Original Word: יַיִן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: yayin
Pronunciation: yah'-yin
Phonetic Spelling: (yah'-yin)
KJV: banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber)
NASB: wine, banquet, grape
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to effervesce]

1. wine (as fermented)
2. (by implication) intoxication

banqueting, wine, winebibber

From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication -- banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber).

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
wine
NASB Translation
banquet (1), grape (1), wine (136).

יַ֫יִן₁₄₁ noun masculine^{Psalm 75:9} wine (Late Hebrew id.; Ethiopic : vitis, vinea, vinum; Arabic (black) grapes, see Hom^{ZMG 1889, 654}; Sabean וין vineyard, Mordt^{ZMG 1887, 364} Hom^{l.c. 659} (both after Glaser); Assyrian inu in vocabularies, but this loan-word from western Shemites, according to Hom^{Aufsätze 102}; Jen^{ZA i, 186 f., ZMG 1890, 705} argues to the contrary) — absolute יַ֫יִן Genesis 9:21 84t.; יָ֑יִן Genesis 14:18 33t.; construct יַ֫יִן Psalm 60:5; Songs 8:2; יֵין Deuteronomy 32:18 9t.; suffix יֵינִי Songs 5:1, etc.; — wine:

a. common drink, for refreshment Genesis 14:18 (E?) Genesis 27:25 (J), Judges 19:19; 2 Samuel 16:2; Amos 5:11; Amos 9:14; Hosea 14:8; Job 1:13,18; Daniel 1:5 +, tonic Proverbs 31:6; article of commerce Ezekiel 27:18; Nehemiah 13:15; among supplies in strongholds 2Chronicles 11:11; as making merry 2 Samuel 13:28; Zechariah 9:15; Zechariah 10:7; Esther 1:10; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Ecclesiastes 10:19; Psalm 104:15.

b. used for rejoicing before ׳י Deuteronomy 14:26, compare Hosea 9:4; as drink-offering in prescribed ritual Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:5,7,10; Numbers 28:14; among temple stores 1 Chronicles 9:29; used also in heathen ceremonial, see Deuteronomy 32:33.

c. intoxicating 1 Samuel 1:14; 1 Samuel 25:37; Genesis 9:21,24; Genesis 19:32,33,34,35 (all J), Isaiah 5:11,22; Proverbs 21:17; Proverbs 23:30,31 +; "" תִּירוֺשׁ Hosea 4:11; "" שֵׁכָר 1 Samuel 1:15; Micah 2:11; Isaiah 24:9; Isaiah 28:7 (twice in verse); Isaiah 56:12 12t.; forbidden to Nazirites Numbers 6:3 (twice in verse) (חֹמֶץ יַיִן וְחֹמֶץ שֵׁכָר), Numbers 6:4; Numbers 6:20, compare Amos 2:12; to Rechabites Jeremiah 35:2,5f.; to mother of Samson Judges 13:4,7,14; to priests entering sanctuary Leviticus 10:9 (P), Ezekiel 44:21; unfitting for kings Proverbs 31:4.

d. combinations are: יֵין הַטּוֺב Cant 7:10 = the best wine (read כַּיַּיִן ?) Ges^{§ 133}. 3, R. 1; יֵין מַלְכוּת Esther 1:7 royal wine; אֹצרְוֺת יַּיִן 1 Chronicles 27:27 stores of wine, wine-supply; יַיִן הָרֶקַח Songs 8:2 spiced wine; מִשְׁתֵּה הַיַּיִן wine-feast Esther 5:6; Esther 7:2,7,8; סֹבְאֵי יַיִן Proverbs 23:20 wine-bibbers; נאֹד יין wine-skin Joshua 9:4,13; 1 Samuel 16:20; נֵבֶל יין id. 1 Samuel 1:24; 1 Samuel 10:3; 1 Samuel 25:18; 2 Samuel 16:1; Jeremiah 13:12 (twice in verse); בֵּית הַיָּ֑יִן Songs 2:4 either wine-house, where wine is drunk, feasting-house (De and others), or place of wine = vineyard (Ew and others; compare גֶּפֶן יַיִן Numbers 6:4).

e. metaphor of wisdom's drink Proverbs 9:2,5, compare Isaiah 55:1; of ׳יs wrath Jeremiah 25:15 (כּוֺס היין); of confusion sent by ׳י, יַיִן תַּרְעֵלָה wine of reeling Psalm 60:5, compare Psalm 75:9; of ׳יs awaking for vengeance, like a wine-shouter Psalm 78:65; of Babylon's fierce power Jeremiah 51:7; of love Songs 5:1; יֵין חֲמָסִים Proverbs 4:17; in simile of one bursting with words Job 32:19; of disheartened prophet Jeremiah 23:9 (כְּגֶבֶר עֲבָרוֺיַיִן); of lover's mouth Cant 7:10 (see above); love is better than wine Cant 1:2; 4:10.

Term Overview

Yayin is the standard Old Testament term for fermented grape beverage—wine—occurring about one hundred forty-one times. Scripture treats it as an ordinary agricultural product, a covenant blessing, a fitting element in worship, and a potential snare when abused.

First Mention and Patriarchal Era

Wine first appears after the Flood when “Noah drank some of the wine and became drunk” (Genesis 9:21), revealing both the fruitfulness of the renewed earth and the moral danger of excess. Melchizedek, priest of God Most High, “brought out bread and wine” to bless Abram (Genesis 14:18), prefiguring sacramental associations. Isaac’s patriarchal blessing over Jacob invokes “an abundance of grain and new wine” (Genesis 27:28), intertwining yayin with fertility and covenant favor.

Wine in Covenant Worship

The Mosaic law required a “quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering” with daily, festival, and votive sacrifices (Exodus 29:40; Numbers 15:5, 10). Wine, poured out beside the altar, symbolized life gladly surrendered to God. Priests on duty were forbidden intoxicants (Leviticus 10:9), highlighting the need for sober service even while wine flowed in worship contexts.

Symbol of Blessing and Joy

Yayin fills barns when Yahweh sends rain (Deuteronomy 7:13; Proverbs 3:10). It “gladdens the heart of man” (Psalm 104:15) and accompanies feasting—David distributed “a cake of raisins and a cake of dates and a flagon of wine” to all Israel (2 Samuel 6:19). Celebration in Esther’s palace (“the royal wine flowed freely,” Esther 1:7) and Nehemiah’s governor’s table (Nehemiah 5:18) underscores its place in communal joy.

Agent of Intoxication and Moral Warning

Because wine is potent, Scripture repeatedly sounds caution. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler” (Proverbs 20:1). Kings and rulers are warned: “It is not for kings, … lest they drink and forget what is decreed” (Proverbs 31:4-5). The prophets indict indulgence: “Woe to those who rise early to pursue strong drink, who linger late into the evening that wine inflames them” (Isaiah 5:11). Noah, Lot (Genesis 19:32-35), and Ammon (Habakkuk 2:15) illustrate how drunkenness shames and destroys.

Royal and Festal Use

Wine stores typify regal prosperity: Solomon’s daily provision included “fine flour, choice flour, … and wine” (1 Kings 4:22-23). Hezekiah “built storehouses for grain, new wine, and oil” (2 Chronicles 32:28). At harvest, leaders supplied “donkeys loaded with bread, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, and skins of wine” for David and his men (2 Samuel 16:1-2). In Song of Solomon romantic bliss is likened to wine’s sweetness (Song of Solomon 1:2, 4).

Wisdom Literature on Wine

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes balance invitation and warning. “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works” (Ecclesiastes 9:7). Yet the sage graphically portrays drunkenness: “Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will utter perverse things” (Proverbs 23:33).

Priestly Regulations and Nazarite Vow

In the Nazirites’ devotion, total abstinence upheld separation to the Lord: “He is to abstain from wine and other fermented drink” (Numbers 6:3). Samson’s mother received a similar directive (Judges 13:4). By contrast, Melchizedek’s priesthood and later Levitical libations show that abstinence was exceptional, not normative.

Prophetic and Poetic Imagery

Prophets employ wine as metaphor for judgment: the nations must drink “the cup filled with the wine of My wrath” (Jeremiah 25:15). Conversely, eschatological blessing features abundant, refined wine: “On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a banquet of aged wine” (Isaiah 25:6); “The mountains will drip with sweet wine” (Joel 3:18). New wine in “new wineskins” (Matthew 9:17) later echoes these promises.

Wine, Commerce, and International Exchange

Tyre traded “wine from Helbon” (Ezekiel 27:18). Persian courts supplied the cupbearer Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:1). Such texts reveal wine as a valued commodity, integral to ancient economy and diplomacy.

Pastoral and Practical Applications

Scripture honors wine as God’s gift while demanding self-control. Blessing is not license; liberty must serve love (cf. Romans 14:21). Elders must be “not given to drunkenness” (1 Timothy 3:3), reflecting the Old Testament’s twin themes of gratitude and restraint.

Key Selected References

Genesis 9:21; Genesis 14:18; Genesis 27:28

Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3

Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 14:26; Deuteronomy 32:14

Judges 13:4; 1 Samuel 1:14; 2 Samuel 6:19

1 Kings 4:22-23; 2 Chronicles 32:28

Nehemiah 5:18; Esther 1:7

Psalm 104:15; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-35; Ecclesiastes 9:7

Isaiah 5:11-12; Isaiah 25:6; Jeremiah 25:15

Joel 3:18; Amos 9:14; Zechariah 10:7

בְּיֵ֥ין בְּיַ֣יִן בַּיַּ֖יִן בַּיַּ֙יִן֙ בַּיַּ֣יִן בַּיָּ֑יִן בַיַּ֖יִן ביין הַ֭יַּין הַיַּ֔יִן הַיַּ֖יִן הַיַּ֗יִן הַיַּ֙יִן֙ הַיַּ֜יִן הַיַּ֣יִן הַיַּ֧יִן הַיָּ֑יִן הַיָּ֔יִן היין וְ֝יַיִן וְהַיַּ֕יִן וְהַיַּ֙יִן֙ וְהַיַּ֣יִן וְיֵ֖ין וְיֵ֤ין וְיֵ֥ין וְיַ֖יִן וְיַ֗יִן וְיַ֙יִן֙ וְיַ֛יִן וְיַ֤יִן וְיַ֤יִן ׀ וְיַ֥יִן וְשֶׁ֛מֶן וָיַ֖יִן וָיַ֙יִן֙ וָיַ֛יִן וָיַ֤יִן וָיָ֑יִן וָיָֽיִן׃ וּבְיֵ֣ין וּבַיַּ֙יִן֙ וּמִיֵּ֣ין וביין והיין ויין ויין׃ ומיין ושמן יֵ֣ין יֵינִ֖י יֵינֵ֖ךְ יֵינֶ֑ךָ יֵינָ֑הּ יֵינָ֑ם יֵינָֽם׃ יַ֔יִן יַ֖יִן יַ֗יִן יַ֙יִן֙ יַ֛יִן יַ֜יִן יַ֣יִן יַ֥יִן יַ֨יִן יַֽיִן־ יַיִן֮ יָ֑יִן יָּ֑יִן יָּֽיִן׃ יָֽיִן׃ יין יין־ יין׃ יינה ייני יינך יינם יינם׃ כְּיֵ֥ין כְּיַ֥יִן כיין לַיַּ֖יִן ליין מִיֵּינ֑וֹ מִיֵּינָהּ֙ מִיַּ֔יִן מִיַּ֣יִן מִיַּ֤יִן מִיָּ֑יִן מִיָּֽיִן׃ מיין מיין׃ מיינה מיינו baiYayin bay·ya·yin bay·yā·yin ḇay·ya·yin bayyayin bayyāyin ḇayyayin bə·ya·yin bə·yên beYayin bəyayin beYein bəyên Haiyain haiYayin hay·ya·yin hay·yā·yin hay·yayn hayyayin hayyāyin hayyayn kə·ya·yin kə·yên keYayin kəyayin keYein kəyên laiYayin lay·ya·yin layyayin mî·ya·yin mî·yā·yin mî·yê·nāh mî·yê·nōw miYayin mîyayin mîyāyin miyeiNah miyeiNo mîyênāh mîyênōw ū·ḇay·ya·yin ū·ḇə·yên ū·mî·yên ūḇayyayin ūḇəyên umiYein ūmîyên uvaiYayin uveYein vaiYayin vaYayin vehaiYayin veShemen veYayin veYein wā·ya·yin wā·yā·yin wāyayin wāyāyin wə·hay·ya·yin wə·še·men wə·ya·yin wə·yên wəhayyayin wəšemen wəyayin wəyên ya·yin yā·yin ya·yin- yayin yāyin yayin- yê·nāh yê·nām yê·ne·ḵā yê·nêḵ yê·nî yein yeiNah yeiNam yeiNech yeiNecha yeiNi yên yênāh yênām yênêḵ yêneḵā yênîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts