Portal:Bible/Featured article/August, 2008

Alcoholic beverages appear repeatedly in biblical literature – from Noah planting a vineyard and getting drunk to Jesus miraculously making copious amounts of wine at the wedding at Cana and later incorporating wine as part of the central rite of Christianity, the Eucharist. Wine is the most common alcoholic beverage mentioned in biblical literature, where it is a frequent source of symbolism, and was an important part of daily life in biblical times. The inhabitants of ancient Palestine also drank beer and wines made from fruits other than grapes. On the whole, biblical literature displays an ambivalence toward intoxicating drinks, considering them both a blessing from God that brings joy and merriment and potentially dangerous beverages that can be unwisely and sinfully abused. Biblical interpreters generally agree that the Hebrew and Christian scriptures condemn ordinary drunkenness as a serious spiritual and moral failing. Certain persons were forbidden in the Hebrew Bible to partake of wine because of their vows and duties. Kings were forbidden to abuse alcohol lest their judgments be unjust. It was forbidden to priests on duty, though the priests were given "the finest new wine" from the first fruits offerings for drinking outside the tabernacle and temple. The Naziritic vow excluded not only wine, but also vinegar, grapes, and raisins, though when Nazirites completed the term of their vow, they were required to present wine as part of their sacrificial offerings and could drink of it. While John the Baptist adopted such a regimen, Jesus evidently did not during his three years of ministry depicted in the Gospels. (more...)