Isaiah 5:3-13

3 nunc ergo habitator Hierusalem et vir Iuda iudicate inter me et inter vineam meam

4 quid est quod debui ultra facere vineae meae et non feci ei an quod expectavi ut faceret uvas et fecit labruscas

5 et nunc ostendam vobis quid ego faciam vineae meae auferam sepem eius et erit in direptionem diruam maceriam eius et erit in conculcationem

6 et ponam eam desertam non putabitur et non fodietur et ascendent vepres et spinae et nubibus mandabo ne pluant super eam imbrem

7 vinea enim Domini exercituum domus Israhel et vir Iuda germen delectabile eius et expectavi ut faceret iudicium et ecce iniquitas et iustitiam et ecce clamor

8 vae qui coniungitis domum ad domum et agrum agro copulatis usque ad terminum loci numquid habitabitis soli vos in medio terrae

9 in auribus meis sunt haec Domini exercituum nisi domus multae desertae fuerint grandes et pulchrae absque habitatore

10 decem enim iuga vinearum facient lagunculam unam et triginta modii sementis facient modios tres

11 vae qui consurgitis mane ad ebrietatem sectandam et potandum usque ad vesperam ut vino aestuetis

12 cithara et lyra et tympanum et tibia et vinum in conviviis vestris et opus Domini non respicitis nec opera manuum eius consideratis

13 propterea captivus ductus est populus meus quia non habuit scientiam et nobiles eius interierunt fame et multitudo eius siti exaruit

Isaiah 5:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 5

In this chapter, under the parable of a vineyard and its ruins, the Jews and their destruction are represented; the reasons of which are given, their manifold sins and transgressions, particularly enumerated, with the punishment threatened to them, and which is delivered in form of a song. The vineyard is described by the owner of it, a well beloved one; by the situation of it, in a fruitful hill; by the fence about it, and care and culture of it; and by its not answering the expectation of the owner, it bringing forth wild grapes instead of good ones, Isa 5:1,2 wherefore the men of Judah and Jerusalem are made judges between the owner and his vineyard, what more could have been done to it, or rather what was now to be done to it, since this was the case; and the result is, that it should be utterly laid waste, and come to ruin; and the whole is applied to the house of Israel, and men of Judah, Isa 5:3-7 whose sins, as the cause of their ruin, are mentioned in the following verses; their covetousness, with the punishment of it, Isa 5:8-10 their intemperance, luxury, and love of pleasure, with the punishment threatened thereunto, Isa 5:11-14 whereby haughty men should be humbled, the Lord be glorified, and at the same time his weak and innocent people would be taken care of, Isa 5:15-17 next, other sins are taken notice of, and woes pronounced on account of them, as, an impudent course of sinning, insolent impiety against God, confusion of good and evil, conceit of their own wisdom, drunkenness, and perversion of justice, Isa 5:18-23 wherefore for these things, and for their contempt and rejection of the law and word of the Lord, utter destruction is threatened them, Isa 5:24 yea, the anger of God had been already kindled against them, and they had felt it in some instances, Isa 5:25 but they are given to expect severer judgments, by means of foreign nations, that should be gathered against them; who are described by their swiftness, strength, and vigilance; by their armour, horses, and carriages; and by their terror and cruelty; the consequence of which would be utter darkness, distress, and calamities, in the land of Judea, Isa 5:26-30.