Isaiah 22:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And behold joy {H8342} and gladness {H8057}, slaying {H2026} oxen {H1241}, and killing {H7819} sheep {H6629}, eating {H398} flesh {H1320}, and drinking {H8354} wine {H3196}: let us eat {H398} and drink {H8354}; for to morrow {H4279} we shall die {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but instead, one sees joy and celebrating, killing of oxen, slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat, drinking of wine "Let's eat and drink now, because tomorrow we'll be dead!"

Berean Standard Bible

But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 22:13 presents a stark and defiant response from the inhabitants of Jerusalem to God's solemn call for repentance in the face of impending judgment. Instead of humility, mourning, and spiritual introspection, the people engage in lavish feasting, revelry, and unrestrained indulgence. This verse encapsulates a profound spiritual apathy and a fatalistic worldview, epitomized by their declaration, "let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die," prioritizing immediate carnal gratification over divine warning and eternal consequences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Isaiah's "oracle concerning the Valley of Vision" (Isaiah 22:1-14), a prophetic burden specifically directed against Jerusalem. The preceding verses vividly portray the city's chaotic state, its inhabitants' misplaced confidence in human defenses, and God's lament over their spiritual blindness. Crucially, [Isaiah 22:12](/isaiah/22-12 "Isaiah 22:12 - God's Call to Repentance") reveals the Lord God of hosts' explicit desire for His people to respond to their dire crisis with genuine contrition—weeping, mourning, shaving their heads, and wearing sackcloth. Verse 13 immediately follows this divine plea, presenting a shocking and rebellious counter-response. It demonstrates the people's hardened hearts and their outright rejection of God's compassionate invitation to repentance, setting the stage for the severe and irreversible judgment pronounced in [Isaiah 22:14](/isaiah/22-14 "Isaiah 22:14 - Irreversible Judgment").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "Valley of Vision" refers to Jerusalem, likely facing a significant military threat, most commonly identified as the Assyrian siege under Sennacherib around 701 BC. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, and particularly within Israelite religious tradition, periods of national peril or divine judgment typically called for corporate fasting, prayer, and lamentation. These acts were expressions of humility, repentance, and a desperate plea for divine mercy. The activities described in [Isaiah 22:13](/isaiah/22-13 "Isaiah 22:13 - Jerusalem's Defiance")—slaying oxen and sheep, eating, and drinking—were characteristic of celebratory feasts or banquets. However, in this specific context, they represent a perverse inversion of appropriate behavior, a defiant act of revelry and self-indulgence in the face of divine warning, rather than a celebration of victory or deliverance.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 22:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah. It vividly illustrates the theme of **Rebellion and Disobedience**, as Jerusalem directly opposes God's explicit command for repentance and mourning. This verse also profoundly underscores the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Hardness of Heart**, depicting a people so spiritually dull that they cannot perceive the gravity of their situation or the graciousness of God's call. Furthermore, it introduces and exemplifies the theme of **Hedonism and Fatalism**, presenting a worldview that prioritizes immediate, fleeting pleasure over eternal consequences, culminating in the despairing sentiment that "to morrow we shall die." This fatalistic outlook stands in stark contrast to the prophetic hope found elsewhere in Isaiah, particularly the promise of a future Messiah and the ultimate restoration of God's people (e.g., [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **joy (Hebrew, _sâsôwn'_):** From H8342, meaning cheerfulness, glee, or mirth, often associated with religious festivals or celebrations. In this context, its presence is deeply ironic and tragic, describing a misplaced and defiant merriment that is antithetical to the solemnity and repentance God called for, highlighting the people's spiritual insensitivity.
* **slaying (Hebrew, _hârag'_):** From H2026, a primitive root meaning "to smite with deadly intent," "to kill," or "to murder." Here, it specifically denotes the act of killing animals for consumption, such as oxen. The word emphasizes the deliberate act of taking life for the purpose of feasting, underscoring the lavishness and perhaps the recklessness of their indulgence in the face of impending doom.
* **die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** From H4191, a primitive root meaning "to die" literally or figuratively, or causatively, "to kill." This word is central to the fatalistic declaration, "for to morrow we shall die." It signifies the certainty of physical death, but in this context, it also implies a spiritual death or a complete lack of hope and accountability beyond the present moment, justifying their hedonistic abandon.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And behold joy and gladness":** This opening phrase immediately captures the reader's attention with "behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinnēh_), drawing a sharp contrast between God's expectation of mourning (from [Isaiah 22:12](/isaiah/22-12 "Isaiah 22:12 - God's Call to Repentance")) and the surprising reality of revelry. The "joy and gladness" are not divinely sanctioned or appropriate for a city facing divine judgment, indicating a profound spiritual blindness and defiance.
* **"slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine":** This clause vividly details the specific activities of the people's revelry. The mention of both "oxen" and "sheep" signifies an extravagant, lavish feast, far beyond a simple meal. The repetition of consuming "flesh" and "drinking wine" emphasizes the excessive indulgence in physical pleasures, indicative of a society abandoning itself to carnal desires and ignoring the spiritual gravity of their situation.
* **"let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die":** This culminating phrase encapsulates the fatalistic and hedonistic philosophy adopted by the people. It is a defiant embrace of present pleasure, justified by the perceived inevitability of death. This is not a celebration of life, but a desperate, despairing abandonment to immediate gratification, demonstrating a profound spiritual apathy and a rejection of any future accountability or hope beyond the grave.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 22:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the people's "joy and gladness" are completely antithetical to the mourning and humility God called for in the preceding verse. This creates a sharp **Contrast** between divine expectation and human rebellion. The phrase "let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die" is a classic example of **Fatalism** and **Hedonism**, representing a worldview that denies future consequences and embraces immediate gratification in the face of perceived doom. The vivid imagery of "slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine" utilizes potent **Sensory Language** to immerse the reader in the scene of reckless indulgence, emphasizing the depth of their spiritual depravity and their turning away from God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 22:13 serves as a profound theological warning against spiritual apathy, self-indulgence, and a fatalistic worldview that rejects divine intervention and accountability. It powerfully illustrates the dangerous consequences of a hardened heart that chooses immediate gratification over repentance in the face of impending judgment. The people's defiant revelry highlights a profound disrespect for God's sovereignty and His compassionate call to turn from sin. This passage underscores the biblical principle that true wisdom involves acknowledging God's hand in all circumstances and responding with humility, faith, and an eternal perspective, rather than despair and reckless abandon. It stands in stark contrast to the call to live with an awareness of lasting consequences, where hope is found not in fleeting pleasures but in God's faithfulness and His ultimate purposes.

* [Proverbs 21:17](/proverbs/21-17 "The Folly of Pleasure-Seeking")
* [Luke 12:19-20](/luke/12-19-20 "The Parable of the Rich Fool")
* [Romans 13:13-14](/romans/13-13-14 "Living Righteously")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 22:13 challenges us to critically examine our own responses to crisis and the pervasive temptations of a fatalistic worldview in our modern context. When faced with personal difficulties, societal challenges, or the sobering realities of life's brevity, do we instinctively turn to God in humility and prayer, seeking His guidance and mercy? Or do we, like the people of Jerusalem, succumb to distractions, despair, or self-indulgent escapism? This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true security and lasting hope are not found in fleeting pleasures or a defiant embrace of the present moment, but in a steadfast reliance on God and a life lived with eternal consequences in mind. It calls believers to cultivate spiritual vigilance, to be responsive to God's warnings and promptings, and to reject any philosophy that denies accountability or the ultimate triumph of God's purposes. Our lives should reflect a hope that transcends earthly circumstances, anchored in the truth of God's promises and the glorious reality of His coming kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond to personal crises or difficult circumstances? Do I seek God's face or become consumed by worldly distractions and self-indulgence?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to embrace a "eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die" mentality in my own life, whether consciously or unconsciously, in the face of uncertainty or despair?**
* **What does living with an "eternal perspective" truly mean for my daily choices, priorities, and the way I steward my time and resources?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is more responsive to God's warnings and calls for repentance, both for myself and for my community, fostering true spiritual discernment?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "joy and gladness" in a context of impending judgment?**

Answer: The "joy and gladness" described in [Isaiah 22:13](/isaiah/22-13 "Isaiah 22:13 - Jerusalem's Defiance") is profoundly ironic and tragic. It signifies a deep spiritual disconnect and a defiant rejection of God's will. Instead of responding to God's call for mourning and repentance (as explicitly stated in [Isaiah 22:12](/isaiah/22-12 "Isaiah 22:12 - God's Call to Repentance")), the people choose revelry and self-indulgence. This "joy" is not born of true hope or divine blessing, but rather a desperate, fatalistic abandonment to pleasure in the face of certain doom. It highlights their spiritual blindness and hardened hearts, as they willfully ignore God's compassionate warning.

**Is the phrase "let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die" unique to Isaiah?**

Answer: No, the sentiment "let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die" is a proverbial expression found in various ancient Near Eastern cultures, reflecting a common fatalistic worldview. It appears in other biblical contexts as well. Most notably, the Apostle Paul quotes this very phrase in [1 Corinthians 15:32](/1_corinthians/15-32 "1 Corinthians 15:32 - Paul's Argument for Resurrection") to illustrate the absurd conclusion of those who deny the resurrection of the dead. Paul argues that if there is no resurrection, no future accountability, and no eternal life, then living solely for present pleasure becomes the logical, albeit ultimately despairing, conclusion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 22:13, with its chilling declaration, "let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound contrast between humanity's fatalistic despair and Christ's victorious conquest over death. The people of Jerusalem, facing physical death, embraced a philosophy that saw no hope beyond the grave, prioritizing fleeting carnal pleasures. However, the New Testament proclaims that through Christ, the "tomorrow we shall die" is transformed into an eternal "today we shall live." Jesus Himself faced death, not as a finality, but as a passage to resurrection, thereby disarming the power of death and the despair it brings (cf. [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). He offers abundant and eternal life to all who believe, replacing the empty revelry of a dying world with the true joy and lasting hope found in His presence (cf. [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Offers Abundant Life")). The ultimate feast for believers is not one of desperate indulgence, but the marriage supper of the Lamb, a glorious celebration of eternal life and communion with God (cf. [Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")), where death has lost its sting and the future is not despair but glorious anticipation of His eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 56:12

Come ye, [say they], I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, [and] much more abundant.

1 Corinthians 15:32

If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Luke 17:26

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Luke 17:29

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all.

James 5:5

Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

Amos 6:3

Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;

Amos 6:7

Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.