Biblical Toasts

The Bible does not give us any direct mention of toasting, but there are a number of passages that indicate that the custom was observed. Even an anti-toast cleric of the last century had to concede: "It is hardly probable that Ben-hadad and the thirty-two kings, his companions, would drink themselves drunk in the pavilions without some interchange of courtesies" (see 1 Kings 20:16). A number of lines from the Bible have been used as toasts including these:

 

A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry.
- Ecclesiastes 10:19

 

Do not arouse or awaken love until it so it so desires.
-Song of Solomon 2.7

 

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake.
-1 Timothy 5:23

 

Eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart.
-Ecclesiastes 9:7

 

Forsake not an old friend, for the new is not comparable to him. A new friend is as new wine: when it is old, thou shall drink it with pleasure.
-Ecclesiastes 9:10

 

Give . . . wine unto those that be of heavy heart.
-Proverbs 31:6

 

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
-Ecclesiastes 9:7

 

The best wine . . . that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
-Song of Solomon 7:9

 

Wine maketh glad the heart of man.
-Psalms 104:15

 

Wine nourishes, refreshes and cheers. Wine is the foremost of all medicines . . . whenever wine is lacking, medicines become necessary.
-The Talmud

 

Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make men drunk. Wine drunk with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.
-Ecclesiastes 31:35-36

 

Wine, which cheereth God and man.
-Judges 9:13