Isaiah 28:7

KJV

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble [in] judgment.

KJV (with Strong's)

But they {H428} also have erred {H7686} through wine {H3196}, and through strong drink {H7941} are out of the way {H8582}; the priest {H3548} and the prophet {H5030} have erred {H7686} through strong drink {H7941}, they are swallowed up {H1104} of {H4480} wine {H3196}, they are out of the way {H8582} through strong drink {H7941}; they err {H7686} in vision {H7203}, they stumble {H6328} in judgment {H6417}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But there are others reeling from wine, staggering about because of strong liquor; cohen and prophet reel from strong liquor, they are confused by wine. Led astray by strong liquor, they err in their visions and stumble when judging.

Berean Standard Bible

These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.

American Standard Version

And even these reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they stagger with strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 28:7 delivers a scathing indictment against the spiritual leaders of ancient Israel, specifically the priests and prophets, who, through their indulgence in wine and strong drink, have become spiritually and morally incapacitated. This profound intemperance has compromised their sacred duties, leading them to err in their prophetic vision and stumble in their judicial discernment, thereby failing to guide God's people righteously and undermining the very foundations of divine communication and justice within the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 28:7 is situated within a broader prophetic oracle (Isaiah 28-33) primarily directed against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Judah. The chapter opens with a severe denunciation of Ephraim, referred to as "the crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim" ([Isaiah 28:1](/isaiah/28-1 "Isaiah 28:1 - Woe to Ephraim")). While the initial verses condemn the general revelry and impending judgment upon Samaria, verse 7 pivots sharply to focus on the spiritual elite—the priests and prophets. This shift intensifies the critique, highlighting that even those entrusted with divine revelation and instruction have succumbed to the same vices plaguing the populace. The subsequent verses continue to mock their impaired teaching, comparing their confused utterances to babbling to infants ([Isaiah 28:9-10](/isaiah/28-9 "Isaiah 28:9-10 - Childish Teaching")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Isaiah was delivered during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, spanning the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (c. 740-687 BC). The Northern Kingdom of Israel was on the brink of Assyrian conquest (which occurred in 722 BC), and Judah faced constant threats and moral decay. In ancient Israel, priests (כֹּהֵן, _kôhên_) were responsible for mediating between God and the people, offering sacrifices, teaching the Law, and providing moral guidance. Prophets (נָבִיא, _nâbîyʼ_) were God's spokespersons, receiving divine visions and delivering His word. Both roles demanded spiritual purity, clear discernment, and moral integrity. The widespread indulgence in wine and strong drink, as depicted, was not merely a social problem but a profound spiritual crisis, indicating a deep-seated rebellion against God's standards and a failure of leadership at the highest levels.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the prophetic tradition. It underscores the **Corruption of Leadership**, demonstrating how those in positions of spiritual authority can become the very embodiment of the nation's sin, leading to a breakdown of divine order. The theme of **Impaired Judgment and Vision** is central, illustrating how physical indulgence directly hinders spiritual perception and the ability to render righteous decisions, whether in legal matters or in discerning God's will. This highlights the **Consequences of Intemperance**, portraying how personal vice can have devastating public and spiritual repercussions. Furthermore, it implicitly conveys God's **Displeasure with Hypocrisy**, as leaders who should exemplify holiness instead wallow in the same sins they are meant to rebuke, leading to spiritual blindness and a perversion of justice, as seen in the broader indictment against Judah's unrighteous leaders in [Isaiah 1:23](/isaiah/1-23 "Isaiah 1:23 - Rebellious Rulers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **erred (Hebrew, _shâgâh'_):** From H7686, a primitive root meaning "to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication) to reel, (figuratively) be enraptured." This word conveys both a physical staggering due to intoxication and a moral deviation from the right path. It implies a loss of control and direction, indicating that the priests and prophets have lost their moral compass and are leading themselves and others astray.
* **strong drink (Hebrew, _shêkâr'_):** From H7941, referring to "an intoxicant, i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor; strong drink, [phrase] drunkard, strong wine." This term denotes a potent alcoholic beverage, distinct from wine, often made from grains or dates, and known for its higher intoxicating power. Its repeated mention alongside "wine" emphasizes the depth of their indulgence and the severity of their intoxication, highlighting a deliberate pursuit of extreme inebriation.
* **swallowed up (Hebrew, _bâlaʻ'_):** From H1104, a primitive root meaning "to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy; cover, destroy, devour, eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up)." This powerful verb paints a vivid picture of complete subjugation. It suggests that the wine has not merely affected them, but has utterly consumed and overwhelmed them, obliterating their identity, function, and ability to resist its influence. They are no longer masters of themselves but are entirely dominated by their vice.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _pᵉlîylîyâh'_):** From H6417, a feminine noun meaning "judicature; judgment." This term refers to the act or process of rendering a verdict, making a legal or moral decision, or exercising discernment. The inability to "stumble in judgment" means a perversion of justice and a failure to provide sound moral and theological guidance to the people. It signifies the complete breakdown of their authoritative function as interpreters of God's law and arbiters of disputes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they also have erred through wine,"**: This clause immediately introduces the central accusation, highlighting that "they"—referring to the spiritual leaders, as clarified later in the verse—have deviated from the righteous path due to their consumption of wine. The word "erred" (H7686) suggests both a moral transgression and a physical reeling, painting a picture of staggering both literally and spiritually.
* **"and through strong drink are out of the way;"**: This phrase reinforces the previous one, emphasizing the role of potent alcoholic beverages ("strong drink," H7941) in causing their deviation. "Out of the way" (H8582) further underscores their loss of direction and moral compass, indicating they have strayed from the path of uprightness and divine command.
* **"the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink,"**: This specifies the "they" from the opening, directly identifying the spiritual authorities—the priest (H3548), responsible for teaching and worship, and the prophet (H5030), God's messenger—as the culprits. The repetition of "erred through strong drink" intensifies the indictment, showing that even those most sacredly set apart have fallen into this grievous sin.
* **"they are swallowed up of wine,"**: This powerful imagery (H1104) depicts a complete subjugation to their vice. The wine has not merely influenced them; it has consumed them entirely, indicating a loss of self-control, identity, and the ability to perform their sacred duties. Their very being is absorbed by their intemperance.
* **"they are out of the way through strong drink;"**: This phrase repeats the earlier condemnation, creating a sense of inescapable consequence. The pervasive influence of "strong drink" means they are consistently and fundamentally off the path, unable to find their way back to spiritual integrity or righteous leadership.
* **"they err in vision,"**: This clause points to the direct impact of their intoxication on their prophetic function. "Vision" (H7203) refers specifically to prophetic revelation or divine insight. Their spiritual blindness, caused by drink, prevents them from receiving or accurately interpreting God's messages, rendering them useless as divine communicators.
* **"they stumble [in] judgment."**: The final clause reveals the consequence for their judicial and moral leadership. "Judgment" (H6417) encompasses legal rulings, moral discernment, and wise decision-making. Their physical and spiritual staggering leads to a failure in delivering justice and providing sound guidance, perverting the very foundation of societal order and righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 28:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its sharp rebuke. **Repetition** is prominent, with phrases like "erred through wine/strong drink" and "out of the way through strong drink" appearing multiple times. This repetition emphasizes the pervasive and debilitating nature of the leaders' intoxication, driving home the point of their consistent failure. The phrase "swallowed up of wine" functions as a potent **Metaphor**, vividly portraying the complete dominance and consumption of the leaders by their vice, suggesting they are no longer in control of themselves but are utterly absorbed by their indulgence. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, particularly in the final clauses: "they err in vision, they stumble [in] judgment." This structural balance highlights the dual failure of the leaders—their inability to receive divine revelation and their incapacity to render righteous decisions—showing how their spiritual and practical functions are equally compromised. The overall tone is one of **Sarcasm** and **Irony**, as those who should be the clearest-sighted and most discerning are depicted as the most blind and stumbling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 28:7 serves as a profound theological statement on the indispensable link between personal integrity and spiritual authority. It underscores that those called to lead God's people must maintain a high standard of moral and spiritual sobriety, for their personal failings directly impede their capacity to discern and communicate divine truth. The verse highlights God's expectation of holiness and righteousness from His chosen servants, and His severe displeasure when those entrusted with sacred duties betray that trust through self-indulgence. The failure of these leaders to maintain a clear "vision" and sound "judgment" represents a catastrophic breakdown in the covenant relationship, leaving the people without true guidance and exposed to spiritual confusion and moral decay. This prophetic warning resonates throughout Scripture, affirming that true spiritual leadership flows from a life submitted to God, free from the entanglements of sin that cloud discernment.

* [Leviticus 10:9-10](/leviticus/10-9 "Leviticus 10:9-10 - Prohibition for Priests") - Priests are explicitly forbidden from drinking wine or strong drink when entering the tabernacle, lest they die, so they may "distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean."
* [Proverbs 31:4-5](/proverbs/31-4-5 "Proverbs 31:4-5 - Warning to Kings and Rulers") - Warns kings and rulers against strong drink, stating it "is not for kings... lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted."
* [Titus 1:7](/titus/1-7 "Titus 1:7 - Qualifications for Overseers") - States that an overseer "must be above reproach, as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 28:7 stands as a timeless and sobering warning, particularly for those in positions of leadership, whether in the church, the home, or the public square. It compels us to examine what might be "intoxicating" our own spiritual vision and clouding our judgment. While the immediate context is literal strong drink, the principle extends to anything that dulls our spiritual senses, distorts our perception of truth, or compromises our ability to make decisions aligned with God's will. This could include addiction to power, wealth, comfort, entertainment, or even self-righteousness. For every believer, this verse is a call to vigilance and self-control, recognizing that our personal integrity profoundly impacts our capacity to serve God and influence others for good. It reminds us that clear spiritual discernment is a precious gift, easily forfeited through indulgence and neglect, and that the integrity of our walk with God directly correlates with the clarity of our "vision" and the soundness of our "judgment."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "strong drinks" or intoxicating influences in my life might be hindering my spiritual vision or clouding my judgment?**
* **How does my personal conduct, particularly in areas of self-control, impact my ability to serve God and lead others effectively?**
* **In what ways might I be "stumbling in judgment" or "erring in vision" due to spiritual complacency or unaddressed sin?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater spiritual sobriety and ensure my discernment remains sharp and aligned with God's Word?**

### FAQ
**What does "err in vision" and "stumble in judgment" mean for the priests and prophets?**

Answer: For the priests and prophets, "err in vision" means their ability to receive and accurately interpret divine revelation (prophetic messages, God's will) was compromised. Their spiritual insight, which was foundational to their role as God's spokespersons, became distorted or entirely absent due to their intoxication. "Stumble in judgment" refers to their failure to make sound, righteous decisions, whether in legal matters, moral guidance, or discerning God's will for the nation. As interpreters of the Law and arbiters of disputes, their impaired state led to perverted justice and unreliable counsel, causing the people to stray. This dual failure highlights the complete breakdown of their sacred functions, rendering them incapable of leading God's people righteously.

**Why is the condemnation of priests and prophets so severe in this verse?**

Answer: The condemnation is severe because priests and prophets held positions of immense spiritual authority and responsibility in ancient Israel. They were meant to be the moral compass and divine communicators for the nation, guiding the people in God's ways and mediating His presence. Their indulgence in "wine" and "strong drink" and subsequent spiritual impairment represented a profound betrayal of their sacred trust. It meant that the very individuals entrusted with upholding God's law and delivering His word were themselves violating it, leading to widespread spiritual decay and a perversion of justice. Their failure was not merely personal but had devastating national consequences, as the people were left without clear divine guidance, as seen in the broader context of [Isaiah 28](/isaiah/28 "Isaiah 28 - Woe to Ephraim and Judah").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 28:7, with its stark portrayal of compromised leadership and clouded spiritual discernment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and contrast in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Unlike the Old Testament priests and prophets who "erred in vision" and "stumbled in judgment" due to their human frailties and sinful indulgences, Jesus perfectly embodied divine wisdom, infallible vision, and righteous judgment. He is the true Prophet, whose "vision" was never obscured by sin or earthly intoxication, but who perfectly revealed the Father's will and spoke God's truth with unparalleled clarity ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No one has seen God") and [John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Jesus Reveals the Father")). As the Great High Priest, He offered Himself as the spotless Lamb, perfectly mediating between God and humanity, forever abolishing the need for earthly priests whose service was marred by sin ([Hebrews 4:14-15](/hebrews/4-14-15 "Hebrews 4:14-15 - Our Great High Priest") and [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Where the Old Testament leaders became "swallowed up of wine," Christ was "swallowed up" by the will of God, even to the point of death on the cross, offering a perfect sacrifice and establishing a new covenant. Through His Spirit, believers are now empowered to live soberly and righteously, experiencing true spiritual discernment that the Old Testament leaders lacked, as we are called to be "filled with the Spirit" rather than wine ([Ephesians 5:18](/ephesians/5-18 "Ephesians 5:18 - Be Filled with the Spirit")). Christ, the righteous Judge, will one day execute perfect "judgment" ([John 5:27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - Authority to Judge")), demonstrating the complete antithesis to the stumbling and errant judgment of the ancient priests and prophets.

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

Luke 21:34

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.

Isaiah 56:10

His watchmen [are] blind: they are all ignorant, they [are] all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

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.

Matthew 24:29

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Isaiah 19:14

The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit.

Ecclesiastes 10:17

Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

Proverbs 20:1

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