Isaiah 5:17

KJV

Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall the lambs {H3532} feed {H7462} after their manner {H1699}, and the waste places {H2723} of the fat ones {H4220} shall strangers {H1481} eat {H398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then lambs will be able to feed as if they were in their own pasture, and those wandering through will eat from the ruined fields of the overfed.

Berean Standard Bible

Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy.

American Standard Version

Then shall the lambs feed as in their pasture, and the waste places of the fat ones shall wanderers eat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 5:17 delivers a stark prophetic image of divine judgment, depicting a radical reversal of fortunes for Judah. It foretells a future where the opulent lands of the nation's oppressive elite, "the fat ones," will lie desolate, becoming pasture for the humble "lambs" and sustenance for "strangers." This verse encapsulates God's unwavering commitment to justice, demonstrating that the wealth accumulated through injustice will be stripped away, and the social order will be overturned, leading to a new, albeit desolate, equilibrium.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 5:17 is a climactic statement within the "Song of the Vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1-7) and the subsequent pronouncements of woe against Judah's sins (Isaiah 5:8-25). The chapter begins with God's lament over His vineyard (Israel/Judah) that, despite His careful cultivation, yielded only wild grapes of injustice and unrighteousness. Following this, Isaiah delivers a series of six "woes" targeting specific societal evils: land accumulation (Isaiah 5:8-10), drunkenness and revelry (Isaiah 5:11-12), spiritual blindness and perversion of justice (Isaiah 5:18-23), and arrogant defiance of God (Isaiah 5:24-25). Verse 17 directly follows the woe against those who "join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place" (Isaiah 5:8), serving as a direct consequence of such greed. The judgment described is a divine response to the systemic moral decay and social oppression that had permeated Judahite society, leading to desolation and foreign invasion, as further elaborated in the chapter's concluding verses (Isaiah 5:26-30).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during the 8th century BCE, a period of relative prosperity for Judah but also one marked by significant social stratification and injustice. The "fat ones" (מֵחַ, *mêach*) refer to the wealthy elite, landowners, and powerful officials who had amassed vast estates, often at the expense of the poor and vulnerable. This accumulation of land and wealth led to the displacement of small farmers and the exploitation of the less fortunate, a practice explicitly condemned by the prophets. The concept of "waste places" (חָרְבָה, *chorbâh*) speaks to the desolation that would result from divine judgment, likely through military invasion and subsequent exile, which would leave the land barren and uncultivated. The mention of "strangers" (גּוּר, *gûwr*) eating from these desolate lands suggests the presence of foreign conquerors or exiles, further emphasizing the complete disruption of Judah's social and economic order and the loss of its autonomy and prosperity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. First, it underscores **Divine Justice and Reversal**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to righting wrongs and His sovereign power to overturn human systems built on injustice. The reversal of fortunes, where the powerful are abased and the vulnerable find sustenance, is a recurring motif in biblical theology, echoed in passages like [Mary's Magnificat](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52 - Mary's Magnificat on God's Reversal"). Second, it highlights the theme of **Desolation as a Consequence of Sin**, where the physical state of the land mirrors the spiritual decay of its inhabitants. The "waste places" are a tangible sign of God's judgment on a society that has abandoned righteousness. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the idea of a **New Order**, albeit one born out of judgment. The "lambs" feeding "after their manner" suggests a return to a more natural, perhaps even wild, state of the land, implying the absence of its former oppressive owners and a new, albeit humble, existence for the marginalized. This reflects God's ultimate purpose to establish His righteous order, even through punitive means, as seen in the broader narrative of [Isaiah's prophecies](/isaiah/1 "The Book of Isaiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lambs (Hebrew, _kebes'_):** H3532, from an unused root meaning to dominate; a ram (just old enough to butt); lamb, sheep. In this context, "lambs" (plural of *kebes*) symbolize the weak, vulnerable, or oppressed within society, contrasting sharply with the "fat ones." They represent those who were marginalized or dispossessed by the powerful. The image of them feeding "after their manner" suggests a return to a natural, undisturbed state, implying a peaceful existence in lands from which they were previously excluded.
* **waste places (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_):** H2723, feminine of חֹרֶב (*chorev*); properly, drought, i.e. (by implication) a desolation; decayed place, desolate (place, -tion), destruction, (laid) waste (place). This term vividly describes the outcome of God's judgment. It signifies not merely neglect but active destruction and barrenness. These are the formerly rich, cultivated lands of the oppressive elite, now rendered unproductive and abandoned, a direct consequence of their sin and God's intervention.
* **fat ones (Hebrew, _mêach'_):** H4220, from מָחָה (*machah*) in the sense of greasing; fat; figuratively, rich; fatling (one). This term literally means "fat" or "greasy," and figuratively, "rich" or "prosperous." In Isaiah 5:17, "the fat ones" refers to the wealthy, powerful, and self-indulgent elite of Judah who had accumulated riches through exploitation and injustice. Their "waste places" are their formerly prosperous estates, now desolate, symbolizing their complete downfall and the loss of their ill-gotten gains.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall the lambs feed after their manner":** This clause paints a picture of a dramatic reversal. "The lambs" (representing the poor, the weak, or even the innocent) will now graze freely and naturally in places previously inaccessible to them. The phrase "after their manner" implies a return to a normal, unhindered existence, in stark contrast to the oppressive conditions under the "fat ones." It suggests peace and provision for the previously marginalized.
* **"and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat."**: This second clause completes the image of judgment and reversal. The once-fertile and productive lands of the wealthy oppressors ("the fat ones") are now "waste places," desolate and ruined. Furthermore, these lands will be consumed or utilized by "strangers" (foreigners or those outside the original social structure), signifying a complete loss of ownership and control by the original, unrighteous proprietors. This highlights the severity of the judgment: the land is not merely abandoned, but its resources are appropriated by outsiders, underscoring the total dismantling of the old order.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 5:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of judgment and reversal. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "lambs" representing the vulnerable and oppressed, and "fat ones" symbolizing the wealthy and powerful elite. The "waste places" are symbolic of the desolation and ruin brought about by divine judgment, directly contrasting with the former prosperity. **Juxtaposition** is central to the verse's impact, placing the humble "lambs" in the former domain of the arrogant "fat ones," and highlighting the contrast between their former abundance and current desolation. This creates a vivid image of **Inversion** or reversal of fortunes, where the established social and economic order is completely overturned. The verse also uses **Metonymy**, where "waste places of the fat ones" stands for the entire wealth and power structure of the oppressive elite. The stark imagery contributes to the overall **Prophetic Indictment**, serving as a warning against social injustice and a declaration of God's righteous intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 5:17 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding commitment to justice and His sovereign power to dismantle systems built on oppression and greed. It serves as a powerful reminder that earthly prosperity gained through unrighteousness is fleeting and ultimately subject to divine accountability. The reversal of fortunes depicted here is a recurring theological theme, emphasizing that God champions the cause of the poor and vulnerable, and that His kingdom values are diametrically opposed to worldly accumulation and exploitation. This judgment is not merely punitive but also restorative, clearing the way for a new, albeit humble, order where the marginalized find provision, even amidst desolation. The verse underscores that true security lies not in material wealth or social status, but in righteousness and obedience to God's covenant.

* [Psalm 37:1-2](/psalms/37-1 "Psalm 37:1-2 - Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers")
* [Proverbs 13:11](/proverbs/13-11 "Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth Gained Dishonestly")
* [James 5:1-6](/james/5-1 "James 5:1-6 - Warning to the Rich Oppressors")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 5:17 challenges us to examine our own lives and societies for any echoes of the "fat ones" — those who accumulate wealth or power at the expense of others, or who are spiritually complacent despite God's blessings. It calls us to a radical re-evaluation of what truly constitutes prosperity and security. The verse reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, and He holds individuals and nations accountable for their stewardship of resources and their treatment of the vulnerable. It compels us to advocate for justice, to care for the marginalized, and to live with open hands rather than clenched fists, recognizing that all we have is from God. Our pursuit should be righteousness and compassion, not material accumulation, for God's judgment will inevitably bring about a leveling of the playing field, often in unexpected and humbling ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be unknowingly acting like the "fat ones" described in this verse, perhaps through consumption, complacency, or neglect of justice?**
* **How does the image of "lambs feeding" challenge my understanding of true provision and security, especially in times of societal upheaval or personal loss?**
* **What practical steps can I take to promote justice and care for the vulnerable in my sphere of influence, reflecting God's heart for the oppressed?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment on injustice shape my priorities and motivate my actions today?**

### FAQ
**What does "the fat ones" specifically refer to in Isaiah 5:17?**

Answer: In Isaiah 5:17, "the fat ones" (Hebrew: *mêach*) specifically refers to the wealthy, powerful, and often oppressive elite of Judah during Isaiah's time. This term metaphorically denotes those who had grown rich and prosperous, often through exploitation, land-grabbing, and injustice, as condemned earlier in [Isaiah 5:8-10](/isaiah/5-8 "Isaiah 5:8-10 - Woe to Land-Grabbers"). Their "fatness" signifies not just physical well-being but also their excessive accumulation of resources and their self-indulgent lifestyle, which stood in stark contrast to the poverty and suffering of the marginalized.

**How does this verse connect to the broader theme of judgment in Isaiah?**

Answer: Isaiah 5:17 is a vivid illustration of the broader theme of divine judgment that permeates the book of Isaiah. Throughout his prophecy, Isaiah declares God's righteous wrath against Judah and Israel for their idolatry, moral corruption, social injustice, and spiritual rebellion. This verse specifically showcases the **reversal of fortunes** as a key aspect of that judgment: those who prospered unrighteously will lose everything, and their lands will become desolate. It underscores that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of sin, aimed at purifying His people and establishing His justice, often through the instrument of foreign nations, as described in [Isaiah 5:26-30](/isaiah/5-26 "Isaiah 5:26-30 - God Summons a Distant Nation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 5:17 directly addresses the judgment on unrighteous Judah, its themes of divine justice, reversal of fortunes, and the ultimate establishment of God's righteous order find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Lamb of God" (as declared in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), embodies the humble and the vulnerable, yet He is also the sovereign King who will execute perfect justice. The "waste places of the fat ones" can be seen as foreshadowing the spiritual desolation of those who reject God's kingdom for worldly gain, a theme Jesus frequently addressed in parables like the rich fool ([Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")). In the new covenant, the "lambs" who "feed after their manner" find their ultimate fulfillment in the flock of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who leads His people to green pastures and still waters ([Psalm 23:1-2](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1-2 - The Lord is My Shepherd")). Moreover, Christ's kingdom is characterized by a radical reversal where the first are last and the last are first ([Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "Matthew 19:30 - Many Who Are First Will Be Last")), and where the poor in spirit inherit the kingdom of heaven ([Matthew 5:3](/matthew/5-3 "Matthew 5:3 - Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit")). Ultimately, the judgment described in Isaiah 5:17 points forward to Christ's final judgment, where all injustice will be rectified, and a new heavens and new earth will be established, where righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

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

Zephaniah 2:6

And the sea coast shall be dwellings [and] cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

Isaiah 7:25

And [on] all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.

Zephaniah 2:14

And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; [their] voice shall sing in the windows; desolation [shall be] in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.

Psalms 17:10

They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

Hosea 8:7

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

Isaiah 7:21

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;

Isaiah 7:22

And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk [that] they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.