Isaiah 5:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A woe against those who boast of their capacity to consume alcohol and take pride in their prowess.
The Context of Isaiah 5:22
A woe against pride in and cultivation of drunkenness.
What Does Isaiah 5:22 Mean?
This woe echoes verse 11 but shifts focus. Verse 11 condemned abandoning oneself to drink; this verse condemns the pride in one's 'might' to hold and mix strong drink. It is the cult of capacity, the elevation of personal capacity to alcoholic consumption into a mark of strength.
The inversion is stark: they call strength what is weakness (vulnerability to appetite), and pride what is slavery. The covenant requirement is mastery of the flesh, not submission to it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 5:22
What does Isaiah 5:22 mean?
A woe against those who boast of their capacity to consume alcohol and take pride in their prowess.
What is the context of Isaiah 5:22?
A woe against pride in and cultivation of drunkenness.