Isaiah 5:11 - Woe to those who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine

Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine.

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

Isaiah 5:11

Commentary

The second woe (of 6 woes listed from verse 8-23) is upon Judah's drunken inhabitants, who pursue intoxicating drink from dawn to dark. This intoxication even occurred at religious festivals (v. 12). In their drunken stupor, the inhabitants of Judah were not aware that God was at work in their midst, probably a reference to God's work of judgment (v. 12).

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Is 5:11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Misuses of Wine

The dangers of drunkenness are abundantly recognized in the Bible (Prov. 20:1; 23:29-35). Wine often enslaved the heart (Hos. 4:11). The prophets accused Israel of being overcome with wine (Is. 28:1), of drinking wine by bowlfuls (Amos 6:6), and of wanting prophets who spoke of wine (Mic. 2:11). Leaders were interested in drinking and were not concerned about the ruin of the country (Is. 5:11-12; 22:13). The list of those drunken with wine in the Bible begins with Noah and includes Lot, Nabal, and Amnon (Gen. 9:21; 1 Sam. 25:36-37; 2 Sam. 13:28).

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.

Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1

Commentary

This chapter begins with a warning against the abuse of wine, or excessive drinking (see this theme more extensively in 23:29-35). A wise person takes the danger seriously. There is no wisdom in drunkenness, only brawling and confusion.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Pr 20:1). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Did you know?

Wine was grape juice mixed with water to dilute it, but strong drink was unmixed. While the use of these beverages is not specifically condemned (Deut. 14:26), being intoxicated always is (Is. 28:7).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Pr 20:1). Nashville: Word Pub.