Subject:  Wine and Grape Juice

Question:  Does “wine” in the Bible mean “grape juice"?

Answer: 

Prohibitionists object saying, “But how do you know that the original Hebrew and Greek words mean fermented wine?  Certain historians say the wine used was nothing more than molasses – that this grape drink was non-intoxicating and the ordinary drink of people in Christ’s time.”

Here is the truth about this false idea!

There are thirteen original Hebrew and Greek words for “wine” in our English Bible.  How can we know which one means fermented wine?  To find the answer, do not go to Aristotle or Pliny, put go to the Bible itself.  By comparing its usage, the scriptural meaning of wine can be defined.

One of the original Hebrew words for wine is “yayin."  This word is first used in Genesis 9:21 where Noah “drank of the wine and was drunken.”  This wine caused drunkenness!  Was it just grape juice or was it molasses?

In Genesis 14:18 we read of Melchizedek – Jesus Christ – who “brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”  God Himself here gave wine to Abraham.  And again, the original Hebrew word was “yayin” which always means fermented wine.  This same Hebrew word is used in Amos 9:14 speaking of the coming Millennium where the people will “plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof.”  They will drink the same kind of wine that Noah drank and became drunk by overindulgence.

In the New Testament, on original Greek word for win is oinos.  Proof that it is alcoholic is given in the story of the Good Samaritan.  The Samaritan poured oil and wine on the man’s wounds (Luke 10:34), showing that the wine had enough alcoholic content to be used as an antiseptic.  Would you pour grape juice or molasses on a wound?

The Greek word oinos is also used in John 2 where Jesus turned water into wine by a divine miracle.  It is used in 1 Timothy 5:23, the command of Paul, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”  This Greek word is also used in Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess.”

In ancient times it was impossible to preserve grape juice.  Except for a short season the “fruit of the vine” was either made into a thick molasses or into wine.  Check Hastings Bible Dictionary for the full proof.

See our letter, “Passover/Lord’s Supper Wine” which is in the Letter Answering Department Survey.