Isaiah 22:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Instead of repenting, the people abandon themselves to feasting and hedonism, as though death is inevitable and pleasure is all that remains.
The Context of Isaiah 22:13
Faced with God's call to repentance, the people choose reckless indulgence instead.
What Does Isaiah 22:13 Mean?
While God calls to mourning, the people respond with the opposite: 'joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine.' This is not innocent celebration but calculated defiance—a refusal to acknowledge God's call or the seriousness of their crisis. It reveals spiritual exhaustion and a turned heart.
'Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die' captures a philosophy of despair masquerading as realism. Facing judgment they cannot escape, they seize momentary pleasure. This echoes a pagan worldview that denies divine concern or moral order. Their response to God's merciful call for repentance is a bold rejection—preferring appetite and denial to humility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 22:13
What does Isaiah 22:13 mean?
Instead of repenting, the people abandon themselves to feasting and hedonism, as though death is inevitable and pleasure is all that remains.
What is the context of Isaiah 22:13?
Faced with God's call to repentance, the people choose reckless indulgence instead.