Saturday, April 2, 2022

Drunk with Wine in The Reign of Zedekiah

 In 1 Nephi 4 we learn that Laban "had been out by night" "with the elders of the Jews."

He returned "drunk with wine."

And it was by night; [and] I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban.

And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

Nevertheless I went forth, and as I came near unto the house of Laban I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth before me, for he was drunken with wine.

And when I came to him I found that it was Laban. 


So what had Laban and the "brethren" or "elders", "out by night," been drinking? 

Nothing less than "wine infused with vanilla!" 

Yes, "vanilla-infused wine was widely consumed by Jerusalem's wealthy during the reign of King Zedekiah," the king whom Laban served. "One of the excavated buildings [in which wine jars with vanilla traces were found] was an impressive two-story structure, which may have served as a bureau for senior royal officials," including a large wine cellar.

To some such place Laban had repaired by night to meet the elders of the Jews.


Notes

Consider the following: Steinmeyer, Nathan, "Biblical Kings Drank Vanilla-Flavored Wine," 1 April 2022, Biblical Archaeology

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/jerusalem/biblical-kings-drank-vanilla-flavored-wine/?mqsc=E4143000&dk=ZE2140ZF0&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=BHDA%20Daily%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=4_1_22_Biblical_Kings_Drank_Vanilla_Flavored_Win

Bibliography: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0266085

https://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2022/03/vanilla-flavored-wine-in-ancient.html