Daily Archives: August 8, 2025

This is the first time that Solomon addresses alcohol in the Book of Proverbs. Here he personifies alcohol. The “wine” (Hebrew yayin) that is referenced here is naturally fermented juice of crushed grapes. The “strong drink” (Hebrew šēḵār) is fortified or distilled wine made from grapes, figs, dates, or grains. The difference between the two was that

Wine or Yayin is naturally formed. Strong Drink or šēḵār is engineered by man to increase the alcoholic content per volume.

It was naturally formed wine that our Lord Jesus made at the Wedding Feast in Cana. Wine diluted with water was often used in Jewish celebrations. The Bible tells us that:

John 2:3 (ESV) When the wine {oinos} ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine {oinos}.”

Jesus had the servants of the feast take six stone jars there for the rites of Jewish purification, each able to hold around 30 gallons of water. Jesus told the servants, “fill the jars with water”, and the servants filled the jars to the brim. Jesus told them to draw out the beverage, and take it to the “master of the feast”. This man declared:

John 2:10 (ESV) Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.

Jesus made “GOOD WINE”, naturally fermented, something only God can do. That which our Lord Jesus provided was not for drunkenness, but for celebration of Biblical marriage. The Psalmist praised the Lord, saying:… Continue reading →