Answers about…
drinks in the Bible

The drinks of the Hebrews included water, wine, “strong drink,” vinegar and milk.

Their drinking vessels were the cup, goblet or “basin,” the “cruse” or pitcher, and the saucer.

The Jews carefully strained their drinks through a sieve, through fear of violating the law of Leviticus 11:20, 23, 41-42. (See Matthew 23:24. “Strain at” should be “strain out.”)

To drink water by measure (Ezek. 4:11), and to buy water to drink (Lam. 5:4), denote great scarcity.

To drink blood means to be satiated with slaughter.

More information

• What is a spring? What springs are mentioned in the Bible?
• What is a fountain in the Bible?
• Water in the Bible
• milk
• What is a drink-offerings?
• Answers about grapes in the Bible
• About wine in the Bible
• wine fat
• vinegar
• strong drinks
• Abihu (prohibition of wine and strong drinks for priests)
• Answers about drunkenness in the Bible
• gall
• cup
• cup bearer
• What does it mean to fast in the Bible?
• Foods in the Bible
• Answers about eating in the Bible
• measure
• bottle
• basin
• bowl
• dish
• flagon
• goblet
• laver
• abomination (unlawful to eat or drink with foreigners)
• strain at (out)
• gifts
• gutter (drinking troughs)
• Waters of Jealously
• lapping
• lees
• Marah (bitter water)
• wormwood