How much alcohol was in the wine in the Bible? 1Quotations in the above article were taken from two articles (Wine and Whiskey) in Encarta Encyclopedia 97. Contact CH101 Whether or not Jesus drank wine, and whether or not it was condoned or condemned, is based on a great deal of speculation. Small beer and faux wine in particular, were used for this purpose. 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. Of the 23 times the word shekar appears in the Hebrew Bible, in all but two passages, it is combined with yayin, "wine," either as a word pair or in poetic parallelism. "Unfermented wine" was first invented in 1869 by Welches. Yet the locals drink it and do not get violently sick. If we cant be in control and have authority over drinking alcohol, then we shouldnt. Homer was the Star Trek of the ancient world! Today's readers reasonably conclude that the . 3 parts water to 1 part wine) so they would have had to drink a considerable amount in order to become intoxicated. The New Testament clearly prohibits drunkenness (Eph. The alcoholic content of their new wine was not like our wine today. We saw [], Fly Me to the Moon: Missional Ventures in Outer Space. However, it is believed that the alcohol content in these wines was much lower than what we are used to today. And now I understand the metaphor of the new wine. Britt Mooney (with his amazing wife, Becca) has lived as a missionary in Korea, traveled for missions to several countries, and now lives in Suwanee GA as a church planter that works bi-vocationally with Phoenix Roasters, a missional coffee company. He eventually does, going into a storage area where there were large cisterns of water for washing, also culturally important for the cleanliness of the Old Covenant Law. [] a previous article, we examined the ancient practice of winemaking. Your email address will not be published. Dr. Daeschel is a professor of food microbiology at Oregon State University. Wine shows up several times in the Gospel narratives. It is an unfortunate fact that incorrect information regarding wine in the ancient world continues to be repeated. Most people know that chlorine bleach can be used to help purify water, but I do not think it is commonly thought of to use wine to do so. Artists of previous centuries often depicted biblical figures wearing the fashions and using the technology of the artists own time rather than those of the actual biblical world (see Gerbrand van den Eeckhouts painting, Vision of Cornelius the Centurion or Rembrandts The Prodigal Son in the Brothel). To speak of its "strength," "body," "bouquet," and to say that it "improves with age" makes it obvious that this is fortified (and rather sweet) wine, perhaps with an enhanced alcoholic content. Why? First Century This is answered in the description the Lord gives on what it took to become drunk. Ian Tattersall & Rob Desalle: "A Natural History of Wine", Yale University Press: New Haven, London, 2015. Aspen Food & Wine Classic, It's Not California Wine if it's Not Breaking the Rules, Where the Health Benefits of Wine Tip to Health Risks, Award Winning Wines That Actually Won Something, Bridging the Gap: In Pursuit of Wine Enjoyment for Novices, Return Policy & Event Cancellation Policy. The same is true of this new covenant. 2 to 1Anacreon. 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. Jesus and Wine. Biblical evidence shows a consistent reference, from cover to cover, that wine is an alcoholic beverage able to make a person drunk with its overuse. Because the lands of Israel and the climate were not ideal for vine growing, the wine produced was often of poor quality. Not having access to all the modern groceries, the old ones savored all the commodities provided in the . Our personal desires should not be a consideration. [2] Moreover, the passage in the nazirite law strongly implies that wine and shekhar must both be grape products, since vv. Due to the later invention of distilling, strong drinks like liquor exceed 20% alcohol for which today's wine is coming close to matching. White, sparkling . Are You Actually a Christian Apatheist? Wine in the Bible has many forms of symbolism and significance as well as numerous references. who hath wounds without cause? Wine production on Israeli lands began thousands of years ago, perhaps even prior to the Biblical era. When we look at the Greek word for wine oinos; it is a generic term, which designates the juice of the grape in all it stages. (1 Timothy 5:23 No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) However, since Jesus was tempted yet sinless (1 Peter 2:22), he drank wine but never took it so far that he got drunk. Everywhere the Bible speaks negatively of drunkenness. Photo credit: Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages. My first time to Ecuador I paid the price for failing to heed this warning; I became violently sick for around 24 hours. For grape juice to exceed 4% alcohol, then the winemaker must add yeast. I have an explanation, but that will have to wait for "Wine in the Ancient World, Part II." 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. If the wine was in fact wine and not grape juice, then it obviously had some sort of alcohol content. Wine was a disinfectant. 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 . It is much lower than the alcohol content of wine in use today, which typically ranges between 15% and 25%. Determined to let Israeli grapes have their day in the sun, a Jewish activist and philanthropist name Baron Edmond de Rothschild began helping Jews flee oppressors, eventually helping them adapt to their Palestine settlements. Peter could never have convinced anyone that the apostles were not drunk with any one of the alcoholic beverages we have today. Verses 32-35 continue the same description; context always makes it clear when alcohol is meant. . How was this wine different? Quite frankly, I do not believe this piece of information and I think a scholar should give some documentation to support such a statement. Wine History On this point there can be little argument; it is certain that people in the ancient world drank grape juice, and oinos was sometimes used to refer to fresh, non-alcoholic wine. I'm not saying we should all like wine or drink it. The Lower Alcohol Content Of Wine In Biblical Times. That is, an average drink = 5 ounces of wine = 12 ounces of beer = 1 1/2 ounces of whiskey = 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. In fact, some passages of Scripture discuss alcohol in positive terms. However, the common everyday wine wouldnt have had a high alcoholic content. One such anachronism relates to modern Christian views of alcohol. The history of Israeli wine is unique in that it also involves the history of Christ. 23:29-35; Gal. Festival. In all my reading of ancient writers I cannot remember a single reference to this issue (while I obviously have not read all ancient documents, I have read a good many documents of first and second century writers). So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 2007 |. The juice would be collected in a special treading floor that would lead to a collecting vat. In stopping over the question of wine in biblical times, it is well known that grape juice was a valuable commodity in Middle Eastern society, and a convenience well appreciated in Bible times. "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." 5:18). Stamps, Teachout and Stein are correct when they offer data to show that wine was diluted with water, but to suggest Homer's 20:1 is ridiculous and to put forth Pliny's 8:1 as normal would also be wrong. Church History 101 Therefore, it is inherently good (1 Timothy 4:4). We party in the kingdom, but its different. [2] [3] [4] Additionally, the inhabitants of ancient Israel drank beer, and wines made from fruits other than grapes, and references to these appear in scripture. Today's wine is not like biblical wine in regards to alcoholic content. The second FLSB article begins. 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." Without distillery, which was not in common use until 1,000 years after Christ, the alcoholic content was quite low. New wine could not make anyone drunk even if they had tarried over the wine for three hours. 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. There is ancient evidence that non-alcoholic drinks were still called "wine." In ancient times drinks were called "wine" that ranged anywhere from . But the alcohol content was negligible by modern standards. There are indications of water that was poor, but many more examples of good drinking water. Ancient wine was stored undiluted in large jars called amphorae. Whether or not Jesus advocated drinking wine, and whether or not the wine he drank was alcoholic, has become a cornerstone in many historical and religious debates. First, in Matthew 26:27-29, he institutes the new covenant by sharing a cup of wine with the twelve apostles. With the adoption of modern equipment, the import of good vine stock, the encouragement given to viticulturists, and the planting of vineyards in mountain ranges, near lakes, and in flat areas, Israel wine has recently become much more appreciated, for its taste and its variety. Kidney failure. How does the Bible speak of wine and alcohol? (fermented, boiled up, etc.). First, ancient beverages did not contain distilled alcohol like modern alcoholic beverages often do. 3:3, 8; 5:23; Titus 2:3). This was a common enough practice that he could make an example out of it. No, the wine in Bible times contained enough alcohol to cause people to get drunk, which would have been more than "a little" alcohol. One method was boilingThe safest and easiest method of making the water safe to drink, however, was to mix it with wine. 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. Some hold strongly to total abstinence, while others see nothing wrong with a moderate use of alcohol. In Christ, we are completely free. The destroyer has fallen on your ripened fruit and grapes. Editors Note: In a future article, we will compare New Testament wine to modern alcoholic beverages. Meat offerings signify the good of love and wine offerings the good of faith. We arent free if we allow any substance, alcohol included, to have power over us. whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1, And in Ephesians 5:18 (one of my favorites), Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Ironically, one popular abstentionist argues that the burden of proof should fall on those who claim that Biblical wine contained alcohol. Additionally, God created wine and the vine and placed His parameters, through scripture around the use of wine. Wine in the bible is spoken of as a blessing in its unfermented state and as an intoxicant in its fermented state. The first thing Noah does post-flood . Home Those that cannot think correctly are not going to act correctly. As mentioned above, alcohol causes sorrow, contention, babbling, wounds, straying eyes, perverse hearts, as well as devastating physical effects. Gastritis. Astonishingly enough, wine that has even this low an alcoholic content is forbidden. who hath contentions? Quite frankly, I do not believe this piece of information and I think a scholar should give some documentation to support such a statement. Others refrain from alcohol as a choice or a show of self-control. Thats not very practical. 16. We keep The wines presently produced in Israel are done so in one of five regions: Galilee, Shomron, Samson, Negev, and Judean Hills. Although there are shouts, they are not shouts of joy. Jeremiah 48:32-33. They get Lot drunk and have incestuous children (Genesis 19:30-36). When they read the New Testament, they naturally imagine that things there and then must have been very much like they are here and now. The scripture is consistent on this point. We celebrate because we have been delivered by God, who loves us abundantly. Animated speech. Listen to Plato on Homer. A Class Exploring Ancient Wines Asks : The Salt The details of wine and winemaking practices in biblical times are debated among experts. The relatively little that was produced was consumed locally, and because wine was needed for Christian sacraments, it was for the most part the produce of ecclesiastical foundations. Therefore, Jesus continually uses weddings to show the new relationship available with the Father through the Son and Spirit, and we should celebrate that. We cannot live without food, but we can live without drinking alcohol. We all deal with different issues. The core issue is remaining free and sober-minded to do the will of God. Great post! Significantly, the Bible makes it clear that Jesus drank wine (Matthew 15:11; Luke 7:33-35). It can be abused or made an idol of and cause a person to make poor decisions or lose control. Some people may swear that he drank, while others may insist that he didnt. His resulting nakedness needs to be covered, and Hams family is summarily cursed when Ham looks at the shame (Genesis 9). There are many scripture references that mention drunkenness or being tempted by wine or drink: When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Genesis 9:21, Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1, Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. Proverbs 21:17, 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. Isaiah 5: 11-12. Who's afraid of the multiverse? Sign up for the Christ and Culture newsletter now! 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%. The danger of drinking water alone raises another point. First, in Matthew 26:27-29, he institutes the new covenant by sharing a cup of wine with the twelve apostles. WINE: MIXED OR FULL STRENGTH? Biblical Response: Dr. Lackey is correct that this passage refers to alcoholic wine since all the passages in the Bible that refer to wine are referring to alcoholic wine. 11. However, other texts show that the New Testament authors approved the use of wine in moderation (1 Tim. Yes, wine was mixed with water. 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