Isaiah 5:11 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 5:11 mean?

Isaiah 5:11 warns against those who start drinking alcohol early in the morning and continue late into the night, letting wine take control of them. The verse expresses sorrow and alarm for people who make drinking a constant pursuit, suggesting their lives are being led astray by this behavior.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, describing a society where some have become obsessed with pleasure and indulgence, especially through alcohol. This warning is part of a series of “woes” in Isaiah 5, where Isaiah points out behaviors that are leading the nation away from God’s ways and toward trouble. The verse highlights how such habits can dominate a person’s life and distract from what truly matters.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 5:11

• The word “Woe” (הוֹי, hoy) is an expression of grief or warning, often used by prophets to signal serious trouble ahead for those addressed.
• “Early” (שָׁכַם, shakham) means to rise up early, emphasizing eagerness or urgency—in this case, eagerness to drink.
• “Follow” (רָדַף, radaph) means to pursue or chase after, showing that the people are actively seeking out strong drink, not just passively encountering it.
• “Inflame” (דָּלַק, dalaq) carries the sense of being heated or fired up, suggesting that wine is stirring up their passions or driving their actions, not just affecting them mildly.

Why Isaiah 5:11 matters

• Isaiah 5:11 clarifies that the concern is not just about drinking, but about a lifestyle consumed by the pursuit of pleasure, especially at the expense of responsibility or spiritual focus.
• The verse helps explain why Isaiah pronounces “woe”—it is not casual or occasional drinking, but a pattern of excess that leads to personal and social harm.
• This warning fits into the larger context of Isaiah 5, where the prophet lists behaviors that are signs of a society in moral decline, helping readers see the bigger picture of why these warnings are given.