The Bible also relates numerous examples of drunkenness and the damaging consequences of it in the lives of people - both regenerated and unregenerated. The scriptural connection between drunkenness and its evil consequences conveys a powerful warning. Various examples are listed in the following chart.

While Scripture clearly condemns all misuse of wines and alcoholic drinks (all degrees of drunkenness), does it forbid all use of these drinks?

Both the Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek words used for "wine" in Scripture refer to either unfermented, non-intoxicating grape juice or fermented, intoxicating grape drink. In biblical times, refrigeration of various drinks such as milk was not possible, neither were the variety of citrus drinks available that we have today. "Wine," or grape juice, was the only sweet and nourishing drink available in the land of Canaan. Wine could be stored and it provided a nourishing and necessary sugar source for the people.

And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

- Genesis 9:21

And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor I when she arose.

- Genesis 19:33

And Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

- I Samuel 25:36b

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

- II Samuel 13:28

And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.

And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.

- I Kings 20:16, 21

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded...

To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.

- Esther l:l0a, 11

Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.

In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace.

- Daniel 5:1,5a