding: Neither shall the priests drink wine ... and denounced in the Bible,
that wine, used as ... kind, is strictly and unequivocally forbidden in the ...
/.../chapter 11 the general conference.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... In addition to these ordinary priests there is another ... of drinking again the "old
wine," and to ... of the children, but the missionary was forbidden, through the ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm

The Importance of Leading a Heavenly Life Upon Earth.
... more gladdens the heart than corn and wine," then, surely ... When others are ready,
like Baal's priests, to "cut ... earth." The same God that has forbidden thee to ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xi the importance of.htm

A vision of the Latter-Day Glories
... to the things of time." The false priests may rouse ... are come to a mountain which
is not forbidden to you ... garments, even as the garments of the wine-pressers are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a vision of the latter-day.htm

The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
... of this life; and since God has forbidden me to ... the grapes, and carry them to the
wine-presses, restrain ... mountains, and with them the Levites and the priests. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... tree in the Garden of Eden which bore the forbidden fruit ... Thereupon I saw that two
priests went out into the hall ... God, [31] like the roots of the wine and wheat ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

The Second Oration on Easter.
... measures and materials, and the Levites and Priests who carried ... we fall not into
that fault which was forbidden to Lot ... of one that treads in the full wine-press ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlv the second oration.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... their common discourse, which was also forbidden under the ... used to eat flesh and
drink wine, and to ... wonder that the Popish doctors and priests bind themselves ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... separated from her husband, nor forbidden by laws ... or confirmation, the consecration
of priests, the consecration ... While the doctrinal system of the Church was ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... Ripon Cathedral, some of the old tabernacle work of ... to her burial, and listened while
the good ... Barry, Dance, Cipriani, and Angelica Kauffman engaged to present ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

Resources
Why is the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper such a controversial issue? | GotQuestions.org

Is intinction the correct way to do communion? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about underage drinking? | GotQuestions.org

Wine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Alcohol

Alcoholism

Wine

Wine in Bottles

Wine in Excess: Forbidden

Wine in Excess: Impairs the Health

Wine in Excess: Impairs the Judgment and Memory

Wine in Excess: Inflames the Passions

Wine in Excess: Infuriates the Temper

Wine in Excess: Leads to Remorse

Wine in Excess: Leads to Sorrow and Contention

Wine in Skins (Rv)

Wine in Times of Scarcity, Was Mixed With Water

Wine of Abominations

Wine of Staggering (Rv)

Wine of the Abominations of the Apostasy

Wine of the Blessing of the Gospel

Wine of the Blood of Christ

Wine of the Divine Judgments

Wine of the Joy of Wisdom

Wine of the Joys of Spiritual Matters

Wine of the Wrath and Judgments of God

Wine of Violence and Rapine

Wine Press

Wine Press in Vineyards

Wine Press of the Judgments of God

Wine Press: General Scriptures Concerning

Wine Press: Treading The, of the Sufferings of Christ

Wine Press: Trodden With Joy and Shouting

Wine used at Meals

Wine was Kept in Bottles

Wine was Made of The Juice of the Grape

Wine was Made of The Juice of the Pomegranate

Wine was Stored in Cellars

Wine was Used for Drink offerings in Idolatrous Worship

Wine was Used for Drink offerings in the Worship of God

Wine was Used: As a Beverage from the Earliest Age

Wine was Used: As a Medicine

Wine was Used: At all Feasts and Entertainments

Wine with Corn and Oil, Denoted all Temporal Blessings

Wine: Abstinence from of Daniel

Wine: Abstinence from of the Courtiers of Ahasuerus

Wine: Abstinence from of Timothy

Wine: Admonitions Against the Use of

Wine: An Article of Extensive Commerce

Wine: Banquets of

Wine: Cellars For

Wine: Cheap Wine (Like Vinegar) Given to Jesus at the Crucifixion

Wine: Cheering God and Man

Wine: Commerce In

Wine: Consequence of Putting (When New), Into Old Bottles

Wine: Custom of Giving to Persons in Pain or Suffering, Mixed With

Wine: Custom of Presenting to Travellers

Wine: Denied to the Israelites in the Wilderness, So That They Could Know That the Lord Was Their God

Wine: Fermented

Wine: First Fruits of, to be offered to God

Wine: First Mention of

Wine: First Mode of Making, Notice

Wine: Forbidden to Kings

Wine: Forbidden to Nazarites

Wine: Forbidden to Nazarites During Their Separation

Wine: Forbidden to Priests While on Duty

Wine: Forbidden to the Priests While Engaged in the Tabernacle

Wine: from Pomegranates

Wine: Generally Made by Treading the Grapes in a Press

Wine: Given by Melchizedek to Abraham

Wine: Given in Abundance to the Jews when Obedient

Wine: Gladdening the Heart

Wine: Improved by Age

Wine: Inflames the Eyes

Wine: Intoxication from the Use of

Wine: Intoxication From: Ahasuerus

Wine: Intoxication From: Amnon

Wine: Intoxication From: Falsely Charged Against the Disciples

Wine: Intoxication From: Joseph and his Brothers

Wine: Intoxication From: Kings of Israel

Wine: Intoxication From: Lot

Wine: Intoxication From: Nabal

Wine: Intoxication From: Noah

Wine: Kept in Jars

Wine: Made by Jesus at the Marriage Feast in Cana

Wine: Made from Grapes

Wine: Making Mirthful

Wine: Many Kinds of

Wine: Medicinal Use of

Wine: New

Wine: Offered With Sacrifices

Wine: Often Spiced to Increase Its Strength

Wine: Old

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Assyria

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Canaan in General

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Helbon

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Lebanon

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Moab

Wine: Places Celebrated For: Possessions of Judah

Wine: Recommended by Paul to Timothy

Wine: Red, Most Esteemed

Wine: Refined

Wine: Refining of, Alluded To

Wine: Sacramental Use of

Wine: Samson's Mother Forbidden to Drink

Wine: Sometimes Mixed With Milk As a Beverage

Wine: Strengthening

Wine: Sweet, Esteemed for Flavour and Strength

Wine: Symbolical of the Blood of Jesus

Wine: The Jews Frequently Deprived of, As a Punishment

Wine: The Jews Frequently Drank, to Excess

Wine: The Love of Christ to be Preferred To

Wine: The Rechabites Never Drank

Wine: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Wine: Water Miraculously Turned Into

Related Terms

Wine-skins (7 Occurrences)

Wine-press (11 Occurrences)

Wine-servant (8 Occurrences)

Wine-vat (7 Occurrences)

Wine-drinking (4 Occurrences)

Wine-presses (4 Occurrences)

Wine-vats (2 Occurrences)

Wine-vine (2 Occurrences)

Wine-servants (2 Occurrences)

Wine-bottles (2 Occurrences)

Wine-crusher (2 Occurrences)

Wine-drinker (2 Occurrences)

Wine-tank (1 Occurrence)

Wine-store (1 Occurrence)

Wine-flasks (1 Occurrence)

Wine-offerings (1 Occurrence)

Wine-cup (1 Occurrence)

Wine-bibber (2 Occurrences)

Wine-cellars (1 Occurrence)

Wine-fat (1 Occurrence)

Wine-crushing (1 Occurrence)

Wine-cakes (1 Occurrence)

Wine-bibbers (1 Occurrence)

Wine-skin (2 Occurrences)

Bottles (12 Occurrences)

Vat (7 Occurrences)

Burst (33 Occurrences)

Beer (15 Occurrences)

Skins (27 Occurrences)

Vinegar (11 Occurrences)

Pours (21 Occurrences)

Presses (12 Occurrences)

Strong (736 Occurrences)

Bottle (28 Occurrences)

Stagger (20 Occurrences)

Safe (388 Occurrences)

Spilled (6 Occurrences)

Bacchus

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Preserved (27 Occurrences)

Plentiful (17 Occurrences)

Bunches (7 Occurrences)

Addicted (9 Occurrences)

Scent (6 Occurrences)

Split (36 Occurrences)

Sour (15 Occurrences)

Spilt (2 Occurrences)

Awaking (24 Occurrences)

Pouring (21 Occurrences)

Bitter (203 Occurrences)

Agape

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)

Quarter (33 Occurrences)

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Shouts (34 Occurrences)

Poured (155 Occurrences)

Appetite (22 Occurrences)

Victuals (32 Occurrences)

Summer (28 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Pomegranate (11 Occurrences)

Mirth (18 Occurrences)

Bread-maker (8 Occurrences)

Brawler (3 Occurrences)

Clusters (12 Occurrences)

Contributions (19 Occurrences)

Cracked (6 Occurrences)

Adulteries (10 Occurrences)

Storerooms (10 Occurrences)

Cana (4 Occurrences)

Asses (68 Occurrences)

Vineyards (55 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Vines (39 Occurrences)

Soothing (40 Occurrences)

Kine (24 Occurrences)

Provisions (41 Occurrences)

Wine: Forbidden to Priests While on Duty
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