Page 187 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

DRAM - DRUNKENNESS

with the leviathan, which is the fire-breathing monster (5) A symbolical reference to Satan (Re. 12:3, 9;
of Job 41. Most commentators interpret these references 13:2, 4, 11; 16:13; 20:2), referring to him as a
as crocodiles or whales or poetic license. Strong defines monstrous, dreadful creature. Certain O.T. references to
leviathan as “the crocodile or some other large sea- the dragon also have Satan in view (Is. 27:1; 51:9).
monster.” This is an interesting description, because the Some references to dragons are difficult, perhaps
crocodile is NOT a large sea monster! Though many impossible to interpret exactly. Examples are Job 30:29,
mock such an idea, we believe this is an extinct fire- Ps. 44:19, Is. 43:20, Je. 14:6. Some dictionaries claim
breathing dinosaur which is described in detail for us by that some of these passages refer to a wild beast of the
God in Job 41 and which is probably the basis for the desert such as the jackal (Smith). We must understand
ancient tales. The dragon is also connected with the that while this is a possibility, it is only a guess. [See
satyr in Is. 13:21-22. The satyr is a mythological Beast, Behemoth, Leviathan, Poetry, Satan, Serpent.]
creature half-man and half-goat worshipped by DRAM. [See Money.]
idolatrous peoples, but the same Hebrew word
translated “satyr” is translated “devils” in Le. 17:7 and 2 DRAUGHT. (1) A catch (Lk. 5:4). (2) A toilet; refuse
Ch. 11:15. It is possible that the mythological satyr is (Mt. 15:17).
based on sightings within the demonic world. Again, we DRAUGHT HOUSE. Toilet (2 Ki. 10:27).
are convinced that legends of dragons are based on DRAVE. Drove; past tense of drive (Ex. 14:25; Jos.
historical and spiritual realities: Extinct fearsome 16:10; Ac. 7:45).
dinosaurs and demons. The description of the demons DREGS. [See Lees.]
which come out of the Bottomless Pit in Re. 9 are as DRESS. To trim; maintain; prepare (Ge. 2:15; 18:7;
bizarre as any ancient dragon lore, and we believe these Ex. 30:7; Lk. 13:7).
are actual creatures. There is no need to interpret these DRINKING. [See Drunkenness, Strong Drink.]
Bible descriptions on naturalistic grounds. To believe
that the behemoth, dragon, leviathan, and satyr are DROMEDARY. The Arabian camel, called a
actual creatures is honoring to the Bible, because they dromedary, has long legs, short hair, and one hump.
are described as such therein, and a literal This is the type of camel commonly found in Israel and
interpretation is not contrary to any known scientific Egypt (1 Ki. 4:28; Is. 60:6; Je. 2:23). [For more
fact. Modern textual critics and commentators would information see Camel.]
have us believe that the Bible translators of bygone days DROPSY. A disease occasioned by an abnormal
were subject to the ignorance and supernatural folklore accumulation of watery substance in some cavity of the
of their day when they wrote of dragons and unicorns body (Lk. 14:2).
and satyrs. It is more likely that the modern critics are DROSS. Refuse metals separated by melting, when
blinded by the rationalism of this present hour and the dross rises to the top and may be skimmed off. Used
therefore have far less wisdom than their forebears. figuratively of what is worthless (Is. 1:22,25; Ezr.
[See Beast, Behemoth, Leviathan.] 22:18-19; Ps. 119:119) (Compact).
(2) A serpent (De. 32:33; Ps. 91:13). In both of these DROUGHT. No rain; dry season (De. 8:15; Job
passages the dragon is used in poetic parallel to the 24:19; Je. 2:6; Ha. 1:11). The term is used to typify the
adder or asp. barren spiritual climate of this world (Is. 58:11).
(3) Creatures inhabiting desolate places (Is. 13:22; DRUNKENNESS. The condition of being intoxicated
34:13; 35:7; Je. 9:11; 10:22; 49:33; 51:37; Mi. 1:8). We with alcoholic beverages (Ep. 5:18).
believe these references have a two-fold meaning: They Verses Which Deal with Drunkenness and Strong
are poetic descriptions of desolation, and they also refer Drink: Pr. 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:3-5; Is. 5:22; 28:7; Ho.
to demons. Re. 18:2 describes the desolated Babylon as 4:11; Hab. 2:15; Ro. 13:13; Ep. 5:18; Ga. 5:19-21; 1 Th.
“the habitation of devils.” As we have noted, Is. 5:6-8.
13:21-22 sees “satyrs” as well as “dragons” in the ruins The Nature of Drunkenness: Modern-day psychology
of fallen Babylon, and the Hebrew word for satyr is would have us believe this condition is a disease or a
translated “devils” (Le. 17:7 and 2 Ch. 11:15). psychological problem, but the Bible says it is a sin (Pr.
(4) A symbolic reference to the Egyptian Pharaoh (Eze. 23:29-35). Drunkenness is act of the will (vv. 30-31).
29:3), referring possibly to his cruelty and Drunkenness is a moral wickedness (v. 33). The victory
destructiveness. Some commentators believe this is a over drunkenness is redemption and sanctification (1
reference to the crocodile for which the River of Egypt Co. 6:10-11). The deception of drunkenness: (Pr. 23:32;
was famous, but it could as easily refer to the dragon in 20:1). Intoxicating drink has the power to take away the
the sense mentioned under # 1 above. senses. Thus God calls it a mocker. This is why it is
foolish to say it is O.K. for a man to drink in moderation.

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 187