Reference

Zechariah 9:17

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine Permissible Use (Moderation)Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

“For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.”

The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.

And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

Why This Verse Was Tagged

Permissible Use (Moderation)

Multi-Signal Classification

80% relevance

This verse was identified by multiple independent signals: structural patterns, prophetic context, and vocabulary — then validated by a probability model (Snorkel).

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine

The verse explicitly mentions "new wine" (tirosh in Hebrew), which in biblical contexts often refers to freshly pressed grape juice or unfermented grape must. However, the verse does not explicitly state that this "new wine" is *non-fermented* or that it is being used *symbolically* in a way that excludes fermentation. The cheerfulness it brings could be attributed to either the natural sugars of grape juice or the intoxicating effects of fermented wine. The "goodness" and "beauty" are attribute

Permissible Use (Moderation)

The verse describes the effects of corn and new wine, but does not explicitly state that their use is permissible or that moderation is required. It simply presents them as elements that bring cheer.

Wine vs Strong Drink Distinction

The verse mentions "new wine" but makes no mention of "strong drink" or any other beverage, thus providing no basis for a distinction between wine and strong drink.

Symbolic / Non-Fermented Wine

Cross-References

Psalms 34:8Thematic

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

Psalms 36:8Thematic

“They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.”

Psalms 45:2Thematic

“Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.”

Isaiah 33:17Thematic

“Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.”

1 Kings 8:66Thematic

“On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.”

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Thematic Connections