Isaiah 5:11

11 Woe to those who ¹rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames 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 The LORD of hosts has sworn in my hearing: "Surely many houses shall be desolate, large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant.

10 For ten acres of vineyard shall yield but one bath, and a homer of seed shall yield but an ephah."

11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!

12 They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD, or see the work of his hands.

13 Therefore my people go into exile for lack of knowledge; their honored men go hungry, and their multitude is parched with thirst.

Cross References

• 1. ver. 22; [Proverbs 23:29, 30; Ecclesiastes 10:16, 17]