DRUNKENNESS (רָוָה, H8115, שִׁכָּרﯴנ֒, H8913; μέθη, G3494). There are many evidences in Scripture that alcoholic intoxication was one of the major social evils of ancient times. This was true of all nations, including Israel, in the Near E and the Mediterranean world. Drunkenness was common among all classes, but esp. the rich and the members of the nobility (1 Sam 25:36; 2 Sam 13:28; 1 Kings 16:9; 20:16). The prophet Amos said that God would bring judgment upon the wealthy women of Samaria for oppressing the poor and enticing their husbands to drink with them. The fact that Eli suspected Hannah, the mother of Samuel, of being inebriated while she was engaged in prayer in the Tabernacle shows that intoxication was not unknown even in that holy place. Isaiah wrote of priests and prophets in his own time, that they reeled and staggered with strong drink and that their minds were confused with wine (Isa 28:7).

The effects of strong drink are vividly described in the OT. There are frequent references to the unsteady gait of drunkards (Job 12:25; Ps 107:27; Isa 19:14; 24:20). Drunkards stagger in their vomit (Isa 19:14); they are given to quarrelsomeness and brawling (Prov 20:1; 23:19-35); they begin to drink early in the morning and continue until late hours, till wine inflames them (Isa 5:11); their minds are confused with drink (28:7); their understanding is taken away (Hos 4:11); they neglect their duties (Prov 31:4, 5); they think they are heroes (Isa 5:22); they end their days in poverty (Prov 21:17; 23:20, 21) and in woe and sorrow (23:29-32).

Among the better known cases of drunkenness in the OT are the following: Noah (Gen 9:21), Lot (19:33, 35), Nabal (1 Sam 25:36), Uriah (who was made drunk by David, 2 Sam 11:13), Amnon (13:28), Elah, king of Israel (1 Kings 16:9), Ben-hadad, king of Syria, and thirty-two allied kings (20:16).

Priests were forbidden to drink wine and strong drink while on duty in the sanctuary (Lev 10:9). Nazirites were expected to abstain from intoxicating beverages during the period of their vows (Num 6:3, 4).

The Scriptures contain strong injunctions against strong drink (Lev 10:9; Deut 21:20; Luke 21:34; 1 Cor 5:11; Gal 5:21).

Drunkenness also is used in a metaphorical sense (Job 12:25; Isa 19:14; Jer 23:9; Ezek 23:33; 39:19; Nah 3:11).