Isaiah 5:22

22 How horrible it will be for those who are heroes at drinking wine, who are champions at mixing drinks,

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 How horrible it will be for those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn what is bitter into something sweet and what is sweet into something bitter.

21 How horrible it will be for those who think they are wise and consider themselves to be clever.

22 How horrible it will be for those who are heroes at drinking wine, who are champions at mixing drinks,

23 who declare the guilty innocent for a bribe, who take away the rights of righteous people.

24 As flames burn up straw and dry grass shrivels in flames, so their roots will rot, and their blossoms will blow away like dust. They have rejected the teachings of the LORD of Armies and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.