Alcohol has been a topic of human interest for centuries. Within the Bible, it is a substance referenced in various forms, from wine used in sacred rituals to liquor representing personal struggles with temptation and excess. Understanding alcohol’s role in the Bible offers insights into how this potent drink shaped historical events, daily life, and spiritual teachings. Below is a compilation of key Bible verses that discuss alcohol, each with cross-referenced scripture that sheds further light on its biblical context.
Bible Verses about Alcohol
1. Genesis 9:21 – The Downfall of Noah
“When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.” – Genesis 9:21
Cross-References
Genesis 19:32 – “Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.”
Proverbs 20:1 – “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”
Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
2. Genesis 14:18 – Melchizedek’s Offering
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.” – Genesis 14:18
Cross-References
Hebrews 5:6 – “And he says in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'”
Psalm 110:4 – “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'”
1 Samuel 16:20 – “So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.”
3. Proverbs 31:6–7 – Giving Wine to the Perishing
“Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.” – Proverbs 31:6–7
Cross-References
Ecclesiastes 9:7 – “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.”
1 Timothy 5:23 – “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”
Psalm 104:15 – “Wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”
4. John 2:3–10 – Jesus Turns Water into Wine
“When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ … and so were the other disciples.” – John 2:3–10
Cross-References
John 2:11 – “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”
Matthew 26:29 – “I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Luke 22:20 – “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”
5. Ephesians 5:18 – A Call Against Drunkenness
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18
Cross-References
Titus 2:3 – “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.”
1 Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Galatians 5:21 – “and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
6. 1 Timothy 5:23 – Medicinal Use of Wine
“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” – 1 Timothy 5:23
Cross-References
Proverbs 31:6 – “Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!”
Luke 10:34 – “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”
Psalm 104:14–15 – “He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”
7. Isaiah 5:11 – Woes to the Drunkards
“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.” – Isaiah 5:11
Cross-References
Isaiah 5:22 – “Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks,”
Habakkuk 2:15 – “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies.”
Proverbs 23:29–30 – “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.”
8. Daniel 1:8 – Abstaining for Purity
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” – Daniel 1:8
Cross-References
Romans 14:21 – “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”
1 Corinthians 8:13 – “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.”
Leviticus 10:9 – “You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come,”
9. Luke 7:33–34 – Accusations against Jesus
“For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’” – Luke 7:33–34
Cross-References
Matthew 11:18–19 – “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
Matthew 9:10–11 – “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'”
10. Proverbs 20:1 – Wine as a Deceptive Mockery
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” – Proverbs 20:1
Cross-References
Proverbs 23:29–35 – “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? …Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind will imagine confusing things.”
Habakkuk 2:5 – “Indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples.”
11. Isaiah 28:7 – Leaders Straying Through Drink
“And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer…They are confused by wine, they stagger by beer; they are led astray by beer, they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” – Isaiah 28:7
Cross-References
Proverbs 31:4–5 – “It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.”
Micah 2:11 – “If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ that would be just the prophet for this people!”
12. Ecclesiastes 10:19 – Wine for Merriment
“A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.” – Ecclesiastes 10:19
Cross-References
Psalms 104:15 – “wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”
Luke 15:23 – “Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.”
John 2:10 – “and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’”
13. Leviticus 10:9 – Command Against Priestly Drinking
“You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.” – Leviticus 10:9
Cross-References
Numbers 6:3 – “‘He must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.'”
Ezekiel 44:21 – “No priest is to drink wine when he enters the inner court.”
1 Timothy 3:3 – “not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
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14. Romans 13:13 – Behave Decently
“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.” – Romans 13:13
Cross-References
1 Peter 4:3 – “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.”
1 Thessalonians 5:7–8 – “For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
15. Numbers 6:3 – Nazarite Vow
“They must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.” – Numbers 6:3
Cross-References
Judges 13:7 – “But he said to me, ‘You will become pregnant and have a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean,’”
1 Samuel 1:14 – “and said to her, ‘How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.'”
16. 1 Corinthians 6:10 – Inheriting God’s Kingdom
“Nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:10
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 5:11 – “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”
Ephesians 5:5 – “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
17. Joel 1:5 – Mourning for Wine
“Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine; wail because of the new wine, for it has been snatched from your lips.” – Joel 1:5
Cross-References
Isaiah 24:11 – “In the streets they cry out for wine; all joy turns to gloom, all joyful sounds are banished from the earth.”
Hosea 4:11 – “to prostitution; old wine and new wine take away their understanding.”
18. Matthew 11:18–19 – Accusation of Gluttony
“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” – Matthew 11:18–19
Cross-References
Luke 7:33–35 – “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.'”
Luke 5:29–30 – “Then Levi had a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'”
19. Psalm 104:14–15 – God’s Provision of Wine
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.” – Psalm 104:14–15
Cross-References
Judges 9:13 – “But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?'”
Deuteronomy 14:26 – “Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.”
Psalm 147:14 – “He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.”
20. Amos 2:8 – Use of Wine in Worship
“They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.” – Amos 2:8
Cross-References
Isaiah 65:11 – “But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny,”
Amos 6:6 – “You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.”
21. Proverbs 23:29–35 – Drunkenness Leads to Sorrow
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.” – Proverbs 23:29–35
Cross-References
Isaiah 5:11 – “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.”
Hosea 7:5 – “On the day of the festival of our king the princes become inflamed with wine, and he joins hands with the mockers.”
22. Matthew 26:29 – The Fruit of the Vine
“I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” – Matthew 26:29
Cross-References
Mark 14:25 – “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 22:18 – “For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
1 Corinthians 11:25 – “In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'”
23. Deuteronomy 14:26 – Enjoy with Thanksgiving
“Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.” – Deuteronomy 14:26
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 12:7 – “There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.”
1 Timothy 6:17 – “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
24. Galatians 5:19–21 – Acts of the Flesh
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19–21
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 6:9–10 – “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men”
25. Luke 22:20 – The New Covenant
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” – Luke 22:20
Cross-References
Hebrews 9:15 – “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
Matthew 26:27–28 – “Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”
26. Amos 9:14 – Restoration with Wine
“And I will bring my people Israel back from exile. ‘They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.’” – Amos 9:14
Cross-References
Jeremiah 31:5 – “Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.”
Ezekiel 28:26 – “They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.”
Isaiah 65:21 – “They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.”
27. Matthew 9:17 – Parable of the Wineskins
“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” – Matthew 9:17
Cross-References
Mark 2:22 – “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”
Luke 5:37–38 – “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.”
Romans 7:6 – “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”
28. Isaiah 25:6 – The Feast to Come
“On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines.” – Isaiah 25:6
Cross-References
Revelation 19:9 – “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’”
Isaiah 55:1 – “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
Psalms 22:26 – “The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him—may your hearts live forever!”
29. 1 Peter 4:3 – Living for God’s Will
“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.” – 1 Peter 4:3
Cross-References
Romans 13:13 – “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”
Galatians 5:19 – “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;”
30. Jeremiah 35:5 – The Rechabites’ Abstinence
“Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and said to them, ‘Drink some wine.’” – Jeremiah 35:5
Cross-References
Jeremiah 35:6 – “But they replied, ‘We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine.'”
Amos 2:12 – “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.”
31. 1 Thessalonians 5:7 – Stay Sober
“For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:7
Cross-References
1 Thessalonians 5:8 – “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
1 Corinthians 6:10 – “nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
32. Hosea 4:11 – Understanding Clouded by Wine
“to prostitution; old wine and new wine take away their understanding.” – Hosea 4:11
Cross-References
Proverbs 23:32 – “In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.”
Isaiah 28:7 – “And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions.”
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Final Thought
As with many subjects, the Bible’s teachings on alcohol are varied and provide both cautionary tales and moments of joyous celebration associated with wine. From a Biblical perspective, wine is regularly depicted as a symbol of blessing and prosperity, yet it also serves as a grave warning against the perils of excess and poor judgment. As demonstrated by the Nazarites and Daniel, abstinence is sometimes practiced to maintain purity and holiness, while wine can also indicate hope and restoration, as seen with the restored Israel. The New Testament emphasizes moderation and discourages drunkenness, echoing Old Testament warnings about the consequences of excess. Thus, interpreting these biblical references calls for wisdom—balancing the understanding of historical context with application to modern life. Whether approached as a symbol, a literal element in historical context, or a moral lesson on restraint and control, the discussion of alcohol in the Bible encourages believers to seek moderation, understanding, and faithfulness in all aspects of life.