Wine-drinking in the Bible is a topic that encompasses various aspects of biblical life, including religious rituals, social customs, and moral teachings. The Bible presents wine as both a blessing and a potential source of moral failure, reflecting the complexity of its role in ancient society.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, wine is often depicted as a symbol of joy and God's provision. Genesis 14:18 introduces Melchizedek, king of Salem, who brought out bread and wine, indicating its use in sacred contexts. Psalm 104:14-15 acknowledges wine as a gift from God, stating, "He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart."

Wine was also integral to religious offerings and celebrations. In Exodus 29:40, wine is included in the drink offerings accompanying sacrifices. The Feast of Tabernacles, as described in Deuteronomy 14:26, encouraged the Israelites to rejoice before the Lord with wine and other produce.

However, the Old Testament also warns against the dangers of excessive wine consumption. Proverbs 20:1 cautions, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." Similarly, Isaiah 5:11-12 condemns those who rise early to pursue strong drink, neglecting the deeds of the Lord.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, wine continues to hold a significant place in both daily life and religious practice. Jesus' first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), underscores its role in celebration and hospitality. This event also signifies the abundance and joy associated with the Messianic age.

The Last Supper, as recorded in Matthew 26:27-29, includes wine as a central element of the new covenant: "Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" Here, wine symbolizes the sacrificial blood of Christ, integral to Christian communion practices.

The New Testament also addresses the potential pitfalls of wine-drinking. Ephesians 5:18 advises, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This verse highlights the importance of moderation and the priority of spiritual over physical indulgence.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

Throughout the Bible, wine-drinking is portrayed with a dual nature. It is a source of joy and a symbol of divine blessing, yet it also carries the risk of leading individuals away from righteous living. The biblical narrative encourages moderation and self-control, emphasizing that while wine can be enjoyed, it should not become a stumbling block to one's faith or moral integrity.

The Bible also acknowledges the role of personal conviction in wine-drinking. Romans 14:21 advises believers to consider the impact of their actions on others: "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble." This principle of love and consideration for others is central to the biblical approach to wine-drinking.

In summary, wine-drinking in the Bible is a multifaceted topic that reflects the cultural, religious, and ethical dimensions of biblical times. It is presented as a gift from God that requires responsible and thoughtful consumption, always mindful of its potential impact on oneself and the community.

Whether the Use of Wine is Altogether Unlawful?
... it is written (Eccles.2:3): "I thought in my heart to withdraw my flesh from wine,
that I might turn my mind to wisdom." Therefore wine-drinking is altogether ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the use of wine.htm

On Drinking.
... think that then especially ought reason to be introduced to mix in the feast, to
act the part of director (p??dagogue) to wine-drinking, lest conviviality ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii on drinking.htm

Delivered from Prison
... the people. This festival was attended by pleasure lovers from all quarters,
and there was much feasting and wine drinking. With ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 15 delivered from prison.htm

This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... the many and great signs which he had displayed even by a simple word; yet, in writing
to Timothy, to bid him take refuge in the healing virtue of wine drinking ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i this homily was.htm

Psalms and Proverbs.
... (2) Cite passages that show the evils of: sloth or indolence, of wine-drinking
and drunkenness, of tale-bearing, of family contentions. ...
/.../chapter xiii psalms and proverbs.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... flourishing in other regions, where crowds of pilgrims were still going from tomb
to tomb with baskets of provisions and flasks of wine, drinking heavily at ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

Letter Lxix. To Oceanus.
... Wine drinking means self-indulgence, self-indulgence means sensual
gratification, sensual gratification means a breach of chastity. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxix to oceanus.htm

On Infants' Early Deaths.
... all that Medicine can apply to him, however painful it may be; and that the other
indulges without restraint in baths [1552] and wine-drinking, and listens to ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on infants early deaths.htm

Modern Revivals.
... their powers in the pursuit of gain or the worship of fashion; how many are debasing
their godlike manhood by gluttony, by wine-drinking, by forbidden pleasure ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /27 modern revivals.htm

Modern Revivals
... their powers in the pursuit of gain or the worship of fashion; how many are debasing
their godlike manhood by gluttony, by wine drinking, by forbidden pleasure ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 27 modern revivals.htm

Wine-drinking (4 Occurrences)
Wine-drinking. Wine-drinker, Wine-drinking. Winefat . Multi-Version
Concordance Wine-drinking (4 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/w/wine-drinking.htm - 7k

Banquet (58 Occurrences)
... 1. The Ancient Hebrew Customs: (1) "Banquet" and "banqueting" in the King James
Version always include and stand for wine-drinking, not simply "feast" or ...
/b/banquet.htm - 36k

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)
... It is worthy of note that among the Semites vine-growing and wine-drinking have
ever been considered foreign to their traditional nomadic mode of life. ...
/n/nazirite.htm - 21k

Unhallowed (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 4:3 For the time past is sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-drinking, revels, drinkings ...
/u/unhallowed.htm - 7k

Wine-drinker (2 Occurrences)
Wine-drinker. Wine-cup, Wine-drinker. Wine-drinking . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Wine-cup, Wine-drinker. Wine-drinking . Reference Bible.
/w/wine-drinker.htm - 7k

Winefat (2 Occurrences)

/w/winefat.htm - 7k

Revels (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 4:3 For the time past is sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-drinking, revels, drinkings ...
/r/revels.htm - 7k

Drinkings (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Peter 4:3 For the time past is sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-drinking, revels, drinkings ...
/d/drinkings.htm - 6k

Drinkers (3 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 23:20 Do not be among those who give themselves to wine-drinking,
or among those who make themselves full with meat: (See NAS). ...
/d/drinkers.htm - 7k

Benediction
... One who had killed another, whether intentionally or otherwise, who had violated
the marriage vows, had given himself excessively to winedrinking or other ...
/b/benediction.htm - 12k

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