Intoxication, as referenced in the Bible, primarily pertains to the excessive consumption of alcohol leading to impaired judgment and behavior. The Scriptures provide numerous warnings and teachings regarding the dangers and moral implications of intoxication.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains several accounts and admonitions concerning intoxication. One of the earliest instances is found in the account of Noah. After the flood, Noah became drunk from the wine he produced, leading to a shameful incident involving his sons (Genesis 9:20-21). This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability and potential disgrace associated with drunkenness.

Proverbs offers wisdom literature that frequently addresses the perils of intoxication. 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 and destructive nature of alcohol when consumed excessively. Additionally, Proverbs 23:29-35 provides a vivid description of the woes and consequences of drunkenness, warning against the allure of wine and the resulting physical and moral decline.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to address the issue of intoxication, emphasizing self-control and sobriety as virtues for believers. In Ephesians 5:18 , the Apostle Paul instructs, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This directive contrasts the loss of control associated with drunkenness with the spiritual fullness and guidance provided by the Holy Spirit.

In Galatians 5:19-21 , Paul lists "drunkenness" among the "acts of the flesh," warning that those who practice such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God. This passage underscores the moral and spiritual implications of intoxication, categorizing it as contrary to the life led by the Spirit.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays intoxication as a behavior that leads to moral decay and spiritual peril. It is often associated with other sinful behaviors, such as debauchery and immorality. The call for sobriety is not merely about abstaining from excess but about living a life that reflects self-discipline and spiritual awareness.

Believers are encouraged to exercise moderation and to avoid situations that may lead to intoxication. The emphasis is on maintaining a clear mind and a heart attuned to God's will, as seen in 1 Peter 5:8 : "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Cultural and Historical Context

In biblical times, wine was a common beverage, often consumed with meals and used in religious ceremonies. However, the potential for abuse was recognized, and the Scriptures provide guidance to ensure that wine is enjoyed responsibly and not to the detriment of one's spiritual and moral integrity.

The Bible's teachings on intoxication reflect a broader principle of living a life that honors God, characterized by self-control, wisdom, and a commitment to holiness.1. (n.) A poisoning, as by a spirituous or a narcotic substance.

2. (n.) The state of being intoxicated or drunk; inebriation; ebriety; drunkenness; the act of intoxicating or making drunk.

3. (n.) A high excitement of mind; an elation which rises to enthusiasm, frenzy, or madness.

3184. methuo -- to be drunken
... be drunk. From another form of methe; to drink to intoxication, ie Get drunk --
drink well, make (be) drunk(-en). see GREEK methe. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3184.htm - 6k

3178. methe -- drunkenness
... drunkenness. Apparently a primary word; an intoxicant, ie (by implication) intoxication
-- drunkenness. (methai) -- 1 Occurrence. (methais) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3178.htm - 6k

271. amethustos -- amethyst
... amethyst. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of methuo; the "amethyst"
(supposed to prevent intoxication) -- amethyst. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/271.htm - 6k

3196. yayin -- wine
... banqueting, wine, winebibber. From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as
fermented); by implication, intoxication -- banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber). ...
/hebrew/3196.htm - 6k

7943. shikkaron -- drunkenness
... be drunkenness. From shakar; intoxication -- (be) drunken(-ness). see HEBREW
shakar. 7942, 7943. shikkaron. 7944 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7943.htm - 6k

7686. shagah -- to go astray, err
... to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially
(morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication) to reel ...
/hebrew/7686.htm - 6k

7478. raal -- a reeling
... Word Origin from raal Definition a reeling NASB Word Usage reeling (1). trembling.
From ra'al; a reeling (from intoxication) -- trembling. see HEBREW ra'al. ...
/hebrew/7478.htm - 6k

Paul's Reasons for Temperance
... Probably such intoxication was prevalent in Ephesus in connection with the worship
of 'Diana of the Ephesians,' for Paul was not the man to preach vague ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/pauls reasons for temperance.htm

Sensual and Spiritual Excitement.
... I. The effects are similar. On the day of Pentecost, when the first influences of
the Spirit descended on the early Church, the effects resembled intoxication. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ix sensual and spiritual excitement.htm

Directions for those who Live Together.
... And do not join company with her in wine, lest thy heart incline to her, and by
thy blood slide to ruin." [1440] For the licence of intoxication is dangerous ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vii directions for those who.htm

Calvary
... This is a very strange place in which to alight on the problem of the use and abuse
of those products of nature or art which induce intoxication or stupefaction ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xii calvary.htm

The Portrait of a Drunkyard
... The quarrelsomeness which goes along with certain stages of intoxication, and the
unmeaning maudlin misery and whimpering into which it generally passes, are ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the portrait of a drunkyard.htm

The Mysteries of the Brazen Serpent
... It is true the young man who quaffs the poisoned cup of intoxication, wots not that
there is a serpent there; for there is no serpent except in the dregs ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the mysteries of the brazen.htm

Sin's Brood.
... connection), then lust-drunk. Or, he may swing direct from money-intoxication
into power-intoxication. Please notice keenly that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/sins brood.htm

Satan's Banquet
... He thinks it easy to put away the cup when he has tested its flavour! He has no
design to abandon himself to its intoxication. He takes a shallow draught. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/satans banquet.htm

Glimpses
... In such exaltation, like the intoxication of a heavenly wine, the untrained mind
is creative in its ecstasy; hence the beautifully conceived and easily ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/iv glimpses.htm

On Drinking.
... the steel blade in the process of dipping, so wine proveth the heart of the haughty."
[1370] A debauch is the immoderate use of wine, intoxication the disorder ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii on drinking.htm

Intoxication (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Intoxication (1 Occurrence). Acts 2:15 For this is not
intoxication, as you suppose, it being only the third hour of the day. (WEY). ...
/i/intoxication.htm - 7k

Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state of being drunken with, or as with, alcoholic liquor; intoxication;
inebriety; -- used of the casual state or the habit. ...
/d/drunkenness.htm - 24k

Intoxicating (1 Occurrence)
... & vb. n.) of Intoxicate. 2. (a.) Producing intoxication; fitted to intoxicate; as,
intoxicating liquors. Multi-Version Concordance Intoxicating (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/intoxicating.htm - 7k

Wine (282 Occurrences)
... The power of intoxication is ascribed to it. (3.) Hometz. See VINEGAR. ... 3. (n.)
The effect of drinking wine in excess; intoxication. Int. ...
/w/wine.htm - 68k

Intreat (13 Occurrences)

/i/intreat.htm - 12k

Drunk (84 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The first case of intoxication on record is that
of Noah (Genesis 9:21). The sin of drunkenness is frequently ...
/d/drunk.htm - 34k

Drunken (38 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) Saturated with liquid or moisture; drenched. 4. (vi) Pertaining to,
or proceeding from, intoxication. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/drunken.htm - 18k

Disguise (7 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Artificial language or manner assumed for deception; false appearance;
counterfeit semblance or show. 6. (n.) Change of manner by drink; intoxication. ...
/d/disguise.htm - 9k

Accountability
... In the practice of the law, for example, it is often claimed that a crime committed
under the influence of intoxication should be condoned; yet everyone must ...
/a/accountability.htm - 14k

Bottle (28 Occurrences)
... (2) For intoxication, through which, because of their headstrong continuance in
sin, Israel shall be helpless to resist the enemy's attack (Jeremiah 13:12). ...
/b/bottle.htm - 23k

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