Proverbios 20:1

1. A mocker לצ , ( lets.) Of this word Gesenius says, that it means a frivolous and impudent person, who sets at naught and scoffs at the most sacred precepts and duties of religion, piety, and morals.

Strong drink שׁכר , ( shekhar,) Greek, sikera. Jerome says, that in Hebrew any inebriating liquor is called shekhar, whether made of grain, the juice of apples, honey, dates, or any other fruit. It is probably used here in a more generic sense than יין , ( yayin,) wine: meaning any kind of intoxicating drink. Of “strong drink,” is predicated המה , ( homeh,) turbulence: to be noisy, clamorous, boisterous; to be in a tumult or uproar. Taking the above together, they are highly descriptive of drunkenness.

Stuart says, The common idea that “ strong drink, in the Scriptures, means something stronger than wine, is destitute of any good foundation. None of the fruits yielded a juice so intoxicating as that of the grape. Wine was the strongest drink of the Hebrews, if the drinks that were drugged be excepted.” (See note on Proverbs 9:2.)

Inebriating liquors, whether wine or anything else, are “mockers,” deceivers. They deceive those who drink them, leading imperceptibly, in many cases, to habits of tippling and drunkenness, and make those who indulge in them setters at naught of all duties and obligations.

Whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise Or, shall not become wise. “When wine is in, wit is out.” Strong drink is an enemy to wisdom even in common things; how much more in those of everlasting moment! It usually expels from the mind all reverence for God and respect for man, and causes men to throw off restraint and lose discretion.