Isaiah 28:7
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הַיַּ֗יִן
through wine
H3196
הַיַּ֗יִן
through wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
3 of 20
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
שָׁגוּ֙
also have erred
H7686
שָׁגוּ֙
also have erred
Strong's:
H7686
Word #:
4 of 20
to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication
הַשֵּׁכָ֔ר
and through strong drink
H7941
הַשֵּׁכָ֔ר
and through strong drink
Strong's:
H7941
Word #:
5 of 20
an intoxicant, i.e., intensely alcoholic liquor
תָּעוּ֙
are out of the way
H8582
תָּעוּ֙
are out of the way
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
6 of 20
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
כֹּהֵ֣ן
the priest
H3548
כֹּהֵ֣ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
7 of 20
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
שָׁגוּ֙
also have erred
H7686
שָׁגוּ֙
also have erred
Strong's:
H7686
Word #:
9 of 20
to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication
הַשֵּׁכָ֔ר
and through strong drink
H7941
הַשֵּׁכָ֔ר
and through strong drink
Strong's:
H7941
Word #:
10 of 20
an intoxicant, i.e., intensely alcoholic liquor
נִבְלְע֣וּ
they are swallowed up
H1104
נִבְלְע֣וּ
they are swallowed up
Strong's:
H1104
Word #:
11 of 20
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
מִן
of
H4480
מִן
of
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיַּ֗יִן
through wine
H3196
הַיַּ֗יִן
through wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
13 of 20
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
תָּעוּ֙
are out of the way
H8582
תָּעוּ֙
are out of the way
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
14 of 20
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
מִן
of
H4480
מִן
of
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַשֵּׁכָ֔ר
and through strong drink
H7941
הַשֵּׁכָ֔ר
and through strong drink
Strong's:
H7941
Word #:
16 of 20
an intoxicant, i.e., intensely alcoholic liquor
שָׁגוּ֙
also have erred
H7686
שָׁגוּ֙
also have erred
Strong's:
H7686
Word #:
17 of 20
to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication
Cross References
Luke 21:34And 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 19:14The 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.Proverbs 20:1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.Ecclesiastes 10:17Blessed 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!Matthew 24:29Immediately 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 3:12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.Psalms 107:27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.Jeremiah 23:16Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.Jeremiah 14:14Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.Micah 2:11If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
Historical Context
Judah's priests and prophets failed their calling repeatedly. Isaiah condemned false prophets who saw visions in vain (Isaiah 30:9-11). Jeremiah later lamented prophets prophesying lies (Jeremiah 23:9-32). Ezekiel confronted priests profaning holy things (Ezekiel 22:26). Such corrupt leadership led to national catastrophe. Jesus condemned Pharisees as blind guides (Matthew 23:16, 24). Paul warned that deacons must not be given to much wine (1 Timothy 3:8). Spiritual leaders must be sober-minded (Titus 1:7-8, 1 Peter 5:2) to properly shepherd God's people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does spiritual 'drunkenness' (being consumed by worldly pleasures/concerns) impair leaders' ability to see truth and judge rightly?
- What happens to God's people when their spiritual leaders 'err in vision' and 'stumble in judgment'?
- How can believers guard against being led by those who are spiritually intoxicated with power, wealth, or popularity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. After promising blessings for the faithful remnant (vv.5-6), Isaiah returns to condemning Judah's current leadership who mirror Ephraim's drunkenness. But they also (ve'elleh gam, וְאֵלֶּה גַּם, and these also) shows Judah isn't exempt—they're as guilty as Ephraim. The repetition of wine (yayin, יַיִן) and strong drink (shekhar, שֵׁכָר, intoxicating liquor) seven times in one verse creates literary drunken staggering effect.
Have erred (shagu, שָׁגוּ, gone astray, wandered) and are out of the way (ta'u, תָּעוּ, erred, reeled) indicate moral and spiritual disorientation. Critically, the priest and the prophet (kohen ve-navi, כֹּהֵן וְנָבִיא)—those responsible for spiritual leadership—are drunk. They should mediate God's word and maintain holiness but are incapacitated by self-indulgence. Swallowed up of wine (nivle'u min-hayyayin, נִבְלְעוּ מִן־הַיָּיִן) means overwhelmed, engulfed. They err in vision, they stumble in judgment (shagu bachazzon kavshu peliliyyah, שָׁגוּ בַּחָזוֹן כָּשְׁלוּ פְּלִילִיָּה)—prophets can't see clearly, priests can't judge rightly. Spiritual drunkenness renders leaders useless.