Original Word: שֵׁכָר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shekar
Pronunciation: shay-KAR
Phonetic Spelling: (shay-kawr')
KJV: strong drink, + drunkard, strong wine
NASB: strong drink, drink, strong, drink of strong, drink or strong, liquor
Word Origin: [from H7937 (שָׁכַר - become drunk)]

1. an intoxicant, i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor

strong drink, drunkard, strong wine

From shakar; an intoxicant, i.e. Intensely alcoholic liquor -- strong drink, + drunkard, strong wine.

see HEBREW shakar

Word Origin
from shakar
Definition
intoxicating drink, strong drink
NASB Translation
drink (2), drink of strong (1), drink or strong (1), drunkards* (1), liquor (1), strong (2), strong drink (18).

שֵׁכָר noun [masculine] intoxioating drink, strong drink (Ba^{NB § 71}); — always ׳שׁ absolute; usually "" וַיִן (except Psalm 69:13): Isaiah 29:8; usually condemned, Isaiah 5:11,22; Isaiah 28:7 (3 t. in verse); Isaiah 56:12 (׳נִסְבְּאָה שׁ), Micah 2:11; 1 Samuel 1:15; Proverbs 20:1; forbidden to priests on duty Leviticus 10:9 (P); not for princes Proverbs 31:4; nor Nazirite Numbers 6:3; Judges 13:4,7,14, compare ׳חֹמֶץ שׁ Numbers 6:3; ׳שׁוֺתֵי שׁ Psalm 69:13 drunkards; but ׳שׁ as common drink Deuteronomy 29:5 (opposed to miraculous), allowable in sacrificial meal Deuteronomy 14:26, commended for weak and weary Proverbs 31:4; ׳נֶסֶךְ שׁ Numbers 28:7(P; for יַיִן Numbers 28:14); see further Kennedy^{Ency. Bib. iv. 5309 f.} — On form compare Lag^{M ii. 357; BN 51}.

Definition and Scope

שֵׁכָר points to beverages more potent than ordinary wine—commonly the result of fermenting grain, dates, honey, or pomegranates. It is neither a culinary condiment nor simple grape juice; it is intentionally intoxicating.

Agricultural and Cultural Background

Ancient Near-Eastern records describe beers from barley and wheat, mead from honey, and palm-date liquors. Israel was familiar with these products through contact with Egypt (Exodus era), the Canaanites, and later Mesopotamian influence. Strong drink therefore belonged to ordinary village life as well as royal banquets, yet the Torah framed its consumption within covenantal boundaries.

Regulation under the Law

1. Cultic limitations: “You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, lest you die” (Leviticus 10:9). Holy service demanded clear minds and reverent self-control.
2. The Nazirite vow: “He is to abstain from wine and strong drink” (Numbers 6:3). Voluntary devotion was marked by total abstinence.
3. Libation: paradoxically, strong drink was poured out to the LORD (Numbers 28:7). The worshiper surrendered what he himself was forbidden to indulge in while on duty, confessing that even life’s pleasures belong to God.
4. Festival rejoicing: tithe money could be exchanged “for cattle, sheep, wine, or strong drink… and you shall rejoice” (Deuteronomy 14:26). Feasting before the LORD reinforced that joy and discipline are compatible when directed by His word.

Domestic and Personal Examples

Hannah’s prayer clarifies sober petition: “I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD; do not take your servant for a wicked woman, for I have been speaking from my great anguish and grief” (1 Samuel 1:15). Her denial of strong drink underlined sincere spirituality. In Judges 13, the birth-announcements of Samson required Manoah’s wife to avoid strong drink in order to nurture a consecrated deliverer.

Wisdom Literature

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). Leadership is singled out: “It is not for kings… to crave strong drink” (Proverbs 31:4). Yet mercy grants: “Give strong drink to one who is perishing” (Proverbs 31:6). The tension illustrates that abuse, not existence, is condemned.

Prophetic Rebukes

Isaiah lashes out against national decay:
• “Woe to those who rise early in the morning to pursue strong drink” (Isaiah 5:11).
• “These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: priest and prophet reel…” (Isaiah 28:7).

Micah exposes false preachers who promise, “I will prophesy for you of wine and strong drink” (Micah 2:11). Strong drink becomes a barometer of spiritual apostasy when pleasure eclipses holiness.

Metaphorical and Eschatological Nuances

Isaiah 29:9 compares judicial blindness to drunkenness “not with wine… not from strong drink,” portraying divine stupefaction of rebels. Conversely, the messianic banquet (Isaiah 25:6) speaks only of “well-aged wine,” subtly omitting strong drink, possibly hinting at perfect joy without danger of excess.

Ministry Standards

The priestly prohibition establishes a trajectory later echoed in apostolic requirements that overseers be “not addicted to wine” (1 Timothy 3:3). Although the Hebrew term does not occur in the New Testament, its Old Testament theology undergirds Christian sobriety, especially for those handling the word and shepherding souls.

Pastoral and Practical Reflections

• Personal liberty must yield to the edification of others (Romans 14).
• Celebratory use demands gratitude and self-control; revelry and escapism incur woe.
• Leaders, intercessors, and those under special vows model restraint.
• Compassion may employ strong drink medicinally or palliatively but never to dull spiritual alertness.

Summary

שֵׁכָר embodies both God-given pleasure and grave peril. Scripture regulates, warns, and occasionally commends its use, weaving a consistent ethic: reverent enjoyment under divine authority, renunciation when duty or devotion requires, and uncompromising censure of excess that forfeits discernment and dishonors the LORD.

בַשֵּׁכָ֜ר בשכר הַשֵּׁכָ֔ר השכר וְלַשֵּׁכָ֑ר וְשֵׁכָ֑ר וְשֵׁכָ֖ר וְשֵׁכָ֗ר וְשֵׁכָ֞ר וְשֵׁכָר֙ וּבַשֵּׁכָ֔ר וּבַשֵּׁכָ֖ר ובשכר ולשכר ושכר שֵׁכָ֑ר שֵׁכָ֖ר שֵׁכָ֣ר שֵׁכָֽר׃ שכר שכר׃ ḇaš·šê·ḵār ḇaššêḵār haš·šê·ḵār hashsheChar haššêḵār šê·ḵār šêḵār sheChar ū·ḇaš·šê·ḵār ūḇaššêḵār uvashsheChar vashsheChar velashsheChar vesheChar wə·laš·šê·ḵār wə·šê·ḵār wəlaššêḵār wəšêḵārInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts