Drink, strong

Strong drink (Hebrew shēḵār) was a fermented beverage distinct from wine (yayin), probably produced from barley, dates, pomegranates, or other fruits rather than grapes. The ISBE notes it was likely similar to beer in many contexts. Scripture consistently associates strong drink with the danger of intoxication and the loss of judgment. The Nazirite vow prohibited both wine and strong drink, and mothers of those vowed from birth were also to abstain (Judg. 13:4, 7, 14; Luke 1:15 for John the Baptist).

Isaiah condemns those who rise early in pursuit of strong drink (Isa. 5:11) and those who are "heroes" in drinking wine and valiant in mixing strong drink (Isa. 5:22). Proverbs 20:1 warns that "strong drink is a brawler" and that whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Yet Deuteronomy 14:26 permits the purchase of strong drink for consumption at the feast of tithes in Jerusalem—indicating that moderate use at appropriate occasions was not itself condemned. The distinction throughout Scripture is between moderate use and drunkenness, which is uniformly forbidden.