Imbibe
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The term "imbibe" generally means to drink or absorb, often used in the context of consuming liquids. In a broader sense, it can also refer to the assimilation of ideas or knowledge. Within the biblical context, the concept of imbibing can be explored through various passages that discuss drinking, both literally and metaphorically.

Literal Drinking

The Bible contains numerous references to the act of drinking, often in the context of wine. Wine is a common element in biblical narratives, symbolizing both blessing and potential moral pitfalls. For instance, in the Old Testament, wine is frequently associated with joy and celebration. Psalm 104:15 states, "wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart." Here, wine is depicted as a gift from God that brings joy and sustenance.

However, the Bible also warns against the dangers of excessive drinking. Proverbs 20:1 cautions, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This verse highlights the potential for wine to lead individuals away from wisdom and righteousness if consumed irresponsibly.

Metaphorical Drinking

Beyond the literal sense, the Bible uses the concept of drinking metaphorically to describe the intake of spiritual nourishment and wisdom. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the metaphor of drinking to convey spiritual truths. In John 4:14 , Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well, "But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life." Here, Jesus speaks of the spiritual sustenance and eternal life that come from accepting His teachings and salvation.

Similarly, in John 7:37-38 , Jesus declares, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." This invitation to "drink" is an invitation to believe in Christ and receive the Holy Spirit, who provides ongoing spiritual refreshment and life.

Imbibing Wisdom

The Bible also encourages believers to imbibe wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 9:5 invites, "Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed." This passage personifies wisdom as a hostess offering sustenance, urging individuals to partake in the wisdom that leads to life and understanding.

In the epistles, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to be filled with the Spirit rather than with wine. Ephesians 5:18 advises, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This contrast underscores the importance of seeking spiritual fulfillment and guidance from the Holy Spirit rather than relying on physical substances.

Conclusion

The concept of imbibing in the Bible encompasses both the literal act of drinking and the metaphorical intake of spiritual truths and wisdom. While wine is acknowledged as a gift that can bring joy, the Scriptures consistently warn against its misuse. More importantly, believers are encouraged to seek spiritual nourishment through Christ and the Holy Spirit, ensuring that their lives are guided by divine wisdom and understanding.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. t.) To drink in; to absorb; to suck or take in; to receive as by drinking; as, a person imbibes drink, or a sponge imbibes moisture.

2. (v. t.) To receive or absorb into the mind and retain; as, to imbibe principles; to imbibe errors.

3. (v. t.) To saturate; to imbue.

Greek
4095. pino -- to drink
... pino. 4096 . to drink. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pino Phonetic Spelling:
(pee'-no) Short Definition: I drink, imbibe Definition: I drink, imbibe. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4095.htm - 8k
Strong's Hebrew
5433a. saba -- to imbibe, drink largely
... 5433, 5433a. saba. 5433b . to imbibe, drink largely. Transliteration: saba
Short Definition: heavily. Word Origin a prim. root Definition ...
/hebrew/5433a.htm - 5k

5433. caba' -- to imbibe, drink largely
... caba'. 5433a . to imbibe, drink largely. Transliteration: caba' Phonetic Spelling:
(saw-baw') Short Definition: drunkard. drunkard, fill self, Sabean, winebibber ...
/hebrew/5433.htm - 5k

7937. shakar -- to be or become drunk or drunken
... root Definition to be or become drunk or drunken NASB Word Usage became drunk (1),
become drunk (5), drank freely (1), drunk (5), imbibe deeply (1 ...
/hebrew/7937.htm - 6k

8354. shathah -- to drink
... A primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively) -- X assuredly, banquet,
X certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk (X -ard), surely. (Prop. ...
/hebrew/8354.htm - 6k

Library

Wherefore we Find, that to Learn These Things Whereof we Imbibe ...
... Book X Chapter XI Wherefore we find, that to learn these things whereof
we imbibe nor the images by? Wherefore we find, that to ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xi wherefore we find.htm

Trials to be Met.
... Who does not know that they are likely to imbibe the spirit of the nation in which
they live, whether on the one hand it be that of industry and enterprise, or ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter viii trials to be.htm

The Mission of Little Children
... I know that even a child will soon become artful, and imbibe the spirit of dealing
and of policy. But in a strongly comparative sense, the child is artless. ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the mission of little children.htm

The Sixth Season
... discern such beauty and glory in any creature as I have now seen in God." You must
avoid all occasions of distraction from without, and imbibe that intenseness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/vi the sixth season.htm

The Primeval Hovering of the Spirit of God Over the Waters Typical ...
... for the Spirit immediately supervenes from the heavens, and rests over the waters,
sanctifying them from Himself; and being thus sanctified, they imbibe at the ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter iv the primeval hovering of.htm

The Mind of Jesus.
... But neither must we overlook the Scripture obligation to walk in His footsteps and
imbibe His Spirit, for "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/the mind of jesus.htm

General Consistency of the Apostle.
... If you wish to imbibe to the utmost all knowledge of the apostle, in order to
understand with what an axe of censorship he lops, and eradicates, and extirpates ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xvi general consistency of the.htm

Of the Presence of God
... the lips of the affections; but as soon as the milk of Divine Grace flows freely,
we have nothing to do but, in repose and stillness, sweetly to imbibe it; and ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xii of the presence.htm

Having Sufficiently Established the Charge of Idolatry, which ...
... is with the places of exhibition, that they are not polluting in themselves, but
owing to the things that are done in them from which they imbibe impurity, and ...
/.../the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xiv having sufficiently established.htm

Spiritual Culture.
... By looking into this perfect law of God and continuing in its teaching one will
imbibe its spirit, its life, its power, until his own life will reveal the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xi spiritual culture.htm

Thesaurus
Imbibe (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) To receive or absorb into the mind and retain; as, to imbibe principles;
to imbibe errors. 3. (vt) To saturate; to imbue. ...Imbibe (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/imbibe.htm - 7k

Drink (414 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To swallow anything liquid, for quenching thirst or other purpose; to imbibe;
to receive or partake of, as if in satisfaction of thirst; as, to drink ...
/d/drink.htm - 45k

Suck (22 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To draw in, or imbibe, by any process resembles sucking; to inhale; to absorb;
as, to suck in air; the roots of plants suck water from the ground. ...
/s/suck.htm - 14k

Imim (1 Occurrence)

/i/imim.htm - 6k

Imalcue

/i/imalcue.htm - 6k

Sabaeans
... Joel 3:8 the King James Version), cebha'-im; Sabaeim, Sebaeim (Isaiah 45:14); read
cabha'im, but rendered as though from cabha', "to imbibe," hence, "drunkards ...
/s/sabaeans.htm - 9k

Sip (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To drink or imbibe in small quantities; especially, to take in with
the lips in small quantities, as a liquid; as, to sip tea. ...
/s/sip.htm - 7k

Resources
Imbibe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance
Imbibe (1 Occurrence)

Song of Songs 5:1
I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; to take my myrrh with my spice; my wax with my honey; my wine with my milk. Take meat, O friends; take wine, yes, be overcome with love.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Imbibe

Related Terms

Imitate (13 Occurrences)

Imbibe (1 Occurrence)

Feeding (37 Occurrences)

Imalcue
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