What had happened to Israel's silver and wine?

The statement that Israel's silver and wine had become dross and water highlights the degradation and corruption of what was once valuable and pure. In this context, "dross" refers to the waste material or impurities that arise during the refining process of metals, signifying that the quality of Israel's wealth and offerings had diminished. Similarly, "water" indicates dilution and loss of value, contrasting sharply with the notion of wine being a rich and desirable commodity. This imagery reflects the spiritual and moral decline of Israel, where the nation had strayed from righteousness and thus suffered a loss of integrity and true worth.

This choice powerfully encapsulates a theme found throughout Isaiah, where God criticizes the people for their superficiality in worship and the hollow state of their society, indicating that the genuine value of their practices and sacrifices had been lost. The metaphorical use of silver and wine serves to underscore the severity of their condition, which had resulted in a lack of authenticity in their relationship with God.