Isaiah 5:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he fenced {H5823} it, and gathered out the stones {H5619} thereof, and planted {H5193} it with the choicest vine {H8321}, and built {H1129} a tower {H4026} in the midst {H8432} of it, and also made {H2672} a winepress {H3342} therein: and he looked {H6960} that it should bring forth {H6213} grapes {H6025}, and it brought forth {H6213} wild grapes {H891}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He dug up its stones and cleared them away, planted it with the choicest vines, built a watchtower in the middle of it, and carved out in its rock a winepress. He expected it to produce good grapes, but it produced only sour, wild grapes.

Berean Standard Bible

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!

American Standard Version

and he digged 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 hewed out a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 5:2, a pivotal verse within the "Song of the Vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1-7), meticulously details the exhaustive and loving efforts undertaken by the vineyard owner, symbolizing the Lord God, to cultivate His chosen people, Israel. It vividly portrays the comprehensive preparation—fencing, clearing stones, planting the finest vines, building a watchtower, and constructing a winepress—all designed to ensure a bountiful harvest of good grapes. However, the verse culminates in the profound disappointment of the owner when, despite His perfect provision and diligent labor, the vineyard yields only "wild grapes," signifying Israel's spiritual corruption and failure to produce righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 5:2 is an integral part of the "Song of the Vineyard," an allegorical poem opening Isaiah's prophetic ministry (Isaiah 5:1-7). This verse immediately follows the introduction of the Beloved's vineyard in [Isaiah 5:1](/isaiah/5-1 "Isaiah 5:1 - The Beloved's Vineyard"), elaborating on the immense care and investment poured into it. The detailed description of the vineyard's preparation in verse 2 heightens the dramatic tension, setting the stage for the owner's profound disappointment in verse 4 and the subsequent judgment pronounced in verses 5-6. The allegory's meaning is explicitly revealed in [Isaiah 5:7](/isaiah/5-7 "Isaiah 5:7 - The Vineyard Identified"), where the "vineyard of the Lord of hosts" is identified as "the house of Israel" and "the men of Judah," with the expected "judgment" (justice) and "righteousness" contrasting sharply with the "bloodshed" and "outcry" they produced.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a vineyard was deeply resonant in ancient Israel, an agrarian society where viticulture was a significant economic and cultural activity. Vineyards required immense labor: clearing rocky soil, building protective walls or fences against animals and thieves, constructing watchtowers for security, and preparing winepresses for harvest. This verse reflects these common agricultural practices, making God's investment in Israel relatable to His audience. Furthermore, the "vine" was a common biblical metaphor for Israel, symbolizing their unique relationship with God, as seen in passages like [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8-16 - Israel as a Vine") and [Hosea 10:1](/hosea/10-1 "Hosea 10:1 - Israel, a Degenerate Vine"). The prophet Isaiah ministered during a period of significant political and social upheaval in Judah (8th century BCE), marked by idolatry, social injustice, and a departure from the Mosaic covenant, which directly informs the "wild grapes" outcome.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes central to Isaiah's prophecy and broader biblical theology. First, it highlights **Divine Investment and Covenant Faithfulness**, showcasing God's meticulous and unwavering commitment to His people, providing every necessary resource for their flourishing. Second, it emphasizes **High Expectations and Divine Justice**, as God, having given so much, rightfully anticipated a harvest of "grapes"—representing justice and righteousness—from His vineyard. This expectation is rooted in His covenant with Israel, detailed in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant"). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Human Failure and Profound Disappointment**, revealing Israel's tragic unfaithfulness and their production of "wild grapes"—symbolizing injustice, oppression, and rebellion—despite God's perfect provision. This failure sets the stage for the pronouncements of judgment that follow in [Isaiah 5:8-25](/isaiah/5-8 "Isaiah 5:8-25 - Woes Against Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fenced (Hebrew, _ʻâzaq'_):** A primitive root meaning "to grub over" or "fence about." This word denotes the arduous and protective labor of preparing the land, specifically by building a hedge or wall around the vineyard. It implies a thorough and deliberate act of safeguarding, setting apart, and nurturing the chosen space, reflecting God's protective care and establishment of boundaries for Israel.
* **choicest vine (Hebrew, _sôrêq'_):** This term refers to a "vine stock (properly, one yielding purple grapes, the richest variety)." The _soreq_ vine was renowned for its superior quality, producing the finest grapes and wine. Its inclusion here emphasizes the exceptional nature of God's planting—He did not merely plant a vine, but the absolute best, signifying His intention for Israel to be a people of the highest spiritual quality and fruitfulness.
* **wild grapes (Hebrew, _bᵉʼushîym'_):** Plural of _bᵉʼosh_, meaning "poison-berries" or "foul-smelling things." This is a stark contrast to the "choicest vine." These are not merely sour or inferior grapes, but something rotten, offensive, and utterly useless, perhaps even harmful. The term vividly conveys the repugnant nature of Israel's spiritual fruit—injustice, oppression, and moral decay—which was a bitter stench in God's nostrils, despite His perfect cultivation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof":** This clause describes the initial, painstaking efforts of preparing the land. Fencing provided protection from wild animals and trespassers, while clearing stones was crucial for the vine's roots to grow deep and strong. This symbolizes God's meticulous work in establishing Israel, protecting them from external threats, and removing obstacles to their spiritual growth.
* **"and planted it with the choicest vine":** This highlights the quality of the planting. The owner did not plant just any vine, but the _soreq_, the most noble and productive variety. This represents God's deliberate choice of Israel, setting them apart as His treasured possession, and His intention for them to yield the highest quality of spiritual fruit.
* **"and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein":** These actions describe the provision of essential infrastructure for the vineyard's long-term success. The tower served as a watchpost for security and a dwelling for the vineyard keeper, symbolizing God's constant vigilance and presence among His people. The winepress (or vat) was necessary for processing the harvest, signifying God's provision of all means for Israel to fulfill their purpose and produce the expected fruit.
* **"and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.":** This final, climactic clause presents the devastating outcome. The owner's reasonable expectation of good grapes, a natural result of such immense investment, is tragically unmet. Instead, the vineyard yields _b'ushim_—foul, worthless berries. This stark contrast underscores God's profound disappointment in Israel's failure to produce justice and righteousness, despite His perfect cultivation and abundant provision.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 5:2 is rich in **Allegory**, where the vineyard represents Israel, the owner is the Lord God, and the grapes symbolize the expected fruit of righteousness and justice. The entire "Song of the Vineyard" is an extended metaphor that allows Isaiah to deliver a powerful indictment indirectly before its explicit interpretation in [Isaiah 5:7](/isaiah/5-7 "Isaiah 5:7 - The Vineyard's Identity"). The verse also employs stark **Contrast** between the meticulous care and investment (fencing, clearing, planting choicest vine, tower, winepress) and the resulting product ("wild grapes"). This juxtaposition emphasizes the magnitude of Israel's failure and God's profound disappointment. **Symbolism** is pervasive: the fence symbolizes divine protection and covenant boundaries, the choicest vine represents Israel's privileged status and potential, the tower signifies God's watchful care, and the winepress, the means of processing fruit, points to the resources for spiritual productivity. The "wild grapes" are a potent symbol of spiritual corruption, injustice, and rebellion, a bitter and offensive outcome.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 5:2 profoundly illustrates the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness and immense investment in His people, contrasted with their tragic unfaithfulness. It highlights the principle that divine grace and abundant provision come with the expectation of righteous living and fruitfulness. God's meticulous care in preparing the vineyard underscores His desire for Israel to be a light to the nations, reflecting His character of justice and righteousness. The failure of the vineyard serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of spiritual apostasy and the breaking of covenant, leading to divine judgment. This passage sets a foundational theological precedent for understanding God's just response to human rebellion, even from those He has uniquely chosen and blessed.

* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - A Noble Vine Turned Wild")
* [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8-16 - The Vine from Egypt")
* [Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33 "Matthew 21:33-46 - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 5:2 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination, inviting believers to reflect on the immense spiritual investment God has made in their lives. Just as the Lord meticulously prepared His ancient vineyard, He continues to cultivate His people today through His Word, His Spirit, the Church, and the sacraments, providing every necessary resource for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. The question for us is whether we are yielding the "good grapes" of righteousness, love, and obedience, or, despite His abundant grace, producing the "wild grapes" of sin, unfruitfulness, and a life contrary to His will. This verse challenges us to consider the quality of our spiritual fruit, urging us to live in a manner that honors God's diligent work in us and fulfills His righteous expectations, ensuring that our lives bear witness to His transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "fencing," "stone removal," and "choicest planting" has God done in your life to cultivate your faith and spiritual growth?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be producing "wild grapes" instead of the "good grapes" God expects?**
* **How does understanding God's profound investment in His people, as depicted in this verse, motivate you to live a more fruitful and obedient life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure that your life reflects the "choicest vine" God intended you to be?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "choicest vine" (soreq) and "wild grapes" (b'ushim) in Isaiah 5:2?**

Answer: The "choicest vine" (Hebrew: *sôrêq*) signifies the highest quality of grape, known for producing the best wine. Its mention emphasizes that God's initial choice and cultivation of Israel were perfect and intentional, designed for them to be a people of exceptional spiritual character and fruitfulness. In contrast, "wild grapes" (Hebrew: *bᵉʼushîym*) literally means "stinkers" or "foul-smelling things," implying something rotten, offensive, and utterly worthless, rather than merely sour or inferior. This stark contrast highlights the profound disappointment and moral repugnance of Israel's actual fruit—their rampant injustice, oppression, and rebellion—which was a complete deviation from God's righteous expectations for His perfectly cultivated vineyard. This imagery underscores the severity of their spiritual decay and the just basis for God's impending judgment, as explained further in [Isaiah 5:7](/isaiah/5-7 "Isaiah 5:7 - The Vineyard's True Identity").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 5:2, while lamenting Israel's failure, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate divine investment in a new "vine." While Israel, the first vineyard, yielded "wild grapes," Jesus Christ presents Himself as the [true vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine") in John 15. He is the perfectly cultivated, undefiled vine, planted by the Father, the [true vinedresser](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - The Father as Vinedresser"). Unlike Israel, who failed to produce righteousness, Christ perfectly fulfilled God's expectations, bearing the fruit of perfect obedience, justice, and love. Believers, by being [grafted into Christ](/romans/11-17 "Romans 11:17 - Grafted into the Olive Tree") through faith, become branches on this true vine, enabling them to bear the fruit of the Spirit that Israel failed to produce ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). Thus, Isaiah's lament finds its redemptive answer in Christ, who ensures that God's meticulous cultivation finally yields the desired harvest of righteousness in His people, fulfilling the divine purpose that the original vineyard tragically abandoned.

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?

Deuteronomy 32:32

For their vine [is] of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes [are] grapes of gall, their clusters [are] bitter:

Deuteronomy 32:33

Their wine [is] the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

Isaiah 1:2

¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Isaiah 1:4

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Mark 11:13

And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not [yet].

1 Corinthians 9:7

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?