What Does Isaiah 24:9 Mean?

They shall not drink wine with a song—the normal accompaniment of wine-drinking with singing (Isa 5:11-12, Amos 6:5-6) ceases. Wine (yayin, יַיִן), typically a blessing, becomes unavailable for festivity. The phrase ba-shir (בַּשִּׁיר, "with a song") indicates that even if wine were available, joy would be absent—sorrow has swallowed celebration.

Strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it—shekar (שֵׁכָר, "strong drink," fermented beverage from grain or dates) turns mar (מַר, "bitter") to its consumers (shotav, שֹׁתָיו). This reversal echoes Exodus 15:23 where Marah's bitter water became sweet, but here sweet drink becomes bitter—blessing transforms to curse. The bitterness likely reflects both physical deprivation (drink adulterated or spoiled) and psychological anguish—guilt and judgment make even pleasant things taste bitter. Revelation 8:11 depicts similar judgment when waters become wormwood, bitter and deadly.