Bible Dictionaries
Drink

Holman Bible Dictionary

Beverages. Water was the primary drink. It was drawn from cisterns (2 Samuel 17:18; Jeremiah 38:6 ) or from wells (Genesis 29:2; John 4:11 ). In times of draught it was necessary to buy water (Deuteronomy 2:28; Lamentations 5:4 ). Milk was also a common beverage though it was considered a food rather than a drink. Several types of wine were consumed. “New” or “sweet” wine was likely wine from the first drippings of juice before the grapes had been trodden. Some interpreters argue that new wine was unfermented. Some texts in which it is mentioned, however, allude to its intoxicating effects (Hosea 4:11; Acts 2:13 ). In a hot climate before the invention of refrigeration, it was not possible to keep wine many months past the harvest before fermentation began. Sour wine, perhaps vinegar mixed with oil, was a common drink of day laborers (Ruth 2:14; Luke 23:36 ). Wine was considered a luxury item which could both gladden the heart (Psalm 104:15 ) or cloud the mind (Isaiah 28:7; Hosea 4:11 ). See Milk; Water; Wine .