and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people aren't just celebrating; they're embracing a philosophy of reckless indulgence in the face of impending doom. Their motto, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die," isn't just a statement of despair, but a justification for living solely for the present moment, completely disregarding any future consequences or divine judgment.
and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Facing an imminent enemy siege, the people of Jerusalem have abandoned repentance and instead plunged into reckless feasting and revelry. Instead of mourning and seeking God's intervention, they slaughter animals and indulge in food and drink, adopting a "carpe diem" attitude. This hedonistic response, born of despair and defiance, is precisely what Isaiah condemns, highlighting their rejection of God's call to turn from their ways.
When disaster looms, what's your instinct? To brace for impact or to party like there's no tomorrow?
The people of Jerusalem were facing an imminent Assyrian invasion. Instead of repentance and prayer, they chose revelry.
A Feast of Defiance
Isaiah paints a stark picture: "behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine." This wasn't just any feast; it was a defiant act in the face of God's warnings.
The Epicurean Cry
Their motto? "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." This mirrors a timeless, self-serving philosophy that says, "Enjoy the present, because the future is bleak and uncontrollable." It's a desperate attempt to outrun doom by indulging in pleasure, ignoring the gravity of their situation and the call to accountability.
Can celebration ever be wrong? In this case, yes – because it ignored God's very real judgment.
The people's feasting wasn't just a personal choice; it was a direct affront to God.
The Wrong Kind of Sacrifice
While they slaughtered animals, these were not sacrifices for atonement or genuine thanksgiving. Instead, this feast became a symbol of their hardened hearts and willful disobedience. It was a celebration that mocked the very God who was calling them to repentance.
A Precarious Respite
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Their city was under siege. Their joy wasn't born from security, but from a desperate denial of reality. They thought they had escaped the immediate danger, but Isaiah warns that their 'escape' only bought them a temporary pause before facing their ultimate demise. Their revelry was a dangerous distraction from the judgment that was sure to come.
This verse captures the reckless, 'eat, drink, and be merry' attitude of some Judeans during a time of immense national crisis, specifically in the aftermath of Sennacherib's siege. They choose to ignore God's call to repentance and sorrow, opting instead for a desperate hedonism in the face of impending doom, a stark contrast to the prophet's message.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Campaigns against Judah
Under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II, the Assyrian Empire exerted increasing pressure and military campaigns in the Levant, impacting Judah and its surrounding nations.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria campaigns against Judah, capturing many fortified cities. Jerusalem is besieged, but miraculously spared from destruction, leading to a period of precarious peace and potential misinterpretation of security.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon rises to power, defeating the Assyrians and Egyptians. The first wave of Judean exiles, including members of the royal family and educated elite, are deported to Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the city and the First Temple, and deports a significant portion of the remaining population to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
Paul directly quotes this sentiment to illustrate the foolishness of living only for the present without belief in a future resurrection.
Luke 12:19This parable of the rich fool highlights the same materialistic, short-sighted focus on present pleasure when life is uncertain and eternity awaits.
Ecclesiastes 2:24This passage expresses a similar idea that true and lasting satisfaction comes from enjoying God's gifts in the present, rather than a despairing pursuit of pleasure due to the inevitability of death.
This passage from Wisdom directly mirrors the sentiment, advocating for a life of immediate gratification because of the belief that death is the absolute end.
barnesIsaiah 22:13: "And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die."
And behold ... - When they ought to give themselves to fasting and prayer, they gave themselves up to revelry and riot. Let us eat and drink - Saying, Let us eat and drink. That is, it is inevitable that we must soon die. The army of the Assyrian is approaching, and the city cannot stand against him. It is in vain to make a defense, and…
cambridgeIsaiah 22:13: "And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die."
13 . Instead of this the people rush to drown reflection in riotous festivities. The immediate occasion of the revelry was no doubt a great sacrifice of thanksgiving to Jehovah for their unexpected deliverance, but this only rendered their irreligious spirit more detestable to Jehovah (cf. Isaiah 1:10-17 ). for to morrow we shall die ]…
The people aren't just celebrating; they're embracing a philosophy of reckless indulgence in the face of impending doom. Their motto, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die," isn't just a statement of despair, but a justification for living solely for the present moment, completely disregarding any future consequences or divine judgment.
Facing an imminent enemy siege, the people of Jerusalem have abandoned repentance and instead plunged into reckless feasting and revelry. Instead of mourning and seeking God's intervention, they slaughter animals and indulge in food and drink, adopting a "carpe diem" attitude. This hedonistic response, born of despair and defiance, is precisely what Isaiah condemns, highlighting their rejection of God's call to turn from their ways.
Facing an imminent enemy siege, the people of Jerusalem have abandoned repentance and instead plunged into reckless feasting and revelry. Instead of mourning and seeking God's intervention, they slaughter animals and indulge in food and drink, adopting a "carpe diem" attitude. This hedonistic response, born of despair and defiance, is precisely what Isaiah condemns, highlighting their rejection of God's call to turn from their ways.
"and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”" — The people aren't just celebrating; they're embracing a philosophy of reckless indulgence in the face of impending doom. Their motto, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die," isn't just a stateme…
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Last reviewed October 2026