Isaiah 27:2

KJV

In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.

KJV (with Strong's)

In that day {H3117} sing {H6031} ye unto her, A vineyard {H3754} of red wine {H2561}{H2531}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On that day, a pleasant vineyard - sing about it!

Berean Standard Bible

In that day: “Sing about a fruitful vineyard.

American Standard Version

In that day: A vineyard of wine, sing ye unto it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 27:2 is a profound prophetic declaration of God's future restoration and joyous renewal for His people. Situated within Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse," this verse envisions a time when Israel, previously disciplined and desolate, will be transformed into a vibrant, fruitful "vineyard of red wine," prompting a communal song of celebration. It encapsulates the divine promise of abundant life, prosperity, and spiritual vitality, marking a radical reversal of fortune and a testament to God's redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 27:2 is embedded within a significant prophetic section of Isaiah (chapters 24-27), often termed the "Little Apocalypse," which details God's universal judgment and the subsequent salvation and restoration of His faithful remnant. Chapter 26 culminates in a triumphant song celebrating the righteous and the promise of resurrection, setting the stage for chapter 27. This chapter opens with God's decisive judgment on Leviathan, symbolizing oppressive powers, and then transitions to His diligent care for His vineyard. This verse, with its imperative to "sing," serves as a joyous counterpoint to the earlier, somber "Song of the Vineyard" in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Parable of the Unfruitful Vineyard"), where Israel's unfruitfulness led to desolation. Here, the vineyard is not abandoned but thriving, signaling a complete reversal of divine judgment and a future of abundant blessing. The verses immediately following [Isaiah 27:2](/isaiah/27-2 "Isaiah 27:2 - The Vineyard of Red Wine") further elaborate on God's personal guardianship, constant watering, and protection of this vineyard, reinforcing the theme of His unwavering, active care for His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a vineyard held profound cultural and theological significance in ancient Israel, frequently symbolizing the nation itself as God's chosen people (e.g., [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8-16 "Psalm 80:8-16 - Israel as a Vine Transplanted from Egypt")). Vineyards were vital to the agrarian economy and represented prosperity, blessing, and the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The specific mention of "red wine" further amplifies the imagery, as it was culturally associated with joy, celebration, and abundance, commonly used in feasts and festivals. The phrase "In that day" is a recurring prophetic motif, pointing to a future, eschatological period of decisive divine intervention, whether in judgment or, as here, in salvation. For Isaiah's original audience, who had endured periods of national unfaithfulness, the threat of exile, and foreign oppression, this promise of a "vineyard of red wine" offered a powerful message of hope. It foretold a future restoration from desolation and a return to a state of blessed productivity and secure dwelling under God's watchful eye, echoing the covenant blessings promised in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience").
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 27:2 encapsulates several core themes prominent throughout Isaiah and broader biblical theology. The primary theme is **Divine Restoration**, emphasizing God's steadfast commitment to renew His covenant people following periods of judgment and suffering. The "day" signifies a future era of peace, prosperity, and a revitalized relationship with God, where past failures are redeemed and transformed. Intricately linked is the theme of **Fruitfulness and Blessing**, vividly portrayed by the "vineyard of red wine," which symbolizes not merely survival but overflowing abundance, profound joy, and spiritual vitality. This imagery directly reverses the judgment depicted in [Isaiah 5](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5 - The Song of the Vineyard and Woes"), where the vineyard yielded only wild grapes, highlighting God's power to bring forth beauty from barrenness. Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **God's Watchful Care**, which is explicitly developed in [Isaiah 27:3](/isaiah/27-3 "Isaiah 27:3 - God's Care for His Vineyard"). This underscores God's active and personal role as the divine Vinedresser who continuously protects, nurtures, and ensures the flourishing of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sing (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** (H6031) While the primary root meaning of H6031 is "to depress," "afflict," or "humble," the Strong's data specifically notes its usage here as "sing (by mistake for עָנָה)." This linguistic nuance is highly significant. It suggests a profound reversal of circumstances: the very people who were once afflicted or humbled are now commanded to sing. This transformation of lament into a song of joy and triumph powerfully underscores the radical nature of God's redemptive work, turning sorrow into celebration.
* **vineyard (Hebrew, _kerem'_):** (H3754) This term refers to a cultivated garden or vineyard, a place inherently associated with growth and potential fruitfulness. In the rich tapestry of biblical metaphor, the vineyard consistently symbolizes Israel, God's chosen people. Its appearance here signifies God's renewed focus and favor upon His people, not as a desolate or unfruitful plot, but as a place of vibrant growth and productivity. This imagery directly reverses the judgment portrayed in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Parable of the Unfruitful Vineyard"), speaking to the profound restoration of Israel's identity, purpose, and covenant relationship with God.
* **red wine (Hebrew, _chemer chemed'_):** (H2561, H2531) This compound phrase combines H2561 (_chemer_), meaning "wine (as fermenting); pure, red wine," with H2531 (_chemed_), meaning "delight; desirable, pleasant." The combination emphasizes not merely the presence of wine, but wine of the highest quality—pure, richly colored, desirable, and profoundly delightful. This signifies ultimate prosperity, overflowing joy, and the richness of God's blessing, extending far beyond basic sustenance. It speaks to a harvest that is abundant, choice, and a source of deep communal celebration and spiritual flourishing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that day sing ye unto her":** This opening clause establishes the eschatological context with "In that day," a prophetic marker pointing to a future, divinely appointed time of significant change and fulfillment. The imperative "sing ye" is a direct command to celebrate, indicating a profound shift from past mourning, judgment, or desolation to a state of unbridled joy. "Unto her" refers to the vineyard, personifying it and inviting the community to sing a song of praise and celebration over its renewed and flourishing state, signifying a communal rejoicing over God's mighty restorative work.
* **"A vineyard of red wine":** This clause provides the specific object of the song and the central, evocative metaphor. The "vineyard" represents God's people, Israel, now fully restored and flourishing. The description "of red wine" (combining _chemer_ for pure, red wine and _chemed_ for delight/desirability) speaks to the exceptional quality and overwhelming abundance of the produce. It is not merely any vineyard, but one yielding the finest, most desirable, and joyful wine, symbolizing complete spiritual and material prosperity, a radical reversal of barrenness, and the overflowing blessings of God's presence and favor.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 27:2 is replete with powerful literary devices that enhance its prophetic message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, primarily conveyed through the central **Metaphor** of the "vineyard." In Old Testament prophecy, the vineyard consistently symbolizes Israel, God's chosen people. Here, its transformation from a desolate or unfruitful state (as vividly depicted in [Isaiah 5](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5 - The Song of the Vineyard")) to a "vineyard of red wine" symbolizes God's ultimate and complete restoration and blessing upon His people. The phrase "red wine" itself is deeply symbolic of joy, abundance, celebration, and prosperity, representing the rich spiritual and material fruitfulness that will characterize the restored nation. The verse also employs **Personification**, as the vineyard is commanded to "sing." This imbues the inanimate vineyard with human qualities, emphasizing the profound joy, vitality, and communal celebration of the restored community, making the anticipated rejoicing palpable and vibrant. Furthermore, the verse utilizes striking **Contrast** with earlier prophecies, particularly [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Parable of the Unfruitful Vineyard"), where the vineyard yielded only "wild grapes" and faced divine judgment. This stark contrast powerfully highlights the radical nature of God's grace and His transformative power to turn desolation into flourishing, life-giving abundance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 27:2 profoundly articulates the biblical theme of divine restoration and the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive purposes. It speaks to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant people, even after periods of judgment and discipline, affirming His unwavering commitment to their flourishing. The imagery of a vineyard producing "red wine" signifies not just mere survival, but a flourishing, joyful, and abundant life, reflecting God's deep desire for His people to bear rich spiritual fruit that brings Him glory. This future "day" points to an eschatological hope, where God's sovereign rule brings about complete renewal and blessing, reversing the consequences of sin and unfaithfulness. It underscores that God's ultimate plan is always for the abundant flourishing of His people, culminating in a state of joyous productivity and secure dwelling in His glorious presence.

* [Psalm 80:8-19](/psalms/80-8-19 "Psalm 80:8-19 - God's Vine Restored")
* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - A Noble Vine Degenerated")
* [Hosea 14:4-8](/hosea/14-4-8 "Hosea 14:4-8 - Restoration and Fruitfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 27:2 offers profound encouragement and a compelling vision for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive character. It assures us that even when we experience seasons of spiritual barrenness, divine discipline, or personal hardship, God's ultimate intention for His people is always restoration and abundant fruitfulness. Just as the vineyard in Isaiah is miraculously transformed from a state of desolation to a source of "red wine," so too does God desire to cultivate our lives, transforming our weaknesses, failures, and trials into opportunities for His glory and the manifestation of His grace. This verse calls us to trust implicitly in God's persistent and loving work as the divine Vinedresser, who prunes, nurtures, and protects us not to diminish us, but to enable us to bear more spiritual fruit—the fruit of the Spirit, which brings joy, peace, goodness, and love into our lives and extends His kingdom into the world. It invites us to sing a new song of hope, recognizing that our future is securely held in His restorative hands, and to live lives that reflect the richness, delight, and overflowing abundance of His transformative presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel like a "desolate vineyard," and how does the promise of God's restoration in this verse offer you profound hope?**
* **What "red wine" (spiritual fruit, joy, abundance, or renewed purpose) is God actively cultivating in your life, even amidst present challenges or past struggles?**
* **How does the stark contrast between the vineyard in Isaiah 5 and the restored vineyard in Isaiah 27 deepen your understanding of God's unwavering faithfulness and transforming power?**
* **What does it truly mean for you to "sing" over God's restorative work, both in your own life and as you witness His grace at work in the lives of others or in the broader community of faith?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "In that day" in this verse?**

Answer: "In that day" (Hebrew: *yom*) is a common and crucial prophetic phrase used extensively throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Isaiah. It refers to a future, divinely appointed time of decisive intervention by God in human history. This can signify a day of judgment for His enemies or, as powerfully illustrated in [Isaiah 27:2](/isaiah/27-2 "Isaiah 27:2 - The Vineyard of Red Wine"), a glorious day of salvation, restoration, and abundant blessing for His covenant people. It points towards an eschatological horizon, a time when God's ultimate purposes for His covenant, His people, and His creation will be fully realized, ushering in a new era of peace, flourishing, and divine presence.

**Why is the vineyard described as "of red wine" specifically?**

Answer: The phrase "of red wine" (Hebrew: *chemer chemed*) is profoundly significant and carries rich layers of meaning. "Red wine" (*chemer*) was culturally associated with joy, celebration, and abundance, frequently consumed at feasts and festivals as a symbol of prosperity. The addition of *chemed* ("delight," "desirable," "pleasant") elevates this imagery, emphasizing that this is not just any wine, but wine of the highest quality, desirability, and delight. This vivid imagery portrays a state of ultimate prosperity, spiritual richness, and profound, overflowing joy for God's restored people, standing in stark contrast to the "wild grapes" of [Isaiah 5:4](/isaiah/5-4 "Isaiah 5:4 - Wild Grapes") that symbolized Israel's unfaithfulness. It signifies a complete and glorious reversal of fortune, an abundance of God's blessings, and a return to a state of spiritual vitality and delight.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 27:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the true "vineyard" and the singular source of all spiritual fruitfulness. While the Old Testament vineyard often symbolized the nation of Israel, Jesus Himself declares, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser" in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine"), with His followers as the branches. The "red wine" of abundance, joy, and new life, which the prophet Isaiah anticipates, is fully realized in the New Covenant, established through Christ's sacrificial shed blood, powerfully symbolized by the wine of the communion table ([Matthew 26:27-29](/matthew/26-27-27 "Matthew 26:27-29 - The Cup of the New Covenant")). The "day" of restoration prophesied by Isaiah is inaugurated in Christ's first coming, bringing about a spiritual renewal that enables believers, grafted into the true vine through faith, to bear abundant fruit for God's glory ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). The song of joy commanded in Isaiah 27:2 becomes the new song of redemption sung by those who have been reconciled to God through Christ ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The New Song of Redemption")), looking forward to the glorious consummation of His kingdom where joy, abundance, and divine presence will be eternal and unceasing.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 2:21

Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

Isaiah 5:1

¶ Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

Isaiah 5:7

For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts [is] the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

Numbers 21:17

Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

Luke 20:9

¶ Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

Luke 20:18

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Psalms 80:8

¶ Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.