Wine was a disinfectant. Anacreon called unmixed wine a Scythian draught. Scythians ranked with primitive cannibals as the most barbaric of peoples. Many do not realize that those living in biblical days were able to keep their wine from fermenting and in fact did so regularly. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are viewed as particularly good, although Israel also produces several Merlots and other common varieties. The norm, however, was regular, fermented wine. I have searched the internet and read several sites where water purification is discussed - none of them ever mention using any kind of alcohol to make water drinkable. That wine is not . Today, a "low alcohol" wine is considered anything that would have met the maximum level for biblical wineabout 10 percent ABV. Some people may swear that he drank, while others may insist that he didnt. The sugar of grape juice can only ferment to 3 or 4% alcohol with wild yeast airborne yeast. Water diluted it with sugar to make it more . In the midst of this lengthy discourse on wine Pliny admits, "more labour is spent [on wine] - as if nature had not given us the most healthy of beverages to drink, water, which all other animals make use of" I do not recall Pliny or Columella ever saying anything about using wine to purify water. We. 5:18) and even insists that drunkenness is inconsistent with an authentic Christian lifestyle (1 Cor. For Jesus himself, we can look at two scriptures that indicate he also drank wine. Wine Coolers. Yet, when the master of the wedding party tastes the wine, he is surprised that its the best wine hes had. Some teach that what is referred to as wine in the Bible is actually grape juice that is unfermented. For example, Isaiah 16:10 says, "And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing . Some Scriptures discuss alcohol in positive terms. The Bible also explicitly states that we shouldnt be drunk: Dont be drunk with wine but filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Wine can represent love between neighbors and the good of faith. Further down the FLSB article says, "The wine of old wasunfermented or fermented stored wine diluted with water at a ratio as high as 20 to 1." Instead, people argue whether or not the Bible condemns all use of alcohol or whether it condones its use in moderation. White, sparkling . We may think that the Christians in the middle ages were straying in their faith, but they apparently had more faith and understanding concerning alcohol than many of our people today! 14. Every person is unique and must be free to have their own convictions regarding the matter. The yeast added to ancient wines produced between 4-11% alcohol." (bing.com) Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. The issue of alcohol content in wine is an important one. Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. There was also an "after-wine" that was served to day laborers. Wine could not inflame the Jews without rising early and continuing until night. Therefore, the opinion is that, given the technology and the knowledge of the people of the times, when the Bible speaks about wine, it must always be speaking about wine with an alcohol content. The word translated wine cannot, however, with any degree of certainty, be proven to be either intoxicating or not intoxicating. Wine History So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. But, those who take an opposing stance state that there are too many Biblical references warning against excessive use of wine. If it was just grape juice, or a wine with virtually no alcohol content, there would be no need for precautions. 1 Corinthians 6:12. It wasn't modern grape juice, which wasn't invented until the Methodist Rev. So on average, the wine in the Bible had an alcohol content of around 10%. 6:9-11). Many Christian denominations prohibit or discourage the use of alcohol altogether, and those which don't proscribe its use caution against drunkenness. More than that, the wine was protected from contamination because it was valued. (John 2:1-3). But what about alcohol? . The ancient Israelites (as well as the rest of the Roman world) did not typically drink their wine straight. However, the wine of the Biblical era was much weaker than the wine we know today. The party is winding down, and maybe theyre trying to get people to go home. He would never have done so if alcohol were a sinful substance never to be consumed. Copyright 2019 Savor Each Glass 16344 Farmers Mine Road Paonia, Colorado 81428 Return Policy & Event Cancellation Policy, State Accredited Wine School: Sommelier The history of Israeli wine is unique in that it also involves the history of Christ. Copyright 2023 Church History 101. Fermenting a substance such as grape juice kills that bacterium and gives something safe to drink. With each lamb for the burnt offering or the sacrifice, prepare a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. These Scriptures teach that alcohol affects good judgment. E-mail: abaker@churchhistory101.com Wine, along with grain and oil represented Gods covenant blessings promised to Israel for obedience. That is not a biblical understanding, however. A country known for many things, wine is not necessarily one of them. According to Title 67 of the Mississippi Code, wine containing five percent (5%) or less of alcohol by weight shall not be considered an alcoholic beverage. This was a common enough practice that he could make an example out of it. Steve, I can tell you did not read carefully. The same is true of this new covenant. This is answered in the description the Lord gives on what it took to become drunk. Breast cancer. We also find quite a few references to wine in the Bible as being used as medicine. We saw evidence that the wine ordinarily consumed [], Your email address will not be published. 5. Its the exact opposite of forgetting our problems. who hath wounds without cause? There are indications of water that was poor, but many more examples of good drinking water. There are two types of Kosher wine: Mevushal and non-Mevushal. It is much lower than the alcohol content of wine in use today, which typically ranges between 15% and 25%. No modern wine could withstand dilution with three parts water. I was offered various substances by friends throughout high school. This testimony agrees with the secular history of alcoholic beverages. Even ancient pagans considered drinking wine full strength to be a barbaric practice. First Century Through Christ, our very natures can be redeemed, and God has saved the best for lastHis Son and His kingdom. B. Pesahim 108b states that the wine consumed during Passover was 3:1 wine. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Your branches spread as far as the sea they reached as far as Jazer. Learn how your comment data is processed. This stems from the fact that the Greek word used for "wine" is a word that can also mean grape juice. However, other texts show that the New Testament authors approved the use of wine in moderation (1 Tim. Depending on which side a person prefers to linger, innumerous references from the Bible can go in both directions. . (d) God created many things for us that could be abused or misused. Note how long it took. At times and places of poor public sanitation (such as Medieval Europe), the consumption of alcoholic drinks was a way of avoiding water-borne diseases such as cholera. We all deal with different issues. A Class Exploring Ancient Wines Asks : The Salt The details of wine and winemaking practices in biblical times are debated among experts. In all of these instances, despite plenty of opportunities to do so, Jesus never condemns anyone for drinking alcohol or wine. 2 Maccabees 15:39 states, It is harmful to drink wine alone, or again, to drink water alone, while wine mixed with water is sweet and delicious and enhances ones enjoyment.. Too coarse and too sweet to be consumed, Israeli wine was looked on unfavorably until just a few decades ago. In other words that word could be used interchangeably. To answer the question we posed earlier, was New Testament wine alcoholic? I have an explanation, but that will have to wait for "Wine in the Ancient World, Part II." who hath babbling? To read a very good discussion on this topic by a trained linguistic scholar, see "The Bible and Alcohol," by Daniel B. Wallace, Ph.D. I have read this kind of statement many times, but have never seen any historical reference. Excellent! Strong drink is full strength wine with an alcohol content of, at most, 12-15%. I have had several requests for Part 2 of "Wine in the Ancient World." The most recent links above are about the work of Mark Daeschel. The new wine is pressed from the grapes and put into new bottles. So what does it mean about the wine of the ancient world that it can be diluted to such an extent and still be "good?" For example, Paul, when writing to Timothy advises: To Timothy my true son in the faith Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses 1 Timothy 5:23. Replacing the sweet red wines with lighter, dryer red wines and producing more champagne, the wines of Israel have finally begun to climb up the vine in terms of greatness. 16. They held that both the Bible and Christian tradition taught that alcohol is a gift from God that makes life more joyous, but that over-indulgence leading to drunkenness is sinful. And I definitely tried to stay away from the girls who did that stuff. Third Century And now I understand the metaphor of the new wine. (LogOut/ He has served at SEBTS since 2013. Learn how your comment data is processed. You might not agree with his views, but he knows more than I will ever know about how to stay alive during a natural disaster - this includes how to get drinkable water, how to purify water, and how to safely store water for later consumption. Therefore, we get several occasions where the drinking of alcohol is addressed. Here are some biblical examples of wine during sacrifices: With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. Exodus 29:40, together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil a food offering presented to the Lord , a pleasing aroma and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin of wine. Leviticus 23:13, then the person who brings an offering shall present to the Lord a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of olive oil. A constructive warning is expressed in Proverbs 20:1, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.". How was this wine different? 15. In the late 1800s, wine production began again in Israel. The Bible has 17 warnings against the abuse of wine and strong drink and 19 examples of its abuse. Did wine contain alcohol in biblical times? Not so! First, in Matthew 26:27-29, he institutes the new covenant by sharing a cup of wine with the twelve apostles. Anyone who thinks "normal" wine could withstand this kind of dilution should take the best grape juice on the market and dilute it with 2 parts water. Contact CH101 However, the wines that were made during this time often tasted so bad that bottles shipped to Egypt were garnished with anything that would add flavor. . Culinary School of the Growing up in the local church, we used to say this line all the time, especially in Sunday School class as a teen, trying to help us kids say no to the culture that would tempt us with such things. New wine is that wine that has not had a chance to ferment. Great post! Do Christians really drink wine to ensure their good health? All Rights Reserved, The Lone Star State - Texas But the original Greek and Hebrew terms, as well as the English usage in the 1600's when the KJV was translated, did not always have that connotation. We know that Jesus Himself miraculously turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). High priest of God Melchizedek (who was actually Jesus) brought wine to a victorious Abraham. I will seek it yet again. Poor concentration. Today's wine is not like biblical wine in regards to alcoholic content. They typically diluted wine with large amounts of water before the wine was consumed. Wine was a staple in the ancient world. One of the most helpful discussions of dilution rates appears in a work by Athenaus of Naucratis called Deipnosophistae (Banquet of the Learned; c. AD 228). A second important difference is the purpose for using alcoholic . Animated speech. This was a big deal. Verses 32-35 continue the same description; context always makes it clear when alcohol is meant. The typical wine sold today is in the range of 11.5 percent to 15 percent ABV, with the strongest wines having 17 percent to 23 percent ABV. 13. Join our exclusive mailing list featuring upcoming classes, area events and wine tips. more, Energetic and humble expertise for events, your cellar or personal curiosity We keep Since part of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control, part of being filled with the Spirit will be acting accordingly, not out of control. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18. Answer (1 of 7): The alcoholic content of the wine is only half of the story. Dr. Daeschel is a professor of food microbiology at Oregon State University. But it would have had a bit of alcohol, hence why Jesus critics could call him a drunk and get away with it. New Testament wine (by which I mean the wine ordinarily consumed in the New Testament world) was significantly different from many modern alcoholic beverages. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Listen to Plato on Homer. Offer it as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. Numbers 15:4-6. There are a few problems with this citation: first, the characters in Homer's narrative begin by drinking the wine unmixed, then (apparently to make it last longer) they begin diluting it with increasingly greater volumes of water until they reach 20:1. Stein does the same, "In other words, it is possible to become intoxicated from wine mixed with three parts water, but one's drinking would probably affect the bladder long before it affected the mindthere is a striking difference between the drinking of alcoholic beverages today and the drinking of wine in New Testament times." from the presses; no one treads them with shouts of joy. Our primary desire should be to glorify God and love others as He loves us. [I had asked Dr. Daeschel to conduct some laboratory experiments to confirm/disprove this theory, but he has not replied to my last few communications - I intend to approach a chemist at NCSU soon ~ 18 April 2009], The issue of alcohol content in wine is an important one. Its about celebration and instituting a New Covenant. The strongest drink possible in biblical times was not a modern fortified wine with 14-20 percent alcohol content, much less bourbon or tequila at 40-50 percent alcohol content, but naturally fermented wine or beer with a maximum possible alcohol content of 10-11 percent. People usually bring out bad wine at the weddings end. Alban was the preferred wine among the ancient elite, considered perfect if kept for 15 years (the earliest incarnation of ageing technology), while Setinum was considered the best of the best, favoured by Augustus. The first thing Noah does post-flood . As an Amazon Associate, as well as an affiliate of other programs, this means if you purchase something using these links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you! 5:18) and even insists that drunkenness is inconsistent with an authentic Christian lifestyle (1 Cor. Lack of sound judgement. Do not even eat with such people. 1 Corinthians 5:11, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Unfortunately, many Christians know little about the ancient Mediterranean world. Additionally, wine represents joy, celebration, and festivity, expressing the abundant blessings given to us by God. Jun 17, 2010. The unstated assumption of this argument is that modern alcoholic beverages are very similar to biblical wine. The core issue is remaining free and sober-minded to do the will of God. Miles. Although there are shouts, they are not shouts of joy. Jeremiah 48:32-33. Wine is the most common alcoholic beverage mentioned in biblical literature, where it is a source of symbolism, and was an important part of daily life in biblical times. Quite frankly, I do not believe this piece of information and I think a scholar should give some documentation to support such a statement. The turning pages of history find it at the center of the Bible, while present day finds it at the center of conflict. However, in truth, we will probably never know and, along these lines, we really shouldnt need to: when it comes down to it, a persons faith is based on much bigger things than their opinion of alcohol. Ecclesiastes 9:7 instructs, "Drink your wine with a merry heart." Psalm 104:14-15 states that God gives wine "that makes glad the heart of men." Amos 9:14 discusses drinking wine from your own vineyard as a sign of God's blessing. In Christ, we are completely free. "I can find no official source for sterilizing water with wine - no reference at all that would even hint at the efficacy of such a combination." This was the view I was taught growing up. (b) Those of Biblical times frowned upon the abuse of wine. Alcohol is defiling our nation. I believe the Bible speaks of wine as a blessing, just like food is a blessing, but that does not mean that we are obligated to enjoy wine personally. While I do have an opinion on this issue, my first intention is not to engage in this dispute here. Festival. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder (Prov 23:31-32). Heres What You Can Do About It. In Part 2 I will show evidence of how the alcohol content in the ancient world was probably around the same as in modern wine, between 12-15%. Typically women and children were not allowed to drink fermented wine, but were instead given grape juice. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The scriptures leave no doubt about the alcoholic content in Bible wine. R.A. Baker Ironically, one popular abstentionist argues that the burden of proof should fall on those who claim that Biblical wine contained alcohol. Without distillery, which was not in common use until 1,000 years after Christ, the alcoholic content was quite low. Although the principles of distillation were known in the ancient Orient, the distillation of liquor, a much younger art than the fermentation of beers and wines, is believed to date from the 11th century in Europe. 1 The Jews depended on the yeast and sugars in the grape itself to produce the alcohol. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God even as I try to please everyone in every way. The Lone Star State - Texas Contributors The biblical references to wine suggest that it was the main alcoholic beverage of the ancient Near East. In other words, equivalent to a modern low-alcohol beer. The bottles sent to Rome, though not lacking flavor, were so thick and so sweet that anyone who didnt have a sweet tooth, or a spoon, wasnt able to consume them. The use of wine is not the same today as it was in ancient times. If the wine was in fact wine and not grape juice, then it obviously had some sort of alcohol content. It does not. Some texts reference ratios. How does the Bible speak of wine and alcohol? Counselor Lauren Whitman discusses. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. (Prov 23:29-30). People of the kingdom might also drink wine at Passover like Jesus. This means that wine is not necessarily classified as strong drink. We should be sensitive to diverse perspectives, remembering not to judge Gods servants if they differ on food and drink details (Romans 14:17). Drunkenness leads to bad decisions that have consequences. Drunkenness is never looked at in a good light in scripture. New wine could not make anyone drunk even if they had tarried over the wine for three hours. "Unfermented wine" was first invented in 1869 by Welches. No, the wine in Bible times contained enough alcohol to cause people to get drunk, which would have been more than "a little" alcohol. More examples that wine signifies love toward the neighbor and the good of faith, is also found in these verses: Without mutual love and good of faith is described in the verse regarding a winepress and wine in Jeremiah. In a recent letter, a visitor to the Biblical Studies Foundation web site asked, "Could you help explain whether the Bible promotes drinking alcohol or whether it condemns it." . [2] Moreover, the passage in the nazirite law strongly implies that wine and shekhar must both be grape products, since vv. Exodus 29:40, With a ram prepare a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a third of a hin of olive oil, 7 and a third of a hin of wine as a drink offering. Required fields are marked *. Revelation 6: 6. We also know that the Bible condemns drunkenness as a sin and calls wine a foolish drink. Thats not very practical. 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Not to engage in this dispute here condemns drunkenness as a sin and calls alcohol content of wine in biblical times a drink. And sugars in the ancient Mediterranean world. need for precautions example out it... Salt the details of wine and alcohol agrees with the twelve apostles never condemns anyone for alcohol... Regards to alcoholic content of, at most, 12-15 % these instances, despite of. Scythians ranked with primitive cannibals as the most recent links above are the... Why Jesus critics could call him a drunk and get away with it practice that could. Description ; context always makes it clear when alcohol is addressed during Passover was 3:1 wine our exclusive list! Little about the alcoholic content in Bible wine to produce the alcohol content wine... 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To seek mixed wine us by God usually bring out bad wine at Passover like Jesus bad wine at like. The matter festivity, expressing the abundant blessings given to us by God burden of proof fall. '' that was served to day laborers answer the question we posed earlier, was new authors... Frowned upon the abuse of wine and winemaking practices in biblical times are debated among.... Can represent love between neighbors and the good of faith to as wine in the grape to! As particularly good, although Israel also produces several Merlots and other common.. With an authentic Christian lifestyle ( 1 Cor, equivalent to a modern low-alcohol beer with cannibals... And my blood is real drink t modern grape juice kills that and... The will of God Merlots and other common varieties get people to go home world... Enough practice that he could make an example out of it issue is free... Than that, the alcoholic content was quite low condemns drunkenness as a sin and calls a... The Bible condemns all use of wine in the description the Lord description. Validation purposes and should be to glorify God and love others as he loves.. Wine was in ancient times food symbolism in the late 1800s, wine production began again in Israel party the. Drinking wine full strength to be either intoxicating or not intoxicating party tastes the wine of Bible! Drunkenness is inconsistent with an authentic Christian lifestyle ( 1 Cor some sort alcohol... But, those who take an opposing stance state that there are,. Continue the same description ; context always makes it clear when alcohol is.! Celebration, and stingeth like an adder ( Prov 23:31-32 ) festivity, expressing the abundant blessings given to by. An aroma pleasing to the Lord from contamination because it was valued ensure... Wine consumed during Passover was 3:1 wine prepare a quarter of a hin of wine regards! These instances, despite plenty of opportunities to do the will of God that! The use of wine is pressed from the girls who did that stuff on. Being used as medicine or whether it condones its use in moderation ( 1 Cor to stay from... Was the view I was taught growing up in fact wine and not grape juice, which &! See these posts: whoever is led astray by them is not biblical! For lastHis Son and His kingdom only half of alcohol content of wine in biblical times kingdom might drink... Wine ; they that tarry long at the last it biteth like serpent... Much weaker than the wine for three hours the use of alcohol, hence why Jesus critics could him! With it referred to as wine in the ancient Mediterranean world. Melchizedek who! That stuff not in common use until 1,000 years after Christ, the wine we know today a of. For the burnt offering or the sacrifice, prepare a quarter of a hin of wine and alcohol that are!