THE UNDERLYING WORDS FOR WINE

By HERB EVANS, Ltt.D.

157 PATTIES PLACE -- PORTERSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA 16051

E-Mail: herbevans@herbevans.com

All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the VINE TREE [YAYIN], from the kernels even to the husk. -- Num. 6:4

Whoredom and wine [YAYIN] and new wine [TIYWROSH] take away the heart. -- Hosea 4:11

Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of WINE [‘enab (grapes)]. -- Hosea 3:1

And I saw the woman DRUNKEN WITH the BLOOD of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus . . . -- Rev. 17:6

It is not our desire to enter into a Hebrew/Greek contest; the English KJB is sufficient for us and need not be corrected. However, it has been mistakenly argued that the Hebrew and Greek words for wine and strong drink differentiate between the alcoholic variety and the non-alcoholic variety. Nothing could be further from the truth. The main differentiation between alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines is the age, namely, old wine versus new wine. Still, as with the above passage, both words can be used for either. Context is the most important factor. Still, any product of the vine can be biblically called wine, a generic term much like our term “cider.” It is also a mistake to think that the word “drunk(en)” always means inebriated, since it often means satiated or full. Note the underlying words in these passages in which captions are only needed:

The Wine In The Field

Binding his foal unto the VINE, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in WINE [YAYIN], and his clothes in the BLOOD OF GRAPES . . . -- Gen. 49:11

. . . they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine [YAYIN] thereof. -- Zep. 1:13

. . . he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the FRUIT OF THY LAND, thy corn, and thy WINE [TIYROWSH], and thine oil . . . -- Deut. 7:13

. . . that thou mayest GATHER in [from the field] thy CORN [grain], and thy WINE [TIYROWSH], and thine OIL [olives]. -- Deut. 11:14

Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the TITHE of the CORN, or of thy WINE [TIYROWSH], or of thy OIL . . . Deut. 12:17

. . . after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy WINE [juice squeezings or pressings - YEQEB] -- Deut. 16:13

And the VINE said unto them, Should I leave my WINE [TIYROWSH], which cheereth God AND man . . . -- Judg. 9:13

. . . thy PRESSES shall burst out with NEW WINE [TIYROWSH]. -- Prov. 3:10

The floor and the WINEPRESS shall not feed them, and the NEW WINE [TIYROWSH] shall fail in her. -- Hosea 9:2

And I called for a drought . . . upon the CORN [grain], and upon the NEW WINE [grapes TIYROWSH], and upon the OIL [olives], and upon that which the GROUND bringeth forth . . . -- Hag. 1:11

. . . the TREADERS shall tread out no WINE [YAYIN] in their PRESSES; I have made their vintage [BATSIYR] shouting to cease. -- Isa. 16:10 (Isa 32:10 - vintage is gathered)

Thus saith the LORD, As the NEW WINE [TIYROWSH] is found in the CLUSTER, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it . . . -- Isa. 65:8

Even all the Jews . . . gathered wine [YAYIN] and summer fruits very much . . . I have caused wine [YAYIN] to fail from the WINEPRESSES: none shall TREAD . . . -- Jer. 48:12, 33

. . . thou shalt TREAD the OLIVES, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil [synonymous with olives]; and [shalt tread] sweet [or fresh] WINE [TIYROWSH], but shalt not drink WINE [YAYIN—synonymous with TIYROWSH]. -- Mic. 6:15

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their WINE [TIYWROSH] INCREASED. -- Psa. 4:7

The Fresh Juice

And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the GRAPES, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. -- Gen. 40:11

Since wine, a product or fruit, of the ground or earth or field (Deut. 14:22) had to be gathered and tread and is found in the cluster and vine, both YAYIN and TIYROWSH, we can safely say that the English word "WINE" is a generic word for all products of the grape. Since grapes, wine, vinegar, and raisins are said to come from the VINE TREE or YAYIN, we can also safely say that YAYIN is a generic word for all products of the grape. Moreover, since the pressings or squeezings (YEQEB), of the grapes, are called "WINE," and since TIYROWSH is called "WINE," and since YAYIN is called "WINE," and since they are all squeezed, from the winepress, we can safely say that the King James Bible word "WINE" and qualifying words "NEW" and "SWEET" are excellent representations, of their Hebrew counterparts in their proper contexts.

Since YAYIN and TIYROWSH (WINE) are tread, from wine presses, we can safely say that, in this case, they both are non-fermented and non-alcoholic in that context. The main distinction between TIYROWSH and YAYIN is not in a degree of alcohol but in their generic degree. YAYIN includes all products and by-products, of the vine tree; TIYROWSH is wine, exclusively, in its natural or early or sweetest state. Nevertheless, even YAYIN may be wine in its natural state and found, in the vine, according to Genesis 49:11. The difference between the clothes and the garments, there, is about the same as the difference between YAYIN (WINE) and the blood of the grape (from the vine that the foal was tied). YAYIN may be TIYROWSH, but TIYWROSH is always fresh or new or sweet wine. Yayin may be fresh, or it may not be.

The Tithe - Best And First Ripe And Firstfruit

. . . all the BEST OF THE WINE [TIYROWSH (Jesus saved this BEST WINE for last at the wedding)], and of the wheat, the FIRSTFRUITS of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee. And whatsoever is FIRST RIPE in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it. -- Num. 18:12, 13

Thou shalt truly TITHE all the INCREASE of thy seed, that THE FIELD BRINGETH FORTH YEAR BY YEAR. And thou shalt eat . . . the TITHE of thy CORN, of thy WINE [TIYROWSH], and of thine OIL . . . -- Deut. 14:22, 23

The FIRST FRUIT also of thy CORN, of thy WINE [TIYROWSH], and of thine OIL, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him. -- Deut. 18:4

And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle . . . -- Hag. 1:11

And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of CORN, WINE [TIYWROSH], and OIL, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the TITHE of all things brought they in abundantly. -- 2 Chr. 31:5

And that we should bring the firstfruits . . . of WINE [(grapes) TIYROWSH] and of OIL [olives] . . . and the tithes OF OUR GROUND unto the Levites . . . For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the CORN [grain], of the NEW WINE [(grapes) TIYROWSH], and the OIL [olives], unto the chambers . . . -- Neh. 10:37-39

And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the CORN, the NEW WINE [TIYWROSH], and the OIL, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. -- Neh. 13:5

Then brought all Judah the TITHE of the CORN and the NEW WINE [TIYWROSH] and the OIL unto the treasuries. -- Neh. 13:12

Drink Offerings As Sacrifices

And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a DRINK OFFERING thereon . . . — Gen. 35:14

Do not drink WINE [YAYIN] NOR STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR], thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: -- Lev. 10:9

And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a DRINK OFFERING thereon, and he poured OIL thereon. -- Gen. 35:14

And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten OIL; and the fourth part of an hin of WINE [YAYIN] for a DRINK OFFERING. -- Exo. 29:40

And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the DRINK OFFERING thereof shall be of WINE [YAYIN], the fourth part of an hin. -- Lev. 23:13

And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink WINE [YAYIN (after not being allowed ANY grape products)] --Num. 6:20

And the fourth part of an hin of WINE [YAYIN] for a DRINK OFFERING shalt thou prepare with the BURNT OFFERING or sacrifice, for one lamb. -- Num. 15:5

And for a DRINK OFFERING thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of WINE [YAYIN], for a sweet savour unto the LORD. -- Num. 15:7

And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of WINE [YAYIN], for an OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. -- Num. 15:10

And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the STRONG WINE [SHEKAR] to be poured unto the LORD for a DRINK OFFERING. -- Num. 28:7

And their DRINK OFFERINGS shall be half an hin of WINE [YAYIN] unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the BURNT OFFERING of every month throughout the months of the year. -- Num. 28:14

Yayin And Shekar Dualism Usually

Refers To Alcoholic Drink

He shall separate himself from WINE [YAYIN] and STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR], and shall drink no VINEGAR [(ferment) CHOMETS] of WINE [YAYIN], or VINEGAR [FERMENT - CHOMETS] of STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR], neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. -- Num. 6:3

WINE [YAYIN] is a mocker, strong drink [SHEKAR] is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. -- Prov. 20:1

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink [SHEKAR]; that continue until night, till WINE [YAYIN] inflame them! -- Isa. 5:11

And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for WINE [YAYIN], or for STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR (for the burnt offerings)], or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat [not drink] there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household . . . -- Deut. 14:26

Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk WINE [YAYIN] or strong drink [SHEKAR]: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God . . . Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and THOU DIDST DRINK the PURE BLOOD OF THE GRAPE. -- Deut. 29:6, 32:14

But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now DRINK NO WINE [YAYIN] NOR STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR], neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death. -- Judg. 13:7

Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not WINE NOR STRONG DRINK, and eat not any unclean thing: -- Judg. 13:4

She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine [grapes, raisins, etc.], neither let her drink WINE NOR STRONG DRINK, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe. -- Judg. 13:14

And Hannah answered [after being accused of getting drunk, 14] and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither WINE nor STRONG DRINK, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. -- 1 Sam. 1:15

Woe unto them that are mighty to drink WINE [YAYIN], and men of strength to mingle STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR]: -- Isa. 5:22

They shall not drink WINE [YAYIN] with a song; STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR] shall be bitter to them that drink it. -- Isa. 24:9

But they also have erred through WINE [YAYIN], and through STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR] are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of WINE [YAYIN], they are out of the way through STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR]; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. -- Isa. 28:7

Come ye, say they, I will fetch WINE [YAYIN], and we will fill ourselves with STRONG DRINK [SHEKAR]; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. -- Isa. 56:12

Give strong drink [SHEKAR] unto him that is ready to perish, and WINE [YAYIN] unto those that be of heavy hearts. -- Prov. 31:6

Fermented Wine

Their WINE [YAYIN (clearly alcoholic)] is the POISON of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. -- Deut. 32:33

Behold, my belly is as WINE [YAYIN (fermenting wine)] which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. -- Job 32:19

For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the WINE [YAYIN] is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. -- Psa. 75:8

For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the WINE [YAYIN] of violence. -- Prov. 4:17

She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her WINE [YAYIN]; she hath also furnished her table . . . Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the WINE [YAYIN] which I have MINGLED [licentious woman]. -- Prov. 9:2, 5

Who hath woe . . . They that tarry long at the WINE; they that go to seek MIXED WINE [MAMCAK - spiced or doped wine]. -- Prov. 23:30

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink WINE [YAYIN]; nor for princes STRONG DRINK [SHAKAR] . . . -- Prov. 31:4

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the WINE [YAYIN] which he drank . . . -- Dan. 1:8

Yea also, because he transgresseth by WINE [YAYIN], he is a proud man . . . -- Hab. 2:5

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the WINE [YAYIN] which he drank . . . -- Dan. 1:8

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither WINE [OINOS] nor; STRONG DRINK [SEKERA] and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. -- Luke 1:15

Unfermented Wine

And WINE [YAYIN] that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. -- Psa. 104:15

Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: -- Isa. 5:1

In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red WINE. -- Isa. 27:2

I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my WINE [YAYIN] with my MILK [not very appetizing, if alcoholic wine]: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. -- Song 5:1

I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced WINE [YAYIN] of the JUICE of my pomegranate. -- Song 8:2

Thus saith the LORD, As the new WINE [TIYWROSH] is found in the CLUSTER, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it . . . -- Isa. 65:8

For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! CORN [not moonshine] shall make the young men cheerful, and NEW WINE [TIYWROSH] the maids [cheerful]. -- Zech 9:17

Neither shall any priest drink WINE [YAYIN], when they enter into the inner court. -- Ezek. 44:21

The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her. -- Hosea 9:2

The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. -- Joel 1:10

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk . . . -- Joel 3:18

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop SWEET WINE, and all the hills shall melt. -- Amos 9:13

. . . they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. -- Amos 9:14

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen . . . The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb . . . And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. -- Rev. 14:8,10,19

. . . and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. -- Rev. 16:19

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication . . . -- Rev. 18:3