The term "wine-bibber" is used in the Bible to describe a person who habitually drinks wine excessively, often to the point of drunkenness. This term is generally used in a negative context, highlighting the moral and social implications of overindulgence in alcohol. The Bible provides several references to wine-bibbing, emphasizing the dangers and spiritual consequences associated with such behavior.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 23:20-21 : "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags." This passage warns against associating with those who indulge excessively in wine, linking such behavior to poverty and ruin. The admonition serves as a caution against the lifestyle of a wine-bibber, highlighting the potential for moral and financial downfall.

2. Proverbs 23:29-35 : This passage vividly describes the woes of those who linger long over wine, painting a picture of the physical and psychological effects of excessive drinking. It warns of the strife, complaints, and needless wounds that accompany drunkenness, illustrating the self-destructive nature of being a wine-bibber.

3. Isaiah 5:11-12 : "Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD, no respect for the work of his hands." This passage condemns those who prioritize drinking over spiritual matters, indicating that wine-bibbing leads to a disregard for God’s works and commands.

4. Matthew 11:18-19 : "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at Him, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions." Here, Jesus addresses the accusations against Him, where His critics label Him a "drunkard" or "wine-bibber." This reflects the societal tendency to judge and mischaracterize, yet Jesus emphasizes that true wisdom is demonstrated through righteous actions.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:

The Bible consistently portrays wine-bibbing as a vice that leads to moral decay and spiritual negligence. It is often associated with gluttony, laziness, and a lack of self-control, all of which are contrary to the virtues of temperance and discipline encouraged in Scripture. The warnings against wine-bibbing serve as a call to sobriety and mindfulness, urging believers to live lives that honor God and reflect His holiness.

Cultural Context:

In biblical times, wine was a common beverage, often consumed during meals and celebrations. However, the cultural acceptance of wine did not extend to excessive consumption. The term "wine-bibber" would have been understood as a derogatory label, indicating a person who lacked the restraint and wisdom expected of a faithful follower of God. The biblical admonitions against wine-bibbing reflect a broader concern for maintaining a lifestyle that is pleasing to God and beneficial to the community.

Practical Application:

For contemporary believers, the warnings against wine-bibbing underscore the importance of moderation and self-control in all areas of life. While the Bible does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol outright, it clearly condemns drunkenness and the lifestyle of a wine-bibber. Christians are encouraged to exercise discernment and to avoid behaviors that could lead to addiction, harm, or a compromised witness for Christ.3630. oinopotes -- a wine drinker
... a drunkard. From oinos and a derivative of the alternate of pino; a tippler --
winebibber. see GREEK oinos. see GREEK pino. (oinopotes) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3630.htm - 6k5433. caba' -- to imbibe, drink largely
... drunkard, fill self, Sabean, winebibber A primitive root; to quaff to satiety, ie
Become tipsy -- drunkard, fill self, Sabean, (wine-)bibber. 5432, 5433. ...
/hebrew/5433.htm - 5k

3196. yayin -- wine
... banqueting, wine, winebibber. From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as
fermented); by implication, intoxication -- banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber). ...
/hebrew/3196.htm - 6k

A Gluttonous Man and a Winebibber
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII A GLUTTONOUS MAN AND A WINEBIBBER. 'The
Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a gluttonous man and a.htm

The Friend of Publicans and Sinners
... drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of ... eating
and drinking, He could not have been called gluttonous and a wine-bibber. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the friend of publicans and.htm

Matt. Ix. 9
... "Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine-bibber, a friend ... for fasting, and let them consider
that our Lord was called "a man gluttonous and a winebibber," and He ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxx matt ix 9.htm

The Friend of Sinners
... with her lying tongue, said he was a drunken man and a wine-bibber, because he ... and
they said at once, "Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber." They called ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the friend of sinners.htm

Matt. x. 7, 8, 9
... is greater than he." Less in age, and according to the opinion of the multitude,
since they even called Him "a gluttonous man and a winebibber;" [1570] and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxvii matt x 7.htm

Cambyses.
... desecrations."The sacred bull Apis."Cambyses stabs the sacred bull."His mad
expeditions."The sand storm."Cambyses a wine-bibber."Brutal act of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter i cambyses.htm

Ninth Commandment
... Slander called Christ a gluttonous man and a winebibber. He claimed to be the Truth,
but instead of worshipping Him, men took Him and crucified Him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

The Friend of Men 223 in Nothing Does the Contrast Between Jesus ...
... contrast between himself and John, reminding the people how some of the scornful
pointed the finger at himself as "a gluttonous man and a wine-bibber, a friend ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the friend of men.htm

But, in Order that it May be More Clearly Understood...
... eating nor drinking; and they said, He hath a devil; the Son of Man came both eating
and drinking; and they said, "Lo, a glutton and wine-bibber, a friend of ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 26 but in order.htm

Noble Company.
... The Son of man came eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold a man gluttonous
and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxii noble company.htm

Winebibber (2 Occurrences)
...WINEBIBBER. ... The accusation was falsely brought against Jesus of being "a gluttonous
man and a winebibber," because, unlike John, He ate and drank with others. ...
/w/winebibber.htm - 7k

Wine-bibber (2 Occurrences)
Wine-bibber. Winebibber, Wine-bibber. Winebibbers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Winebibber, Wine-bibber. Winebibbers . Reference Bible.
/w/wine-bibber.htm - 7k

Publicans (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man
gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. ...
/p/publicans.htm - 11k

Winebibbers (1 Occurrence)

/w/winebibbers.htm - 6k

Works (379 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a
gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! ...
/w/works.htm - 40k

Joy (422 Occurrences)
... fasting (Mark 2:18-20); the fact that He came "eating and drinking," giving occasion
to the charge that He was "a gluttonous man and a winebibber" (Matthew 11 ...
/j/joy.htm - 48k

Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)
... In contrast with John the Baptist, who was a Nazirite from birth (Luke 1:15),
Jesus was called by His enemies a "wine-bibber" (Matthew 11:19). ...
/d/drunkenness.htm - 24k

Wine (282 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man
gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. ...
/w/wine.htm - 68k

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)
... His mode of life was, indeed, so non-ascetic as to bring upon Him the reproach of
being "a gluttonous man and a winebibber" (Matthew 11:19 Luke 7:34). ...
/a/abstinence.htm - 25k

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