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.