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Proverbs 20:1 (KJV): Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:
and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1 (AMP): Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler,
and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise.
The Bible has defined set of rules for us to follow and live our
lives accordingly. The Bible has also mentioned about drinking alcohol
and its consequences. To a large extent there is a strong debate
in religious circles in regard to the question - was the wine in
the Bible referring to grape juice or fermented grape juice, which
is alcoholic in nature?
To answer this question we must study the original language in which
the Bible was written.
In all there are fifteen words from the Hebrew and Greek languages,
which when translated were termed as "wine" in the Bible. To have
a better idea what exactly is the scriptural meaning, lets compare
these words in the context in which they were written.
The first scripture in which wine is mentioned is found in the book
of Genesis. The Hebrew word used there is "yayin." It always means
fermented wine, primarily from grapes.
Genesis 9:20-21:
20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard.
21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered
within his tent.
Noah could not have become drunk by drinking grape juice, so
we must assume he drank an alcoholic beverage made from the grapes
of his vineyard.
The New Testament word translated wine is usually the Greek word
"oinos." We also find in the New Testament the account of Jesus
performing his first miracle, which was turning water into wine.
You can read the entire account of this miracle in John 2: 1-11.
9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made
wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the
water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom.
10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth
good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse:
but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Notice in verse 10 the comment that men usually served
the good wine first and kept the wine that was not as good to be
served lastly so that its quality was not noticed. This had to be
a reference to fermented wine, as the alcoholic content of the wine
would be more inclined to cause them not to notice bad wine later
in the evening after they had a few drinks.
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