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Isaiah 5
Isaiah 5:1
General Information:
Isaiah tells a parable about a farmer and his vineyard. The farmer represents God and the vineyard represents the people of Judah, the southern kingdom of the Israelites. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
my well beloved
"my dear friend"
on a very fertile hill
"on a hill where very good crops could grow"
Isaiah 5:2
He spaded it
"He prepared the soil." This expresson refers to using a tool to dig into the ground to prepare it for planting.
He built a tower in the middle of it
"He made a tall building in the middle of the vineyard to watch over it." Someone would stand at the top of the tower to watch the vineyard and make sure that no animals or people went into it. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
built a winepress
"dug a pit to squeeze out the grape juice." A winepress is a low place carved out of rock in the ground where workers step on the grapes to crush them with their feet, in order to remove the grape juice.
wild grapes
"worthless grapes" or "bad tasting grapes"
Isaiah 5:3
General Information:
In Isaiah's parable of the vineyard, the owner of the vineyard, who represents God, speaks to the people of Jerusalem and Judah about his vineyard. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
inhabitant of Jerusalem and man of Judah
These expressions refer in general to all people living in Jerusalem and Judah, so they can be translated with plural nouns. Alternate translation: "all of you who live in Jerusalem and Judah" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-genericnoun)
Jerusalem ... Judah
"Judah" was the name of the southern kingdom of Israelites, and Jerusalem was the capital city.
judge between me and my vineyard
The idea of a space separating two things is often used to express the idea of choosing one or the other of those things. Alternate translation: "decide who has acted right, I or my vineyard" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Isaiah 5:4
What more could have been done for my vineyard, that I have not done for it?
The owner uses this question to make a statement about his vineyard. This rhetorical questions can be translated as a stataement. Alternate translation: "I have done all that I could do for my vineyard!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
When I looked for it to produce grapes, why did it produce wild grapes?
The owner uses a question to say that his vineyard should have produced good grapes. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I wanted it to make good grapes, but it only produced worthless grapes" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Isaiah 5:5
General Information:
In Isaiah's parable, the owner of the vineyard continues to talk about his vineyard. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
remove the hedge
"take away the border of bushes." A hedge is a row of bushes or small trees that have been planted in order to protect a garden or some other kind of area. Here "hedge" probably refers to the thorn bushes that were planted to grow on the stone wall surrounding the vineyard.
I will turn it into a pasture
"I will allow animals to go there and eat." This is a grassy place where animals feed.
it will be trampled down
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "animals will trample it down" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Isaiah 5:6
I will lay it waste
"I will destroy it"
it will not be pruned nor hoed
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "no one will prune it or hoe it" or "no one will cut off the branches that are not needed, and no one will take care of the soil" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
briers and thorns will spring up
Briers and thorns are often used as symbols of ruined cities and land. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-symlanguage)
Isaiah 5:7
General Information:
Isaiah explains the parable of the vineyard.
For the vineyard of Yahweh of hosts is the house of Israel
Isaiah states that the vineyard in the parable represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "For the vineyard of Yahweh of hosts represents the house of Israel" or "The people of Israel are like the vineyard of Yahweh, Lord of the angel armies" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
the house of Israel
The word "house" is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. Alternate translation: "Israel" or "the kingdom of Israel" or "the people of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
the man of Judah his pleasant planting
The people of Judah are spoken of as if they are a vine that Yahweh planted. This can be stated as a simile. Alternate translation: "the people of Judah are like a vine that that Yahweh planted for Yahweh's pleasure" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
the man of Judah
Here "man" represents all the people of Judah. Alternate translation: "the people of Judah" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-genericnoun)
he waited for justice, but instead, there was killing
This can be changed so that the abstract noun "justice" can be expressed by the verb "do what is fair." The abstract noun "killing" can be expressed as "killed one another." Alternate translation: "Yahweh waited for the people to do what is fair, but instead they killed one another" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
for righteousness
The phrase "he waited" is understood from earlier in the verse. It can be repeated to make the meaning clear. Alternate translation: "he waited for righteousness" or "he waited for them to do what is right" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
instead, a shout for help
The words "there was" are understood from earlier in the verse. They can be repeated to make the meaning clear. The reason people shouted out for help can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "instead, there was a shout for help" or "instead, those who were weak shouted out for someone to help them because others were attacking them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
a shout
This expression probably stands for many shouts. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-genericnoun)
Isaiah 5:8
General Information:
Isaiah announces God's judgment.
to those who join house to house, who join field to field
"to those who take more and more houses, and who take more and more fields." Isaiah assumes that his audience knows that the law forbids someone from taking land from a family permanently. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Isaiah 5:9
Yahweh of hosts
See how you translated this in Isaiah 1:9.
without any inhabitant
"without anyone living in it"
Isaiah 5:10
a ten-yoke vineyard
The size of the vineyard is represented by the number of pairs of oxen that could plow it in one day. Each pair of oxen would be connected by a yoke. Alternate translation: "a vineyard that is large enough for ten pairs of oxen to plow it" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
only one bath
The words "of wine" are implied. Alternate translation: "only one bath of wine" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
one bath
A bath is eqaul to 22 liters. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-bvolume)
one homer of seed will yield only an ephah
A homer is equal to 220 liters. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-bvolume)
only an ephah
The words "of grain" are implied. Alternate translation: "only an ephah of grain" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
an ephah
An ephah is equal to 22 liters. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-bvolume)
Isaiah 5:11
those who rise up early in the morning ... who linger late into the night
This refers to people who do nothing all day but drink alcoholic drinks. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)
until wine inflames them
Here the power of wine to make its drinkers drunk is spoken of as if it were inflaming them, that is, setting them on fire. Alternate translation: "until they are drunk with wine" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Isaiah 5:12
harp and lute, tambourine, flute, and wine
These musical instruments and the wine imply that the people enjoying these things are celebrating very much.
tambourine
A musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be beaten with the hand. It probably had pieces of metal around the side that sounded when the player shook it. The tambourine was small enough for the player to hold it and shake it with one hand. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-unknown)
the work of his hands
Here the metonym "hands" represents the person who has done something. Alternate translation: "what Yahweh has done" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Isaiah 5:13
General Information:
These verses tell what will happen to the people because they have disobeyed God.
my people have gone into captivity
In prophecy things that will happen in the future are often referred to as if they had already happened. This emphasizes that the prophecy will certainly come true. Alternate translation: "enemies from other countries will take my people, Israel, as slaves" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-pastforfuture)
for lack of understanding
What they do not understand can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "because they do not understand Yahweh or his law" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Isaiah 5:14
Sheol has made its appetite greater and has opened its mouth very wide
This phrase speaks of Sheol, which stands here for the grave, to an animal that is ready to eat other animals. It implies that many, many people will die. Alternate translation: "death is like a hungry animal that has opened its mouth wide to eat up many people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
their elite, the people, their leaders, and the revelers and those who are happy among them, descend into Sheol
The prophet speaks of the future as if it were happening now. Alternate translation: "Many people of Israel, their important people and common people, their leaders and those who enjoy wild parties, will go into Sheol" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-pastforfuture)
Isaiah 5:15
Man will be forced to bend down, and mankind will be humbled
The phrases used together mean the same thing and are used together for emphasis. This can be stated in active form. See how you translated similar words in Isaiah 2:9. Alternate translation: "God will make every person bow down and be humble" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Man will be forced to bend down, and mankind will be humbled
Future events are spoken of as if they have already happened. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-pastforfuture)
Man will be forced to bend down
Bending down often symbolizes being humiliated. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
the eyes of the lofty will be cast down
Looking down is often a sign of being ashamed. See how you translated similar words in Isaiah 2:11. Alternate translation: "the eyes of proud people will look down in shame" or "people who were proud are now ashamed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
the lofty
Here proud, arrogant people are spoken of as if they are high above other people. Alternate translation: "proud" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Isaiah 5:16
Yahweh of hosts will be exalted in his justice
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People will praise Yahweh of hosts because he is just" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Yahweh of hosts
See how you translated this in Isaiah 1:9.
will be exalted
Being honored is spoken of as if it were being lifted high. Alternate translation: "will be greatly honored" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Isaiah 5:17
the sheep will feed as in their own pasture
Yahweh will destroy the city of Jerusalem, which was called a "vineyard" in Isaiah 5:1. It will become good for nothing except for sheep to eat grass there.
graze
eat grass
in the ruins, lambs will graze as foreigners
That is, the lambs will graze there. The land will be worthless for any other use. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Isaiah 5:18
Woe to those who pull along iniquity with useless cords and who pull along sin as if it were with a cart rope
These phrases mean basically the same thing. They speak of people who continue to sin on purpose as if they were using all their strength to pull a heavy cart along. God will punish them for their sin. Alternate translation: "Woe to those who work hard to sin as a person who drags a cart by a rope" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Isaiah 5:19
those who say
This refers to those who continue to sin (verse 18) and then mockingly challenge God to stop them. Alternate translation: "those mockers who say" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-irony)
let the plans of the Holy One of Israel come
God's plans are spoken of as if they were objects that could come by themselves. Alternate translation: "let the Holy One of Israel accomplish his plans" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the Holy One of Israel
Translate "the Holy One" as in Isaiah 5:16.
Isaiah 5:20
who represent darkness as light, and light as darkness ... bitter as sweet, and sweet as bitter
Those who do these things are the same as those "who call evil good, and good evil." These things are opposites and people know the difference between them, but some people lie and say that bad things are good. Alternate translation: "They are like people who call darkness light and light darkness. They are like people who call bitter things sweet and sweet things bitter" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Isaiah 5:21
to those who are wise in their own eyes
Here the metonym "eyes" refers to their thoughts. Alternate translation: "to those who consider themselves to be wise" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
prudent in their own understanding
"think they understand everything"
Isaiah 5:22
General Information:
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Isaiah 5:23
who acquit the wicked for payment
This passage is speaking about corrupt judges in courts of law.
acquit the wicked
"declare guilty people innocent"
deprive the innocent of his rights
"do not treat innocent people fairly"
Isaiah 5:24
tongue of fire
"flame of fire" or "flame"
as the tongue of fire devours stubble, and as the dry grass goes down in flame
These phrases mean basically the same thing. God will punish the people described in Isaiah 5:18-23. Alternate translation: "as a fire burns up stubble and grass" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
stubble
The dry pieces of plants that are left in the ground after the stalks have been cut.
their root will rot, and their blossom will blow away like dust
Isaiah speaks of these people as if they were a dying plant. Alternate translation: "they will die like a plant whose roots have rotted and whose blossom has dried up and blown away in the wind" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Isaiah 5:25
the anger of Yahweh is kindled
Isaiah speaks of Yahweh's anger as if it were a fire. Alternate translation: "Yahweh is very angry" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
He has reached out with his hand against them and has punished them
The prophet speaks of the future as if it had already happened. He does this to insist that the prophecy certainly will come about. Alternate translation: "he will punish them with his powerful hand" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-pastforfuture)
has reached out with his hand against them
Here "hand" refers to God's power and control. Alternate translation: "has shown his power against them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
corpses
dead bodies
their corpses are like garbage in the streets
The dead bodies are allowed to lie in the streets as if they were garbage. This implies that many will die but that no one will be there to bury them. The word "garbage" can also be translated as "refuse" or "manure." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
In all these things, his anger does not subside; instead, his hand
"Even though all these things have happened, he is still angry, and his hand"
his hand is still stretched out
Here "hand" represents God's power and control. Isaiah speaks as if Yahweh were a person about to hit another person with his fist. This is a metaphor for Yahweh punishing Israel. Alternate translation: "he will still be ready to punish them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Isaiah 5:26
He will lift up a signal flag for far away nations and will whistle for those at the end of the earth
Isaiah says the same thing in two different ways. God causing the armies of nations that are far away from Judah to come and attack is spoken of as if he would raise a flag and whistle to call them to Judah Alternate translation: "He will call for the armies of nations that are far away from Judah and tell them to come" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
whistle
a loud, high pitched noise a person makes with their mouth to call a person or animal that is far away
they will come
"the enemy army will come"
speedily and promptly
These words mean basically the same thing and emphasize how quickly they will come. Alternate translation: "very quickly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
Isaiah 5:27
General Information:
Isaiah continues to describe the army that will attack Judah. He describes it as if it were already existing (Isaiah 5:26).
tire ... stumble ... slumbers ... sleeps
These four words progress from being tired from work to being unable to walk well, to being unable to stay awake, to full sleep, so all four should appear in the translation.
Nor are their belts loose
The soldiers kept their clothes tight so it would easier to move and fight.
the thongs of their sandals
"the straps of their sandals"
Isaiah 5:28
their horses' hooves are like flint
"their hooves are like hard stone." Isaiah compares the hard part of a horse's foot to flint, which is a hard stone that can cause sparks when struck. Possible meanings are 1) Isaiah compares their hooves to flint so to describe the frightening image of their feet causing sparks as they run or 2) Isaiah compares their hooves to flint to emphasize how strong their hooves are which enables the horse to do whatever their master want them to do. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
their chariot wheels like storms
Isaiah compares the chariot wheels to storms in order to imply that they will destroy everything in their path. Alternate translation: "the wheels of the chariots will spin like a windstorm" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
chariot wheels
These wheels often had sharp blades attached to them that would cut to pieces anyone the chariot passed close to.
Isaiah 5:29
General Information:
Isaiah continues to describe the army that will attack Judah (Isaiah 5:26).
young lions
A young age is a metonym for strength. Alternate translation: "the strongest lions" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
They will growl and seize the prey
Isaiah compares the enemy killing the people of Judah to a lion killing a weaker animal. Possible meanings are 1) lions make a sound not as loud as a roar just before they strike, or 2) the writer is using two words to mean the same thing. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
prey
animals that another animal wants to catch and kill
with none to rescue
"and no one will be able to save them"
Isaiah 5:30
will roar ... sea roars
The word "roar" here is translated "growl" in verse 29. Use your language's word for the sound of waves in a storm or heavy rain or some other frightening natural sound.
even the light will be made dark by the clouds
Here darkness represents suffering and disaster. This metaphor can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the dark clouds will completely block the light of the sun" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)