Isaiah 5:22

22 Wo [to] the mighty to drink wine, And men of strength to mingle strong drink.

Isaiah 5:22 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 5:22

Woe unto [them that are] mighty to drink wine
That can bear a great deal, and not be overcome and intoxicated with it; that try their strength this way with others, and get the mastery and glory in it: not mighty to fight their enemies, as Kimchi observes, and defend their country, but to drink wine; by which their strength was weakened: wherefore some think soldiers are particularly designed, given to drinking, who are derided and mocked, as being valiant in the warfare of Bacchus, and not of Mars: and men of strength, to mingle strong drink;
in the cup, and then drink it: or "men of war"; the same with "mighty" before. The Targum interprets it, "men of riches": who can afford to drink wine and strong drink; which carries the sense not to the strength of their bodies, but of their purses: the former sense seems best. The Scribes and Pharisees loved the cup and the platter, and to be at feasts, and to have the uppermost seats there, ( Matthew 23:6 Matthew 23:25 ) and that those that sat in Moses's chair are intended appears from the following words.

Isaiah 5:22 In-Context

20 Wo [to] those saying to evil `good,' And to good `evil,' Putting darkness for light, and light for darkness, Putting bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.

21 Wo [to] the wise in their own eyes, And -- before their own faces -- intelligent!

22 Wo [to] the mighty to drink wine, And men of strength to mingle strong drink.

23 Declaring righteous the wicked for a bribe, And the righteousness of the righteous They turn aside from him.

24 Therefore, as a tongue of fire devoureth stubble, And flaming hay falleth, Their root is as muck, And their flower as dust goeth up. Because they have rejected the law of Jehovah of Hosts, And the saying of the Holy One of Israel despised.