How much alcohol was in the wine in the Bible? I have read this kind of statement many times, but have never seen any historical reference. The alcoholic content of their new wine was not like our wine today. 6. But whether we drink moderately or abstain entirely is not the point. Maybe attitude is what they are looking for? Although the ancient Egyptians were not known for elaborate myth cycles, the myth is known as The Destruction of Mankind was particularly popular during the New Kingdom. . While I do have an opinion on this issue, my first intention is not to engage in this dispute here. The yeast added to ancient wines produced between 4-11% alcohol." (bing.com) This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The use of alcohol is an issue which finds a good amount of disagreement in the Church. Unfortunately, many Christians know little about the ancient Mediterranean world. 2007 4 Ways the Parable of the Sower Encourages Spiritual Growth. 23:29-35; Gal. I will report his response in "Wine in the Ancient World, Part II." However, it is believed that the alcohol content in these wines was much lower than what we are used to today. Counselor Lauren Whitman discusses. There are two main views on whether or not wine in the Bible was intoxicating or not intoxicating: This preposition is based mostly on the following arguments: (a) The wine of the First Century was watered down (i.e. This means that first-century wine was never stronger than 6% alcohol, and often was only 3% or less. We saw evidence that the wine ordinarily consumed [], Your email address will not be published. These point to the teachings of the Old Testament: But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, to drunkard or swindler. Joy and gladness are gone from the orchards and fields of Moab. This, in turn, removes some of the restrictions, keeping the wine Kosher no matter who handles it. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mothers womb (Luke 1:15). Miles. Rather, it means we must choose what is most important for us to focus on: what makes us feel good for a little while, or what gives us eternal life? There are about 5000 teenage deaths per year that are alcohol related. Wine was a staple in the ancient world. Stroke. 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. This bold claim is precisely the opposite of reality. We know that Jesus Himself miraculously turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). Psalm 104: 14-15 also gives the God inspired purpose and design of wine: to "gladden human hearts.". 11. Culinary School of the Working and Keeping: Seasonal Lessons in my Life as a Flower Farmer. The biblical references to wine suggest that it was the main alcoholic beverage of the ancient Near East. The Ancient Greeks and Romans likely watered down their wine, or more accurately added wine to their water, as a way of purifying (or hiding the foul taste) from . 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. 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 . The Bible makes it clear that Jesus drank wine (Matthew 15:11; Luke 7:33-35). Falernian, for example, was a highly-prized wine available to the upper classes with a bulldozing 16% alcohol content. First, in Matthew 26:27-29, he institutes the new covenant by sharing a cup of wine with the twelve apostles. But the alcohol content was negligible by modern standards. One would have to drink large amounts to get drunk on a 3% mix. 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. But it must be remembered that the juice of grapes, under natural circumstances, will have an alcoholic content of 10-17%, thus even a 3:1 ratio would yield a drink of 3-5%, which is similar to an average American beer. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better (Luke 5:39). Revolution There are indications of water that was poor, but many more examples of good drinking water. Stopping just short of adding RediWhip, people tossed in everything from honey to berries, from pepper to salt. 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. 5:18) and even insists that drunkenness is inconsistent with an authentic Christian lifestyle (1 Cor. 11.0. Again, the miracles purpose isnt to make a point about drinking alcohol, one way or the other. 8. Another question that often arises in regards to wine in the Bible and Christs consumption is its alcoholic strength. 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. First Century In Part 2 I will show evidence of how the alcohol . Historical data concerning the making and use of wine by the Jews and other nations in the Biblical world indicate that it was (a) often unfermented and (b) normally mixed with water. The reason for this is because wine, until recently, wasnt something Israel brought to the table, proudly placing a bottle between the rolls and potatoes. [] a previous article, we examined the ancient practice of winemaking. Animated speech. This was a big deal. However, since Jesus was tempted yet sinless (1 Peter 2:22), he drank wine but never took it so far that he got drunk. Because the lands of Israel and the climate were not ideal for vine growing, the wine produced was often of poor quality. As Christianity began to spread, the use of wine began to decline. 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). 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. All rights reserved. Thisfruit of the vine means wine. I have had several requests for Part 2 of "Wine in the Ancient World." Both Pliny and Plato refer to the "legendary" aspects of Homer's wine. Join our exclusive mailing list featuring upcoming classes, area events and wine tips. It also documents that he approved of its moderate consumption (Matthew 15:11). Depending on which side a person prefers to linger, innumerous references from the Bible can go in both directions. Through Christ, our very natures can be redeemed, and God has saved the best for lastHis Son and His kingdom. The ancient Israelites (as well as the rest of the Roman world) did not typically drink their wine straight. Add to this his descriptions of those who abuse wine and promote drunkenness (offending his sense of Stoic ethics) and it becomes obvious that Pliny is not covering the basics in grape juice production. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Additionally, wine represents joy, celebration, and festivity, expressing the abundant blessings given to us by God. His resulting nakedness needs to be covered, and Hams family is summarily cursed when Ham looks at the shame (Genesis 9). The only reference offered by Stein is his personal experience in Greece. Third Century As narrow and somewhat legalistic as those statements might have been, they werent necessarily wrong or bad. 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. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. But it would have had a bit of alcohol, hence why Jesus critics could call him a drunk and get away with it. The New Testament clearly prohibits drunkenness (Eph. Wine History He has a podcast about the Kingdom of God called Kingdom Over Coffeeand is a published author withSay Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight. His current research focuses on the Gospel of Matthew, New Testament textual criticism, and the biblical theology of the work of Christ. Festival. B. Pesahim 108b states that the wine consumed during Passover was 3:1 wine. This again indicates a very low alcoholic content in the Jewish wine. One method was boilingThe safest and easiest method of making the water safe to drink, however, was to mix it with wine. Follow MULIEBRAL VIEWPOINT on WordPress.com. The alcoholic content must have been only a fraction of what it is in todays wine. WINE: MIXED OR FULL STRENGTH? Ancient People of Teotihuacan Drank Alcohol as Nutrient Booster I want to point out one more problem I find with these various wine articles - the idea that the water was typically unsafe for drinking is another argument for diluting wine with water. Famous Christian art provides many examples of such anachronisms. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, I dont drink, cuss, smoke, chew, or run around with women who do.. The Old Testament Apocrypha also documents the practice of diluting wine with water. Absolutely right! The miracles main point was revealing the new creation reality of the new covenant. Because sugar and yeast were not yet added to wine, its alcohol content remained lower than modern day spirits. While the Bible may not give a prohibition against alcohol, nothing should have power over us. The use of wine is not the same today as it was in ancient times. But we do know that vino in Christ's day was very . The same is true of this new covenant. E-mail: abaker@churchhistory101.com. A plethora of examples (including Paul's injunction in Ephesians 5:18) could be gathered from ancient writers to show that intoxication was a concern and was not unusual in the ancient world. 1. 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. He describes the alcoholic content in wine stating that it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder, which strongly indicates alcoholic content. Many do not realize that those living in biblical days were able to keep their wine from fermenting and in fact did so regularly. This was a common enough practice that he could make an example out of it. Both the production and the quality of wine declined steadily in Europe during the early Middle Ages. Typically women and children were not allowed to drink fermented wine, but were instead given grape juice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 The Center for Faith and Culture. Though there are several examples of passages in the Bible that involve Jesus drinking wine, with the most famous one likely being The Last Supper, the Bible also includes innumerable references to wine in general, wine drinking that does not necessarily involve Christ. How strong an alcoholic content was the Old Wine of the Old and New Testaments? He would never have done so if alcohol were a sinful substance never to be consumed. Lack of sound judgement. Todays alcoholic content does not require anyone tarrying more than a few drinks to get drunk. Drunkenness is never looked at in a good light in scripture. 2 to 1Anacreon. Mary somehow knows whats happening and tries to get Jesus to help. Alcohol is defiling our nation. 15. It wasn't modern grape juice, which wasn't invented until the Methodist Rev. B. Shabbath 77a says that wine that does not mix well with three parts water is not true wine. In all of these instances, despite plenty of opportunities to do so, Jesus never condemns anyone for drinking alcohol or wine. The notion of "unfermented wine" in the Bible, comes from American fundamentalist Christians and has no basis in reality. They mixed it with water. He created many good things for us to enjoy within the parameters He set (for example, sex and marriage). We arent free if we allow any substance, alcohol included, to have power over us. The early Christians were not given to use wine to any extent. Therefore, it is inherently good (1 Timothy 4:4). Here are some terrific recommendations for deeper reading on the subject of wine in the Bible and the symbolism of wine in the Bible. Copyright 2019 Savor Each Glass 16344 Farmers Mine Road Paonia, Colorado 81428 Return Policy & Event Cancellation Policy, State Accredited Wine School: Sommelier 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. Because wine didn't have sugar or yeast added to it at the time, its alcohol content remained lower than that of modern day spirits. R.A. Baker 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. The New Testament clearly prohibits drunkenness (Eph. The core issue is remaining free and sober-minded to do the will of God. "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit . Interestingly, in several cases, Jesus uses wine to make a point about the new covenant and Gods work. 5. Drinking wine unmixed, on the other . Anacreon called unmixed wine a Scythian draught. Scythians ranked with primitive cannibals as the most barbaric of peoples. Jesus was around wine a great deal in his ministry, whether at weddings, meals, or the Passover celebration the night before his death. Strong drink is full strength wine with an alcohol content of, at most, 12-15%. Note how long it took. In the late 1800s, wine production began again in Israel. That makes your comment irrelevant; however, I allowed it with the hopes you can go back to read the full article and comment with discernment next time. This conclusion is valid IF wine in Bible times had the same alcoholic content that our wine has today. My concern as an historian is to approach and present the evidence of antiquity with accuracy; this article is a response to some presentations which have failed to do this. Again, the miracles purpose isnt to make a point about drinking alcohol. Some people possess the assumption that when food and drinks are Kosher the taste of the product drastically changes, similar to the way making a hamburger vegetarian forever alters its flavor. Slow reaction time. Water was frequently used to combat austerity. The wine in the ancient world was most likely stronger (in flavor, not necessarily alcoholic content) than modern wines to withstand such a dilution. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. This indicates a low alcoholic content in old wine. (c) During Jesus time on earth, the disciple and followers knew that the Old Testament warned of the misuse of wine and therefore encouraged moderation and self-control. Who's afraid of the multiverse? The consecration of the Eucharist took place at a time where wine was a significant part of every feasts in the society. . It does not. However, the wine of the Biblical era was much weaker than the wine we know today. 4-7%. Learn how your comment data is processed. We can see examples of this when we look at the Holy Supper: And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. This testimony agrees with the secular history of alcoholic beverages. 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. Proud member Alcohol content of ancient wine. Every person is unique and must be free to have their own convictions regarding the matter. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day (Acts 2:13-15). To Plutarch's comment - at best, a wide array of variables unrelated to the alcoholic content of wine consumed . Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luke 10:34. The data which is incorrectly presented, and which I want to address here, comes from non-Christian ancient writers including Pliny the Elder and Columella. The Spirit gives us what lasts forever. Significantly, the Bible makes it clear that Jesus drank wine (Matthew 15:11; Luke 7:33-35). God made grass for the cattle and plants for man to cultivate into three types of food: wine, bread, and oil. To answer the question we posed earlier, was New Testament wine alcoholic? 1Quotations in the above article were taken from two articles (Wine and Whiskey) in Encarta Encyclopedia 97. I have e-mailed Dr. Daeschel asking for some expert explanation on this topic. Was there alcohol in the wine in the Bible? I diluted my daughter's apple juice with 50% water when she was a baby - I guarantee that you will not like grape juice with a 2:1 dilution. However, the wine of the Biblical era was much weaker than the wine we know today. This is answered in the description the Lord gives on what it took to become drunk. The history of Israeli wine is unique in that it also involves the history of Christ. This means that wine is not necessarily classified as strong drink. 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. 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." The Bible has 17 warnings against the abuse of wine and strong drink and 19 examples of its abuse. You never risk getting drunk if you never drink. 14. New wine is that wine that has not had a chance to ferment. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. Peter could never have convinced anyone that the apostles were not drunk with any one of the alcoholic beverages we have today. 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. Wine in Aspen :: The party is winding down, and maybe theyre trying to get people to go home. But didnt Jesus keep the party going at a wedding with wine? In other words, equivalent to a modern low-alcohol beer. Today, a "low alcohol" wine is considered anything that would have met the maximum level for biblical wineabout 10 percent ABV. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Charles L. Quarles is Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology and Charles Page Chair of Biblical Theology at SEBTS. Instead, Israeli wine was filled with a reputation for being a type of drink someone should put a cork in. The scriptures leave no doubt about the alcoholic content in Bible wine. E-mail: abaker@churchhistory101.com It also documents that he approved of its moderate consumption (Matthew 15:11). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 5 Things You Should Know about the ESV Bible Translation. White, sparkling . 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. Second, those living in biblical times had developed methods to filter wine . 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). That celebration is within the context of a story of hardship and pain and Gods faithfulness and deliverance and power (the event of Israel being freed from the slavery of Egypt). John makes a big deal about the first ministerial miracle of Jesus. 3:3, 8; 5:23; Titus 2:3). I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21, For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 1 Peter 4: 3. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are viewed as particularly good, although Israel also produces several Merlots and other common varieties. Again, there can be no argument about whether the ancients diluted their wine; there are innumerable examples from ancient writers to verify this fact. The wine was of such poor quality that when Arab tribes took over Israel in the Moslem Conquest of 636, putting a stop to local wine production for 1,200 years, disappointment didnt exactly ferment. In all of these instances, despite plenty of opportunities to do so, Jesus never condemns anyone for drinking alcohol or wine. To be considered legally drunk in most states in U.S.A you must have a blood alcohol concentration, BAC of 0.08%. Whether or not Jesus drank wine, and whether or not it was condoned or condemned, is based on a great deal of speculation. For example, God created sex, and intended for it to be a good thing within marriage. 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. Another inaccuracy in these articles is the issue of diluting wine with water. No, the wine in Bible times contained enough alcohol to cause people to get drunk, which would have been more than "a little" alcohol. I have an explanation, but that will have to wait for "Wine in the Ancient World, Part II." Has today by God grass for the cattle and plants for man to cultivate into three types of:... His response in `` wine in the ancient World, Part II. we do know that vino in &. Biblical times had the same alcoholic content of, at most, 12-15 % keep wine! Equivalent to a modern low-alcohol beer times, but were instead given grape juice which... In Europe during the early Christians were not ideal for vine growing, the wine of the World... The rest of the Working and keeping: Seasonal Lessons in my Life as a Flower Farmer mocker and a. This testimony agrees with the twelve apostles beer a brawler ; whoever is led astray by them is to! 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