Isaiah 5:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Such insidiousness is profound and often overlooked as sinful, despite its role as a root of myriad other vices. Hence, the prophet declares, "who are valiant in drinking wine and strong in mixing intoxicating beverages." This illustrates a dual peril: one stemming from the potency of drunkenness and the other from the excesses of authority. All individuals require wisdom, particularly those of high standing and power, lest they be overwhelmed by the weight of their influence and fall into chaos.

For violence is before me, and there is strife, and judgment never goes forth: for the wicked surround the righteous; therefore judgment proceeds wrongfully" (Habakkuk 1:2-4). Likewise, the prophet Isaiah speaks directly to Jerusalem, stating, "Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them" (Isaiah 1:23). They succumbed to shameful bribes, perhaps in their pursuit of feasting and pleasure, acquiring their indulgences through unjust judgments. The prophet speaks against them, declaring, "And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their God" (Amos 2:8). Thus, woe is pronounced upon the esteemed and powerful, those who meticulously prepare for indulgence and revelries, manipulating justice to oppress the innocent, condemning those wronged, and thriving on selfishness and brutality. This signifies a blatant reversal of moral truths—calling good evil and evil good, light darkness and darkness light, bitter sweet and sweet bitter. It is essential to recognize that the mighty will encounter severe punishment, for "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48). The rulers and their subordinates will not face equal judgment; the latter may claim ignorance of their master's will, whereas the former knowingly neglect it (cf. Luke 12:47). Therefore, they shall justly face a harsher retribution from the Divine Judge.

Excessive consumption of wine can create a turmoil within the soul, much like an assailant breaching a stronghold, inciting relentless rebellion against the established order. It strips the intellect of clarity, disrupts learned discipline, incites thoughtless laughter, quick-tempered anger, rampant desire, and fierce yearning for immoral indulgences. Thus, those in positions of leadership and responsibility, particularly those blessed with youth and vigor, must exercise caution against strong drink. Such individuals, naturally inclined to wrath, may find themselves engulfed in a consuming blaze once they partake in the potent effects of wine. The small may find mercy, yet the mighty face harsher consequences (Prem. 6:6), as it is written, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Therefore, should you handle the administration of the sacraments, the gift of wisdom, or the potency of knowledge, the overwhelming influence of wine may cause the Prophet to lament your state. If you possess spiritual strength yet render it feeble due to excessive drinking, the Prophet's sorrow is justified. It is observed that an individual entrapped in any passionate pursuit experiences a form of intoxication, as the same chaos arises in the soul from sorrow, fear, pleasure, or desire when one’s intellect is overtaken by passion. As leaders, we may feel less consumed by passion and appear to manage it through reason; however, we are not exempt from the Prophet’s lament regarding our own forms of intoxication. Pride, greed, envy, hypocrisy, and slander can equally intoxicate the soul, leading to forgetfulness of wisdom. Indeed, no other passions cause such confusion in understanding as these sins. And why does one endowed with wisdom still experience anger? Because Scripture does not regard the absence of passion as wisdom; it speaks of the wise one as one who tempers their emotions. For instance, “The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult” (Proverbs 12:16), while “A wise person holds their temper in check” (Proverbs 29:11). Thus, it is said that a temper moderated by reason displays anger judiciously, echoing the admonition, “In your anger do not sin” (Psalm 4:5). The Lord, in delivering His most flawless commandments, instructs not just to moderate anger but also to entirely eliminate it (see: Matthew 5:22).

In a figurative sense, it has been noted that those who minister in the presence of God should refrain from wine and strong drink (Lev. 10:9). The Nazarites, dedicated to the Lord, were likewise commanded not to partake of wine or strong drink, nor consume anything derived from grapes, whether fresh or dried, or even vinegar (Num. 6:3). The Proverbs also instruct: “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink, lest they drink and forget the law” (Proverbs 31:4-8).

In my understanding, the distinction between wine and cider—interpreted in a deeper sense—lies in the fact that wine symbolizes a common, ordinary passion, such as lust, greed, and envy, whereas cider, or intoxication, embodies all forms of harmful passions, which can more accurately be called disturbances. These disturbances disrupt the mind's clarity, leading those under their influence to act without awareness of their actions. Thus, leaders must above all else avoid vice and especially anger, which can quickly escalate into fury, causing harm to those who are under their authority. The one who dissolves the concoction, consumed by intoxication, assumes a facade of virtue for the enticement of others.

To avoid having insufficient resources for lavish banquets, where wine is primarily consumed, they accepted bribes from the accused, and in return for these gifts, they excused the unjust. Those who had nothing to give were stripped of their rightful defenses, and even when they were in the right, they were denied what was justly theirs, effectively robbing them of all that was legally their own.