Strong Drink

In the Bible, a strong drink is an alcoholic beverage that has more alcohol content than ordinary wine.

It was forbidden to:

• Levites who were entering the tent of meeting (Leviticus 10:9),

• those taking the Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:3; Judges 13:4–14), and

• John the Baptist (Luke 1:15).

The writer of Proverbs 20:1 suggests that the wise man does not become drunk by it. Isaiah warns against those who are addicted to it (Isaiah 5:11, 22). Strong drink was used as an offering in the Levitical sacrifice (Numbers 28:7). It was allowed during the feast when tithing (Deuteronomy 14:26).

See also Wine.