Bible Dictionary
Drink
The ordinary drinks of the biblical peoples included water, wine, strong drink, and vinegar. Scripture also uses drinking figuratively for receiving judgment, sharing in blessing, or believing in Christ.
Definition
The principal drinks of the Hebrews were water, wine, strong drink, and vinegar. Drinking vessels included cups, goblets, basins, pitchers, and saucers. Water and other drinks could be measured or purchased when scarcity made them costly.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses drinking literally and figuratively. To drink blood can mean to be satiated with slaughter, while drinking can represent receiving judgment or sharing in a condition. The Jews also strained drinks through a sieve in concern for ceremonial cleanness.
Historical Background
Water scarcity is illustrated by drinking water by measure and buying water. The supplied material also notes the practice of straining drinks through a sieve because of the Mosaic distinctions concerning living creatures.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The drinks of the Hebrews were water, wine, “strong drink,” and vinegar. Their drinking vessels were the cup, goblet or “basin,” the “cruse” or pitcher, and the saucer. To drink water by measure (Ezek. 4:11), and to buy water to drink (Lam. 5:4), denote great scarcity. To drink blood means to be satiated with slaughter. The Jews carefully strained their drinks through a sieve, through fear of violating the law of Lev. 11:20, 23, 41, 42. (See Matt. 23:24. “Strain at” should be “strain out.”)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See FOOD; DRINK, STRONG.</p>