Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Turning Water into Beer?


Please don’t shoot the messenger here, but let’s consider the possibility that Jesus may have actually turned water into “beer” not wine at the wedding feast in Cana (Canaan) of Galilee as written in John 2:1-12. It is well known that Jesus spoke in the ancient language, Aramaic. The Aramaic and Hebrew translation of ‘Strong Drink’ (a fermented barley) to Latin is literally bibere, or ‘beer'. It is also known that grains such as barley, wheat and corn were in abundance throughout the Canaan region in Palestine where beer was commonly brewed. Water is needed to create beer. Wine is made from fermented grapes. Water is not needed to make wine. When the bible was translated into the English language under the orders of King James, it is quite possible that the word strong drink, or beer, which was by then considered a drink of the lower classes, was changed to wine, a drink enjoyed by royalty and the wealthy aristocrats of King James’ time. I wasn't there, but my guess would be that beer, not wine created all the buzz at the wedding of Cana.
What do you think?

1 comment:

  1. Several biblical scholars have suggested that Jesus may have turned water into non-alcoholic grape "juice". Really?
    Maybe He turned water into near beer? But why would He hold the party in such low regard?

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