Isaiah 1:22

22 Thy silver is turned into dross, either filth; thy wine is meddled with water (thy wine is mixed with water).

Isaiah 1:22 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:22

Thy silver is become dross
Meaning either that such persons, who had the appearance of goodness, looked like genuine silver, were now become reprobate, and, as the wicked of the earth, like dross, ( Jeremiah 6:30 ) ( Psalms 119:119 ) or that the word of God, which is as silver purified seven times, was now corrupted with false glosses and human traditions, which were as dross: thy wine mixed with water
^F13; the wine of the divine word, which was mixed and blended with the inventions of men, as before; so the roof of the church's mouth, which is no other than the ministry of the word, is compared to the best wine, ( Song of Solomon 7:9 Song of Solomon 7:11 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 It being usual to mix water with wine, and drink it, and this being not at all reproachful, but commendable, Gussetius thinks such a version does not express the sense of the words; he therefore thinks that (lhm) is the same as (llwhm) contracted, which signified "infatuated"; and so the words should be rendered, "thy wine is infatuated into water"; is degenerated, and has lost its spirit and sprightliness, and is become insipid and tasteless. So Jarchi mentions a Midrash, which interprets it by the same word in ( Ecclesiastes 2:2 ) . It is a word only used in this place. Joseph Kimchi says that <arabic> in the Arabic, language has the signification of mixture, but without giving any instance. Indeed, according to Castel, it is used for the lees of oil.

Isaiah 1:22 In-Context

20 That if ye do not, and ye stir me to wrathfulness, (the) sword shall devour you; for why the mouth of the Lord spake. (But if ye do not, and ye stir me to anger, the sword shall devour you; for the Lord hath spoken.)

21 How is the faithful city full of doom made an whore? rightfulness dwelled therein; but now men-quellers dwell therein. (How the faithful city is made like a whore! Once it was full of justice, and righteousness lived there/and the righteous lived there; but now only murderers live there!)

22 Thy silver is turned into dross, either filth; thy wine is meddled with water (thy wine is mixed with water).

23 Thy princes be unfaithful, the fellows of thieves; all love gifts, and follow yieldings, either meeds; they deem not to a fatherless child, and the cause of a widow entereth not to them. (Thy leaders be unfaithful, the friends of thieves; all of them love gifts, and follow after bribes, or rewards; they do not judge favourably for a fatherless child, and a widow's case never even cometh before them.)

24 For this thing, saith the Lord God of hosts, the Strong of Israel, Alas! I shall be comforted on mine enemies, and I shall be venged of mine enemies (For this thing, saith the Lord God of hosts, the Strong One of Israel, No more! Now I shall get satisfaction over my enemies, and I shall take vengeance upon my enemies/and I shall be avenged upon my enemies.)