The term "intoxicated" in the biblical context generally refers to the state of being under the influence of alcohol to the point of impaired judgment and behavior. The Bible addresses intoxication primarily in the context of warnings against drunkenness and the moral and spiritual dangers it poses.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, intoxication is often associated with moral decay and poor decision-making. Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This verse highlights the deceptive nature of alcohol and its potential to lead individuals away from wisdom.

The account of Noah in Genesis 9:20-21 provides an early example of the consequences of intoxication: "Now Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. But when he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and uncovered himself inside his tent." Noah's intoxication led to a loss of dignity and familial discord, illustrating the personal and relational harm that can result from excessive drinking.

Similarly, in the account of Lot in Genesis 19:30-36, intoxication leads to grave sin. Lot's daughters, fearing the end of their family line, intoxicate their father to commit incest, resulting in the birth of Moab and Ammon. This narrative underscores the potential for intoxication to facilitate grievous sin.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues to warn against intoxication, emphasizing its incompatibility with a life led by the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 instructs, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Here, intoxication is contrasted with spiritual fullness, suggesting that drunkenness hinders one's relationship with God and ability to live a Spirit-led life.

In Galatians 5:19-21 , drunkenness is listed among the "acts of the flesh," which are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit. The passage warns, "Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." This stark warning highlights the seriousness with which the New Testament views intoxication as a barrier to spiritual inheritance.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays intoxication as a state that leads to moral compromise and spiritual danger. It is often linked with other sinful behaviors, such as debauchery and immorality. Isaiah 5:11-12 warns, "Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD, no respect for the work of his hands."

The biblical perspective encourages sobriety and self-control as virtues that align with a life of faithfulness to God. 1 Peter 5:8 advises, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Sobriety is thus presented as a defense against spiritual attack and a means of maintaining vigilance in one's walk with God.

Cultural and Historical Context

In biblical times, wine was a common beverage, and its consumption was a normal part of daily life and religious ceremonies. However, the Bible distinguishes between moderate use and excessive consumption leading to intoxication. The cultural context of the biblical world recognized the social and celebratory role of wine, yet it also acknowledged the potential for abuse and the resulting negative consequences.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching on intoxication serves as a cautionary guide for believers, urging them to exercise wisdom, self-control, and spiritual discernment in their use of alcohol. The consistent message across both Testaments is that intoxication leads to a loss of self-control, moral compromise, and spiritual peril, and is therefore to be avoided by those seeking to live a life pleasing to God.(imp. & p. p.) of Intoxicate.3524. nephalios -- sober
... Adjective Transliteration: nephalios Phonetic Spelling: (nay-fal'-eh-os) Short
Definition: sober, temperate Definition: sober, not intoxicated (with wine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3524.htm - 7k

3525. nepho -- to be sober, to abstain from wine
... 3525 -- properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free
from illusion, ie from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3525.htm - 7k

3184. methuo -- to be drunken
... to be drunken. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: methuo Phonetic Spelling:
(meth-oo'-o) Short Definition: I am drunk Definition: I am intoxicated with wine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3184.htm - 6k

7910. shikkor -- drunken
... drunkard,. Or shikkor {shik-kore'}; from shakar; intoxicated, as a state or a habit --
drunk(-ard, -en, -en man). see HEBREW shakar. 7909b, 7910. ...
/hebrew/7910.htm - 6k

7686. shagah -- to go astray, err
... to go astray, err NASB Word Usage commits error (1), committed a error (1), erred
(2), exhilarated (2), go astray (1), goes astray (1), intoxicated (1), leads ...
/hebrew/7686.htm - 6k

That the Mind is not Intoxicated by Wine Alone.
... Prolegomena. Chapter VI. That the mind is not intoxicated by wine alone.
The belly when filled with all kinds of food gives birth ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vi that the mind.htm

Of the Senses and their Power.
... are false, collect many instances in which the eyes are deceived; and among them
this also, that all things appear double to the mad and intoxicated, as though ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap ix of the senses and.htm

On Contrition
... Or if a man was sorry for being intoxicated because he lost his situation and injured
his health, he would not have the necessary kind of sorrow. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 18 on contrition.htm

The Waterpots at Cana
... As to the wine such as is commonly used in the East, a person must drink
inordinately before he would become intoxicated with it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the waterpots at cana.htm

The Vow of Chastity, and Its Rites in the Law; vines, Christ, and ...
... Hence, too, the heathen, becoming intoxicated, sharpen their passions for murderous
battles; for man is not so much excited, nor goes so far astray through wine ...
/.../chapter v the vow of chastity.htm

Let My Beloved Come into his Garden and Eat the Fruit of His
... What wine is this, O Saviour divine, which Thou hast drunk and with which Thou
wert so deeply intoxicated as to entirely forget Thyself? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/1 let my beloved come.htm

And He Produces a Second Illustration to Our Disadvantage...
... For in our judgment all are intoxicated who address themselves to inanimate
objects as to God. And why do I say "intoxicated?" "Insane ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxvi and he produces.htm

Whether the Sacramental Species Can Nourish?
... consecration of the bread and wine, claimed their oblations, and not sharing them
with others, took the whole, so as even to become intoxicated thereby." But ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sacramental species can 2.htm

False Professors Solemnly Warned
... Ay, I have heard of drunken professors; not men who positively reel through the
street, who are drunken in mid-day or intoxicated before their fellow-men, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/false professors solemnly warned.htm

Eudoxia's Statue
... But the Egyptian had not the least intention of again imperilling his sacred Hypocrisy
among a populace intoxicated by affection for their Archbishop. ...
/.../chapter xlvii eudoxias statue.htm

Intoxicated (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Intoxicate. Multi-Version Concordance
Intoxicated (2 Occurrences). Revelation 17:2 with ...
/i/intoxicated.htm - 7k

Abihu (12 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:4; 26:61; 1 Chronicles 24:2). It is probable that when they committed
this offence they were intoxicated, for immediately after is given the law ...
/a/abihu.htm - 12k

Nabal (18 Occurrences)
... Upon her return home she found her husband in the midst of a great celebration
("like the feast of a king"), drunken with wine, too intoxicated to realize his ...
/n/nabal.htm - 16k

Luke (4 Occurrences)
... no Syriac or Hebrew words except sikera, an exciting drink of the nature of wine,
but not made of grapes (from Hebrews shakar, "he is intoxicated", Leviticus 10 ...
/l/luke.htm - 55k

Intoxicating (1 Occurrence)

/i/intoxicating.htm - 7k

Intones (1 Occurrence)

/i/intones.htm - 6k

Intoxication (1 Occurrence)
... substance. 2. (n.) The state of being intoxicated or drunk; inebriation; ebriety;
drunkenness; the act of intoxicating or making drunk. 3 ...
/i/intoxication.htm - 7k

Tight (9 Occurrences)
... or stretched out. 9. (superl.) Handy; adroit; brisk. 10. (superl.) Somewhat
intoxicated; tipsy. 11. (superl.) Pressing; stringent ...
/t/tight.htm - 10k

Ripe (29 Occurrences)
... 7. (superl.) Like ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness. 8. (superl.) Intoxicated.
9. (vi) To ripen; to grow ripe. 10. (vt) To mature; to ripen. ...
/r/ripe.htm - 16k

Drunk (84 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Intoxicated with, or as with, strong drink; inebriated; drunken; -- never
used attributively, but always predicatively; as, the man is drunk (not, a ...
/d/drunk.htm - 34k

Why did Noah get drunk after the flood? | GotQuestions.org

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Intoxicated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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