the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Bible Encyclopedias
Drunk
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (this and its related words, "drunken," "drunkard," etc., are represented in Hebrew by some form of the verbs שָׁכִר, shakar', to become intoxicated; שָׁתָה, shathah', to drink simply; רָוָה, ravah', to drink to satiety; סָבָא, saba', to drink to excess; Gr. μεθύω ). The first instance of intoxication on record is that of Noah (Genesis 9:21), who was probably ignorant of the effects of the expressed juice of the grape. The sin of drunkenness is most expressly condemned in the Scriptures (Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:7-8). (See TEMPERANCE).
The use of strong drink, even to excess, was not uncommon among the Jews. This is inferred from the striking figures with which the use and effects of it have furnished the sacred writers, and also from the various express prohibitions and penalties (Psalms 107:27; Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 24:20; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 51:17-22; Proverbs 21:1; Habakkuk 2:15-16). (See DRINK, STRONG). Men are sometimes represented as drunk with sorrow, with afflictions, and with the wine of God's wrath (Isaiah 63:6; Jeremiah 51:57; Ezekiel 23:33). (See Wemyss, Symbol. Dict. s.v.) Persons under the influence of superstition, idolatry, and delusion are said to be drunk, because they make no use of their natural reason (Isaiah 28:7; Revelation 17:2). Drunkenness sometimes denotes abundance, satiety (Deuteronomy 32:42; Isaiah 49:26). To "add drunkenness to thirst" (Deuteronomy 29:19) is to add one sin to another; i.e., not only to pine in secret after idol-worship, but openly practice it (see Stuart's Hebrews Chrest. on this passage).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Drunk'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/d/drunk.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
