Isaiah 5:11
New International Version
Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine.

New Living Translation
What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning looking for a drink of alcohol and spend long evenings drinking wine to make themselves flaming drunk.

English Standard Version
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as 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.

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

New King James Version
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them!

New American Standard Bible
Woe to those who rise early in the morning so that they may pursue intoxicating drink, Who stay up late in the evening so that wine may inflame them!

NASB 1995
Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

NASB 1977
Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink; Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

Legacy Standard Bible
Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

Amplified Bible
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who rise early in the morning to pursue intoxicating drink, Who stay up late in the night till wine inflames them!

Christian Standard Bible
Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of beer, who linger into the evening, inflamed by wine.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of beer, who linger into the evening, 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!

Contemporary English Version
You are in for trouble! You get up early to start drinking, and you keep it up late into the night.

English Revised 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!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
How horrible it will be for those who get up early to look for a drink, who sit up late until they are drunk from wine.

Good News Translation
You are doomed! You get up early in the morning to start drinking, and you spend long evenings getting drunk.

International Standard Version
"How terrible it will be for those who rise at dawn in order to grab a stiff drink, for those who stay up late at night as wine inflames them!

Majority 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.

NET Bible
Those who get up early to drink beer are as good as dead, those who keep drinking long after dark until they are intoxicated with wine.

New Heart English Bible
Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; who stay late into the night, until wine inflames them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Woe to them that rise early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflameth them!

World English Bible
Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, who stay late into the night, until wine inflames them!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Woe [to] those rising early in the morning, "" They pursue strong drink! Lingering in twilight, wine inflames them!

Young's Literal Translation
Woe to those rising early in the morning, Strong drink they pursue! Tarrying in twilight, wine inflameth them!

Smith's Literal Translation
Wo to those rising early in the morning, they will follow strong drink; remaining in the evening, wine will inflame them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Woe to you that rise up early in the morning to follow drunkenness, and to drink till the evening, to be inflamed with wine.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Woe to you who rise up in the morning to pursue drunkenness, and to drink even until evening, so as to be inflamed with wine.

New American Bible
Ah! Those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, lingering late inflamed by wine,

New Revised Standard Version
Ah, you who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger in the evening to be inflamed by wine,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Woe to them who rise up early in the morning, and run after strong drink; that continue drinking until night, till wine inflames them!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Woe to those who rise at dawn and run to liquor and stay up late in the evening and wine inflames them!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Woe to them that rise up in the morning, and follow strong drink; who wait at it till evening: for the wine shall inflame them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woes to the Wicked
10For ten acres of vineyard will yield but a bath of wine, and a homer of seed only an ephah of grain.” 11Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine. 12At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.…

Cross References
Proverbs 23:29-35
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes? / Those who linger over wine, who go to taste mixed drinks. / Do not gaze at wine while it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. ...

Habakkuk 2:15-16
Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness! / You will be filled with shame instead of glory. You too must drink and expose your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter disgrace will cover your glory.

Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

1 Corinthians 6:10
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Hosea 4:11
to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.

Galatians 5:21
and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Amos 6:3-6
You dismiss the day of calamity and bring near a reign of violence. / You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall. / You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments. ...

Romans 13:13
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

1 Peter 4:3
For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

Joel 1:5
Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth.

Luke 21:34
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.

Micah 2:11
If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!

1 Thessalonians 5:7
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

Nahum 1:10
For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard—like stubble that is fully dry.


Treasury of Scripture

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

rise

Isaiah 5:22
Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

Isaiah 28:1
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

Proverbs 23:29,30
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? …

inflame.

Isaiah 28:7,8
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…

Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 23:32
At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

Jump to Previous
Continue Cursed Drink Drinking Drinks Early Evening Far Follow Heated Inflame Inflamed Late Morning Night Pursue Rise Rising Run Strong Tarry Tarrying Themselves Twilight Wine Wo Woe
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Continue Cursed Drink Drinking Drinks Early Evening Far Follow Heated Inflame Inflamed Late Morning Night Pursue Rise Rising Run Strong Tarry Tarrying Themselves Twilight Wine Wo Woe
Isaiah 5
1. Under the parable of a vineyard, God excuses his severe judgment
8. His judgments upon covetousness
11. Upon lasciviousness
13. Upon impiety
20. And upon injustice
26. The executioners of God's judgments














Woe to those
The word "woe" is a strong expression of lament or distress, often used by prophets to pronounce judgment or sorrow upon those who are in sin. In Hebrew, the word is "הוֹי" (hoy), which conveys a deep sense of impending doom or divine displeasure. This sets the tone for the verse, indicating that the actions described are grievous in the eyes of God. It serves as a warning to the people of Israel, and by extension, to all believers, about the consequences of living in a way that is contrary to God's will.

who rise early in the morning
This phrase highlights the eagerness and dedication of those who pursue sinful pleasures. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, rising early was typically associated with diligence and productivity. However, here it is used ironically to describe a zeal for indulgence in vice. The early morning pursuit of strong drink suggests a life dominated by addiction and a misplaced priority, where the first thoughts and actions of the day are directed towards satisfying carnal desires rather than seeking God.

to run after strong drink
The Hebrew word for "run after" is "רָדַף" (radaf), which implies a relentless pursuit or chase. This conveys the idea of being driven by an insatiable desire for alcohol, indicating a lack of self-control and a life enslaved by addiction. "Strong drink" refers to intoxicating beverages, which in the ancient Near Eastern context, were often associated with revelry and moral decay. The Bible consistently warns against drunkenness, as it leads to impaired judgment and sinful behavior.

who linger late into the evening
This phrase describes a lifestyle of continuous indulgence, from morning until night. The word "linger" suggests a deliberate choice to remain in a state of intoxication, ignoring responsibilities and the call to righteousness. In the biblical context, the evening was a time for rest and reflection, yet these individuals choose to extend their debauchery, further highlighting their disregard for God's order and design for life.

to be inflamed by wine
The imagery of being "inflamed" by wine suggests a consuming passion or burning desire that overtakes one's senses and reason. The Hebrew root "לָהַט" (lahat) can mean to burn or blaze, indicating that wine has a powerful and destructive influence on those who abuse it. This metaphor underscores the dangers of allowing substances to control one's life, leading to spiritual and moral ruin. The Bible calls believers to be filled with the Spirit rather than with wine, emphasizing a life of self-control and holiness.

(11) Woe unto them that rise up early.--The same class as in Isaiah 5:8 meets us under another aspect. In Judah, as elsewhere, the oppressors were conspicuous for their luxury (Amos 6:5-6). They shocked public feeling by morning banquets (Ecclesiastes 10:16-17; Acts 2:14). Not wine only, but the "strong drink" made from honey and from dates and other fruits (possibly including, as a generic term, the beer for which Egypt was famous) was seen on their tables. The morning feast was followed, perhaps with hardly a break, by an evening revel. (Comp. Isaiah 22:13; Isaiah 28:7.) . . . Verse 11. - Woe unto them that... follow strong drink. We have here the second woe. It is pronounced on drunkenness and revelry. Drunkenness is an infrequent Oriental vice; but it seems to have been one whereto many among the Jews were at all times prone (see Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-32; Ecclesiastes 10:17; Hosea 4:11; Isaiah 28:7, etc.). Even the priests and the soi-disant prophets erred through strong drink and were swallowed up of wine" (Isaiah 28:7). That rise up early in the morning. Great banquets were held by the "princes" and "nobles," beginning at an early hour (Ecclesiastes 10:10), and accompanied by music of an exciting kind (Amos 6:5, 6), which were "continued until night," or rather, "into the night" (Revised Version), and terminated in general drunkenness, perhaps in general licentiousness. (See Proverbs 23:27-30 and Hosea 4:11 for the connection of inebriety with whoredom.) Two kinds of intoxicating liquor seem to have been consumed at these banquets, viz. ordinary grape wine, and a much stronger drink, which is said to have been "made of dates, pomegranates, apples, honey, barley, and other ingredients," which was known as shekar (Greek, σίκερα), and is called "strong drink" in the Authorized Version. Till wine inflame them; or, the wine inflaming them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Woe
ה֛וֹי (hō·w)
Interjection
Strong's 1945: Ah! alas! ha!

to those who rise early
מַשְׁכִּימֵ֥י (maš·kî·mê)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7925: To load up, to start early in the morning

in the morning
בַבֹּ֖קֶר (ḇab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

in pursuit of
יִרְדֹּ֑פוּ (yir·dō·p̄ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

strong drink,
שֵׁכָ֣ר (šê·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7941: An intoxicant, intensely alcoholic liquor

who linger
מְאַחֲרֵ֣י (mə·’a·ḥă·rê)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 309: To loiter, to procrastinate

into the evening,
בַנֶּ֔שֶׁף (ḇan·ne·šep̄)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5399: A breeze, dusk

to be inflamed
יַדְלִיקֵֽם׃ (yaḏ·lî·qêm)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1814: To burn, hotly pursue

by wine.
יַ֖יִן (ya·yin)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 5:11 Woe to those who rise up early (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 5:10
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