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Promoting peace and harmony from an Abrahamic perspective
Intoxicants
Am I addicted to alcohol or other intoxicating substances?
Why do I avoid responsibility for my actions?
What am I afraid of—pain, hardship, or failure?
Does being intoxicated help or hinder my success?
Do I believe intoxicants can save me?
Why do I seek to forget my troubles with substances?
Am I trying to escape my Creator's call to fulfil my Higher purpose?
Can I escape my Creator by blurring my senses?
Who am I, and who do I want to become?
Why do I limit myself with intoxicants?
Is it too late for me? Am I beyond redemption?
Are intoxicants my friend or my enemy?
What is an Intoxicant?
Intoxicants are substances that alter an individual's mental or physical state, affecting perception, mood, consciousness, and behaviour. They can be classified based on effects, origins, and legal status. Common categories include:
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Alcohol: A widely used psychoactive substance that depresses the central nervous system, available in forms like beer, wine, and spirits. Effects range from relaxation to impaired judgment and potential overdose.
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Narcotics: Derived from opium or synthetically produced, these substances relieve pain and can induce euphoria. Examples include morphine, codeine, and heroin, which have high addiction potential and serious health risks.
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Stimulants: Substances like caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, and methamphetamine that increase alertness and energy. While some are legal, others pose addiction risks and health issues.
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Hallucinogens: Substances such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms that alter sensory perceptions and thought processes, leading to varying experiences.
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Prescription Medications: Certain medications, like benzodiazepines, can act as intoxicants when misused, causing sedation and relaxation.
The legal status of intoxicants varies globally, influenced by cultural factors. Their use can lead to social, legal, and health challenges, highlighting the need for informed decision-making.
From an Abrahamic perspective, intoxicants can be viewed as distractions from the worship of the Creator, impacting our ability to:
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Perceive fear and awe for the Creator.
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Make accurate judgments and distinguish truth from falsehood.
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Recognise love for the Creator and fellow humans.
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Maintain physical and spiritual strength to serve through righteousness.
The Higher Purpose of Intoxicants
All existence, both seen and unseen, ultimately serves the worship of God, whether willingly or not. There is no reality apart from Him; His plans unfold regardless of our obedience. Consequently, everything in this world, including intoxicants, must possess a Higher Purpose, often beyond our immediate comprehension.
Intoxicants, which distract us from the remembrance of our Creator, serve a role in our spiritual journey. Without the potential for temptation and error, how would humanity learn, grow, and ultimately return to a higher state of consciousness? Intoxicants can either obscure our perception of God's mercy or reveal His wrath, acting as instruments of divine justice for those who stray from Higher Truth.
These substances may create a false sense of separation from our Creator, leading us to worship our egos rather than embracing our inherent unity with Him. The resulting curse can distort our reality, fostering hopelessness and doubt, while drawing us away from gratitude and faith. Intoxicants often lead to spiritual decline and physical harm, trapping us in cycles of anxiety and despair, far from our Inner Light.
How can we appreciate elevation without experiencing descent? Understanding goodness requires experiencing suffering. Intoxicants can symbolize this duality, representing both deception and potential enlightenment. Just as the serpent’s venom can lead to disobedience, reflecting on our experiences with intoxicants might reveal hidden wisdom that guides us back to spiritual clarity.
Intoxicants have various biological and cultural functions. Biologically, they alter mood and perception, often providing temporary relief or euphoria. Culturally, they have historically played roles in spiritual ceremonies, fostering community and connection with the divine.
They can also enhance social interaction and creativity, breaking down barriers and inspiring artistic expression. However, engagement with intoxicants teaches critical lessons about moderation, responsibility, and the consequences of our choices, highlighting their societal impacts.
Ultimately, the study of intoxicants offers insights into mental health, addiction, and the human experience, enriching our understanding of life and the complexities of human nature.
How Can Intoxicants Benefit Us?
Intoxicants may seem like a refuge from the overwhelming pain and trauma we experience in life. They offer temporary relief from emotional and psychological distress, allowing us to forget our burdens. However, this relief is often deceptive, leading us to overlook our true potential and reliance on a higher power. While they can provide an illusion of confidence and escape, intoxicants ultimately weaken us, fostering dependency rather than genuine healing.
Though intoxicants can facilitate social interactions and self-expression, they can also mislead us into believing that our intoxicated selves represent our true nature. The consequences of addiction often outweigh any short-term benefits, resulting in health issues, relationship breakdowns, and further loss. Over time, the initial sweetness of these substances reveals a bitter reality.
Despite their negative aspects, intoxicants may serve a higher purpose within creation, as they carry truths that can only be discerned by those with pure hearts. They can be both harmful and beneficial, depending on how they are used.
Here are some potential benefits:
1. Relaxation and Stress Relief
Intoxicants can induce relaxation and reduce stress, with moderate alcohol consumption often enhancing social interactions.
2. Therapeutic Benefits
Certain substances, like cannabis, may alleviate chronic pain and manage anxiety, showcasing their medicinal potential.
3. Enhanced Creativity
Many artists have historically turned to intoxicants for inspiration, believing they unlock new ideas and perspectives.
4. Cultural and Spiritual Significance
In various cultures, intoxicants play a role in rituals that promote spirituality and community healing.
5. Social Connection
In social settings, intoxicants can strengthen bonds and create lasting memories, often integral to celebrations and traditions.
How Do Intoxicants Harm Us?
Intoxicants like alcohol and drugs cloud our consciousness, impairing our ability to remember and meditate on our Creator's attributes. This distraction hinders prayer, self-reflection, and the ability to discern right from wrong, leading to behaviour that is unjust in the eyes of our Creator. Under their influence, we struggle to control our selfish instincts—such as anger, greed, and envy—resulting in damaged relationships. Furthermore, many intoxicants are addictive, diverting us from seeking spiritual help and taking responsibility for our actions, ultimately preventing us from using our talents to benefit humanity.
Intoxicants have the potential to cause so much harm to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being and also often have a huge negative impact on our relationships- not only with our Creator but with others.
Social Implications
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Substance abuse strains relationships and fosters social isolation.
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Increased societal costs related to healthcare and crime.
Societal Issues
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Crime and violence associated with the illegal drug trade.
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Domestic violence stemming from aggressive behaviours.
In summary, intoxicants have profound impacts on individuals, families, and communities. Acknowledging these harms is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies that promote healthier lifestyles and safer societies.
How do intoxicants affect our Well-being?
Physical Well-Being
Intoxicants, including alcohol and drugs, can have detrimental effects on physical health:
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Impair motor skills and coordination, increasing accident risks.
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Lead to chronic health issues like liver disease and cardiovascular problems.
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Disrupt sleep patterns, causing fatigue and weakening the immune system.
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Cause tolerance, leading to higher doses and potential addiction.
Mental Well-Being
Intoxicants significantly impact mental health:
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Impair cognitive functions such as memory and decision-making.
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Increase risky behaviors due to poor judgment.
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Contribute to cognitive decline with long-term use.
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Exacerbate mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Emotional Well-Being
Emotionally, intoxicants can:
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Initially induce euphoria and relaxation.
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Lead to anxiety and depression over time.
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Create emotional instability, affecting relationships.
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Impair emotional regulation and healthy stress coping.
Spiritual Well-Being
On a spiritual level, intoxicants can:
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Influence one's sense of purpose and connection.
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Lead to disillusionment and feelings of emptiness.
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Cause disconnection from one's true self and meaningful relationships.
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Distract from engaging in spiritual practices that promote well-being.
The effects of intoxicants are multifaceted and interconnected. While some may seek temporary relief through these substances, it's crucial to recognise their potential harms and long-term consequences. Understanding these impacts can help individuals make healthier choices regarding substance use.
How do intoxicants affect our relationships?
Intoxicants, including alcohol, recreational drugs, and certain prescription medications, can significantly impact interpersonal relationships, producing both positive and negative effects on mood, perception, and behavior.
Positive Effects
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Enhancement of euphoria and decreased inhibitions in social settings.
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Facilitation of conversation and camaraderie among friends, particularly with alcohol at gatherings.
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Temporary strengthening of relationships through shared experiences and a sense of belonging.
Negative Effects
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Impairment of judgment leading to reckless behavior, conflicts, and misunderstandings.
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Potential for hurt feelings and damaged trust among partners, friends, or family members.
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Risk of addiction, resulting in neglect and emotional distance in relationships.
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Impact on family and friends, causing stress, anxiety, and communication breakdowns.
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Negative effects on children, who may struggle with secure attachments in environments where intoxicants are prevalent.
Stigma and Isolation
The stigma surrounding substance use can lead to feelings of isolation and shame for those affected, hindering open communication and support, and complicating relationships further.
While intoxicants can foster social connections, their overall impact on relationships is complex and often detrimental, necessitating an understanding of these dynamics to maintain healthy and supportive interactions.
What does Abrahamic Scripture teach about 'Intoxicants?'
Jewish Scripture, particularly the Torah and subsequent rabbinic literature, offers a nuanced perspective on the consumption of intoxicants, particularly wine. Wine holds a significant place in Jewish rituals and celebrations, symbolising joy and sanctity. For instance, during the Sabbath and festivals, it is customary to recite a blessing over wine before partaking of it, reflecting its importance in religious observance. However, the Torah also contains warnings against excessive drinking and drunkenness. Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise," highlighting the potential dangers of overindulgence. Additionally, the Talmud discusses the concept of moderation, emphasizing that while wine can enhance joy and serve as a blessing, it must be consumed responsibly to avoid negative consequences. Thus, Jewish teachings advocate for a balanced approach, recognizing both the positive aspects of intoxicants in moderation and the risks associated with their abuse.
In the teachings of Christ there are various references to wine and intoxicants that reflect both a celebratory and cautionary stance. Jesus is famously known for turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, an act that not only signifies the importance of joy and celebration in communal gatherings but also underscores the role of wine in social and religious contexts. However, throughout the Gospels, there are also warnings against drunkenness and excess. In Luke 21:34, Jesus advises, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life." This indicates a clear recognition of the potential spiritual and moral pitfalls associated with intoxicants. Overall, Christ's teachings encourage a responsible approach to intoxicants, promoting joy and celebration while simultaneously warning against the dangers of excess and loss of self-control.
The Quran addresses the issue of intoxicants, particularly alcohol, with a clear and direct approach, emphasising their harmful effects on individuals and society. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219), it acknowledges that while intoxicants may provide some benefits, their harms far outweigh these benefits, stating, "They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, 'In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.'" This verse establishes a foundational understanding that intoxicants can lead to moral and social issues. The Quran later intensifies its stance against intoxicants in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:90), where it explicitly categorises intoxicants and gambling as "abominations of Satan's handiwork," urging believers to avoid them entirely. The repeated emphasis on the negative consequences of intoxicants reflects a broader Islamic principle of preserving one's mind and body, promoting a lifestyle that values clarity and self-discipline. Consequently, Islamic teachings advocate for abstaining from intoxicants, recognising their potential to disrupt individual lives and harm community cohesion.
Breaking Free from Intoxicant Addiction
Wake-Up Call
Major life events can shatter the barriers created by our addiction to intoxicants, revealing the inner light within us. These challenges—loss, disaster, or hardship—serve as reminders of our dependence on a higher power and can foster humility, gratitude, and a clearer perspective on life. Rather than viewing these events as punishments, we should recognize them as opportunities for growth and reconnection with our Creator, guiding us back to paths of peace and truth.
Self-Reflection
Taking time to reflect on how our addiction impacts our well-being and relationships can lead to greater understanding. By recognizing the destructive influence of intoxicants, we can regain clarity and use our speech to seek forgiveness and guidance from our Creator.
Repentance
Humbling ourselves before our Creator allows us to genuinely repent for our past mistakes. True repentance involves feeling remorse and striving to avoid repeating our errors. Acknowledging our reliance on intoxicants helps us break free from destructive patterns and regain control over our lives, even when setbacks occur.
Re-Return
Each time we stumble, it’s crucial to rise again and take steps towards recovery. By keeping faith and focusing on our Creator, we can navigate through challenges and darkness. Our perception may shift, but His presence remains constant, providing the strength to return to Him and seek redemption.
Prayer
Regular, mindful prayer can be a powerful tool for overcoming addiction. Understanding the meaning behind our prayers enhances their impact, allowing us to seek divine guidance and strength. Establishing a prayer routine can help us resist intoxicants and prepare us for meaningful communication with our Creator.
Seeking Knowledge
Studying scripture and seeking divine guidance can illuminate our path away from addiction. The wisdom from sacred texts can help us recognise and overcome the false idols we create.
Charity
Engaging in acts of charity purifies our hearts and strengthens our connection with our Creator. By helping others, we foster compassion and diminish the selfishness that fuels addiction. Kindness, whether through financial means or simple gestures, reinforces our worthiness of redemption.
Remembering
Our Creator is compassionate and forgiving. By repenting and striving to improve, we can transform past transgressions into positive actions. Remembering that hardships are opportunities for growth helps us navigate challenges and encourages us to uplift ourselves and others in our journey towards peace.
How can we harness the wisdom from intoxicants to transform darkness into light and death into life?
How can poison become a cure? How can evil turn into good? The answer lies in seeking Truth, God, and Holiness in everything. Our Creator embodies Truth, and without Him, existence would cease. While substances may contain both good and evil, the negative aspects are temporary and will fade away, remaining only as long as they are mixed with Truth. The essence of creation is encapsulated in the divine command "Be!" Thus, the existence of worldly intoxicants must serve a Higher Purpose. By extracting wisdom from these substances, we can elevate the hidden sparks of Holiness within them, enabling us to distinguish good from evil. This allows us to benefit from the positive aspects of these mixtures without suffering the negative consequences.
Yet, how do we discern what is "good" or "evil" within these mixtures? Can we perceive wisdom without Divine guidance? Are we capable of becoming Holy without the teachings passed down through Scripture? Can we connect directly with our Creator for guidance? The struggle to see God stems from our choice to veil our perception with separation, leading us to cling to duality and our false egos, which tempt us to elevate ourselves to the status of a god.
To remove this veil and reconnect with our Creator, we must relinquish our desire for absolute understanding and control. We must humble ourselves, surrender our will, and accept that our reliance is solely on our Creator. By doing so, we can allow the Light of Truth and Wisdom to shine through us, transforming darkness into light.
When we willingly sacrifice our ego and embrace the Oneness of our Creator, we become more receptive to His mercy and guidance. This journey toward Higher Truth is infinite, yet our true Home remains in the Garden of Eden, where unity and diversity coexist peacefully.
Our Creator's Hand reaches out to us through our efforts to help others. By seeking truth within our past mistakes, repenting, and sharing our insights, we align our actions with His will. When we recognize God's presence in all things, including intoxicants, we gain the courage to navigate life's challenges. By loving Him and others, we become attuned to His guidance, ensuring we remain close to Him.
As our hearts soften through prayer, fasting, and charity, we rediscover the love within us, fulfilling our Creator's desire. This love transforms our perception, allowing us to turn darkness into light and evil into good. The intoxicants that once misled us become rivers of divine love, free from harmful effects, enabling us to simply "Be!" according to His Will.
We can use the lessons learned from our experiences with intoxicants to illuminate our paths and help others find their way back to light and truth.
Some Scripture Verses about Intoxicants
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is better than wine. Song of Solomon 1:2
"Return, return, O Shulammite; return, return, and let us gaze upon you." "What will you see for the Shulammite, as in the dance of the two camps? How fair are your feet in sandals, O daughter of nobles! The curves of your thighs are like jewels, the handiwork of a craftsman. Your navel is [like] a round basin, where no mixed wine is lacking; your belly is [like] a stack of wheat, fenced in with roses. Your two breasts are like two fawns, the twins of a gazelle. Your neck is like an ivory tower; your eyes are [like] pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-Rabbim; your face is as the tower of Lebanon, facing towards Damascus. Your head upon you is like Carmel, and the braided locks of your head are like purple; the king is bound in the tresses. How fair and how pleasant you are, a love with delights! This, your stature, is like a palm tree, and your breasts are like clusters [of dates]. I said: Let me climb up the palm tree, let me seize its boughs, and let your breasts be now like clusters of the vine and the fragrance of your countenance like [that of] apples. And your palate is like the best wine, that glides down smoothly to my beloved, making the lips of the sleeping speak." "I am my beloved's, and his desire is upon me. Come, my beloved, let us go out to the field, let us lodge in the villages. Let us arise early to the vineyards; let us see whether the vine has blossomed, the tiny grapes have developed, the pomegranates have lost their flowers; there I will give you my love. The pots [of figs] have given forth [their] fragrance, and on our doorways are all manner of sweet fruits, both new and old, which I have hidden away for you, my beloved." Song of Solomon Chapter 7
"O, that you were like my brother, who sucked my mother's breasts! I would find you outside, I would kiss you, and they would not despise me. I would lead you, I would bring you to the house of my mother, who instructed me; I would give you to drink some spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate. His left hand would be under my head, and his right hand would embrace me. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem; why should you awaken, and why should you arouse the love until it is desirous?" Song of Solomon 8:1-4
Solomon had a vineyard in Baal-Hamon; he gave the vineyard to the keepers; each one brought for the fruit thereof one thousand pieces of silver. My vineyard, which is mine, is before me; you, O Solomon, shall have the thousand, and those who watch its fruit, two hundred. You, who sit in the gardens the friends hearken to your voice; let me hear [it]. Flee, my beloved, and liken yourself to a gazelle or to a fawn of the hinds on the spice mountains." Song of Solomon 8:11-14
In the beginning of God's creation of the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was astonishingly empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the water. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw the light that it was good, and God separated between the light and between the darkness. And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night, and it was evening and it was morning, one day. And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water, and let it be a separation between water and water." And God made the expanse and it separated between the water that was below the expanse and the water that was above the expanse, and it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven, and it was evening, and it was morning, a second day. And God said, "Let the water that is beneath the heavens gather into one place, and let the dry land appear," and it was so. And God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas, and God saw that it was good. And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, seed yielding herbs and fruit trees producing fruit according to its kind in which its seed is found, on the earth," and it was so. And the earth gave forth vegetation, seed yielding herbs according to its kind, and trees producing fruit, in which its seed is found, according to its kind, and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:1-14
And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden from the east, and He placed there the man whom He had formed. And the Lord God caused to sprout from the ground every tree pleasant to see and good to eat, and the Tree of Life in the midst of the garden, and the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. And a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it separated and became four heads. The name of one is Pishon; that is the one that encompasses all the land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good; there is the crystal and the onyx stone. And the name of the second river is Gihon; that is the one that encompasses all the land of Cush. And the name of the third river is Tigris; that is the one that flows to the east of Assyria, and the fourth river that is the Euphrates. Now the Lord God took the man, and He placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to guard it. And the Lord God commanded man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat. But of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it, for on the day that you eat thereof, you shall surely die." Genesis 2:8-17
And he named him Noah, saying, "This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands from the ground, which the Lord has cursed." Genesis 5:29
These are the generations of Noah, Noah was a righteous man he was perfect in his generations; Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9
And Noah began to be a master of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. And he drank of the wine and became drunk, and he uncovered himself within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness, and he told his two brothers outside. And Shem and Japheth took the garment, and they placed [it] on both of their shoulders, and they walked backwards, and they covered their father's nakedness, and their faces were turned backwards, so that they did not see their father's nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and he knew what his small son had done to him. And he said, "Cursed be Canaan; he shall be a slave among slaves to his brethren." And he said, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem, and may Canaan be a slave to them. May God expand Japheth, and may He dwell in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be a slave to them." Genesis 9:20-27
And Malchizedek the king of Salem brought out bread and wine, and he was a priest to the Most High God. Genesis 14:18
And Lot went up from Zoar, and he dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters were with him, for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar; so he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters. And the elder said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man on earth to come upon us, as is the custom of all the earth. Come, let us give our father wine to drink, and let us lie with him, and let us bring to life seed from our father." And they gave their father wine to drink on that night, and the elder came and lay with her father, and he did not know of her lying down or of her rising up. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the elder said to the younger, "Behold, last night I lay with my father. Let us give him wine to drink tonight too, and come, lie with him, and let us bring to life seed from our father." So they gave their father to drink on that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know of her lying down or of her rising up. And Lot's two daughters conceived from their father. And the elder bore a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of Moab until this day. And the younger, she too bore a son, and she named him Ben-ami; he is the father of the children of Ammon until this day. Genesis 19:30-38
So Jacob drew near to Isaac his father, and he felt him, and he said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." And he did not recognize him because his hands were hairy like the hands of his brother Esau, and he blessed him. And he said, "Are you [indeed] my son Esau?" And he said, "I am." And he said, "Serve [it] to me that I may eat of the game of my son, so that my soul will bless you." And he served him, and he ate, and he brought him wine, and he drank. And his father Isaac said to him, "Please come closer and kiss me, my son." And he came closer, and he kissed him, and he smelled the fragrance of his garments, and he blessed him, and he said, "Behold, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field, which the Lord has blessed! And may the Lord give you of the dew of the heavens and [of] the fatness of the earth and an abundance of grain and wine. Genesis 27:22-28
And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine that will lead to intoxication, neither you nor your sons with you, when you go into the Tent of Meeting, so that you shall not die. [This is] an eternal statute for your generations, to distinguish between holy and profane and between unclean and clean, and to instruct the children of Israel regarding all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them through Moses. Leviticus 10:9-11
The Lord spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the children of Israel, and you shall say to them: A man or woman who sets himself apart by making a nazirite vow to abstain for the sake of the Lord. He shall abstain from new wine and aged wine; he shall not drink [even] vinegar made from new wine or aged wine, nor shall he drink anything in which grapes have been steeped, and he shall eat neither fresh grapes nor dried ones. For the entire duration of his abstinence, he shall not eat any product of the grape vine, from seeds to skins. Number 6:1-4
They came to the Valley of Eshkol and they cut a branch with a cluster of grapes. They carried it on a pole between two [people] and [they also took] some pomegranates and figs. They called that place the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster [eshkol] the children of Israel cut from there. Numbers 13:23-24
And a quarter of a hin of wine for a libation, you shall prepare with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice, for each lamb. Numbers 15:5
The choice of the oil and the choice of the wine and grain, the first of which they give to the Lord, to you I have given them. Numbers 18:12
Its libation shall be one quarter of a hin for each lamb, to be poured on the holy [altar] as a libation of strong wine to the Lord. Numbers 28:7
And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your soil, your grain, your wine, and your oil, the offspring of your cattle and the choice of your flocks, in the land which He swore to your forefathers to give you. Deuteronomy 7:13
And it will be, if you hearken to My commandments that I command you this day to love the Lord, your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, I will give the rain of your land at its time, the early rain and the latter rain, and you will gather in your grain, your wine, and your oil. And I will give grass in your field for your livestock, and you will eat and be sated. Beware, lest your heart be misled, and you turn away and worship strange gods and prostrate yourselves before them. And the wrath of the Lord will be kindled against you, and He will close off the heavens, and there will be no rain, and the ground will not give its produce, and you will perish quickly from upon the good land that the Lord gives you. Deuteronomy 11:13-17
And you shall eat before the Lord, your God, in the place He chooses to establish His Name therein, the tithes of your grain, your wine, and your oil, and the firstborn of your cattle and of your sheep, so that you may learn to fear the Lord, your God, all the days. And if the way be too long for you, that you are unable to carry it, for the place which the Lord, your God, will choose to establish His Name therein, is too far from you, for the Lord, your God, will bless you. Then you shall turn it into money, and bind up the money in your hand, and you shall go to the place the Lord, your God, will choose. And you shall turn that money into whatever your soul desires; cattle, sheep, new wine or old wine, or whatever your soul desires, and you shall eat there before the Lord, your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. Deuteronomy 14:26
And they shall say to the elders of his city, "This son of ours is wayward and rebellious; he does not obey us; [he is] a glutton and a guzzler." And all the men of his city shall pelt him to death with stones, and he shall die. So shall you clear out the evil from among you, and all Israel will listen and fear. Deuteronomy 21:20-21
I led you through the desert for forty years [during which time] your garments did not wear out from upon you, nor did your shoes wear out from upon your feet. You neither ate bread, nor drank new wine or old wine, in order that you would know that I am the Lord, your God. And then you arrived at this place. And Sihon, the king of Heshbon, and Og, the king of Bashan, came out towards us in battle, and we smote them. And we took their land, and we gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh. And you shall observe the words of this covenant and fulfill them, in order that you will succeed in all that you do. Deuteronomy 29:4-8
And all these blessings will come upon you and cleave to you, if you obey the Lord, your God. You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field. Blessed will be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your soil, the fruit of your livestock, the offspring of your cattle, and the flocks of your sheep. Deuteronomy 28:2-4
And the Lord will grant you good surplus in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil, on the land which the Lord swore to your forefathers, to give you. Deuteronomy 28:11
You will plant vineyards and work [them], but you will neither drink of [their] wine, or gather [the grapes], because the worms will devour them…. All these curses will befall you, pursuing you and overtaking you to destroy you because you did not obey the Lord, your God, to observe His commandments and statutes which He commanded you….. They will devour the fruit of your livestock and the fruit of your soil, to destroy you. They will not leave over anything for you of the grain, wine, oil, offspring of your cattle or flocks of your sheep, until they annihilate you. (Deuteronomy 28: 38…45…51)
Were it not that the enemy's wrath was heaped up, lest their adversaries distort; lest they claim, "Our hand was triumphant! The Lord did none of this!" For they are a nation devoid of counsel, and they have no understanding. If they were wise, they would understand this; they would reflect upon their fate. How can one [person] pursue a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their [Mighty] Rock has sold them out, and the Lord has given them over? For their rock is not like our [Mighty] Rock. Nevertheless, our enemies sit in judgment. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the field of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of rosh, and they have bitter clusters. Their wine is the bitterness of serpents, and the bitterness of the ruthless cobras. Is it not stored up with Me, sealed up in My treasuries? Vengeance is poised with Me, and it will pay at the time their foot stumbles. For the appointed day of their reckoning is near, and what is destined for them hastens. When the Lord will judge His people, and will reconsider His servants, when He sees that the power is increasing, and none is controlled or strengthened. Then He will say, "Where is their deity, the rock in which they trusted, who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their libations? Let them arise and help you! Let them be your shelter! See now that it is I! I am the One, and there is no god like Me! I cause death and grant life. I strike, but I heal, and no one can rescue from My Hand! For I raise up My hand to heaven, and say, 'As I live forever.' When I sharpen the blade of My sword, and My hand grasps judgment, I will bring vengeance upon My adversaries and repay those who hate Me.
I will intoxicate My arrows with blood, and My sword will consume flesh, from the blood of the slain and the captives, from the first breach of the enemy.' Sing out praise, O you nations, for His people! For He will avenge the blood of His servants, inflict revenge upon His adversaries, and appease His land [and] His people. Deuteronomy 32:27-43
And the trees said to the vine, 'Go you and reign over us.' And the vine said to them, 'Should I leave my wine, which causes God and men to rejoice, and go to wave over the trees? ' Judges 9:12-13
And an angel of the Lord appeared to the woman, and said to her, "Behold now, you are barren, and have not borne; and you shall conceive and bear a son. Consequently, beware now, and do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing. Because you shall conceive, and bear a son; and a razor shall not come upon his head, for a Nazirite to God shall the lad be from the womb; and he will begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines." Judges 13:3-5
I said to myself, "Come now, I will mix [wine] with joy and experience pleasure"; and behold, this too was vanity. Of laughter, I said, "[It is] mingled"; and concerning joy, "What does this accomplish?" I searched in my heart to indulge my body with wine, and my heart conducting itself with wisdom and holding onto folly, until I would see which is better for the children of men that they should do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives. I made myself great works; I built myself houses, and I planted myself vineyards…. Then I turned [to look] at all my deeds that my hands had wrought and upon the toil that I had toiled to do, and behold everything is vanity and frustration, and there is no profit under the sun…. And I saw that wisdom has an advantage over folly, as the advantage of light over darkness. Ecclesiastes 2:1-4…11…14
Fortunate are you, O land, whose king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat at the proper time, in might and not in drinking. Through laziness the rafter sinks, and with idleness of the hands the house leaks. On joyous occasions, a feast is made, and wine gladdens the living, and money answers everything. Even in your thought, you shall not curse a king, nor in your bedrooms shall you curse a wealthy man, for the bird of the heaven shall carry the voice, and the winged creature will tell the matter. Ecclesiastes 10:17-20
And they went out at noon and Ben-Haddad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings-the thirty-two kings who aided him. And the youths of the governors of the provinces went out first, and Ben-Haddad sent out, and they told him saying, "Men have come out of Samaria." And he said, "If for peace they have come out, seize them alive; If for war they have come out, alive shall you seize them." And it was these who had come out of the city, the youths of the governors of the provinces, and the army which was after them. And it was these who had come out of the city, the youths of the governors of the provinces, and the army which was after them. And they killed every man his opponent, the Arameans fled and Israel chased them. And Ben-Haddad, the king of Aram escaped on horseback with horsemen. And the king of Israel went out and struck the horses and the chariots and inflicted upon Aram a great defeat. 1 Kings 20:16-21
But Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, and her voice was not heard, and Eli thought her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her: Until when will you be drunk? Throw off your wine from upon yourself. And Hannah answered and said: No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit, and neither new wine nor old wine have I drunk, and I poured out my soul before the Lord. Deliver not your bondswoman before the unscrupulous woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and my vexation have I spoken until now. And Eli answered and said: Go in peace, and the God of Israel will grant your request which you have asked of Him. And she said: May your bondswoman find favor in your eyes; and the woman went on her way and ate, and her face was not (sad) anymore. And they arose early in the morning, and prostrated themselves before the Lord: and they returned and came to their house, to Ramah, and Elkanah knew Hannah, his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And it was, when the time came about, after Hannah had conceived, that she bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, because (she said); "I asked him of the Lord." 1 Samuel 1:13-20
And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he had a feast in his house like the feast of the king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, and he was very drunk. And she did not tell him anything, less or more until daybreak. And it was in the morning, when the wine had left Nabal, that his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became like stone. And it was just ten days after, that the Lord inflicted a stroke on Nabal, and he died. And David heard that Nabal had died, and he said, "Blessed is the Lord, Who has judged the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and restrained His bondsman from evil, and returned Nabal's evil upon his own head." And David sent, and spoke concerning Abigail to take her to him for a wife. 1 Samuel 25:36-39
And David called him, and he ate before him, and he drank, and he made him drunk; and he went out in the evening to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but to his house he did not go down. 2 Samuel 11:13
And Absalom commanded his youths saying, "Please take note, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Smite Amnon,' then kill him, fear not; have I not commanded you to be courageous and valiant?" And Absalom's servants did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. And all the king's sons arose, and they rode off, each one on his mule, and they fled. 2 Samuel 13:28-29
And when these days were over, the king made for all the people present in Shushan the capital, for [everyone] both great and small, a banquet for seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's orchard. [There were spreads of] white, fine cotton, and blue, embroidered with cords of linen and purple, on silver rods and marble columns; couches of gold and silver, on a pavement of green, white, shell, and onyx marble. And they gave them to drink in golden vessels, and the vessels differed from one another, and royal wine was plentiful according to the bounty of the king. And the drinking was according to the law [with] no one coercing, for so had the king ordained upon every steward of his house, to do according to every man's wish. Also, Vashti the queen made a banquet for the women, in the royal house of King Ahasuerus. On the seventh day, when the king's heart was merry with wine, he ordered Mehuman, Bizzetha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains who ministered in the presence of King Ahasuerus. To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was of comely appearance. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's behest which was [brought] by the hand of the chamberlains, and the king became very wroth, and his anger burnt within him. Esther 1:5-12
For so said the Lord God of Israel to me; Take this cup of the wine of fury from My hand, and you shall give it to all the nations to whom I send you, to drink. And they shall drink and reel to and fro and be like madmen because of the sword that I am sending among them. And I took the cup from the hand of the Lord, and I gave it to all the nations to whom the Lord had sent me, to drink. Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, and its kings and its princes, to make them a waste, a desolation, a hissing, and a curse, as of this day. Pharaoh the king of Egypt and his servants and his princes and all his people. And all the allies and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines and Ashkelon and Gaza and Ekron and the remnant of Ashdod. And Edom and Moab and the children of Ammon. And all the kings of Tyre and all the kings of Sidon and the kings of the isle that is on the other side of the area. Dedan and Tema and Buz and all those separated in that corner. And all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the allies who dwell in the desert. And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam and all the kings of Media. And all the kings of the north, both near and far, one after the other, and all the kingdoms of the earth that are upon the face of the earth; and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them. And you shall say to them: So said the Lord God of Israel; Drink, become drunk, and vomit, fall and you shall not rise, because of the sword that I am sending among you. And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink, that you shall say to them: So said the Lord of Hosts: You shall surely drink. For behold, with the city upon which My name is called, I commence to bring evil, and shall you be cleared? You shall not be cleared, for I call a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, says the Lord of Hosts. And you prophesy to them all these words, and you shall say to them: The Lord shall roar from above, and from His Holy Habitation He shall give forth His voice; He shall roar over His habitation; "Hedad!" He shall call out like those who tread grapes, to all the inhabitants of the earth. A stirring has come until the end of the earth, for God has a controversy with the nations; He contends with all flesh. The wicked He has delivered to the sword, says the Lord. Jeremiah 25:15-31
Woe to those who rise early in the morning; they pursue strong wine. They sit until late in the evening; wine inflames them. And there are harp and lute, tambourine and flute, and wine at their drinking feasts; and the work of the Lord they do not regard, and the deed of His hands they have not seen. Therefore, My people shall go into exile because of lack of knowledge, and its esteemed ones shall die of hunger, and its multitude shall be parched from thirst. Isaiah 5:11-13
Woe to the heroes to drink wine and valiant men to mix strong wine. Isaiah 5:22
The Lord has poured into its midst a spirit of perverseness, and they have misled Egypt in all its deeds as a drunkard strays in his vomit. Isaiah 19:14
And a ditch you made between the two walls and the water of the old pool, but you did not look to its Maker, and Him Who fashioned it from afar, you did not see. And the Lord God of Hosts called on that day, for weeping, and for lamenting and for baldness, and for girding with sackcloth. And behold, joy and happiness, slaying cattle and slaughtering sheep, eating meat and drinking wine; "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die." "And it was revealed in My ears, the Lord of Hosts; [I, therefore, swear] that this iniquity shall not be atoned for you until you die, said the Lord God of Hosts. Isaiah 22:11-14
In song they shall not drink wine; strong drink shall become bitter to those who drink it. The wasted city is broken; every house is closed from entering. A cry for wine is in the streets; all joy is darkened; the joy of the land is exiled. Isaiah 24:9-11
And the Lord of Hosts shall make for all the peoples on this mount, a feast of fat things, a feast of dregs; fat things full of marrow, dregs well refined. And He shall destroy on this mountain the face of the covering that covers all the peoples and the kingdom that rules over all the nations. He has concealed death forever, and the Lord God shall wipe the tears off every face, and the shame of His people He shall remove from upon the entire earth, for the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 25:6-8
Woe is to the crown of the pride of the drunkards of Ephraim and the young fruit of an inferior fig is the position of his glory, which is at the end of a valley of fatness, crushed by wine. Behold God [has] a strong and powerful [wind], like a downpour of hail, a storm of destruction, like a stream of powerful, flooding water, He lays it on the land with [His] hand. With the feet, they shall be trampled, the crown of the pride of the drunkards of Ephraim. And his glorious beauty shall be the young fruit of an inferior fig, which is on the head of the valley of fatness; as a fig that ripens before the summer, which, if the seer sees it, he will swallow it while it is still in his hand. On that day, the Lord of Hosts shall be for a crown of beauty and for a diadem of glory, for the rest of His people. And for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for might for those who bring back the war to the gate. These, too, erred because of wine and strayed because of strong wine; priest and prophet erred because of strong wine, they became corrupt because of wine; they went astray because of strong wine, they erred against the seer, they caused justice to stumble. For all tables were filled with vomit and ordure, without place. Whom shall he teach knowledge and to whom shall he explain the message? To those weaned from milk, removed from breasts? Isaiah 28:1-10
Say to the hasty of heart, "Be strong, do not fear; behold our God, [with] vengeance He shall come, the recompense of God, that shall come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall skip like a hart, and the tongue of the mute shall sing, for water has broken out in the desert and streams in the plain. And the dry place shall become a pool, and the thirsty place [shall become] springs of water; in the habitat of jackals, a resting place, a grassy place for reeds and rushes. And there shall be a highway and a road, and it shall be called the holy way; no unclean one shall traverse it, and it shall be for them; the traveler, even fools shall not go astray therein. No lion shall be there, nor shall a profligate beast ascend thereon, it shall not be found there; and the redeemed ones shall go. And the redeemed of Zion shall return, and they shall come to Zion with song, with joy of days of yore shall be upon their heads; they shall achieve gladness and joy, and sadness and sighing shall flee. Isaiah 34:5-10
Ho! All who thirst, go to water, and whoever has no money, go, buy and eat, and go, buy without money and without a price, wine and milk. Isaiah 55:1
So says the Lord God, Who gathers in the dispersed of Israel, I will yet gather others to him, together with his gathered ones. All the beasts of the field, come to devour all the beasts in the forest. His lookouts are all blind, they do not know, dumb dogs who cannot bark; they lie slumbering, loving to slumber. And the dogs are of greedy disposition, they know not satiety; and they are shepherds who know not to understand; they all turned to their way, each one to his gain, every last one. "Come, I will take wine, and let us guzzle old wine, and tomorrow shall be like this, [but] greater [and] much more." Isaiah 56:8-12
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. Proverbs 4:14-17
Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Proverbs 9:1-5
Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. Proverbs 21:17
Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways, for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.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. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” Proverbs 23:19-35
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. 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 31:4-7
A song of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He causes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even when I walk in the valley of darkness, I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me. You set a table before me in the presence of my adversaries; You anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. May only goodness and kindness pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for length of days. Psalm 23
They talk about me, those who sit in the gate, and [they make] melodies [about me] for those who imbibe strong drink. Psalm 69:13
For the conductor, al tashcheth, a psalm of Asaph, a song. We have thanked You, O God, we have thanked, and Your name is near; they have told Your wonders. When I take a festive day, I shall judge with fairness. When the earth and all its inhabitants were melting away, I established its pillars forever. I said to the perverse, "Do not behave perversely," and to the wicked, "Do not raise the horn." Do not raise your horn on high, [do not] speak with [your] fat neck. For it is not from the east or from the west, neither from the desert does elevation come. But God judges; He humbles this one and elevates that one. For a cup is in the hand of the Lord, and strong wine, a full mixture, and He pours out of this [cup], but all the wicked of the earth will drain and drink [it]. And I shall recite forever; I shall sing [praises] to the God of Jacob. And all the horns of the wicked I shall cut off; the horns of the righteous will be upraised. Psalm 75
He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; from the fruit of Your works the earth is sated. He causes grass to sprout for the animals and vegetation for the work of man, to bring forth bread from the earth. And wine, which cheers man's heart, to make the face shine from oil, and bread, which sustains man's heart. Psalm 104:13-15
No priest is to drink wine when he enters the inner court. Ezekiel 44:21
Daniel resolved not to be defiled by the king's food or by the wine he drank; so he requested of the king's chief officer that he should not be defiled. God granted Daniel kindness and mercy before the chief officer. And the chief officer replied to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who allotted your food and your drink, for why should he see your faces troubled more than the youths like you? And you will forfeit my head to the king." And Daniel answered the steward whom the chief officer had appointed for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. "Now test your servants for ten days, and let them give us some pulse that we should eat, and water that we should drink. And let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be seen by you, and as you will see, so do with your servants." He heeded them in this matter and tested them for ten days. And at the end of the ten days, they looked handsomer and fatter than all the youths who ate the king's food. And the steward would carry away their food and the wine they were to drink and give them pulse. And to these youths, the four of them, God gave knowledge and understanding in every script and wisdom, and Daniel understood all visions and dreams. Daniel 1:8-17
King Belshazzar made a great feast for his one thousand dignitaries, and he drank as much wine as the thousand. Belshazzar said, with the counsel of the wine, to bring the golden and silver vessels that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the Temple that was in Jerusalem, that the king, his dignitaries, his queen, and his concubines should drink from them. Then the golden vessels that they had taken out of the Temple of the House of God, which was in Jerusalem, were brought, and the king, his dignitaries, his queen, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine and praised gods of gold, silver, copper, iron, wood, and stone. At that time, the fingers of a human hand emerged and wrote opposite the candelabrum on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, and the king saw the palm of the hand that was writing. Then the king-his color changed, and his thoughts frightened him, the belts of his loins became untied, and his knees knocked one against the other. The king cried aloud to bring in the necromancers, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king shouted and said to the wise men of Babylon, "Any man who shall read this writing and tell me its interpretation shall wear purple and [have] a golden chain on his neck and rule over a third of the kingdom." Then all the king's wise men entered, but they could not read the writing or let the king know its interpretation. Then King Belshazzar became very frightened, and his color changed, and his dignitaries were perplexed. The queen, in response to the words of the king and his dignitaries, entered the banquet hall; the queen raised her voice and said, "May the king live forever! Let your thoughts not frighten you, and let your color not change. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of holy angels, and in your father's time enlightenment, understanding, and wisdom like the wisdom of the angels was found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, appointed him prince of the necromancers, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the demonologists; [so did] your father the king. All because a superior spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, tell riddles, and untie knots was found in him, in Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar; now let Daniel be summoned and he will tell the interpretation." Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king raised his voice and said to Daniel, "You are Daniel, who is of the exiles of Judea, whom my father brought from Judea. And I heard about you that the spirit of the angels is in you, and enlightenment, understanding, and superior wisdom is found in you. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they may read this writing and let me know its interpretation, but they cannot interpret the matter to tell [it]. And I have heard about you that you can interpret interpretations and untie knots. Now if you can read the writing and let me know its interpretation, you shall wear purple and [have] a golden chain on your neck, and [over] a third of the kingdom you shall rule." Then Daniel raised his voice and said before the king, "Keep your gifts for yourself, and give your lavish gifts to someone else, but I shall read the writing for the king, and I shall let him know the interpretation. You are the king [because] the Most High God gave your father, Nebuchadnezzar, kingdom, greatness, honor, and glory. And through the greatness that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and tongues were quaking, and they feared him; whomever he wished he would slay, and whomever he wished he would let live; whomever he wished he would exalt, and whomever he wished he would humble. And when his heart became haughty and his spirit was toughened so that he dealt wickedly, he was deposed from his royal throne, and the honor was removed from him. And he was banished from mankind, and his heart was just like that of the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses. They fed him grass like the cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of the heavens, until he realized that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of man, and whomever He wishes He sets up on it. But you, his son, Belshazzar, you did not humble your heart in view of the fact that you know all this. But over the Lord of heaven you exalted yourself, and the vessels of His House they brought before you, and you, your dignitaries, your queen, and your concubines drank wine in them, and you praised gods of silver and gold, copper, iron, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor know, but the God in Whose hand is your soul and all your ways-He you did not glorify. Then from before Him the palm of a hand was sent forth, and it inscribed this writing. And this is the writing that it inscribed: MENE MENE TEKEIL UFARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE-God has counted your kingdom and has brought it to an end. TEKEIL-You were weighed on the scales and found wanting. UFARSIN-Your kingdom has been broken up and given to Media and Persia." Then Belshazzar ordered, and they attired Daniel with purple and the golden chain on his neck, and they announced about him that he should rule over a third of the kingdom. On that very night, Belshazzar, the Chaldean king, was assassinated. Daniel chapter 5
Harlotry and [old] wine and new wine take away the heart. My people takes counsel of his piece of wood, and his rod declares to him. For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to err, and they have gone astray lewdly from under their God. Hosea 4:11-12
The day of our king, the princes became ill from the heat of the wine; he withdrew his hand with the scorners. For they have made ready their heart like an oven with their ambush; all night their baker sleeps, in the morning he burns like a flaming fire. They are all heated like an oven and they devour their judges; all their kings have fallen, none of them calls to Me. Ephraim mingles with the peoples; Ephraim was as a cake which was not turned over. Strangers have consumed his strength, but he did not know; also weakness was cast into him, but he did not know. And the pride of Israel was humbled before him, and they did not return to the Lord their God, and did not seek Him despite this. Hosea 7:5-10
Awaken, you drunkards, and weep; and wail, all you wine drinkers, concerning the strong wine, which has been cut off from your mouth. For a nation has ascended upon my land, mighty and innumerable; its teeth are like the teeth of an old lion, and its molars are like those of a young lion. He has laid my vine waste, and my fig tree into a disappointment; he has peeled it and cast it off, its branches have become white. Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth. Joel 1:5-8
And they recline on pledged garments beside every altar, and the wine of the fined ones they drink in the house of their gods. And I destroyed the Amorites from before them, whose height is as the height of the cedar trees, and they are as strong as oaks, and I destroyed his fruit from above and his roots from below. And I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and I led you in the desert for forty years, to inherit the land of the Amorites. And I raised up some of your sons as prophets and some of your young men as Nazirites; is this not so, O children of Israel? says the Lord. And you gave the Nazirites to drink wine, and you commanded the prophets saying, "Do not prophesy." Amos 2:8-12
If a man walking in wind and falsehood lies, "I will preach to you of wine and strong drink," he shall be a preacher for this people. Micah 2:11
For, while the thorns are entangled and the drunkards are drinking, they are consumed like dry stubble, fully ripe. Nahum 1:10
And surely he, whom wine betrays, a haughty man whose dwelling shall not remain, who widened his desire like the nether- world-and he is like death and shall never be sated, and he gathered all the nations to himself and collected to himself all peoples. Habbukuk 2:5
Woe to him who gives his friend to drink, who adds Your venom and also makes him drunk in order to gaze upon their nakedness. You have become sated more from disgrace than from honor. You, too, drink and become clogged up. The cup of the right hand of the Lord shall be turned upon you, and disgrace upon your glory. For the violence of the Lebanon shall cover you, and the plunder of cattle shall break them, because of the blood of man and the violence of the land, a city, and all its inhabitants. What did a graven image avail that its maker has graven it? A molten image and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusted in it to make dumb idols? Woe to him who says to the wood, "Awaken!"; to the dumb stone, "Arise!" Shall it teach? Behold it is overlaid with gold and silver, and no spirit is within it. But the Lord is in His Holy Temple. Silence the whole earth before Him. Habbukkuk 2:15-20
I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia. Revelation 14:14-20
The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. Revelation 16:19
Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. Revelation 19:15
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “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.” Mark 14:23-25
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.” Mathew 9:17
But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mathew 24:48-51
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. 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.” Mathew 26:27-29
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. Luke 1:11-15
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Luke 7:33-34
But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. Luke 12:45
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. Luke 21:34
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Luke 22:17-18
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.” 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. John 2:10-11
They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is gross sin in them, and some benefits for people, but their sinfulness outweighs their benefit.” And they ask you about what they should give: say, “The surplus.” Thus God explains the revelations to you, so that you may think. Quran 2:219
O you who believe! Do not approach the prayer while you are drunk, so that you know what you say; nor after sexual orgasm—unless you are travelling—until you have bathed. If you are sick, or traveling, or one of you comes from the toilet, or you have had intercourse with women, and cannot find water, find clean sand and wipe your faces and your hands with it. God is Pardoning and Forgiving. Quran 4:43
O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idolatry, and divination are abominations of Satan’s doing. Avoid them, so that you may prosper. Satan wants to provoke strife and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of God, and from prayer. Will you not desist? Obey God and obey the Messenger, and be cautious. If you turn away—know that the duty of Our Messenger is clear communication. Those who believe and do righteous deeds will not be blamed for what they may have eaten, provided they obey, and believe, and do good deeds, then maintain piety and faith, then remain righteous and charitable. God loves the charitable. Quran 5:90-94
Two youth entered the prison with him. One of them said, “I see myself pressing wine.” The other said, “I see myself carrying bread on my head, from which the birds are eating. Tell us their interpretation—we see that you are one of the righteous.” He said, “No food is served to you, but I have informed you about it before you have received it. That is some of what my Lord has taught me. I have forsaken the tradition of people who do not believe in God; and regarding the Hereafter, they are deniers.” “And I have followed the faith of my forefathers, Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. It is not for us to associate anything with God. This is by virtue of God’s grace upon us and upon the people, but most people do not give thanks. “O My fellow inmates, are diverse lords better, or God, the One, the Supreme?” “You do not worship, besides Him, except names you have named, you and your ancestors, for which God has sent down no authority. Judgment belongs to none but God. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. This is the right religion, but most people do not know. “O my fellow inmates! One of you will serve his master wine; while the other will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. Thus the matter you are inquiring about is settled.” Quran 12:36-41
And We gave Moses the Scripture, that they may be guided. And We made Mary’s son and his mother a sign, and We sheltered them on high ground with security and flowing springs. O messengers, eat of the good things, and act with integrity. I am aware of what you do. This nation of yours is one nation, and I am your Lord, so fear Me. But they tore themselves into sects; each party happy with what they have. So leave them in their bewilderment until a time. Do they assume that, in furnishing them with wealth and children. We race to give them the good things? In fact, they have no idea. Those who, from awe of their Lord, are fearful. And those who believe in their Lord’s Verses. And those who associate no partners with their Lord. And those who give what they give, while their hearts quake, knowing that to their Lord they will return. It is they who race towards goodness. It is they who will reach it first. We never burden any soul beyond its capacity. And with Us is a record that tells the truth, and they will not be wronged. Quran 23:49-61
And tell the believing women to restrain their looks, and to guard their privates, and not display their beauty except what is apparent thereof, and to draw their coverings over their breasts, and not expose their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, what their right hands possess, their male attendants who have no sexual desires, or children who are not yet aware of the nakedness of women. And they should not strike their feet to draw attention to their hidden beauty. And repent to God, all of you believers, so that you may succeed. And wed the singles among you, and those who are fit among your servants and maids. If they are poor, God will enrich them from His bounty. God is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. And let those who do not find the means to marry abstain, until God enriches them from His bounty. If any of your servants wish to be freed, grant them their wish, if you recognize some good in them. And give them of God’s wealth which he has given you. And do not compel your girls to prostitution, seeking the materials of this life, if they desire to remain chaste. Should anyone compel them—after their compulsion, God is Forgiving and Merciful. We have sent down to you clarifying revelations, and examples of those who passed on before you, and advice for the righteous. God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The allegory of His light is that of a pillar on which is a lamp. The lamp is within a glass. The glass is like a brilliant planet, fueled by a blessed tree, an olive tree, neither eastern nor western. Its oil would almost illuminate, even if no fire has touched it. Light upon Light. God guides to His light whomever He wills. God thus cites the parables for the people. God is cognizant of everything. In houses which God has permitted to be raised, and His name is celebrated therein. He is glorified therein, morning and evening. By men who neither trading nor commerce distracts them from God’s remembrance, and from performing the prayers, and from giving alms. They fear a Day when hearts and sights are overturned. God will reward them according to the best of what they did, and He will increase them from His bounty. God provides for whomever He wills without reckoning. As for those who disbelieve, their works are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty assumes it is to be water. Until, when he has reached it, he finds it to be nothing, but there he finds God, Who settles his account in full. God is swift in reckoning. Or like utter darkness in a vast ocean, covered by waves, above which are waves, above which is fog. Darkness upon darkness. If he brings out his hand, he will hardly see it. He to whom God has not granted a light has no light. Quran 24:31-40
The likeness of the Garden promised to the righteous: in it are rivers of pure water, and rivers of milk forever fresh, and rivers of wine delightful to the drinkers, and rivers of strained honey. And therein they will have of every fruit, and forgiveness from their Lord. Like one abiding in the Fire forever, and are given to drink boiling water, that cuts-up their bowels? Quran 47:15
No indeed; the record of the righteous is in Elliyyeen. But how can you know what Elliyyoon is? A numerical book. Witnessed by those brought near. Indeed, the righteous will be amid bliss. On thrones, looking on. You will recognize on their faces the radiance of bliss. They will be given to drink a sealed wine. Whose seal is musk—this is what competitors should compete for. Its mixture is of Tasneem. A spring from which those brought near drink. Those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed. And when they passed by them, they would wink at one another. And when they went back to their families, they would go back exulting. And if they saw them, they would say, “These people are lost.” Yet they were not sent as guardians over them. But on that Day, those who believed will laugh at the unbelievers. On luxurious furnishings, looking on. Have the unbelievers been repaid for what they used to do? Quran 83:18-36
