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NASB | John 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; |
Subject: water into wine |
Bible Note: Greetings Schwartzkm! Hello my friend! I would have to respectfully disagree with your quoted statement. Even in English, the word "wine" didn’t come to mean an alcoholic beverage until about the mid 20th century. To back up my case in Scripture, I have provided the following word study. There are 11 words in the Old Testament which are translated "wine." There are 4 words in the New Testament which are translated "wine." Each of the words have slightly different meanings and can refer to the product of the grape in each of it’s various stages. The Strong’s numbers are included for each word. Old Testament Words 1) yayin (03196): This is the most common word in the Old Testament. It is used 140 times. It can refer to either a fermented or unfermented beverage. One example of a fermented beverage would be Gen. 9:21, where Noah became drunk. However, Jer. 40:10 uses this word to refer to the harvest of grapes, which is to be stored. One scholar, Dr. Robert Teachout, estimates that the word is used 71 times to refer to an unfermented juice and 70 times as a fermented beverage. 2) tiyrowsh (08492): This is the second most common word in the Old Testament. It is used 38 times. It always refers to a fresh pressed juice, with one possible exception. 3) shekar (07941): This word is used 23 times in the Old Testament. It seems to always refer to a fermented drink and it only used in two ways. The first is in condemnations and the second is in drink offerings (poured on the offering). 4) yeqeb (03342): This word is used 16 times and always refers to unfermented wine. It usually refers to the presses themselves or the fresh product of the presses. 5) Õashiyshah (0809): This word is used only 4 times. It is always translated by the KJV as a "flagon of wine." However, more modern translations translate it as "a raisin cake." Thus, it would refer to grapes themselves, not a beverage. 6) chamar (02562): This word is only used 6 times in the Old Testament. It is actually an Aramaic word. The context makes it difficult to decide how it is used. It seems to be used in both ways. It’s 2 occurances in Ezra probably refer to unfermented wine, while it’s 4 occurances in Daniel probably refer to fermented. 7) gath (01660): This word is only used 5 times. It always refers to the press itself. 8) mamcak (04469): Only used twice. Seems to always refer to a fermented drink. 9) cobeÕ (05435): Only used three times. Seems to refer to a fermented drink, but one which is soured or diluted. 10) chemer (02561): Only used twice. Always refers to unfermented fresh juice. 11) aciyc (06071): This word is used five times. It seems to refer to an unfermented sweetened or spiced drink, with one possible exception. New Testament Words 1) oinos (3631): This word is used 33 times in the New Testament. It is comparable to ‘yayin’ in that it can refer to either fermented or unfermented wine. The prime example being Mt. 9:17, where the fresh new wine is to be put into a new bottle to keep it from fermenting. 2) gleukos (1098): This word is only used in Acts 2:13. Some have said that since the crowd was accusing them of being drunk that this had to be a fermented wine. However, the crowd was mocking them and the word usually refers to a fresh pressed juice. It could have been that they had a reputation for only drink fresh pressed juice and the crowd was making fun of them for it. 3) paroinos (3943): This word is only used twice and both times in a prohibition against drinking. It most likely refers to a fermented beverage. 4) oinophlugia (3632): This word is only used in 1 Peter 4:3 and refers to an excess of wine that some of engaged in in their past lives as unbelievers. It most likely refers to fermented wine. Conclusion: It simply is not true that "wine" always refers to an alcoholic beverage. It can refer to grapes. It can refer to fresh juice. It can refer to strong drink. It has a wide range of meanings. There only a couple of things that we are sure about. 1) It is not spoken of in a positive light in Scripture. 2) Priests, Kings, and Nazarites were forbidden to drink it. 3) It is described in Scripture as a destroyer. 4) It has destroyed countless lives throughout history. 5) Scripture clearly forbids drunkenness. 6) No one knows how to define drunkenness. 7) It causes people to lose self-control, not become more Christ-like. In light of this evidence, I have chosen not to drink any alcohol whatsoever. I am not on a crusade to promote my position. However, I do get irritated at so many scholars who fail to do their homework and just assume that the word "wine" meant then what it means now! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |