Short Answer
Complete Explanation
The Hebrew word most commonly used today for “alcohol” is “אלכוהול” (alkohol), a direct borrowing from the Greek ἀλκοόλ (alkóol) and Latin alcohol, referring to the distilled spirit ethanol. In biblical Hebrew, there is no exact equivalent; the concepts of wine (יַיִן, yayin) and strong drink (שֵׁכָר, shekhar) cover fermented and distilled beverages. Modern Hebrew adopted the loanword in the 19th‑20th centuries alongside scientific terminology.
- Etymology:
From Greek ἀλκοόλ → Latin alcohol, meaning “the essence” of a distilled substance; entered Hebrew during the revival of scientific language. - Biblical equivalents:
Yayin (wine) and shekhar (strong drink) are the closest biblical terms, used in rituals, celebrations, and warnings against excess. - Modern usage:
Used in legal, medical, and everyday contexts to denote ethanol and alcoholic beverages; appears in regulations such as the Israeli Alcohol Law. - Pronunciation:
In modern Israeli Hebrew, pronounced /al-koˈhol/ with the stress on the final syllable. - Cultural significance:
Alcohol appears in Jewish rituals (e.g., Kiddush wine) but the distilled spirit is generally treated separately from wine in religious law.
Common Misconceptions
The Hebrew Bible uses a word identical to modern “alcohol”.
Biblical texts use “yayin” (wine) and “shekhar” (strong drink); the specific term “alkohol” is a modern loanword.
All Hebrew words for alcoholic drinks refer to distilled spirits.
Most traditional terms denote fermented beverages; distilled spirits are distinguished in contemporary Hebrew.
FAQ
Is "alkohol" a native Hebrew word?
No, it is a loanword from Greek and Latin, adopted into modern Hebrew to denote distilled spirits.
What biblical terms correspond to alcohol?
The Bible uses "yayin" for wine and "shekhar" for strong drink, covering fermented and distilled beverages.
How is alcohol regulated in Israel?
Alcohol sales and consumption are governed by the Israeli Alcohol Law, which sets age limits, licensing, and advertising rules.
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