Isaiah 5:9

9 The LORD Almighty has declared in my hearing: “Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants.

Isaiah 5:9 in Other Translations

9 In mine ears said the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.

9 The LORD of hosts has sworn in my hearing: "Surely many houses shall be desolate, large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant.

9 But I have heard the LORD of Heaven’s Armies swear a solemn oath: “Many houses will stand deserted; even beautiful mansions will be empty.

9 I overheard God-of-the-Angel-Armies say: "Those mighty houses will end up empty. Those extravagant estates will be deserted.

9 In my hearing the Lord of Hosts [has taken an oath]: Indeed, many houses will become desolate, grand and lovely ones without inhabitants.

Isaiah 5:9 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 5:9

In mine ears, [said] the Lord of hosts
This may be understood either of the ears of the Lord of hosts, into which came the cry of the sins of covetousness and ambition before mentioned; these were taken notice of by the Lord, and he was determined to punish them; or of the ears of the prophet, in whose hearing the Lord said what follows: so the Targum,

``the prophet said, with mine ears I have heard, when this was decreed from before the Lord of hosts:''

of a truth many houses shall be desolate;
or "great" ones ^F26; such as the houses of the king, of the princes, and nobles, judges, counsellors, and great men of the earth; not only the house of God, the temple, but a multitude of houses in Jerusalem and elsewhere; which was true not only at the taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, but at the destruction of it by the Romans, to which this prophecy belongs, ( Matthew 23:38 ) the words are a strong asseveration, and in the form of an oath, as Jarchi and Kimchi observe; (al Ma) , "if not"; if many houses are not left desolate, let it be so or so, I swear they shall: [even] great and fair, without inhabitants:
houses of large and beautiful building shall be laid in such a ruinous condition, that they will not be fit for any to dwell in, nor shall any dwell in them: and this is the judgment upon them for joining house to house; that for laying field to field follows.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 (Mybr Mytb) "domus magnificae, sive sumptuosae", Vatablus.

Isaiah 5:9 In-Context

7 The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

8 Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land.

9 The LORD Almighty has declared in my hearing: “Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants.

10 A ten-acre vineyard will produce only a bath of wine; a homer of seed will yield only an ephah of grain.”

11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 44:11
• 2. Isaiah 22:14
• 3. Isaiah 6:11-12; Matthew 23:38