Deuteronomy 14:26: Is it Fermented Wine?

Deuteronomy 14:26

26 And you shall bestow that money for whatever your soul lusts after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for 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 does not refer to fermented or intoxicating drink, but rather to a luscious, unfermented substance that was wholesome and non-injuriousSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5. While the word "strong drink" is often associated with intoxication, in this specific biblical context, it refers to a sweet syrup, such as the honey of dates or unfermented palm wine, which was provided for those rejoicing before the Lord Deuteronomy 14:26SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

The Meaning of "Strong Drink" in Context

• Wider Signification: The Hebrew word shebar, translated as "strong drink," carries a much wider meaning than modern intoxicating beverages, encompassing liquids that are simply satiating or sweetSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Three Classifications: This term can be classified into three categories: luscious saccharine syrups like date honey, fresh unfermented palm wine, and fermented intoxicating wineSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Scriptural Application: The use of the word in this verse falls under the first classification—a non-intoxicating, sweet drink used for high festivals and occasions of rejoicing Deuteronomy 14:26SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

God’s Consistent Standard on Intoxicants

The Bible does not contradict itself, and throughout its pages, God consistently warns against the use of fermented liquorDA 149.3+1.

• A Mocker and a Curse: Scripture explicitly states that wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging, warning that whoever is deceived by it is not wise Proverbs 20:1DA 149.3+1.

• Physical and Moral Debasement: Indulging in fermented liquor paralyzes reason, benumbs the intellect, and excites animal passions, making it impossible for a person to give God an undivided heartCTBH 36.3+2.

• Total Abstinence for Sacred Service: God commanded priests, judges, and those in positions of responsibility to abstain wholly from wine and strong drink so they could distinguish between the sacred and the common and administer justice fairly Leviticus 10:9-11PP 361.3+2.

• Christ’s Example: Jesus Christ never provided or sanctioned intoxicating wine; the wine He created at the wedding in Cana and the wine used for the first Communion was the pure, unfermented juice of the grapePaM 171.2+3.

Healthful Living and Spiritual Discernment

Maintaining a clear mind is essential for spiritual growth and obedience to God's lawsCG 166.4+1.

• A Personal Obligation: Every Christian has a personal obligation to bring their eating and drinking habits into conformity with the laws of nature, as our physical habits directly influence our moral and mental natureCG 392.4+2.

• Avoiding "Strange Fire": The tragedy of Nadab and Abihu serves as a permanent warning that intemperance clouds the mind, leading to a disregard for divine requirements and sacred duties Leviticus 10:1-2FE 427.3+2.

• A Blessing in the Cluster: God recognizes the pure juice of the grape as "new wine" that contains a blessing, making it a wholesome and refreshing drink that brings the taste into harmony with a healthful appetite Isaiah 65:8DA 149.3+1.

In summary, Deuteronomy 14:26 refers to a sweet, unfermented drink that was meant to be enjoyed in a state of holy rejoicing, not a fermented beverage that would becloud the reason or lead to sin Deuteronomy 14:26SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

The Hebrew lexicon that provides this specific classification is by the renowned scholar John Kitto, who explains that the term shekar (strong drink) had a much wider signification than modern alcoholic beveragesSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5. This scholarly evidence demonstrates that the word can refer to three distinct classes of liquids, the first of which is a luscious saccharine drink or sweet syrup, specifically the honey or sugar of datesSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

Lexical Evidence for "Strong Drink" as Date Syrup

• Kitto's Definition: In his analysis of the Hebrew word shekar, Kitto identifies its primary meaning in contexts of holy rejoicing as a luscious saccharine drink or sweet syrup, often derived from datesSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• The First Classification: According to this lexical study, the first class of shekar includes "dainty," "dessert," or "sweetmeat" style drinks that are not injurious in themselvesSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Contextual Satiation: The root of the word shekar means that which satiates as well as that which intoxicates, allowing for a definition that focuses on the satisfying sweetness of fruit syrupsSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Comparison to Honey: Just as God promised a land flowing with milk and honey, these sweet date syrups were considered a blessing of the land meant for nourishment and joySITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5+2.

The Distinction Between Sweetness and Fermentation

While the word is often associated with intoxication today, lexical evidence supports its use as a wholesome, unfermented substance in specific biblical settingsSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Abstemiousness and Health: Much sugar or sweetmeats can produce a state of fullness or dullness, which is why even these unfermented "strong drinks" were sometimes forbidden to those who separated themselves for specific sacred duties like the Nazarites Numbers 6:2-4SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Biblical Harmony: This interpretation ensures the Bible does not contradict itself, as the Lord would not command the people to consume a substance that He elsewhere describes as a "mocker" and "raging" Proverbs 20:1SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• The Blessing of the Earth: In its unfermented state, this date honey or syrup was viewed as a gift from God's own providing, intended to give strength to His people2BC 1015.8+1.

Spiritual Significance of the Language

The use of specific Hebrew terms is crucial for understanding the character of God's requirements and the purity of His giftsSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Divine Instruction: The Lord gives specific directions regarding wine and strong drink to protect the human agent from degradation and wretchednessRH May 1, 1894, par. 9.

• Sweetness of the Law: The statutes and judgments of the Lord are described as being "sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb," highlighting that God's true blessings are wholesome and delightful to the soul Psalms 19:10+1RH October 18, 1898, par. 8.

• Clear Discernment: By recognizing shekar in this verse as a sweet, unfermented syrup, the believer maintains the "clear brain" and "sharp and clean-cut reason" necessary to distinguish between the holy and the common Leviticus 10:9Te 289.2+1.

While the interpretation is famously detailed by John Kitto, the renowned Hebrew scholar Gesenius also provides lexical support for defining these terms in a way that includes unfermented substancesSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5+1. Gesenius defines the root of the related word kadash (sanctified) as "to pronounce holy" or "to institute any holy thing," and his definitions of various Hebrew terms allow for meanings beyond simple intoxicationHSFD 17.3+1.

Lexical Evidence and Scholars

• Gesenius' Lexicon: In his Hebrew Lexicon, Gesenius provides definitions that recognize the complexity of Hebrew terms, such as kodesh meaning a sanctuary or a holy place, rather than just an adjectiveARSH November 1, 1864, page 180.10.

• The Role of John Kitto: John Kitto specifically classes the various senses of the word shekar under three heads, the first being a luscious saccharine drink or sweet syrup, such as honey of datesSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Signification of Shekar: Kitto notes that shekar in all probability had a much wider signification than what is now conveyed by the phrase "strong drink"SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Satiation vs. Intoxication: The Hebrew word shekar means that which satiates as well as that which intoxicates, a distinction supported by Kitto's researchSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

Specific Interpretations of Deuteronomy 14:26

• Context of Rejoicing: It is the first class of shekar—the sweet syrup or date honey—that is referred to in Deuteronomy 14:26+1.

• Non-Injurious Nature: This "strong drink" of the first class was not injurious in itself, which is why it could be included in a commanded feast of rejoicing before the Lord Deuteronomy 14:26SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Consistency in Scripture: Starting with the assurance that the Bible does not contradict itself, scholars like Kitto argue that God would not encourage the use of an intoxicating beverage in one verse while forbidding it as "raging" in another Proverbs 20:1SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

The Wider Scholarly Framework

• Hebrew Concordance: The Englishman's Hebrew Concordance supports the literal meaning of words like nehhtak as "cut off" or "divided," showing a pattern of looking for literal, root-based meanings in biblical HebrewKPC 26.1+1.

• Lexical Agreement: Other scholars such as Stockius and Mercerus agree with Gesenius on the literal and tropical definitions of Hebrew roots, reinforcing a method of study that prioritizes the original cultural and linguistic contextDAR1909 216.1+1.

• The Seder Moed: Understanding Hebrew terms also involves taking into account the Jewish records and tractates that explain the practical application of laws, as seen in Kitto’s references to the Mishnah and Sabbath regulationsLTJMBA 185.2.

Ultimately, while John Kitto provides the explicit three-part classification of shekar as date syrup or unfermented wine, this is built upon a foundation of Hebrew lexical study shared by scholars like Gesenius, who recognized that these ancient terms carried meanings involving both the physical substance and its ritual puritySITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5+2.

While Gesenius is recognized as the "prince of Hebrew lexicographers" and a standard authority for defining Hebrew roots, the specific three-part classification identifying shekar in Deuteronomy 14:26 as date syrup or unfermented palm wine is most explicitly detailed by the scholar KittoWDUS 69.1+1. In his Lexicon, Gesenius defines the root of shekar as meaning "to drink deeply" or "to be drunken," and he treats it as a generic term applied to fermented liquorsETI Wine.11. However, the interpretation that the "strong drink" in Deuteronomy 14:26 specifically refers to the first class of shekar—a luscious saccharine drink or sweet syrup—is the conclusion drawn by Kitto to ensure the Bible does not contradict its own warnings against intoxicantsSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

Lexical and Scholarly Definitions

• Gesenius' Definition: Gesenius defines shekar as "strong drink," any intoxicating liquor, and notes its root means "to drink deeply" or "to be drunken"ETI Wine.11.

• Kitto's Analysis: It is Kitto who provides the exact quotation stating that shekar "had in all probability a much wider signification" and identifies three heads: 1. Luscious saccharine drink or sweet syrup (date honey); 2. Unfermented palm wine; 3. Fermented palm wineSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Contextual Application: Based on the principle that God provides only "good things" and "blessings," it is held that the "strong drink" of Deuteronomy 14:26 must refer to the first category of sweet, non-injurious syrupARSH December 24, 1901, page 831.8+1.

The Root and Meaning

• Satiation: The Hebrew word shekar means that which satiates as well as that which intoxicatesSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Consistency: Because Christ, who gave the word in the Old Testament, described intoxicating wine as a "mocker" and "raging," He would not provide or command its use in a holy feast Proverbs 20:1HLv 93.2+1.

• Lexical Support: While Gesenius defines the general use of the word, scholarly reliance on his work is common for establishing the literal roots of terms like kadash (to sanctify/appoint) and chathak (to cut off/determine) in prophetic and legal contextsHSFD 17.3+2.

...ase ‘strong drink.’” He classes the various senses of the word under three heads. 1. Luscious saccharine drink, or sweet syrup, especially sugar or honey of dates. From it are derived words meaning “dainty,” “dessert,” “sweetmeat.&rd...— SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5

(9.) Shekar, “strong drink,” any intoxicating liquor; from a root meaning “to drink deeply,” “to be drunken”, a generic term applied to all fermented liquors, however...— ETI Wine.11 (1897)

...;” and while he gives precedence to Ewald only over Gesenius as a grammarian, he says, “Gesenius is unquestionably the prince of Hebrew lexicographers.” The reader will bear me witness that I have never thrust any profession of scholarship befor...— WDUS 69.1 (1872)

Deuteronomy 14:26

26 And you shall bestow that money for whatever your soul lusts after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever your soul desires: and you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you, and your household,

The contextual evidence in ** Deuteronomy 14:26** indicating that the first category of shekar—a luscious, unfermented syrup—is intended relies upon the primary biblical principle that the Word of God does not contradict itselfSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5. While lexicons like Gesenius define the general root of shekar as "to drink deeply," the specific context of this verse involves a divine command to rejoice before the Lord, which necessitates a substance that is wholesome and non-injuriousETI Wine.11+1.

The Principle of Biblical Harmony

The most compelling evidence is the internal consistency of the Scriptures regarding God's character and His giftsSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Avoiding Contradiction: It is a safe rule of interpretation to start with the assurance that the Bible does not contradict itselfSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5. Since the Lord explicitly warns that "wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging" and pronounces a curse on those who put the bottle to their neighbor's lips, He would not command His people to purchase and consume an intoxicating beverage in a sacred feast of rejoicing Proverbs 20:1+1DA 149.3+1.

• The Nature of God's Blessings: Scripture states that "only good things come from the hand of the Lord" and that He sends "blessings, not a curse"ARSH December 24, 1901, page 831.8. Fermented wine is described as a product of the curse and the "cup of trembling," whereas the "new wine in the cluster" is described as containing a blessing Isaiah 65:8DA 149.3+2.

Satiation and Rejoicing

The Hebrew word shekar itself contains contextual clues through its broader linguistic roots and its usage in festivalsSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Meaning of Satiation: The Hebrew word shekar means that which satiates as well as that which intoxicatesSITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5. In the context of a feast where the participant is told to "bestow that money for whatever your soul lusts after... and you shall rejoice," the meaning of "satiation" through sweet, luscious dainties fits the celebratory atmosphere without the beclouding of reason caused by alcohol Deuteronomy 14:26SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Dainties and Sweetmeats: From the first class of shekar (sweet syrup or date honey), words are derived that mean "dainty," "dessert," and "sweetmeat"SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5. These dainties produce a state of fullness and lassitude if taken in excess, which explains why they were forbidden to Nazarites who required special abstemiousness, yet were appropriate for a general festival of rejoicing Numbers 6:2-4+1SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

The Character of the Feast

The setting of ** Deuteronomy 14:26** is a religious ordinance performed "before the Lord your God" Deuteronomy 14:26SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.

• Sacred vs. Common: God established a strict difference between the holy and the unholy, and between the clean and the unclean Leviticus 10:9-11Con 81.3. He specifically prohibited priests from using "wine or strong drink" when entering the tabernacle so they could maintain clear judgment and teach His statutesCon 81.3+2.

• Harmony of the Appetite: The unfermented drink provided in biblical settings was intended to bring the taste into harmony with a healthful appetite and a clear brain, which is essential for any service or rejoicing conducted in the presence of GodDA 149.3+1.

In summary, the context of holy rejoicing and the established biblical warnings against intoxicating liquor necessitate that the "strong drink" in ** Deuteronomy 14:26** refers to the first class of shekar—the luscious saccharine syrup of dates—which is wholesome, satiating, and consistent with the divine command to rejoice Deuteronomy 14:26SITI March 2, 1882, page 108.5.