Isaiah 5:11

11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue ¹strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

Isaiah 5:11 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 5:11

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning
To rise up early in the morning is healthful, and to rise to do business is commendable; but to spend the day in drunkenness and intemperance is very criminal, which is here meant: [that] they may follow, strong drink;
not only drink it, but follow on to drink; diligently seek after it, where the best is to be had; go from house to house till they have found it; closely follow the drinking of it, till inebriated with it: that continue until night;
at their pots, with their drinking companions, even all the day till night comes, the twilight either of the evening or of the morning: [till] wine inflame them;
their bodies with heat, and their souls with lust.

Isaiah 5:11 In-Context

9 In my ears the LORD of hosts has sworn, "Surely , many houses shall become desolate, Even great and fine ones, without occupants.

10 "For ten acres of vineyard will yield only one bath of wine, And a homer of seed will yield but an ephah of grain."

11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

12 Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; But they do not pay attention to the deeds of the LORD , Nor do they consider the work of His hands.

13 Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; And their honorable men are famished, And their multitude is parched with thirst.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 23:29, 30; Ecclesiastes 10:16, 17; Isaiah 5:22; Isaiah 22:13; Isaiah 28:1, 3, 7, 8