Dictionaries :: Wine

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Wine:

The common Hebrew word for wine is yayin, from a root meaning "to boil up," "to be in a ferment." Others derive it from a root meaning "to tread out," and hence the juice of the grape trodden out. The Greek word for wine is oinos, and the Latin vinun. But besides this common Hebrew word, there are several others which are thus rendered.

(1.) Ashishah (2Sa 6:19; 1Ch 16:3; Sgs 2:5; Hsa 3:1), which, however, rather denotes a solid cake of pressed grapes, or, as in the Revised Version, a cake of raisins.

(2.) 'Asis, "sweet wine," or "new wine," the product of the same year (Sgs 8:2; Isa 49:26; Joe 1:5; 3:18; Amo 9:13), from a root meaning "to tread," hence juice trodden out or pressed out, thus referring to the method by which the juice is obtained. The power of intoxication is ascribed to it.

(3.) Hometz. See VINEGAR.

(4.) Hemer, Deu 32:14 (rendered "blood of the grape") Isa. 27:2 ("red wine"), Ezr 6:9; 7:22; Dan 5:1, 2, 4. This word conveys the idea of "foaming," as in the process of fermentation, or when poured out. It is derived from the root hamar, meaning "to boil up," and also "to be red," from the idea of boiling or becoming inflamed.

(5.) 'Enabh, a grape (Deu 32:14). The last clause of this verse should be rendered as in the Revised Version, "and of the blood of the grape ['enabh] thou drankest wine [hemer]." In Hos. 3:1 the phrase in Authorized Version, "flagons of wine," is in the Revised Version correctly "cakes of raisins." (Gen 49:11; Num 6:3; Deu 23:24, etc., where this Hebrew word is rendered in the plural "grapes.")

(6.) Mesekh, properly a mixture of wine and water with spices that increase its stimulating properties (Isa 5:22). Psa 75:8, "The wine [yayin] is red; it is full of mixture [mesekh];" Prov. 23:30, "mixed wine;" Isa 65:11, "drink offering" (R.V., "mingled wine").

(7.) Tirosh, properly "must," translated "wine" (Deu 28:51); "new wine" (Pro 3:10); "sweet wine" (Mic 6:15; R.V., "vintage"). This Hebrew word has been traced to a root meaning "to take possession of" and hence it is supposed that tirosh is so designated because in intoxicating it takes possession of the brain. Among the blessings promised to Esau (Gen 27:28) mention is made of "plenty of corn and tirosh." Palestine is called "a land of corn and tirosh" (Deu 33:28; Isa 36:17). See also Deu 28:51; 2Ch 32:28; Joe 2:19; Hsa 4:11, ("wine [yayin] and new wine [tirosh] take away the heart").

(8.) Sobhe (root meaning "to drink to excess," "to suck up," "absorb"), found only in Isa 1:22, Hsa 4:18 ("their drink; " Gesen. and marg. of R.V., "their carouse"), and Nah 1:10 ("drunken as drunkards; " lit., "soaked according to their drink; " R.V., "drenched, as it were, in their drink", i.e., according to their sobhe).

(9.) Shekar, "strong drink," any intoxicating liquor; from a root meaning "to drink deeply," "to be drunken", a generic term applied to all fermented liquors, however obtained. Num 28:7, "strong wine" (R.V., "strong drink"). It is sometimes distinguished from wine, c.g., Lev 10:9, "Do not drink wine [yayin] nor strong drink [shekar];" Num 6:3; Jdg 13:4, 7; Isa 28:7 (in all these places rendered "strong drink"). Translated "strong drink" also in Isa 5:11; 24:9; 29:9; 56:12; Pro 20:1; 31:6; Mic 2:11.

(10.) Yekebh (Deu 16:13, but in R.V. correctly "wine-press"), a vat into which the new wine flowed from the press. Joe 2:24, "their vats;" 3:13, "the fats;" Pro 3:10, "Thy presses shall burst out with new wine [tirosh];" Hag 2:16; Jer 48:33, "wine-presses;" 2Ki 6:27; Job 24:11.

(11.) Shemarim (only in plural), "lees" or "dregs" of wine. In Isa 25:6 it is rendered "wines on the lees", i.e., wine that has been kept on the lees, and therefore old wine.

(12.) Mesek, "a mixture," mixed or spiced wine, not diluted with water, but mixed with drugs and spices to increase its strength, or, as some think, mingled with the lees by being shaken (Psa 75:8; Pro 23:30).

In Act 2:13 the word gleukos, rendered "new wine," denotes properly "sweet wine." It must have been intoxicating.

In addition to wine the Hebrews also made use of what they called debash, which was obtained by boiling down must to one-half or one-third of its original bulk. In Gen 43:11 this word is rendered "honey." It was a kind of syrup, and is called by the Arabs at the present day dibs. This word occurs in the phrase "a land flowing with milk and honey" (debash), Exd 3:8, 17; 13:5; 33:3; Lev 20:24; Num 13:27. (See HONEY.)

Our Lord miraculously supplied wine at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee (Jhn 2:1-11). The Rechabites were forbidden the use of wine (Jer 35). The Nazarites also were to abstain from its use during the period of their vow (Num 6:1-4); and those who were dedicated as Nazarites from their birth were perpetually to abstain from it (Jdg 13:4,5; Luk 1:15; 7:33). The priests, too, were forbidden the use of wine and strong drink when engaged in their sacred functions (Lev 10:1,9-11). "Wine is little used now in the East, from the fact that Mohammedans are not allowed to taste it, and very few of other creeds touch it. When it is drunk, water is generally mixed with it, and this was the custom in the days of Christ also. The people indeed are everywhere very sober in hot climates; a drunken person, in fact, is never seen", (Geikie's Life of Christ). The sin of drunkenness, however, must have been not uncommon in the olden times, for it is mentioned either metaphorically or literally more than seventy times in the Bible.

A drink-offering of wine was presented with the daily sacrifice (Exd 29:40,41), and also with the offering of the first-fruits (Lev 23:13), and with various other sacrifices (Num 15:5,7,10). Wine was used at the celebration of the Passover. And when the Lord's Supper was instituted, the wine and the unleavened bread then on the paschal table were by our Lord set apart as memorials of his body and blood.

Several emphatic warnings are given in the New Testament against excess in the use of wine (Luk 21:34; Rom 13:13; Eph 5:18; 1Ti 3:8; Tts 1:7).

Nave's Topical Bible

Wine: Made

From grapes,

Gen 40:11; 49:11; Isa 25:6; Jer 40:1, 12;

from pomegranates,

Sgs 8:2.

Wine: Kept

In jars,

Jer 13:12 [R.V.]; 48:12 [R.V.];

in skins [R.V.],

Jos 9:4, 13; Job 32:19; Mat 9:17; Luk 5:37, 38;

in bottles,

Jos 9:4, 13; Job 32:19; Jer 13:12; 48:12; Mat 9:17; Luk 5:37, 38.

Wine: Cellars For

1Ch 27:27

Wine: New

Hag 1:11

Wine: Old

Luk 5:39

Wine: Medicinal Use Of

Pro 31:6, 7;

recommended by Paul to Timothy,

1Ti 5:23.

Wine: Abstinence From

Of Daniel,

Dan 1:5, 8, 16; 10:3;

of the courtiers of Ahasuerus,

Est 1:8;

of Timothy,

1Ti 5:23.

Wine: Samson's Mother Forbidden to Drink

Jdg 13:4, 5

Wine: Forbidden to Kings

Pro 31:4

Wine: Denied to the Israelites in the Wilderness

So that they could know that the Lord was their God,

Deu 29:6.

Wine: Offered with Sacrifices

Exd 29:40; Lev 23:13; Num 15:5, 10; 28:7, 14

Wine: Given by Melchizedek to Abraham

Gen 14:18

Wine: Fermented

Lev 10:9; Num 6:3; 28:7; Deu 14:26; 29:6; Pro 23:31, 32; Mar 2:22

Wine: Refined

Isa 25:6; Jer 48:11

Wine: Of Staggering [R.V.]

Psa 60:3

Wine: Inflames the Eyes

Gen 49:12

Wine: Commerce In

Rev 18:13

Wine: Banquets Of

Est 5:6

Wine: Cheap Wine (Like Vinegar) Given to Jesus at the Crucifixion

Mat 27:48; Mar 15:23; Luk 23:36; Jhn 19:29

Wine: Intoxication from the Use Of

Psa 104:15; Pro 4:17

Wine: Instances of Intoxication From:

Noah,

Gen 9:21;

Lot,

Gen 19:32;

Joseph and his brothers,

Gen 43:34;

Nabal,

1Sa 25:36;

Amnon,

2Sa 13:28,29;

Ahasuerus,

Est 1:10;

kings of Israel,

Hsa 7:5;

falsely charged against the disciples,

Act 2:13.

Wine: Figurative:

Of the divine judgments,

Psa 60:3; 75:8; Jer 51:7.

Of the joy of wisdom,

Pro 9:2, 5.

Of the joys of spiritual matters,

Isa 25:6; 55:1; Joe 2:19.

Of abominations,

Rev 14:8; 16:19.

Wine: Symbolical:

Of the blood of Jesus,

Mat 26:28; Mar 14:23, 24; Luk 22:20; Jhn 6:53-56.

Wine: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To:

Deu 14:26; 33:28; 2Ki 18:32; 2Ch 32:28; Neh 10:39; Psa 4:7; 104:14, 15; Pro 31:6, 7; Ecc 2:3, 11; Isa 56:12; Hsa 2:8, 22; 7:14; Joe 1:5; 2:24; 3:3; Amo 6:6; Hab 2:5; Hag 1:11; Zec 9:17; 10:7; 1Ti 5:23

See VINE; VINEYARD

Wine: Admonitions against the Use Of:

Lev 10:9; Num 6:3; Jdg 13:4; Pro 20:1; 21:17; 23:29-32; 31:4, 5; Isa 5:11, 22; 24:9; 28:1, 3, 7; Jer 23:9; 35:2-10, 14, 18, 19; Eze 44:21; Hsa 4:11; Luk 1:15; Rom 14:21; Eph 5:18; Tts 2:3

See ABSTINENCE; DRUNKENNESS

Wine: Used at Meals

Mat 26:27-29; Mar 14:23

Wine: Made by Jesus at the Marriage Feast in Cana

Jhn 2:9, 10

Wine: Sacramental Use Of

Mat 26:27-29; Luk 22:17-20

Wine: Forbidden

To priests while on duty,

Lev 10:9; Eze 44:21;

to Nazarites,

Num 6:2, 3;

see NAZARITE.

Thematic Subject Guide

Wine:

Gen 40:11; Gen 49:11Lev 10:9Num 6:2-3Deu 14:26; Deu 29:6; Deu 33:28Jos 9:4; Jos 9:13Jdg 13:42Ki 18:322Ch 32:28Neh 10:39Job 32:19Psa 4:7; Psa 104:14-15Pro 4:17; Pro 20:1; Pro 21:17; Pro 23:29-32; Pro 31:4-7Ecc 2:3; Ecc 2:11Sgs 8:2Isa 5:11; Isa 5:22; Isa 24:9; Isa 25:6; Isa 28:1; Isa 28:3; Isa 28:7; Isa 56:12Jer 13:12; Jer 23:9; Jer 35:2-10; Jer 35:14; Jer 35:18-19; Jer 40:10; Jer 40:12; Jer 48:12Eze 44:21Dan 1:5; Dan 1:8; Dan 1:16; Dan 10:3Hsa 2:8; Hsa 2:22; Hsa 4:11; Hsa 7:14Joe 1:5; Joe 2:24; Joe 3:3Amo 6:6Hab 2:5Hag 1:11Zec 9:17; Zec 10:7Mat 9:17; Mat 26:27-29; Mat 27:48Mar 14:23; Mar 15:23Luk 1:15; Luk 5:37-38; Luk 22:17-20; Luk 23:36Jhn 2:9-10; Jhn 19:29Rom 14:21Eph 5:181Ti 5:23Tts 2:3

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Wine: First Mention Of

Gen 9:20,21

Wine: Was Made Of

The juice of the grape

Gen 49:11

The juice of the pomegranate

Sgs 8:2

Wine: First Mode of Making, Notice

Gen 40:11

Wine: Generally Made by Treading the Grapes in a Press

Neh 13:15; Isa 63:2,3

Wine: Refining Of, Alluded To

Isa 25:6

Wine: Improved by Age

Luk 5:39

Wine: Places Celebrated For

Canaan in general

Deu 33:28

Possessions of Judah

Gen 49:8,11,12

Lebanon

Hsa 14:7

Helbon

Eze 27:18

Assyria

2Ki 18:32; Isa 36:17

Moab

Isa 16:8-10; Jer 48:32,33

Wine: Many Kinds Of

Neh 5:18

Wine: Sweet, Esteemed for Flavour and Strength

Isa 49:26; Amo 9:13; Mic 6:15

Wine: Red, Most Esteemed

Pro 23:31; Isa 27:2

Wine: Often Spiced to Increase Its Strength, &c

Pro 9:2,5; 23:30; Sgs 8:2

Wine: Was Used

As a beverage from the earliest age

Gen 9:21; 27:25

At all feasts and entertainments

Est 1:7; 5:6; Isa 5:12; Dan 5:1-4; Jhn 2:3

For drink offerings in the worship of God

Exd 29:40; Num 15:4-10

For drink offerings in idolatrous worship

Deu 32:37,38

As a medicine

Luk 10:34; 1Ti 5:23

Wine: First Fruits Of, to Be Offered to God

Deu 18:4; 2Ch 31:5

Wine: With Corn and Oil, Denoted All Temporal Blessings

Gen 27:28,37; Psa 4:7; Hsa 2:8; Joe 2:19

Wine: Given in Abundance to the Jews When Obedient

Hsa 2:22; Joe 2:19,24; Zec 9:17

Wine: The Jews Frequently Deprived Of, as a Punishment

Isa 24:7,11; Hsa 2:9; Joe 1:10; Hag 1:11; 2:16

Wine: The Jews Frequently Drank, to Excess

Isa 5:11; Joe 3:3; Amo 6:6

Wine: In Times of Scarcity, Was Mixed with Water

Isa 1:22

Wine: Sometimes Mixed with Milk as a Beverage

Sgs 5:1

Wine: Characterised As

Cheering God and man

Jdg 9:13; Zec 9:17

Gladdening the heart

Psa 104:15

Strengthening

2Sa 16:2; Sgs 2:5

Making mirthful

Est 1:10; Ecc 10:19

Wine: Custom of Presenting to Travellers

Gen 14:18; 1Sa 25:18

Wine: Custom of Giving to Persons in Pain or Suffering,

Pro 31:6; Mar 15:23

Wine: Forbidden to the priests while engaged in the tabernacle

Lev 10:9

Wine: Forbidden to Nazarites during Their Separation

Num 6:3

Wine: The Rechabites Never Drank

Jer 35:5,6

Wine: In Excess

Forbidden

Eph 5:18

Infuriates the temper

Pro 20:1

Impairs the health

1Sa 25:37; Hsa 4:11

Impairs the judgment and memory

Pro 31:4,5; Isa 28:7

Inflames the passions

Isa 5:11

Leads to sorrow and contention

Pro 23:29,30

Leads to remorse

Pro 23:31,32

Wine: An Article of Extensive Commerce

Eze 27:18

Wine: Was Stored in Cellars

1Ch 27:27

Wine: Was Kept in Bottles

1Sa 25:18; Hab 2:15

Wine: Consequence of putting (when new), into old bottles

Mat 2:22

Wine: The Love of Christ to Be Preferred To

Sgs 1:2,4

Wine: Water Miraculously Turned Into

Jhn 2:9

Wine: Illustrative

Of the blood of Christ

Mat 26:27-29

Of the blessing of the gospel

Pro 9:2,5; Isa 25:6; 55:1

Of the wrath and judgments of God

Psa 60:3; 75:8; Jer 13:12-14; 25:15-18

Of the abominations of the apostasy

Rev 17:2; 18:3

Of violence and rapine

Pro 4:17

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

1Strong's Number: g3631Greek: oinos

Wine:

is the general word for "wine." The mention of the bursting of the wineskins, Mat 9:17; Mar 2:22; Luk 5:37, implies fermentation. See also Eph 5:18 (cp. Jhn 2:10; 1Ti 3:8; Tts 2:3). In Mat 27:34, the RV has "wine" (AV, "vinegar," translating the inferior reading oxos).

The drinking of "wine" could be a stumbling block and the Apostle enjoins abstinence in this respect, as in others, so as to avoid giving an occasion of stumbling to a brother, Rom 14:21. Contrast 1Ti 5:23, which has an entirely different connection. The word is used metaphorically

(a) of the evils ministered to the nations by religious Babylon, Rev 14:8; 17:2; 18:3;

(b) of the contents of the cup of Divine wrath upon the nations and Babylon, Rev 14:10; 16:19; 19:15.

2Strong's Number: g1098Greek: gleukos

Wine:

denotes sweet "new wine," or must, Act 2:13, where the accusation shows that it was intoxicant and must have been undergoing fermentation some time. In the Sept., Job 32:19.

Note: In instituting the Lord's Supper He speaks of the contents of the cup as the "fruit of the vine." So Mar 14:25.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Wine:

The manufacture of wine is carried back in the Bible to the age of Noah (Genesis 9:20-21) to whom the discovery of the process is apparently, though not explicitly, attributed. The natural history and culture of the vine are described under a separate head. SEE [VINE]. The only other plant whose fruit is noticed as having been converted into wine was the pomegranate (Solomon 8:2). In Palestine the vintage takes place in September, and is celebrated with great rejoicing. The ripe fruit was gathered in baskets (Jeremiah 6:9) as represented in Egyptian paintings, and was carried to the wine‐press. It was then placed in the upper one of the two vats or receptacles of which the winepress was formed, and was subjected to the process of "treading," which has prevailed in all ages in Oriental and south European countries (Nehemiah 13:15; Job 24:11; Isaiah 16:10; Jeremiah 25:30; 48:33; Amos 9:13; Revelation 19:15). A certain amount of juice exuded from the ripe fruit from its own pressure before treading commenced. This appears to have been kept separate from the rest of the juice, and to have formed the "sweet wine" noticed in Acts 2:13. SEE [WINEPRESS]. The "treading" was effected by one or more men, according to the size of the vat. They encouraged one another by shouts (Isaiah 16:9-10; Jeremiah 25:30; 48:33). Their legs and garments were dyed red with the juice (Genesis 40:11; Isaiah 63:2-3). The expressed juice escaped by an aperture into the lower vat, or was at once collected in vessels. A hand‐press was occasionally used in Egypt, but we have no notice of such an instrument in the Bible. As to the subsequent treatment of the wine we have but little information. Sometimes it was preserved in its unfermented state and drunk as must, but more generally it was bottled off after fermentation and if it were designed to be kept for some time a certain amount of lees was added to give it body (Isaiah 25:6). The wine consequently required to be "refined" or strained previous to being brought to table (Isaiah 25:6). To wine, is attributed the "darkly‐flashing eye," (Genesis 40:12). Authorized Version "red," the unbridled tongue (Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 28:7) the excitement of the spirit (Proverbs 31:6; Isaiah 5:11; Zechariah 9:15; 10:7) the enchained affections of its votaries (Hosea 4:11) the perverted judgment (Proverbs 31:5; Isaiah 28:7) the indecent exposure (Habakkuk 2:15-16) and the sickness resulting from the heat (chemah, Authorized Version "bottles") of wine (Hosea 7:5). The allusions to the effects of tirosh are confined to a single passage, but this a most decisive one, viz (Hosea 4:11). "Whoredom and wine (yayin) and new wine (tirosh) take away the heart," where tirosh appears as the climax of engrossing influences, in immediate connection with yayin. It has been disputed whether the Hebrew wine was fermented; but the impression produced on the mind by a general review of the above notices is that the Hebrew words indicating wine refer to fermented, intoxicating wine. The notices of fermentation are not very decisive. A certain amount of fermentation is implied in the distension of the leather bottles when new wine was placed in them, and which was liable to burst old bottles. It is very likely that new wine was preserved in the state of must by placing it in jars or bottles and then burying it in the earth. The mingling that we read of in conjunction with wine may have been designed either to increase or to diminish the strength of the wine, according as spices or water formed the ingredient that was added. The notices chiefly favor the former view; for mingled liquor was prepared for high festivals (Proverbs 9:2; 9:5) and occasions of excess (Proverbs 23:30; Isaiah 5:22). At the same time strength was not the sole object sought; the wine "mingled with myrrh," given to Jesus, was designed to deaden pain (Mark 15:23) and the spiced pomegranate wine prepared by the bride (Solomon 8:2) may well have been of a mild character. In the New Testament the character of the "sweet wine," noticed in Acts 2:13 calls for some little remark. It could not be new wine in the proper sense of the term, inasmuch as about eight months must have elapsed between the vintage and the feast of Pentecost. The explanations of the ancient lexicographers rather lead us to infer that its luscious qualities were due, not to its being recently made, but to its being produced from the very purest juice of the grape. There can be little doubt that the wines of palestine varied in quality, and were named after the localities in which they were made. The only wines of which we have special notice belonged to Syria these were the wine of Helbon (Ezekiel 27:18) and the wine of Lebanon, famed for its aroma (Hosea 14:7). With regard to the uses of wine in private life there is little to remark. It was produced on occasions of ordinary hospitality (Genesis 14:18) and at festivals, such as marriages (John 2:3). Under the Mosaic law wine formed the usual drink offering that accompanied the daily sacrifice (Exodus 29:40) the presentation of the first‐fruits (Leviticus 23:13) and other offerings (Numbers 15:5). Tithe was to be paid of wine, as of other products. The priest was also to receive first‐fruits of wine, as of other articles (Deuteronomy 18:4 compare Exodus 22:29). The use of wine at the paschal feast was not enjoined by the law, but had become an established custom, at all events in the post‐Babylonian period. The wine was mixed with warm water on these occasions. Hence in the early Christian Church it was usual to mix the sacramental wine with water (The simple wines of antiquity were incomparably less deadly than the stupefying and ardent beverages of our western nations. The wines of antiquity were more like syrups; many of them were not intoxicant; many more intoxicant in a small degree; and all of them, as a rule, taken only when largely diluted with water. They contained, even undiluted, but 4 or 5 percent of alcohol.- Cannon Farrar.)