Isaiah 5:22 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine, And valiant men in mixing intoxicating drink,

CSB: Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, who are champions at pouring beer,

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

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

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

This next "woe" statement (Isaiah 5:8, 11, 18, 20–21) condemns the broken values of Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah may be using sarcasm by referring to the drunkards as "heroes" and "valiant men" in the eyes of their peers. But he is also revealing that drinking and drunkenness has become such a staple of society that there were champions of the "sport." Those known for hedonism were idolized and imitated, instead of being corrected.

It's important to note that Isaiah isn't condemning the drinking of alcohol in and of itself. He has already condemned the drinking and partying lifestyles of the people of Jerusalem (Isaiah 5:11–12). He is condemning drunkenness and skewed priorities of the people, as well as condemning injustice, as the following verse shows (Isaiah 5:23).

Isaiah 5:8–30 contains Isaiah's dire predictions about the upcoming judgment of Israel. The first "woes" are to the greedy and the pleasure-seeking drinkers. They will go into exile and to the grave for refusing to acknowledge God. The Lord then will be exalted for restoring justice and righteousness. The next woes are to those who embrace sin and mock the coming judgment. These are also those people who have mixed evil and good and believe they know better than God. The final listed woes are those who make it a point of pride how much alcohol they can drink, as well as how they can work the system with bribes. The Lord will summon the armies of the nations to bring judgment on His people.

Isaiah 5 begins with a parable about a farmer who builds a vineyard that produces sour grapes. The owner says he will lay waste to the vineyard. Isaiah reveals the owner to be the Lord and the vineyard to be Israel. Israel's bad fruit includes the greed of the wealthy and the hedonism of the people. They will go hungry and thirsty, into exile, and the grave. The Lord will be exalted for His righteousness. Isaiah pronounces woe on the sinners, the mockers, and the unjust rulers. The Lord will summon the nations to judge His people.

Early chapters (Isaiah 1—4) established a prophetic message given to the people of Israel. Isaiah 5 begins a new section with a parable about a vineyard that produces wild grapes despite all the work the owner has done. The vineyard is Israel, and the owner is the Lord. He will lay waste to the vineyard for the greed and drunkenness of the people. They will go into exile and the grave. The Lord will be exalted, but woe to those who embrace sin, and mock God's judgment. As well as those who take bribes against the poor. He has summoned the nations. Judgment is coming. The next chapter includes one of the Bible's most famous visions (Isaiah 6).

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 5/4/2024 1:38:15 PM