Topical Encyclopedia
A "drunkard" in biblical terms refers to an individual who habitually engages in excessive consumption of alcohol, leading to a state of drunkenness. The Bible addresses the issue of drunkenness and its consequences extensively, warning against the moral and spiritual dangers associated with it.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament provides several accounts and warnings regarding drunkenness. In Proverbs, wisdom literature offers direct admonitions against excessive drinking.
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 irresponsibly.
The account of Noah in
Genesis 9:20-21 illustrates the personal and familial consequences of drunkenness: "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." This incident led to shame and discord within Noah's family, serving as a cautionary tale.
New Testament ReferencesThe New Testament continues to address the issue of drunkenness, emphasizing its incompatibility with a life led by the Spirit. In
Ephesians 5:18 , Paul instructs, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This verse contrasts the loss of control associated with drunkenness with the self-control and guidance provided by the Holy Spirit.
In
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , Paul lists drunkards among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." This passage underscores the severity with which drunkenness is viewed in the context of Christian morality.
Moral and Spiritual ImplicationsThe Bible consistently portrays drunkenness as a behavior that leads to moral decay and spiritual downfall. It is often associated with other sins and vices, such as debauchery and revelry. In
Galatians 5:19-21 , Paul lists "drunkenness, carousing, and the like" as works of the flesh, warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
The biblical perspective on drunkenness is not merely about the act of drinking but rather the loss of self-control and the potential for sin that accompanies it. Believers are called to exercise moderation and self-discipline, avoiding behaviors that lead to spiritual compromise.
Practical GuidanceThe Bible offers practical guidance for avoiding the pitfalls of drunkenness. In
Romans 13:13 , Paul advises, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." This call to live a life of decency and self-control is a recurring theme throughout Scripture.
Furthermore, believers are encouraged to support one another in maintaining a lifestyle that honors God. In
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 , Paul writes, "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. 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 the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation."
In summary, the Bible's treatment of the topic of drunkenness is clear and consistent, warning against its dangers and urging believers to pursue a life of sobriety and spiritual vigilance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) One who habitually drinks strong liquors immoderately; one whose habit it is to get drunk; a toper; a sot.
Greek
3183. methusos -- drunken ... drunken. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: methusos Phonetic Spelling:
(meth'-oo-sos) Short Definition: a
drunkard Definition: a
drunkard.
... 3630. oinopotes -- a wine drinker
... drinker. Word Origin from oinos and potes (a drinker) Definition a wine drinker
NASB Word Usage drunkard (2). a drunkard. From oinos ...
Strong's Hebrew
5433b. saba -- drunkard... saba. 5434 .
drunkard. Transliteration: saba Short Definition: drunkards. Word
Origin from saba Definition
drunkard NASB Word Usage drunkards (1).
... 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 ...
7941. shekar -- intoxicating drink, strong drink
... strong drink, drunkard, strong wine. From shakar; an intoxicant, ie Intensely alcoholic
liquor -- strong drink, + drunkard, strong wine. see HEBREW shakar. ...
7910. shikkor -- drunken
... Word Origin from shakar Definition drunken NASB Word Usage drunk (4), drunkard
(2), drunkards (3), drunken (1), drunken man (3). drunkard,. ...
5433a. saba -- to imbibe, drink largely
... root Definition to imbibe, drink largely NASB Word Usage drink heavily (1), drunkard
(1), drunken (1), heavy drinker (1), heavy drinkers (1). 5433, 5433a. ...
Library
The Drunkard's Magnificat
... Chapter 13. Wesley in Scotland Again; Methodist's Wealth; "No Law for Methodists";
Exhausting Days; Whitefield The Drunkard's Magnificat. ...
Psalm 107:3. Third Part. Intemperance Punished and Pardoned; Or, a ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 107:3. Third Part. Intemperance punished
and pardoned; or, A psalm for the glutton and the drunkard. ...
What Old Bill could not Do
... TALK EIGHTEEN. WHAT OLD BILL COULD NOT DO. Old Bill M" was a drunkard. Everybody
knew it. ... Yes, Old Bill was a drunkard. He had tried many times to quit. ...
A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... drink. If I sell liquor to your son and make a drunkard of him, some man
will sell liquor to my son and make a drunkard of him. ...
A String of Pearls
... A slight affinity may be doubtfully traced in one or two adjacent proverbs, but
that is all. First comes temperance, enforced by the picture of a drunkard. ...
"The Axe is Laid to the Root. "
... If not a Drunkard or a Reveller, yet going in that direction; having a liking for
evil companions and Sunday pleasuring. ... That drunkard, for instance. ...
The Portrait of a Drunkyard
... The two words rendered 'woe' and 'sorrow' are unmeaning exclamations, very like
each other in sound, and imitating the senseless noises of the drunkard. ...
Grace and Truth Coupled.
... The drunkard goes down to the old-fashioned sort of mission where they insist on
teaching that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin, and that the Holy ...
The Heinous Sin of Drunkenness
... But the drunkard, despising the goodness and bounty of God, in restoring to us what
we had so justly forfeited, turns his grace into wantonness; and as though ...
The Gateway into the Kingdom.
... They would be very good if you could get the drunkard there, or get the gambler
there, or get other vicious people there"that would do a great deal of good. ...
Thesaurus
Drunkard (15 Occurrences)... a sot. Multi-Version Concordance
Drunkard (15 Occurrences). Matthew 11:19 The
Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,'Behold
...Drunkard's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Drunkard's (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 26:9 As a thorn that
cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. ...
Glutton (4 Occurrences)
... is a glutton, and a drunkard," the word may mean a squanderer or prodigal; the English
Revised Version has "a riotous liver." In Proverbs 23:21, "For the ...
Gluttonous (4 Occurrences)
... is a glutton, and a drunkard," the word may mean a squanderer or prodigal; the English
Revised Version has "a riotous liver." In Proverbs 23:21, "For the ...
Drunkards (10 Occurrences)
Drinking (114 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,'Behold, a
gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But ...
Collectors (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,'Behold, a
gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But ...
Sinners (132 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,'Behold, a
gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But ...
Friend (139 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,'Behold, a
gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But ...
Eating (151 Occurrences)
... Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,'Behold, a
gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But ...
Resources
Did Jesus drink wine/alcohol? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible really say that parents should have their rebellious children stoned? | GotQuestions.orgHow should conflict in the church be handled? | GotQuestions.orgDrunkard: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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