Charles Ellicott Commentary Isaiah 1:22

"Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water." — Isaiah 1:22 (ASV)

Thy silver is become dross...—The two images describe the degeneracy of the rulers to whose neglect this disorder was due. (See Notes on Jeremiah 6:28-30.) Hypocrisy and adulteration were the order of the day. The coinage of judgment and justice was debased; the wine of spiritual life (Proverbs 9:5), of enthusiasm and zeal for good, was diluted until it had lost all power to strengthen and refresh. In the salt that has lost its savour of Matthew 5:13 we have a similar symbolism.