An investigation into the significance of יין (wine) and שכר (strong drink) in the old testament, their implications for worship practices, and contemporary south african christian perspectives

Abstract The production of יַיִן (wine) was important and it had significance concerning worship in the Old Testament. There were certain restrictions that were put into place by God. Priests were not allowed to drink intoxicating drinks before they commence their service in the Temple. On the other hand, Nazarites were prohibited from drinking or eating anything from the vine. There were exceptions wherein they were allowed to drink wine under certain circumstance. In relation with this, the paper will critically analyse why on these exceptions it was permissible for them to partake. The purpose of this article is to critically investigate the use of wine and strong drink in the Old Testament and its significance in worship. The methodology used in the study is textual analysis, exegetical analysis and grammatical examination. The main research question is to respond to the question whether it is wrong or right for Christian believers to drink alcohol. The study also seeks to contribute to how the contemporary reader should understand the use of יַיִן (wine) in a religious connotation. The study has shown how poignant יַיִן (wine) and שֵׁכָר (strong drink) were in the Old Testament and significant these were to worship. The use of יַיִן (wine) and שֵׁכָר (strong drink) was in line with the Torah instructions. The novelty of the current research is that the study seeks to intertwine the significance of wine and שֵׁכָר (strong drink) in the context of worship in the Old Testament, to the contemporary South African worship context in relation to the consumption of wine and שֵׁכָר (strong drink). Research that has been done, does not consider the use of יַיִן (wine) and שֵׁכָר (strong drink) in the South African worship context.