Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, drinks are mentioned in various contexts, ranging from daily sustenance to ceremonial use. The Scriptures provide insights into the types of beverages consumed, their symbolic meanings, and the guidelines surrounding their use.
WaterWater is the most fundamental drink mentioned in the Bible, essential for life and often symbolizing purification and spiritual renewal. In
Genesis 21:19, God provides water for Hagar and Ishmael in the desert, demonstrating His provision. Water also plays a significant role in rituals, such as in the purification rites described in
Leviticus 14:5-6.
WineWine is frequently mentioned in the Bible, both as a common beverage and as a symbol of joy and blessing. In
Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brings out bread and wine to Abram, signifying hospitality and covenant. Wine is also used in religious ceremonies, such as the Passover meal (
Exodus 12:8-10) and the Last Supper (
Matthew 26:27-29). The Bible acknowledges the potential for wine to lead to drunkenness and warns against its abuse.
Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
Strong DrinkStrong drink, or fermented beverages other than wine, is mentioned in the Bible with caution. In
Leviticus 10:9, priests are instructed not to drink wine or strong drink when entering the tent of meeting, highlighting the importance of sobriety in worship.
Isaiah 5:11 warns against those who "rise early in the morning to pursue strong drink, who linger into the evening to be inflamed by wine."
MilkMilk is another beverage referenced in the Bible, often symbolizing abundance and nourishment. The Promised Land is described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (
Exodus 3:8), indicating prosperity and divine blessing. Milk is also used metaphorically in
1 Peter 2:2, where new believers are encouraged to crave pure spiritual milk for growth in salvation.
HoneyWhile not a drink in the traditional sense, honey is sometimes consumed in liquid form and is associated with sweetness and delight. In
Proverbs 24:13, the consumption of honey is encouraged: "Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste." Honey is also used symbolically to describe the richness of God's word (
Psalm 19:10).
VinegarVinegar, a sour wine, is mentioned in the context of hardship and suffering. In
Ruth 2:14, Boaz offers Ruth bread dipped in vinegar, a gesture of kindness. Vinegar is also offered to Jesus on the cross as a form of mockery and fulfillment of prophecy (
John 19:29).
Symbolism and Spiritual SignificanceDrinks in the Bible often carry deeper spiritual meanings. Water symbolizes cleansing and life, as seen in Jesus' offer of "living water" to the Samaritan woman (
John 4:10). Wine represents the blood of Christ in the New Covenant, a central element of the Lord's Supper. The Bible uses these beverages to convey spiritual truths and to illustrate the relationship between God and His people.
Guidelines and WarningsThe Bible provides guidelines for the consumption of drinks, emphasizing moderation and self-control.
Ephesians 5:18 advises, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Believers are encouraged to exercise wisdom and discernment in their choices, ensuring that their actions honor God and reflect His holiness.
Greek
4095. pino -- to drink... Word Origin a prim. word Definition to drink NASB Word Usage drank (5),
drink (49), drinking (11),
drinks (8), drunk (1). drink.
...Strong's Hebrew
8248. shaqah -- cause to drink water, give to drink... root Definition cause to drink water, give to drink NASB Word Usage drink (23),
drinks were served (1), gave him a drink (2), gave me to drink (1), gave the a
...8354. shathah -- to drink
... NASB Word Usage certainly drink (2), drank (27), drink (138), drink the will certainly
(1), drink down (1), drinkers (1), drinking (18),drinks (9), drunk (11...
Library
A ManDrinks up a Farm.
... A ManDrinks up a Farm. A few years ago, I was going away to preach one
Sunday morning, when a young man drove up in front of us....
Letter ix. To Titus, Hierarch, Asking by Letter what is the House...
... LETTER IX. To Titus, Hierarch, asking by letter what is the house of wisdom,
what the bowl, and what are its meats anddrinks? SECTION I....
Ephraim
... Hedrinks all manner of drink, but hedrinks not wine: honey and milk are brought
in." And elsewhere: "He eateth the clusters of Keila, anddrinks honey and...
Whether Sobriety is by Itself a Special virtue?
... Objection 3: Further, just as in things pertaining to nourishment, drink is
distinguished from meat, so are there various kinds of meats and ofdrinks....
Give us Today Our Needful Bread
... give is my flesh which I shall give for the sake of the life of the world: and shortly
after: Except you eat the flesh of the son of Man anddrinks His blood...
Omar and the Sacred vine
... And for this reason, If a mandrinks wine in order to obtain pleasure, he is trying
to obtain something exceptional, something he does not expect every hour of...
Actions to be Judged of from their Motive, not from Externals....
... rare and foreign vegetables, varied with a number of courses, and well sprinkled
with pepper, and sups in the same style towards night; anddrinks honey-vinegar...
John Chapter vii. 37-39
... For if he imagines that what hedrinks ought to be only for his own satisfying,
there is no flowing of living water from his belly; but if he is quick to...
The Holy Spirit is that Large River by which the Mystical...
... But Hedrinks not the water of a stream flowing by, but thy salvation; Hedrinks
thy good dispositions, Hedrinks the cup, that is, the Passion which atoned...
The Clean and the Unclean
... Leviticus 11:2, 3. THE MOSAIC LAW ATTACHED great importance to meats anddrinks:
the Christian religion attaches none. The apostle Peter...
Thesaurus
Drinks (28 Occurrences)...Drinks (28 Occurrences). Matthew 24:49 and should begin to beat his fellow
servants, while he eats and
drinks with drunkards; (WEY RSV).
...Strong (736 Occurrences)
... Originally shekhar seems to have been a general term for intoxicatingdrinks of
all kinds, without reference to the material out of which they were made; and...
Eats (57 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eats (57 Occurrences). Matthew 24:49 and should begin
to beat his fellow servants, while he eats anddrinks with drunkards; (WEY RSV)....
Unworthy (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 11:27 Therefore whoever eats this bread ordrinks the Lord's cup in
a manner unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the...
Drinker (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whodrinks; as, the effects of tea on the drinker;
also, one whodrinks spirituous liquors to excess; a drunkard....
Fails (35 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY NAS RSV). 1 Corinthians 11:29 For any one who eats anddrinks, eats and
drinks judgement to himself, if he fails to estimate the body aright. (WEY)....
Thirst (40 Occurrences)
... John 4:13 Jesus answered her, "Everyone whodrinks of this water will thirst
again, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). John...
Drink (414 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Thedrinks of the Hebrews were water, wine, "strong
drink," and vinegar. Their drinking vessels were the...
Recognizing (10 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Corinthians 11:29 For he who eats anddrinks in an unworthy manner
eats anddrinks judgment to himself, if he doesn't discern the Lord's body....
Rightly (45 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). 1 Corinthians 11:29 For any one who eats anddrinks, eats anddrinks
judgement to himself, if he fails to estimate the body aright. (See NAS)....
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He said we must eat His flesh and drink His blood? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the importance of the Lord's supper / Christian Communion? | GotQuestions.orgShould wine or grape juice be used for communion? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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