Isaiah 1:8

8 And daughter Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a shelter in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

Isaiah 1:8 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:8

And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in the
vineyard
The Targum is,

``after they have got in the vintage.''

A cottage in the vineyard was a booth, as the word ^F5 signifies, which was erected in the middle of the vineyard for the keeper of the vineyard to watch in night and day, that the fruit might not be hurt by birds, or stolen by thieves, and was a very, lonely place; and when the clusters of the vine were gathered, this cottage or booth was left by the keeper himself: and such it is suggested Jerusalem should be, not only stand alone, the cities all around being destroyed by the besiegers, but empty of inhabitants itself, when taken. As a lodge in a garden of cucumbers:
the Targum adds here also,

``after they have gathered them out of it.''

A lodge in a garden of cucumbers was built up for the gardener to watch in at night, that nobody came and stole away the cucumbers, and this was also a lonely place; but when the cucumbers were gathered, the gardener left his lodge entirely; and such a forsaken place would Jerusalem be at the time of its destruction; see ( Luke 19:43 Luke 19:44 ) as a besieged city;
which is in great distress, and none care to come near it, and as many as can make their escape out of it; or "as a city kept"; so Gussetius ^F6, who understands this, and all the above clauses, of some places preserved from the sword in the common desolation.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (hkok) (wv skhnh) , Sept.
F6 (hrwun ryek) "ut urbs custodita", Gusset. Comment. Ling. Ebr. p. 529. "Observata vel observanda", Forerius.

Isaiah 1:8 In-Context

6 From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they have not been drained, or bound up, or softened with oil.

7 Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.

8 And daughter Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a shelter in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

9 If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.

10 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!