Isaiah 5 22

Isaiah 5:22 kjv

Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

Isaiah 5:22 nkjv

Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,

Isaiah 5:22 niv

Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks,

Isaiah 5:22 esv

Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink,

Isaiah 5:22 nlt

What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine
and boast about all the alcohol they can hold.

Isaiah 5 verses

Isaiah 5 22 Meaning

Isaiah 5:22 pronounces a severe prophetic judgment, a "woe," upon those individuals, especially the influential and powerful, who pride themselves and gain renown for their ability to drink vast amounts of wine and master the preparation of potent alcoholic beverages, leading to drunkenness. It condemns the perversion of strength and skill for self-indulgence and dissipation rather than for justice or righteousness. This verse highlights a society where moral decay had led its strong men to boast in their debauchery rather than in virtuous acts.

Isaiah 5 22 Context

Isaiah 5:22 is the fifth of six "woes" pronounced by the prophet Isaiah against the kingdom of Judah. The entire chapter functions as a strong indictment against the nation, starting with the "Song of the Vineyard" (5:1-7), where God's loving care for Israel is highlighted, followed by their failure to produce the expected fruit of justice and righteousness, leading to divine judgment. This verse specifically addresses a prevailing societal vice: the widespread problem of drunkenness, particularly among those in positions of power and influence.

The historical and cultural context for Judah in Isaiah's time was one of increasing wealth disparity, social injustice, corruption among the elite, and moral decline. Instead of using their status to uphold righteousness and protect the vulnerable, those with might abused their privileges. The series of woes directly challenges the behaviors that polluted Judah's society, including land-grabbing (v. 8), riotous living (v. 11-12), denying God's work (v. 18-19), perverting good and evil (v. 20), and intellectual arrogance (v. 21). Isaiah 5:22 targets a particular expression of this moral corruption: the boasting of one's ability to indulge in excessive drinking, turning a common activity into a display of perverse strength and self-centered renown. It is a polemic against the notion that debauchery could be a source of honor or respect, directly challenging the distorted values of the powerful.

Isaiah 5 22 Word analysis

• Woe (Hoy, הוֹי): This Hebrew interjection serves as a lamentation, an exclamation of distress, or a pronouncement of judgment. It signifies a solemn curse or an announcement of impending doom due to severe sin. In Isaiah, it frequently introduces a prophetic denunciation, marking out specific targets for God's righteous wrath.

• to those who are mighty (la'gibborim, לַגִּבּוֹרִים): The term gibborim literally means "strong men," "heroes," or "warriors." It typically refers to individuals renowned for their strength, valor, or significant achievements. Here, it is used ironically, applying a term of honor and true might to men whose strength is displayed only in their capacity for self-destructive indulgence, perverting the very essence of what a hero should be.

• at drinking wine (li'shtot yayin, לִשְׁתוֹת יָיִן): Yayin (יַיִן) refers to fermented grape wine. While wine was a common beverage in ancient Israel, consumed in moderation, its excessive use was repeatedly condemned. The phrase "at drinking" signifies not just consumption, but a particular skill or prowess in it, suggesting gluttony and intemperance as their defining characteristic.

• and men of strength (ve'anshey chayil, וְאַנְשֵׁי חָיִל): Anshey chayil (אַנְשֵׁי חָיִל) carries similar connotations to gibborim, implying valiant, capable, or influential men, often associated with military strength, wealth, or societal standing. Its reiteration underscores the high regard these men hold for their indulgence, further emphasizing the perversion of their inherent strength or position.

• for mixing intoxicating drink (le'masekh shekar, לְמָסוֹךְ שֵׁכָר):

  • Mixing (masekh, מָסוֹךְ): This verb implies preparation, either by adding ingredients to enhance potency (e.g., spices or drugs) or by diluting the strong drink to enable prolonged consumption. The aim is to create a beverage designed for maximum, sustained intoxication, rather than for responsible or refreshing drinking.
  • intoxicating drink (shekar, שֵׁכָר): This term refers to a potent alcoholic beverage, often stronger than typical wine, possibly made from barley, dates, or other fruits. It encompasses a broader category of intoxicants, indicating that their pursuit of inebriation goes beyond mere wine consumption.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Woe to those who are mighty... and men of strength": This juxtaposition creates a sharp irony. The divine "woe" negates their self-proclaimed strength and honor. They are "mighty" in debauchery, not in true valor, service, or wisdom. Their supposed "strength" is in fact a weakness that degrades them.
  • "at drinking wine... for mixing intoxicating drink": This highlights the deliberate and skillful pursuit of drunkenness. It's not accidental inebriation, but a cultivated practice, demonstrating a proud proficiency in the art of intoxication. This deep involvement reveals a perversion of God's good gifts and a disregard for moral rectitude.

Isaiah 5 22 Bonus section

The self-acclaimed "might" and "strength" described in Isaiah 5:22 speak to a society where the definitions of valor and achievement had become distorted. True strength, from a biblical perspective, is found in upholding righteousness, executing justice, caring for the vulnerable, and fearing the Lord (as seen in Pr 31:8-9 or Mic 6:8). The individuals denounced here embody an inversion of this ideal, celebrating an ability that actually diminishes their judgment, weakens their moral fiber, and renders them unfit for responsible leadership. This behavior also contributes to the social decay criticized in earlier woes, as such leaders are prone to neglect their duties and exacerbate injustice while clouded by drink. Their "prowess" ultimately brings dishonor and invites divine judgment.

Isaiah 5 22 Commentary

Isaiah 5:22 lays bare a profoundly corrupt aspect of Judah's leadership and elite during the prophet's time. This woe is aimed at those who boasted not in their justice, wisdom, or fear of the Lord, but in their capacity for excessive drinking and orchestrating elaborate bouts of inebriation. This false strength, paraded as an achievement, represented a deep spiritual and moral decay. Such behavior demonstrated a complete inversion of values: rather than acting as guardians of the nation, upholding righteousness (as described in v. 7), these powerful individuals descended into self-indulgent revelry. Their pride in drunkenness reflected a broader disregard for God's law and a self-absorbed lifestyle that contributed to the nation's spiritual sickness. It showed a society where status was associated with the ability to consume rather than contribute, to squander rather than steward.