Isaiah 5:2

The Song of the Vineyard · Isaiah 5:1–7
Read Isaiah 5

Translations

Modern
He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour!
Traditional
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Literal
And he dug it and cleared it of stones, and he planted it with the choicest vine; and he built a tower in its midst, and also a winepress he hewed out in it. And he waited for it to make grapes, and it made wild grapes.
Latin
Et sepivit eam, et lapides elegit ex illa, et plantavit eam electam; et ædificavit turrim in medio ejus, et torcular exstruxit in ea; et exspectavit ut faceret uvas, et fecit labruscas.

Original

Hebrew
English
He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour!

Notes

The Lord cared for his vineyard like an expert farmer. He watched it closely, planting the best vines for sweet grapes. God expected much from Israel as his people (see Exodus 19:5–6), so their bitter grapes (their unrighteous deeds) were useless and disappointing (compare Galatians 5:22–23).

The Song of the Vineyard is a poem where God criticizes the bad leaders who have hurt Israel, his vineyard. Like some wisdom literature, it first describes a confusing situation (Isaiah 5:1–2) and then explains its spiritual meaning (5:3–7). The theme of the vineyard's change appears again in Isaiah 27 and in Jesus's teachings (Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1).

The prophet delivered judgment through a song (Isaiah 5:1–7) and prophecies of sorrow (5:8–30). Although Israel's future will be pure and in fellowship with God (Isaiah 4:2–6), it must address the current sinful state of the people and their leaders.

Events

Parallels

Luke 13:6–9

Glossary

Agriculture Coins Isaiah, Book of Vine, Wild Vine Watchtower Winepress

Topics

Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Gathering out the Stones Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Hedging Fence: Made of Stone Walls Fort: Erected in Vineyards and Herding Grounds God: Longsuffering of Hedges of Holy Ordinances Hedges: Designed for Protection Ingratitude to God: Illustrated Judgment: According to Opportunity and Works Parables of the Vineyard Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Punishment: According to Deeds: The Parable of the Vineyard The Vine of Israel The Vine: Often Degenerated Towers were Built in Vineyards Unfaithfulness: General Scriptures Concerning Unfruitfulness: General Scriptures Concerning Vineyard: Parables of Vineyard: Towers In Vineyard: Winepress In Vineyards: Frequently Walled or Fenced with Hedges Vineyards: Provided with the Apparatus for Making Wine Vineyards: The Stones Carefully Gathered out of War: God Uses, As a Judgment Wine Press in Vineyards