The Wisest Man In The World Comments On Drinking Alcohol

By Dr. Gary M. Gulan, 1984

Introduction: A king, by the name of Solomon, became the wisest man in the world because
God granted him special wisdom, (1 Kings 3:4-15). With this special understanding, King
Solomon investigated all avenues of life in order to evaluate their benefits to mankind,
(Ecclesiates 1:16-17; 2:10-12). Solomon shared his findings on the drinking of alcohol with
us in the Book of Proverbs.
As a background to our study on drinking alcohol, Solomon uses four words in the Book of
Proverbs to describe the term "drink."
A. "Wine" (Hebrew "yayin") meaning "wine" (Proverbs 9:2,5; 20:1; 21:17; 23:30; 23:31;
31:4).
This word "wine" is used 140 times in the Old Testament and is a generic term. It can have
intoxicating properties which are mentioned in at least 20 of the 140 references and 12 of
these are used in combination with "strong drink," (Hebrew "shekar"). The alcoholic "wine"
of Bible times was more intoxicating than their other alcoholic drinks, however, this "wine"
was a "light wine" compared to the wine of our day. In Bible times the levels of alcohol were
not boosted to the higher levels of today. The ability to increase the level of alcohol started in
the Middle Ages when the Arabs invented distillation. "Alcohol" is an Arabic word. What is
now called "liquor" or "strong drink" (i.e. whiskey, gin, etc.) and "wines" increased to a 20%
alcohol level were unknown in Bible times. (R. Laird Harris in Theological Wordbook of the
Old Testament, "yakah," Vol. 1, p 376)
B. "New wine" (Hebrew "tirosh") meaning "fresh fruit juice" (Proverbs 3:10). This word is
used 38 times in the Old Testament and 20 of these are used in conjunction with grain or oil
as the fresh produce of the field. In Micah 6:15 "wine" (Hebrew "yayin) when it is alcoholic
is said to be produced from "new wine" (Hebrew "tirosh"). This word for "new wine" is
never associated with drunkenness except perhaps in Hosea 4:11 where "wine" (Hebrew
"yayin") is also mentioned. It is natural to suppose that this word "new wine," a product often
associated with fruitfulness, productivity and blessing, is to be distinguished from the "wine"
(Hebrew "'yayin") and "strong drink" (Hebrew "sheka")' which could refer to intoxicating
wine. (R. Laird Harris in Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, "tirosh," Vol. 2, page
969)
C. "Mixed wine" (Hebrew "mimsak") meaning "spiced wine," (Proverbs 13:30; 23:30).
Traditionally, these nouns have been understood to mean some kind of mixed drink, usually
wine with spices or honey (e.g. William McKane, Proverbs, "cocktails," page 393). Mixed
drink, of course, is an anachronism. Cocktails are mixtures of distilled liquors with other
liquids. Before the Arabs discovered distillation in the Middle Ages, there were no highly
alcoholic drinks like our mixed drinks. (R. Laird Harris in Theological Wordbook of the Old
Testament, "mimsak," Vol. 1, page 516)
D. "Strong drink" (Hebrew "shekar") meaning "an alcoholic beverage," (Proverbs 20:1;
30:25; 31:4,6; and drunkard in Proverbs 26:9). It is used 23 times in the Old Testament.

Strong drink was not "liquor" for there is no evidence of distilled liquor in ancient times. It
denotes, not just barley beer, but any alcoholic beverage prepared from either grain or fruit.
(Victor P. Hamilton in Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, "shakar," Vol. 2, page
927)
Solomon shares his wisdom with us about the truth of "drinking."
1. BETRAYAL OF THE DRINK
What are the deceptive traits of the drink? Solomon shares with us how the alcoholic "drink"
can mislead the drinker.
A. He stated "wine" was a mocker, (Proverbs 20:1) probably referring to the way wine can
take advantage of the drinker.
B. He stated "strong drink" is raging, (Proverbs 20:1) probably referring to the unrest or
commotion caused by the drink.
C. He stated "wine" looks harmless, but it bites like a serpent, (Proverbs 23:32).
D. He stated "wine" looks harmless, but it stings like an adder, (Proverbs 23:32).
E. He stated you may not be sick when you start drinking, but you may end up stricken,
(Proverbs 23:35).
F. He stated that when you start drinking you may feel good, but you will end up feeling like
someone beat you, (Proverbs 23:35).
2. BRUTALITY OF THE DRINK
What will happen to the drinker? Solomon warns that those who drink will experience at
least six harmful results.
A. Woe, (Proverbs 23:29).
B. Sorrow, (Proverbs 23:29).
C. Contentions, (Proverbs 23:29).
D. Babbling, (Proverbs 23:29).
E. Wounds without cause, (Proverbs 23:29).
F. Redness of eyes, (Proverbs 23:29).
3. BEHAVIOR WITH THE DRINK
What is the effect of the drink on the drinker? Solomon reveals at least six harmful effects of
drinking alcohol.

A. Drinking causes changes in your views of right and wrong, (Proverbs 23:33).
B. Drinking causes you to speak perverse things, (Proverbs 23:33).
C. Drinking causes your balance to be upset, (Proverbs 23:34).
D. Drinking causes you to forget God's Word, (Proverbs 31:5).
E. Drinking causes changes in your ability to judge things, (Proverbs 31:5).
F. Drinking causes you to forget, (Proverbs 31:6-7)
4. BONDAGE OF THE DRINK
How do people become in bondage to the drink? Solomon makes known how bondage to the
drink happens. These are the areas that will need to be addressed in breaking the "bondage"
to drinking.
A. Bondage will occur when one develops a desire or love for the drink, (Proverbs 21:17).
B. Bondage will occur when one joins company with other drinkers, (Proverbs 23:20).
C. Bondage will occur when one drinks too much or drinks too often, (Proverbs 23:30).
D. Bondage will occur when one wants to forget something, to escape from reality, or fail to
deal with responsibility, (Proverbs 31:6-7).
5. BANKRUPTCY FROM THE DRINK
Where will the drink lead the drinker? Solomon states the end result of the drinker's life.
A. The drink will bring financial poverty, (Proverbs 23:21; 21:17).
B. The drink will compromise your morals and bring spiritual poverty, (Proverbs 23:33).
C. The drink will bring physical suffering, (Proverbs 20:1; 23:32,35).
6. BOLDNESS AGAINST THE DRINK
Why should someone avoid drinking? Solomon gives good advice on avoiding the drink.
A. Do not find company among drinkers of alcohol, (Proverbs 23:20).
B. Do not drink alcoholic wine, (Proverbs 23:31)
C. Do not drink alcohol as a regular beverage, (Proverbs 31:6-7). Social drinking is never
recommended, however, "strong drink" (Hebrew "shakar") for the individual ready to die and

"wine" (Hebrew "yayin") for those with a heavy or bitter of heart, were recommended to
cause a temporary distraction (Proverbs 31:8-9).
D. Do not drink alcohol especially if you are in a position of authority or leadership, (i.e.
kings or princes, Proverbs 31:4).
Conclusion: A spiritually reoccurring theme in the Old Testament is that: those in authority
or leadership, (Proverbs 31:4); those in ministry, (Leviticus 10:8-11); and those consecrated
unto the Lord, (Numbers 6:20); should not drink alcoholic beverages (which were not a
potent as ours is today).
Based on the foundational truths found in the Old Testament, it would seem as though
wisdom would dictate "abstinence" from alcoholic beverages for the Christian in the New
Testament.
Christians hold a position of authority or leadership, ("royal priesthood" 1 Peter 2:9).
Christians are in the ministry, ("priesthood," 1 Peter 2:9). Christians are consecrated unto the
Lord (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). In fact the leaders of the church are not to drink alcoholic
beverages ( 1 Timothy 3:3), and Christians are to follow the example of their leaders, (1
Timothy 4:12).