Isaiah 5:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {H1945} unto them that rise up early {H7925} in the morning {H1242}, that they may follow {H7291} strong drink {H7941}; that continue {H309} until night {H5399}, till wine {H3196} inflame {H1814} them!

Complete Jewish Bible

Woe to those who get up early to pursue intoxicating liquor; who stay up late at night, until wine inflames them.

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 5:11 issues a severe prophetic "woe" against those in Judah who are utterly consumed by a lifestyle of excessive drinking, rising early to pursue strong drink and continuing late into the night, allowing wine to completely dominate their senses and judgment. This indictment reveals a profound societal and spiritual decay where self-indulgence and debauchery have eclipsed spiritual awareness, obedience to God's commands, and a proper regard for His mighty works, thereby inviting the inevitable and just judgment of the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 5:11 is an integral part of a series of six pronounced "woes" (found in [Isaiah 5:8-25](/isaiah/5-8-25 "Isaiah 5:8-25 - The Six Woes Against Israel")) that prophet Isaiah delivers against the rampant moral and spiritual corruption within Judah and Jerusalem. This chapter commences with the evocative "Song of the Vineyard" ([Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")), a poignant allegory depicting God's meticulous cultivation and care for His chosen people, likened to a vineyard. Despite His diligent efforts, the vineyard yields only "wild grapes" of injustice and unrighteousness, rather than the expected fruit of justice and righteousness. The subsequent "woes," including this one, meticulously detail the specific manifestations of this spiritual barrenness—ranging from land-grabbing and social injustice to pride and, as highlighted in this verse, pervasive intemperance. These sins collectively demonstrate a profound and deliberate disregard for God's covenant and His divine moral law, setting the stage for the impending divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy emerges from the socio-religious landscape of 8th-century BCE Judah, a period characterized by relative economic prosperity but also significant moral and spiritual decline. While the consumption of wine was a common and accepted part of daily life, social gatherings, and religious rituals in the ancient Near East, and was not inherently sinful, Isaiah's condemnation is explicitly directed at its *excessive*, *compulsive*, and *debilitating* abuse. The vivid portrayal of individuals rising at dawn and continuing their indulgence until nightfall paints a picture of pervasive intemperance that transcends mere social drinking, suggesting a deep-seated addiction and a lifestyle entirely devoted to revelry. Such widespread drunkenness was often intertwined with other societal ills, particularly among the wealthy elite who had the leisure and means for such indulgence. This destructive behavior contributed significantly to the erosion of moral order and spiritual vitality, which the prophets consistently denounced as a direct affront to God's holiness, justice, and the covenant relationship.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 5:11 powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it starkly illustrates the theme of **Excessive Indulgence**, depicting a life consumed by alcohol from dawn to dusk, thereby highlighting a compulsive and all-encompassing pursuit of pleasure that utterly displaces moderation, self-control, and spiritual discipline. Secondly, this lifestyle of revelry inevitably leads to a profound **Neglect of God's Work and Word**, as those blinded by intoxication become spiritually deaf and unresponsive to divine warnings, remaining oblivious to God's mighty deeds and overarching purposes, as explicitly stated in [Isaiah 5:12](/isaiah/5-12 "Isaiah 5:12 - They Regard Not the Work of the Lord"). Their singular focus becomes earthly gratification, rendering them incapable of spiritual discernment. Thirdly, the opening declaration "Woe unto them" introduces the solemn theme of **Divine Judgment**, serving as a potent prophetic pronouncement of impending consequences and God's severe displeasure upon those who stubbornly persist in such destructive and unrighteous behaviors. Finally, this pervasive intemperance is presented not merely as an isolated vice but as a potent symptom of broader **Social and Spiritual Decay**, contributing to the breakdown of righteous living and ultimately precipitating God's just judgment upon the nation, a pervasive message throughout [Isaiah chapter 5](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5 - God's Vineyard and Israel's Failure").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Hebrew, _hôwy'_):** From H1945, a prolonged form of הוֹ (akin to אוֹי), meaning "oh!", "ah," "alas," "ho," or "woe." In prophetic literature, this interjection is a solemn and weighty declaration, serving both as a lament over a dire situation caused by sin and as a pronouncement of impending divine judgment. It signifies God's profound displeasure and the severe, inevitable consequences awaiting those who persist in their iniquity, functioning as both a warning and a declaration of doom.
* **rise up early (Hebrew, _shâkam'_):** From H7925, a primitive root properly meaning "to incline (the shoulder to a burden)," but used here as a denominative from שְׁכֶם, literally meaning "to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning." This word powerfully underscores the deliberate, habitual, and prioritized nature of their pursuit of strong drink. It indicates that this indulgence is the very first activity they engage in, a consuming priority that displaces all other responsibilities and spiritual concerns.
* **inflame (Hebrew, _dâlaq'_):** From H1814, a primitive root meaning "to flame (literally or figuratively); burning, chase, inflame, kindle, persecute(-or), pursue hotly." In this context, it vividly depicts the intense, burning sensation and overwhelming, consuming effect of the alcohol taking complete hold of the individual. It conveys the idea of being set ablaze, consumed, or passionately pursued by the intoxicating effects of wine, leading to a profound loss of self-control, distorted judgment, and a heightened state of spiritual and moral insensitivity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning,"**: This opening declaration immediately establishes a tone of solemn warning and lament. The "woe" is a prophetic oracle of judgment directed at a specific group within Judah. The phrase "rise up early in the morning" emphasizes the habitual, deliberate, and even zealous nature of their pursuit. It signifies that their indulgence is not a casual or occasional act but a primary, daily commitment, indicating a deep-seated addiction or a chosen lifestyle of debauchery that supersedes all other obligations.
* **"that they may follow strong drink;"**: This clause clarifies the specific object of their early rising and relentless pursuit: "strong drink." The Hebrew word `shêkâr` (H7941) refers to any intensely alcoholic liquor, often fermented beverages other than grape wine, or potent forms of wine. The verb "follow" (`râdaph`, H7291) implies an eager, zealous, and even aggressive pursuit, as if chasing after a desired goal. This underscores the consuming and obsessive nature of their craving, suggesting that their lives are organized around the acquisition and consumption of intoxicants.
* **"that continue until night,"**: This clause highlights the extraordinary duration and persistence of their intemperance. Their drinking is not confined to a specific time or social event but extends throughout the entire day, from the first light of morning until the darkness of evening. This continuous indulgence signifies a life entirely dominated by the pursuit of intoxication, leaving no room for productive work, responsible living, spiritual reflection, or attention to God's will.
* **"till wine inflame them!"**: The concluding clause powerfully describes the ultimate effect and devastating consequence of their relentless drinking. The word "inflame" (`dâlaq`, H1814) vividly portrays the powerful, burning, and overwhelming effect of the alcohol. It suggests not just physical intoxication but a state where their passions, desires, and judgment are set ablaze and utterly consumed by the wine, leading to recklessness, a complete loss of self-control, and a profound state of spiritual and moral insensitivity, rendering them incapable of discerning right from wrong or God's purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 5:11 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful message of condemnation and warning. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, evident in the phrase "rise up early in the morning... that continue until night." This deliberate exaggeration emphasizes the extreme and all-consuming nature of their indulgence, painting a vivid picture of a life entirely dedicated to drunkenness rather than moderation or productive pursuits. The opening "Woe unto them" functions as a **Prophetic Woe**, a distinct literary genre prevalent in prophetic books, serving simultaneously as a lament over the people's egregious sin and a solemn, authoritative declaration of impending divine judgment. Furthermore, the verb "inflame" (dâlaq) when applied to wine, can be understood as a form of **Personification**, attributing an active, almost aggressive, quality to the wine itself as it takes hold of and consumes the individual. This vivid and visceral imagery creates a strong sensory impression of the overwhelming and destructive power of unchecked appetite and addiction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 5:11 serves as a stark and timeless theological reminder that unchecked indulgence, particularly in intoxicating substances, inevitably leads to spiritual dullness, moral decay, and a profound disconnect from God. Theologically, this "woe" underscores the biblical principle that our deepest affections and most ardent pursuits reveal the true object of our worship. When pleasure, even legitimate pleasure, is elevated to an idolatrous status and becomes an all-consuming passion, it displaces God from His rightful, supreme place in our lives. This spiritual misplacement leads directly to spiritual blindness, rendering individuals unable to discern God's hand, His voice, or His mighty works in the world. The verse highlights the destructive trajectory of prioritizing fleeting gratification over the enduring pursuit of righteousness, wisdom, and communion with the Creator, ultimately inviting divine judgment. It is a profound call to believers across all ages to embrace a life of sobriety, self-control, and spiritual vigilance, recognizing that true satisfaction, lasting joy, and authentic freedom are found not in earthly excess but in an intimate relationship with God and obedient adherence to His perfect will.

* [Proverbs 20:1](/proverbs/20-1 "Proverbs 20:1 - Wine is a Mocker")
* [Ephesians 5:18](/ephesians/5-18 "Ephesians 5:18 - Be Filled with the Spirit")
* [Galatians 5:21](/galatians/5-21 "Galatians 5:21 - Works of the Flesh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 5:11, while specifically addressing the pervasive issue of excessive drinking in ancient Judah, offers a timeless and universally applicable warning against the insidious dangers of any consuming pursuit or addiction that displaces God from the central position in our lives. It compels us to engage in honest self-examination: what truly "inflames" us, consuming our time, energy, and resources from morning until night? Whether it manifests as an insatiable drive for career success, an obsessive engagement with entertainment or social media, an unbridled pursuit of material possessions, or any other worldly pleasure, anything pursued to excess can become a "strong drink" that blinds us to God's constant presence, dulls our spiritual senses, and severely hinders our ability to discern His will and His ongoing work in the world. This powerful verse calls us to cultivate a life marked by moderation, self-control, and profound spiritual sobriety, ensuring that our primary and most passionate pursuit is to intimately know God, diligently obey His commands, and faithfully bear the fruit of righteousness for His glory. It is an urgent call to be spiritually alert, to live intentionally, and to prioritize eternal realities over fleeting earthly gratifications that promise much but ultimately deliver only emptiness and destruction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Beyond literal alcohol, what "strong drink" or consuming pursuit might be dominating my time, energy, and affections from "morning until night"?**
* **In what ways might unchecked indulgence in any area of my life be hindering my spiritual discernment or making me insensitive to God's voice and His active work around me?**
* **Am I consciously prioritizing fleeting pleasures and earthly gratifications over seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness as my ultimate aim?**
* **What practical, concrete steps can I take to cultivate greater self-control, spiritual alertness, and a more Christ-centered focus in my daily life, ensuring God remains my supreme pursuit?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse a blanket condemnation of all alcohol consumption?**

Answer: No, this verse is not a blanket condemnation of all alcohol consumption. The "woe" is specifically and emphatically directed at those who engage in excessive, compulsive, and debilitating drinking—those who rise early to pursue strong drink and continue until night, allowing it to "inflame" and control them. The Bible, in other passages, acknowledges the legitimate and moderate use of wine (e.g., for celebration, medicinal purposes, or as part of meals). However, it consistently and strongly condemns drunkenness, gluttony, and the abuse of alcohol, which lead to spiritual blindness, moral decay, and neglect of God's commands, as clearly warned in [Proverbs 23:20-21](/proverbs/23-20-21 "Proverbs 23:20-21 - Warnings Against Drunkenness"). The primary focus here is on the destructive lifestyle of intemperance and its devastating effects, not on moderate consumption.

**What does "inflame them" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "inflame them" (from the Hebrew `dâlaq`, H1814) is a powerful and vivid metaphor describing the overwhelming and consuming effect of the alcohol. It means that the wine takes complete control, setting their passions and desires ablaze and utterly dominating their senses, reason, and judgment. It implies a state of being completely overcome by intoxication, leading to reckless behavior, a profound loss of self-control, and a heightened state of spiritual and moral insensitivity. It effectively illustrates how alcohol can powerfully dominate and ultimately destroy a person's life, echoing similar warnings found elsewhere in scripture, such as [Isaiah 28:7](/isaiah/28-7 "Isaiah 28:7 - Priests and Prophets Stagger").

**How does this "woe" relate to God's judgment?**

Answer: The "woe" in Isaiah 5:11 is a solemn prophetic declaration of impending divine judgment. It signifies God's severe displeasure and the inevitable, just consequences that await those who stubbornly persist in such destructive and unrighteous behavior. In the broader context of Isaiah 5, these "woes" are pronounced against the specific sins—including social injustice, greed, and intemperance—that led Judah to spiritual barrenness and ultimately to God's judgment, which historically manifested in the form of exile. It serves as a stark warning that a life consumed by self-indulgence, neglect of God's ways, and disregard for His law will not go unpunished, thereby highlighting God's unwavering justice and His righteous demand for holiness from His covenant people, a theme also powerfully articulated in [Amos 6:1-7](/amos/6-1-7 "Amos 6:1-7 - Woe to the Complacent").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "woe" pronounced in Isaiah 5:11 against those consumed by strong drink profoundly points to a deeper, universal spiritual malady: humanity's innate and pervasive tendency to seek ultimate satisfaction, escape, and fulfillment in created things rather than in the Creator. This relentless pursuit of fleeting, temporary pleasures, whether through literal alcohol or any other form of idolatry, is a symptom of a profound spiritual thirst and emptiness that only Christ can truly quench. Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not to pronounce more "woes" but to bear the ultimate "woe" of God's righteous judgment against sin, enduring the full wrath that humanity justly deserved on the cross. He offers a radical and transformative alternative to the empty, destructive pursuits of the world, inviting all who are weary, burdened, and spiritually thirsty to [come to Him for true rest](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). Unlike the wine that "inflames" and ultimately destroys, Christ offers [living water](/john/4-13-14 "John 4:13-14 - Jesus Offers Living Water") that satisfies eternally and the [bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") that truly nourishes the soul. Through the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit, believers are supernaturally empowered to live lives of self-control, spiritual sobriety, and moderation, producing the glorious [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit") rather than the destructive works of the flesh, thus fulfilling God's desire for a people who are truly satisfied in Him and eternally free from the condemnation that comes with sin, for there is now [no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus](/romans/8-1-2 "Romans 8:1-2 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus").

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

Proverbs 23:29

¶ Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

Proverbs 23:30

They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

Romans 13:13

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Proverbs 20:1

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

Isaiah 5:22

Woe unto [them that are] mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

Ecclesiastes 10:16

¶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king [is] a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

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!