What does the Bible say about wine?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible presents wine as a good gift of God that may be used with gratitude and wisdom, yet it strongly condemns drunkenness and calls believers to self-control and love for others. Psalm 104:15 and Isaiah 25:6 portray wine among God’s generous provisions, while 1 Timothy 5:23 permits its medicinal use. But Proverbs 20:1, Isaiah 5:11, and Ephesians 5:18 warn that intoxication deceives, corrupts, and opposes life filled by the Spirit. Some, such as Nazirites, abstained entirely (Numbers 6:3), and Titus 2:3 warns against enslavement to much wine. Christians should therefore exercise liberty carefully, refusing drunkenness and willingly abstaining when use would harm a weaker brother or sister (Romans 14:21).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

1 Timothy 5:23
Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.
Ephesians 5:18
Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler; Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Psalms 104:15
Wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengthens man's heart.
Proverbs 31:6
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter in soul:
Isaiah 25:6
In this mountain will Yahweh of Hosts make to all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
Romans 14:21
It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.
Isaiah 5:11
Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; Who stay late into the night, until wine inflames them!
Numbers 6:3
he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried.
Titus 2:3
and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

Made from grapes Genesis 40:11; Genesis 49:11; Isaiah 25:6; Jeremiah 40:1; Jeremiah 40:12
From pomegranates Song of Solomon 8:2
Kept in jars Jeremiah 13:12; Jeremiah 48:12
In skins (R. V.) Joshua 9:4; Joshua 9:13; Job 32:19; Matthew 9:17; Luke 5:37; Luke 5:38
In bottles Joshua 9:4; Joshua 9:13; Job 32:19; Jeremiah 13:12; Jeremiah 48:12; Matthew 9:17; Luke 5:37; Luke 5:38
Cellars for 1 Chronicles 27:27
New Haggai 1:11
Old Luke 5:39
Medicinal use of Proverbs 31:6; Proverbs 31:7
Recommended by Paul to Timothy 1 Timothy 5:23
Used at meals Matthew 26:27-29; Mark 14:23
Made by Jesus at the marriage feast in Cana John 2:9; John 2:10
Sacramental use of Matthew 26:27-29; Luke 22:17-20
Forbidden to priests while on duty Leviticus 10:9; Ezekiel 44:21
Forbidden to Nazarites Numbers 6:2; Numbers 6:3
See NAZARITE
Abstinence from
Of Daniel Daniel 1:5; Daniel 1:8; Daniel 1:16; Daniel 10:3
Of the courtiers of Ahasuerus Esther 1:8
Of Timothy 1 Timothy 5:23
Samson’ s mother forbidden to drink Judges 13:4; Judges 13:5
Forbidden to kings Proverbs 31:4
Denied to the Israelites in the wilderness, so that they could know that the Lord was their God Deuteronomy 29:6
Offered with sacrifices Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:5; Numbers 15:10; Numbers 28:7; Numbers 28:14
Given by Melchizedek to Abraham Genesis 14:18
Fermented Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Numbers 28:7; Deuteronomy 14:26; Deuteronomy 29:6; Proverbs 23:31; Proverbs 23:32; Mark 2:22
Refined Isaiah 25:6; Jeremiah 48:11
Of staggering (R. V.) Psalms 60:3
Inflames the eyes Genesis 49:12
Commerce in Revelation 18:13
Banquets of Esther 5:6
Cheap wine (like vinegar) given to Jesus at the crucifixion Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:23; Luke 23:36; John 19:29
Intoxication from the use of Psalms 104:15; Proverbs 4:17
INSTANCES OF INTOXICATION FROM
Noah Genesis 9:21
Lot Genesis 19:32
Joseph and his brothers Genesis 43:34
Nabal 1 Samuel 25:36
Amnon 2 Samuel 13:28; 2 Samuel 13:29
Ahasuerus Esther 1:10

Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

First mention of Genesis 9:20; Genesis 9:21
Was made of
The juice of the grape Genesis 49:11
The juice of the pomegranate Song of Solomon 8:2
First mode of making, notice Genesis 40:11
Generally made by treading the grapes in a press Nehemiah 13:15; Isaiah 63:2; Isaiah 63:3
Refining of, alluded to Isaiah 25:6
Improved by age Luke 5:39
Places celebrated for
Canaan in general Deuteronomy 33:28
Possessions of Judah Genesis 49:8; Genesis 49:11; Genesis 49:12
Lebanon Hosea 14:7
Helbon Ezekiel 27:18
Assyria 2 Kings 18:32; Isaiah 36:17
Moab Isaiah 16:8-10; Jeremiah 48:32; Jeremiah 48:33
Many kinds of Nehemiah 5:18
Sweet, esteemed for flavour and strength Isaiah 49:26; Amos 9:13; Micah 6:15
Red, most esteemed Proverbs 23:31; Isaiah 27:2
Often spiced to increase its strength, &c Proverbs 9:2; Proverbs 9:5; Proverbs 23:30; Song of Solomon 8:2
Was used
As a beverage from the earliest age Genesis 9:21; Genesis 27:25
At all feasts and entertainments Esther 1:7; Esther 5:6; Isaiah 5:12; Daniel 5:1-4; John 2:3
For drink offerings in the worship of God Exodus 29:40; Numbers 15:4-10
For drink offerings in idolatrous worship Deuteronomy 32:37; Deuteronomy 32:38
As a medicine Luke 10:34; 1 Timothy 5:23
First fruits of, to be offered to God Deuteronomy 18:4; 2 Chronicles 31:5
With corn and oil, denoted all temporal blessings Genesis 27:28; Genesis 27:37; Psalms 4:7; Hosea 2:8; Joel 2:19
Given in abundance to the Jews when obedient Hosea 2:22; Joel 2:19; Joel 2:24; Zechariah 9:17
The Jews frequently deprived of, as a punishment Isaiah 24:7; Isaiah 24:11; Hosea 2:9; Joel 1:10; Haggai 1:11; Haggai 2:16
The Jews frequently drank, to excess Isaiah 5:11; Joel 3:3; Amos 6:6
In times of scarcity, was mixed with water Isaiah 1:22
Sometimes mixed with milk as a beverage Song of Solomon 5:1
Characterised as
Cheering God and man Judges 9:13; Zechariah 9:17
Gladdening the heart Psalms 104:15
Strengthening 2 Samuel 16:2; Song of Solomon 2:5
Making mirthful Esther 1:10; Ecclesiastes 10:19
Custom of presenting to travellers Genesis 14:18; 1 Samuel 25:18
Custom of giving to persons in pain or suffering, mixed with drugs Proverbs 31:6; Mark 15:23
Forbidden to the priests while engaged in the tabernacle Leviticus 10:9

Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about wine and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about wine