WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT… DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?
by Betty Miller 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 much to say about many subjects; and drinking alcoholic beverages is one of them. There is a 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. Actually, there are fifteen words from the Hebrew and Greek languages, which are translated “wine” in the Bible. When we compare these words in the context in which they are used we can better understanding their scriptural meanings. 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, pri
