Strong's Number: H3196
Original Word: yayin
Usage Notes: "wine." Cognates of this word appear in Akkadian, Ugaritic, Aramaic, Arabic, and Ethiopic. It appears about 141 times and in all periods of biblical Hebrew. This is the usual Hebrew word for fermented grape. It is usually rendered "wine." Such "wine" was commonly drunk for refreshment: "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine…" (Gen 14:18; cf. Gen 27:25). Passages such as Ezek 27:18 inform us that "wine" was an article of commerce:" "Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool." Strong-holds were supplied with "wine" in case of siege (2Chron 11:11). Proverbs recommends that kings avoid "wine" and strong drink but that it be given to those troubled with problems that they might drink and forget their problems (Prov 31:4-7). "Wine" was used to make merry, to make one feel good without being intoxicated (2Sam 13:28).
Second, "wine" was used in rejoicing before the Lord. Once a year all Israel is to gather in Jerusalem. The money realized from the sale of a tithe of all their harvest was to be spent "for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice…" (Deut 14:26). "Wine" was offered to God at His command as part of the prescribed ritual (Exod 29:40). Thus it was part of the temple supplies available for purchase by pilgrims so that they could offer it to God (1Chron 9:29). Pagans used "wine" in their worship, but "their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps" (Deut 32:33).
Yayin clearly represents an intoxicating beverage. This is evident in its first biblical appearance: "And Noah began to be a husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: and he drank of the wine, and was drunken…" (Gen 9:20-21). The word is used as a synonym of tîrôsh, "new wine," in Hos 4:11, where it is evident that both can be intoxicating. Tîrôsh is distinguished from yayin by referring only to new wine not fully fermented; yayin includes "wine" at any stage. In Gen 27:28 (the first biblical occurrence of the word) Jacob's blessing includes the divine bestowal of an abundance of new wine. In 1Sam 1:15 yayin parallels shekar, "strong drink." Shekar in early times included wine (Num 28:7) but meant strong drink made from any fruit or grain (Num 6:3). People in special states of holiness were forbidden to drink "wine," such as the Nazarites (Num 6:3), Samson's mother (Judg 13:4), and priests approaching God (Lev 10:9).
In Gen 9:24 yayin means drunkenness: "And Noah awoke from his wine…"
