Isaiah 28:7 These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.

◄ Isaiah 28:7 ►

New International Version
And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions.

New Living Translation
Now, however, Israel is led by drunks who reel with wine and stagger with alcohol. The priests and prophets stagger with alcohol and lose themselves in wine. They reel when they see visions and stagger as they render decisions.

English Standard Version
These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment.

Berean Standard Bible
These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But they also have erred through wine, And through intoxicating drink are out of the way; The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

New American Standard Bible
And these also reel with wine and stagger from intoxicating drink: The priest and the prophet reel with intoxicating drink, They are confused by wine, they stagger from intoxicating drink; They reel while having visions, They stagger when rendering a verdict.

NASB 1995
And these also reel with wine and stagger from strong drink: The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, They are confused by wine, they stagger from strong drink; They reel while having visions, They totter when rendering judgment.

NASB 1977
And these also reel with wine and stagger from strong drink: The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, They are confused by wine, they stagger from strong drink; They reel while having visions, They totter when rendering judgment.

Legacy Standard Bible
And these also reel with wine and stagger from strong drink: The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink; They are swallowed up by wine, they stagger from strong drink; They reel while having visions; They totter when rendering a verdict.

Amplified Bible
But even these reel with wine and stagger from strong drink: The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink; They are confused by wine, they stagger from strong drink; They reel while seeing visions, They stagger when pronouncing judgment.

Christian Standard Bible
Even these stagger because of wine and stumble under the influence of beer: Priest and prophet stagger because of beer. They are confused by wine. They stumble because of beer. They are muddled in their visions. They stumble in their judgments.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These also stagger because of wine and stumble under the influence of beer: priest and prophet stagger because of beer, they are confused by wine. They stumble because of beer, they are muddled in their visions, they stumble in their judgments.

American Standard Version
And even these reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they stagger with strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

Contemporary English Version
Priests and prophets stumble because they are drunk. Their minds are too confused to receive God's messages or give honest decisions.

English Revised Version
But these also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are gone astray; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are gone astray through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Priests and prophets stagger from wine and wobble from too much liquor. They stagger from too much liquor and become confused from too much wine. They wobble because of their liquor. They stagger when they see visions. They swerve as they judge.

Good News Translation
Even the prophets and the priests are so drunk that they stagger. They have drunk so much wine and liquor that they stumble in confusion. The prophets are too drunk to understand the visions that God sends, and the priests are too drunk to decide the cases that are brought to them.

International Standard Version
These people also stagger from wine and reel from strong drink. Priests and prophets stagger from strong drink; they're drunk from wine; they reel from strong drink, waver when seeing visions, and stumble when rendering decisions.

Majority Standard Bible
These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.

NET Bible
Even these men stagger because of wine, they stumble around because of beer--priests and prophets stagger because of beer, they are confused because of wine, they stumble around because of beer; they stagger while seeing prophetic visions, they totter while making legal decisions.

New Heart English Bible
They also reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink. The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink. They are swallowed up by wine. They stagger with strong drink. They err in vision. They stumble in judgment.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 overwhelmed with wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

World English Bible
They also reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink. The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink. They are swallowed up by wine. They stagger with strong drink. They err in vision. They stumble in judgment.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And even these have erred through wine, "" And have wandered through strong drink, "" Priest and prophet erred through strong drink, "" They have been swallowed up of the wine, "" They wandered because of the strong drink, "" They have erred in seeing, "" They have stumbled judicially.

Young's Literal Translation
And even these through wine have erred, And through strong drink have wandered, Priest and prophet erred through strong drink, They have been swallowed up of the wine, They wandered because of the strong drink, They have erred in seeing, They have stumbled judicially.

Smith's Literal Translation
And these also went astray by wine, and by strong drink they erred; the priest and the prophet went astray by strong drink, they were swallowed up from wine, they erred from strong drink, they went astray in seeing, they wavered in judgment.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But these also have been ignorant through wine, and through drunkenness have erred: the priest and the prophet have been ignorant through drunkenness, they are swallowed up with wine, they have gone astray in drunkenness, they have not known him that seeth, they have been ignorant of judgment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, these also have been ignorant due to wine, and they have gone astray due to inebriation. The priest and the prophet have been ignorant because of inebriation. They have been absorbed by wine. They have staggered in drunkenness. They have not known the One who sees. They have been ignorant of judgment.

New American Bible
But these also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priest and prophet stagger from strong drink, overpowered by wine; They are confused by strong drink, they stagger in their visions, they totter when giving judgment.

New Revised Standard Version
These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are confused with wine, they stagger with strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in giving judgment.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But these also have erred with wine, and with strong drink are gone astray; the priests and the prophets have erred with strong drink, they are overcome with wine, they stagger with strong drink, they err in judgment with drunkenness, they eat immoderately.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Also these have erred by wine and by liquor. the Priests have erred and the Prophets have erred by strong drink. They were swallowed up by wine they trembled from liquor. They have erred in drunkenness. They ate gluttonously.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
But these also reel through wine, And stagger through strong drink; The priest and the prophet reel through strong drink, They are confused because of wine, They stagger because of strong drink; They reel in vision, they totter in judgment.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For these have trespassed through wine; they have erred through strong drink: the priest and the prophet are mad through strong drink, they are swallowed up by reason of wine, they have staggered through drunkenness; they have erred: this is their vision.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Judgment on Ephraim
…6a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate. 7These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments. 8For all their tables are covered with vomit; there is not a place without filth.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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

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

Isaiah 5:11-12
Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine. / At 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.

Isaiah 5:22
Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink,

Jeremiah 23:9
As for the prophets: My heart is broken within me, and all my bones tremble. I have become like a drunkard, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD, because of His holy words.

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!

Ezekiel 44:21
No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.

Leviticus 10:9
“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.

1 Samuel 1:14
and said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine!”

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.

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

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

1 Timothy 3:3
not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

1 Timothy 3:8
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

Titus 1:7
As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.

Treasury of Scripture

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.

erred

Isaiah 19:14
The 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.

Isaiah 56:10-12
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber…

Leviticus 10:9,10
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: …

are swallowed

Psalm 107:27
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

err in

Isaiah 3:12
As 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.

Isaiah 9:16
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

Jeremiah 14:14
Then 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.

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Beer Confused Decisions Drink Err Erred Further Judgment Overwhelmed Priest Priests Prophet Prophets Reel Rendering Right Stagger Strong Stumble Swallowed Uncertain Vision Visions Way Wine

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Beer Confused Decisions Drink Err Erred Further Judgment Overwhelmed Priest Priests Prophet Prophets Reel Rendering Right Stagger Strong Stumble Swallowed Uncertain Vision Visions Way Wine

Isaiah 28

1. The prophet threatens Ephraim for their pride and drunkenness
5. The residue shall be advanced in the kingdom of Christ
7. He rebukes their error
9. Their unwillingness to learn
14. And their security
16. Christ the sure foundation is promised
17. Their security shall be tried
23. They are incited to the consideration of God's providence

Berean Study Bible

And these also
This phrase indicates a continuation or addition to a previous discussion. In the context of Isaiah 28, the prophet is addressing the leaders of Israel, particularly the priests and prophets. The use of "also" suggests that the issues being discussed are not isolated but part of a broader pattern of behavior among the people. Historically, this reflects a time when the spiritual leaders were expected to guide the nation but were failing in their duties.

stagger from wine
The Hebrew root for "stagger" is "תָּעָה" (ta'ah), which conveys the idea of wandering or going astray. Wine, in this context, symbolizes indulgence and excess, leading to a loss of direction. The imagery of staggering suggests a lack of stability and control, both physically and spiritually. This serves as a metaphor for the leaders' inability to lead the people rightly due to their own moral and spiritual failings.

and stumble from strong drink
The word "stumble" comes from the Hebrew "כָּשַׁל" (kashal), meaning to totter or fall. "Strong drink" refers to intoxicating beverages, which in ancient times were often more potent than regular wine. The repetition of the idea of falling or failing due to intoxication emphasizes the severity of the leaders' condition. It highlights the dangers of allowing personal indulgence to interfere with one's responsibilities, especially in positions of spiritual authority.

Priests and prophets
These were the spiritual leaders of Israel, responsible for teaching the law and conveying God's messages to the people. The priests were tasked with maintaining the temple rituals and guiding the people in worship, while the prophets were to speak God's truth and call the nation to repentance. Their failure due to intoxication is particularly grievous because it represents a breakdown in the spiritual leadership and guidance of the nation.

reel from strong drink
The word "reel" suggests a swaying or unsteady movement, again emphasizing the lack of control. The repetition of the effects of strong drink underscores the pervasive nature of the problem. It serves as a warning against the dangers of allowing personal vices to compromise one's ability to fulfill God-given duties.

and are befuddled by wine
To be "befuddled" means to be confused or unable to think clearly. The Hebrew word "בָּלַל" (balal) can mean to mix or confuse. This suggests that the leaders' judgment is clouded, preventing them from discerning right from wrong. In a spiritual sense, this confusion leads to a failure to understand and apply God's word correctly, resulting in poor leadership and guidance.

They stumble because of strong drink
The repetition of "stumble" reinforces the idea of failure and falling. The cause is again attributed to "strong drink," highlighting the destructive power of addiction and excess. This serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of allowing personal weaknesses to interfere with one's responsibilities.

muddled in their visions
The word "muddled" suggests a lack of clarity or focus. Visions, in the prophetic sense, are revelations from God meant to guide and instruct. When the leaders are muddled, they cannot receive or interpret these divine messages correctly. This results in a failure to provide the necessary spiritual direction to the people.

and stumbling in their judgments
Judgment refers to the ability to make wise and fair decisions. The leaders' inability to judge rightly due to their intoxication is a serious indictment of their failure to fulfill their roles. This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of sobriety and clarity of mind in making decisions that affect the spiritual and moral direction of a community.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) But they also have erred through . . .--Better, yet these also reel . . . Isaiah acts on the method of Nathan when he said, "Thou art the man." He has painted the drunkards of Ephraim; now he turns and paints in yet darker colours the drunkards of Judah. Priests were seen reeling to their services, prophets reeling in the very act of their counterfeit inspiration. The threefold iteration of the word for "reel" emphasises the scandals of the scene. The sins of the sons of Eli, those of which Micah (Isaiah 2:11) had spoken, were reproduced in all their enormity. The most loathsome features of their drunkenness are printed in Isaiah 28:8 with a boldness which is almost photographic. The prohibition of wine during the time when the priests were on duty (Leviticus 10:1-9) adds to the guilt thus represented.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 7-10. - JUDAH'S SINFULNESS. The reformation effected by Hezekiah was but a half-reformation. It put away idolatry, but it left untouched a variety of moral evils, as:

1. Drunkenness. Judah was no whir behind Ephraim in respect of this vice. The very priests and "prophets" gave way to the disgusting habit, and came drunk to the most solemn functions of religious teaching and hearing causes.

2. Scorn and mockery of God's true prophets. The teaching of Isaiah was made light of by the officials of the priestly and prophetic orders, who claimed to be quite as competent to instruct men in their duties as himself. They seem to have ridiculed the mode of his teaching - its catch-words, as they thought them, and its insistence on minutiae. Verse 7. - They also. Judah, no less than Ephraim (see vers. 1, 3). It has been questioned whether literal intoxication is meant, and suggested that Judah "imitated the pride and unbelief and spiritual intoxication of Ephraim" (Kay). But the numerous passages which tax both the Israelites and the Jews of the period with drunkenness (Isaiah 5:11, 22; Isaiah 22:13; Isaiah 56:12; Hosea 4:11; Hosea 7:5; Amos 6:6, etc.), are best understood literally. Orientals (e.g, the Persians) are often given to such indulgence. Have erred through wine; rather, reel with wine. Are out of the way; or, stagger. The verbs express the physical effects of intoxication. The priest and the prophet. Priests were forbidden by the Law to drink any wine or strong drink previously to their taking part in the service of the tabernacle (Leviticus 10:9), and the prohibition was always understood to apply afortiori to the temple (Ezekiel 44:21). Prophets might have been expected to act in the spirit of the command given to priests. By "prophets" here Isaiah means, not persons especially called of God, but official members of the prophetical order. Of these there were always many in Judah, who had no strong sense of religion (see Isaiah 29:10; Jeremiah 5:13, 31; Ezekiel 13:2-16; Amos 2:12; Micah 3:11; Zephaniah 3:4, etc.). They err in vision; rather, they reel in the vision. They are drunken, even in the very exercise of their prophetical office - when they see, and expound, their visions. They stumble in judgment; or, they stagger when pronouncing judgment (Delitzsch). Persons in authority had been specially warned not to drink wine before the hearing of causes (Proverbs 31:4, 5).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

These
אֵ֙לֶּה֙ (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

also
וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

stagger
שָׁג֔וּ (šā·ḡū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7686: To stray, to mistake, to transgress, to reel, be enraptured

from wine
בַּיַּ֣יִן (bay·ya·yin)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

and stumble
תָּע֑וּ (tā·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8582: To vacillate, reel, stray

from strong drink:
וּבַשֵּׁכָ֖ר (ū·ḇaš·šê·ḵār)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7941: An intoxicant, intensely alcoholic liquor

Priests
כֹּהֵ֣ן (kō·hên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

and prophets
וְנָבִיא֩ (wə·nā·ḇî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

reel
שָׁג֨וּ (šā·ḡū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7686: To stray, to mistake, to transgress, to reel, be enraptured

from strong drink
בַשֵּׁכָ֜ר (ḇaš·šê·ḵār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7941: An intoxicant, intensely alcoholic liquor

and are befuddled
נִבְלְע֣וּ (niḇ·lə·‘ū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1104: To swallow down, swallow up, engulf

by
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

wine.
הַיַּ֗יִן (hay·ya·yin)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

They stumble
תָּעוּ֙ (tā·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8582: To vacillate, reel, stray

because of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

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

muddled
שָׁגוּ֙ (šā·ḡū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7686: To stray, to mistake, to transgress, to reel, be enraptured

in their visions
בָּֽרֹאֶ֔ה (bā·rō·’eh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7203: A seer, a vision

and stumbling
פָּק֖וּ (pā·qū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6328: To reel, totter

in their judgments.
פְּלִילִיָּֽה׃ (pə·lî·lî·yāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6417: The giving of a decision

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OT Prophets: Isaiah 28:7 They also reel with wine and stagger (Isa Isi Is)