There are 12 words used in the Bible for the different types of drinks that were available in biblical times. The following is adapted from Easton’s Bible Dictionary:
The most common Hebrew word for wine is yayin, from a root meaning “to boil up,” “to be in a ferment.” Others derive it from a root meaning “to tread out,” and hence the juice of the grape trodden out. The Greek word for wine is oinos, and the Latin vinun. But besides this common Hebrew word, there are several others which are thus rendered.
(1.) Ashishah (2Sa 6:19 ; 1Ch 16:3 ; Song 2:5 ; Ho 3:1 ), which, however, rather denotes a solid cake of pressed grapes, or, as in the English Revised Version translated the same Hebrew phrase as “a cake of raisins.”
(2.) ‘Asis, “sweet wine,” or “new wine,” the product of the same year (Song 8:2 ; Isa 49:26 ; Joe 1:5 ; 3:18 ; Am 9:13 ), from a root meaning “to tread,” hence juice trodden out or pressed out, thus referring to the method by which the juice is obtained. The power of intoxication is ascribed to it.
(3.) Hometz. i.e., vinegar or “sour wine.” The Hebrew word is rendered vinegar in Ps 69:21 , a prophecy fulfilled in the history of the crucifixion (Mt 27:34 ). This was the common sour wine (posea) daily made use of by the Roman soldiers. They gave it to Christ, not in derision, but from compassion, to assuage his thirst. Pr 10:26 shows that there was a stronger vinegar that was not fit for drinking.
(4.) Hemer, De 32:14 (rendered “blood of the grape”) Isa 27:2 (“red wine”), Ezr 6:9 ; 7:22 ; Da 5:1-2 , 4 . This word conveys the idea of “foaming,” as in the process of fermentation, or when poured out. It is derived from the root hamar, meaning “to boil up,” and also “to be red,” from the idea of boiling or becoming inflamed.
(5.) ‘Enabh, a grape (De 32:14 ). Deuteronomy 32:14 , “Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.” (Comp. Ge 49:11 ; Nu 6:3 ; De 23:24 , etc., where this Hebrew word is rendered in the plural “grapes.”)
(6.) Mesekh, properly a mixture of wine and water with spices that increase its stimulating properties (Isa 5:22 ). Ps 75:8 , “The wine [yayin] is red; it is full of mixture [mesekh];” Pr 23:30 , “mixed wine;” Isa 65:11 , “drink offering”.
(7.) Tirosh, properly “must,” translated “wine” (De 28:51 ); “new wine” (Pr 3:10 ); “sweet wine” (Mic 6:15 ; R.V., “vintage”). This Hebrew word has been traced to a root meaning “to take possession of” and hence it is supposed that tirosh is so designated because in intoxicating it takes possession of the brain. Among the blessings promised to Esau (Ge 27:28 ) mention is made of “plenty of corn and tirosh.” Palestine is called “a land of corn and tirosh” (De 33:28 ; comp. Isa 36:17 ). See also De 28:51 ; 2Ch 32:28 ; Joe 2:19 ; Ho 4:11 , (“wine [yayin] and new wine [tirosh] take away the heart”).
(8.) Sobhe (root meaning “to drink to excess,” “to suck up,” “absorb”), found only in Isa 1:22 ; Ho 4:18 (“their drink;”), and Na 1:10 (“drunken as drunkards;” lit., “soaked according to their drink;” i.e., according to their sobhe).
(9.) Shekar, “strong drink,” any intoxicating liquor; from a root meaning “to drink deeply,” “to be drunken”, a generic term applied to all fermented liquors, however obtained. Nu 28:7 , “strong wine”. It is sometimes distinguished from wine, c.g., Le 10:9 , “Do not drink wine [yayin] nor strong drink [shekar];” Nu 6:3 ; Judges 13:4 , 7 ; Isa 28:7 (in all these places rendered “strong drink”). Translated “strong drink” also in Isa 5:11 ; 24:9 ; 29:9 ; 56:12 ; Pr 20:1 ; 31:6 ; Mic 2:11 .
(10.) Yekebh (De 16:13 , but in R.V. correctly “wine-press”), a vat into which the new wine flowed from the press. Joe 2:24 , “their vats;” Joe 3:13 , “the fats;” Pr 3:10 , “Thy presses shall burst out with new wine [tirosh];” Hag 2:16 ; Jer 48:33 , “wine-presses;” 2Ki 6:27 ; Job 24:11 .
(11.) Shemarim (only in plural), “lees” or “dregs” of wine. In Isa 25:6 it is rendered “wines on the lees”, i.e., wine that has been kept on the lees, and therefore old wine.
(12.) Mesek, “a mixture,” mixed or spiced wine, not diluted with water, but mixed with drugs and spices to increase its strength, or, as some think, mingled with the lees by being shaken (Ps 75:8 ; Pr 23:30 ).
In Ac 2:13 the word gleukos, rendered “new wine,” denotes properly “sweet wine.” This is the word from which we get the English word “glucose. In addition to wine the Hebrews also made use of what they called debash, which was obtained by boiling down must to one-half or one-third of its original bulk. In Ge 43:11 this word is rendered “honey.” It was a kind of syrup, and is called by the Arabs at the present day dibs. This word occurs in the phrase “a land flowing with milk and honey” (debash), Ex 3:8 , 17 ; 13:5 ; 33:3 ; Le 20:24 ; Nu 13:27 .
From the use of many words to describe the “fruit of the vine” we can see that the ancients have many methods to preserve, use and keep the fruit of the vine as long as possible. This makes our study of wine very interesting. There is even a drink offering offered to God. [to be continued]