Bible Dictionaries
Drunkenness

Holman Bible Dictionary

A state of dizziness, headaches, and vomiting resulting from drinking alcoholic beverages. From Genesis 9:21 on, the Bible describes the shameful state of the drunken person and the shameful actions resulting from the state. Too much partying led to drunkenness and failure of communication between husband and wife ( 1 Samuel 25:36 ). It left a person defenseless against enemies (1 Kings 16:9-10; 1 Kings 20:16 ). They sang loud songs ridiculing other people (Psalm 69:12 ) and could not walk straight (Job 12:25; Psalm 107:27 ). They vomited (Jeremiah 25:27 ) and were in a daze, unaware of events around them (Joel 1:5 ). They ruined their future (Proverbs 23:20-21 ). They could not protect themselves against unnecessary injuries such as avoiding a thornbush (Proverbs 26:9 ). Drunken leaders ruin a nation (Isaiah 28:1-9 ). Being drunk became a figure of speech for having to drink the disaster God was sending (Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 51:21-22; Jeremiah 25:27-29; Ezekiel 39:17-20 .

The Jewish leaders tried to discredit Jesus, saying He was a drunkard (Matthew 11:19 ). Jesus warned that the cares of life may lead to anxiety and drunkenness (Luke 21:34 ). Paul repeatedly warned against the dangers of drunkenness (Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 5:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:7 ). Timothy 1 Thessalonians 3:3 and Titus 1:7 warn church leaders they must not be drunkards. Drunkenness is a pagan custom, not a Christian one ( 1 Peter 4:3 ). Drunkards are among these who will not “inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:10 ).