Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 09-15-2010, 12:19 PM

Did the Ancient Israelites Drink Beer?

A BAR special.

Quote:

Ancient Israelites, with the possible exception of a few teetotaling Nazirites and their moms, proudly drank beer—and lots of it. Men, women and even children of all social classes drank it. Its consumption in ancient Israel was encouraged, sanctioned and intimately linked with their religion. Even Yahweh, according to the Hebrew Bible, consumed at least half a hin of beer (approximately 2 liters, or a six-pack) per day through the cultic ritual of libation, and he drank even more on the Sabbath (Numbers 28:7–10). People who were sad were advised to drink beer to temporarily erase their troubles (Proverbs 31:6). Yet the Biblical authors also called for moderation. Several passages condemn those who consumed too much beer (Isaiah 5:11, 28:7; Proverbs 20:1, 31:4). The absence of beer defines a melancholy situation, according to Isaiah 24:9.

Beer was a staple in the Israelite diet, just as it was throughout the ancient Near East. Yet a search of most English translations of the Bible will produce few, if any, occurrences of the word “beer.” Ancient Israel’s affinity for beer has largely been ignored. I believe this is for three reasons: (1) confusion about the meaning of the Hebrew word shekhar (שכר), (2) a general snobbery in academia causing scholars to scorn beer drinking while celebrating wine culture, and (3) the unique challenges archaeologists have faced in finding (or identifying) beer remains in the Israelite material record.

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, beer was in many ways a super-food. By producing and drinking beer, one could dramatically multiply the calories in harvested grains while consuming needed vitamins; the alcohol was also effective at killing bacteria found in tainted water supplies. Given the difficulty of producing food in the ancient world, beer gave you a lot of nutritional bang for your buck.

Juststeve · 09-15-2010, 12:26 PM

The reference is to a libation offering poured on the alter, not to what God drank. Nevertheless the Habrew God could drink any other God under the table if he wanted to.

Steve

Mageth · 09-15-2010, 12:33 PM

Well, you need beer to properly enjoy baseball, which is in the Bible. Heck, the thing starts out with "In the Big Inning..."

avi · 09-15-2010, 12:36 PM

The Code of Hammurabi discusses the process of brewing.

The art apparently began in Persia. The earliest evidence for the process is more than five thousand years old, and has nothing to do with Judaism.

The 17th century sailors of the British Navy consumed India Pale Ale, (IPA) to protect themselves from the disease carried by unboiled water transported in wooden barrels.

Since I am unsure about the health benefits of IPA, compared with flavonoid rich Cabernet Sauvignon, I magnanimously drink both, daily.

avi

Toto · 09-15-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juststeve

The reference is to a libation offering poured on the alter, not to what God drank. ...

That's why I put scare quotes around "drank."

This article seems to have outraged a few people, if you read the comments. But I thought it was understood that beer was a staple of Egyptian life. Fermented foods in general were a significant part of traditional diets.

Voice of reason · 09-15-2010, 01:51 PM

I love it when bible verses say "It is a pleasing odor to the Lord" That cracks me up every time.

So when you burn something god can smell it ROFLMAO.

GakuseiDon · 09-15-2010, 04:05 PM

"Ah, beer. The cause of -- and the solution to -- all of life's problems" -- Homer J Simpson

hylidae · 09-15-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

The absence of beer defines a melancholy situation, according to Isaiah 24:9.

sugarhitman · 09-15-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Did the Ancient Israelites Drink Beer?

A BAR special.

Quote:

Ancient Israelites, with the possible exception of a few teetotaling Nazirites and their moms, proudly drank beer—and lots of it. Men, women and even children of all social classes drank it. Its consumption in ancient Israel was encouraged, sanctioned and intimately linked with their religion. Even Yahweh, according to the Hebrew Bible, consumed at least half a hin of beer (approximately 2 liters, or a six-pack) per day through the cultic ritual of libation, and he drank even more on the Sabbath (Numbers 28:7–10). People who were sad were advised to drink beer to temporarily erase their troubles (Proverbs 31:6). Yet the Biblical authors also called for moderation. Several passages condemn those who consumed too much beer (Isaiah 5:11, 28:7; Proverbs 20:1, 31:4). The absence of beer defines a melancholy situation, according to Isaiah 24:9.

Beer was a staple in the Israelite diet, just as it was throughout the ancient Near East. Yet a search of most English translations of the Bible will produce few, if any, occurrences of the word “beer.” Ancient Israel’s affinity for beer has largely been ignored. I believe this is for three reasons: (1) confusion about the meaning of the Hebrew word shekhar (שכר), (2) a general snobbery in academia causing scholars to scorn beer drinking while celebrating wine culture, and (3) the unique challenges archaeologists have faced in finding (or identifying) beer remains in the Israelite material record.

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, beer was in many ways a super-food. By producing and drinking beer, one could dramatically multiply the calories in harvested grains while consuming needed vitamins; the alcohol was also effective at killing bacteria found in tainted water supplies. Given the difficulty of producing food in the ancient world, beer gave you a lot of nutritional bang for your buck.

Did God drank beer? Where is that in scripture?

But yes the Israelites consumed alcohol, and so did Yeshua....alcohol isnt forbidden by God...one of the great misconceptions among believers and nonbelievers alike. I drink a little beer myself and have had the misfortune of being called a hypocrit. I told a preacher whom I worked with,that Jesus drinked wine as did the Apostles and was told that that was for health problems.....nevermind that Yeshua said that believers will drink wine with him in heaven...where there is no sickness. Sometimes you get responses that it was "grape juice".

Probaly one of the reasons why many people are turned off about Christianity.

braces_for_impact · 09-15-2010, 10:09 PM

God drank a six pack daily and then more on the sabbath? That explains a few things...

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09-15-2010, 12:26 PM	#2
Juststeve Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 758	The reference is to a libation offering poured on the alter, not to what God drank. Nevertheless the Habrew God could drink any other God under the table if he wanted to. Steve

09-15-2010, 12:33 PM	#3
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Well, you need beer to properly enjoy baseball, which is in the Bible. Heck, the thing starts out with "In the Big Inning..."

09-15-2010, 12:36 PM	#4
avi Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Location: eastern North America Posts: 1,468	The Code of Hammurabi discusses the process of brewing. The art apparently began in Persia. The earliest evidence for the process is more than five thousand years old, and has nothing to do with Judaism. The 17th century sailors of the British Navy consumed India Pale Ale, (IPA) to protect themselves from the disease carried by unboiled water transported in wooden barrels. Since I am unsure about the health benefits of IPA, compared with flavonoid rich Cabernet Sauvignon, I magnanimously drink both, daily. avi

09-15-2010, 01:51 PM	#6
Voice of reason Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Blue planet Posts: 2,250	I love it when bible verses say "It is a pleasing odor to the Lord" That cracks me up every time. So when you burn something god can smell it ROFLMAO.

09-15-2010, 04:05 PM	#7
GakuseiDon Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 5,714	"Ah, beer. The cause of -- and the solution to -- all of life's problems" -- Homer J Simpson

09-15-2010, 10:09 PM	#10
braces_for_impact Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In a nondescript, black helicopter. Posts: 6,637	God drank a six pack daily and then more on the sabbath? That explains a few things...

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