“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 9. Drunk. Hebrew shekar; which the Septuagint and Vulg. commonly translate by sicera, any strong liquor, (S. Jerom) particularly palm-wine. Saint John Chrysostom in Isai. verse 11.) Jonathan says old wine. Hecateus assures us, that the Jews drink no wine at all in the temple. But the Rabbins admit of some exceptions. This abstinence was prescribed by any other nations to their priests and magistrates in office. Calmet.—The intent of the law, is to prevent any mistake arising from the fumes of wine, (verse 10,) as likewise all drowsiness or foolish mirth. As mourning and excessive grief are prohibited on the one hand; so are intoxicating liquors, on the other. Bible.