Isaiah 5:5

KJV

And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; [and] break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

KJV (with Strong's)

And now go to; I will tell {H3045} you what I will do {H6213} to my vineyard {H3754}: I will take away {H5493} the hedge {H4881} thereof, and it shall be eaten up {H1197}; and break down {H6555} the wall {H1447} thereof, and it shall be trodden down {H4823}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Now come, I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will remove its hedge, and [its grapes] will be eaten up; I will break through its fence, and [its vines] will be trampled down.

Berean Standard Bible

Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled.

American Standard Version

And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 5:5 is a pivotal declaration within the "Song of the Vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1-7), where the Lord, as the diligent vineyard owner, reveals His impending judgment upon His unfaithful vineyard, representing the nation of Israel. Having invested meticulous care and protection, expecting righteousness and justice, God's disappointment over the "wild grapes" of oppression and bloodshed culminates in a stark pronouncement: He will actively remove His protective hedge and break down His defensive wall, thereby exposing His beloved vineyard to utter devastation and trampling, symbolizing the withdrawal of divine favor and the subsequent ravaging by external forces.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 5:5 serves as the climactic turning point in the "Song of the Vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1-7). The preceding verses (Isaiah 5:1-4) establish the elaborate care and immense investment the vineyard owner (God) poured into His vineyard (Israel/Judah), clearing stones, planting choice vines, building a watchtower, and hewing a winepress. The owner's expectation was "good grapes," but the vineyard yielded only "wild grapes" (Hebrew: *b'ushim*, rotten or stinking things), which Isaiah immediately interprets as a metaphor for Israel's pervasive injustice and bloodshed (Isaiah 5:7). Verse 5, therefore, marks the owner's decisive shift from lament to judgment, directly answering the rhetorical question of verse 4: "What more could have been done to my vineyard that I have not done in it?" It is the divine verdict, detailing the specific actions God will take to dismantle the protection He once provided.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of the vineyard was deeply resonant in ancient Israel, an agrarian society where viticulture was a significant part of life and economy. Vineyards required immense labor, protection from wild animals and thieves (hence hedges and walls), and careful cultivation to produce a good yield. This metaphor would have been immediately understood by Isaiah's audience, primarily the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This period was marked by social injustice, corruption, idolatry, and a growing reliance on foreign alliances rather than trust in God. The "wild grapes" directly reflect the moral decay within society, where the powerful oppressed the weak, and justice was perverted. The threat of removing the hedge and wall was particularly potent, as it implied exposure to the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, which were rising powers threatening the stability and sovereignty of Judah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute authority to act justly when His covenant people persistently rebel against His righteous standards. The removal of the hedge and wall highlights the theme of **Loss of Divine Protection**, a direct consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness, signifying that God's blessings and safeguarding are not unconditional but tied to covenant obedience. This directly relates to the theme of **Consequences of Unfaithfulness**, a principle echoed throughout the Old Testament, where disobedience leads to curses and national calamity, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience"). Furthermore, the imagery reinforces the **Covenant Relationship** between God and Israel, portraying it as a diligently cultivated vineyard that failed to meet its purpose, leading to a divine reckoning. The expectation of "justice" and "righteousness" in [Isaiah 5:7](/isaiah/5-7 "Isaiah 5:7 - The Vineyard's Wild Grapes") reveals God's ultimate desire for His people to reflect His character in their societal conduct.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take away (Hebrew, _çûwr'_):** This primitive root signifies to 'turn off,' 'depart,' or 'remove.' In Isaiah 5:5, it denotes God's deliberate act of withdrawing His protective hand, specifically by actively removing the hedge. This is not a passive withdrawal but an intentional cessation of divine safeguarding, indicating a decisive shift in God's posture towards His vineyard.
* **Break down (Hebrew, _pârats'_):** This root means 'to break out,' 'burst forth,' or 'make a breach,' often implying a forceful or violent rupture. Here, it describes the demolition of the wall, emphasizing the complete destruction of another layer of protection. The breaking down is an act of judgment that renders the vineyard utterly defenseless and exposed to external dangers.
* **Trodden down (Hebrew, _mirmâç'_):** Derived from the root *ramas* (to trample), this noun refers to 'abasement' or 'the act of being trodden underfoot.' It vividly portrays the consequence of the hedge and wall's removal: the vineyard (Israel) will be utterly desecrated and ravaged. This implies not merely neglect but active subjection to contempt and destruction by invading forces, symbolizing profound humiliation and ruin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard:"** This clause marks a dramatic and urgent shift from God's lament over the vineyard's unfruitfulness to a direct declaration of His impending judgment. The phrase "go to" serves as an emphatic summons, demanding the audience's immediate and full attention to the severe pronouncement that follows, underscoring the certainty and gravity of God's revealed intentions concerning His beloved but rebellious vineyard—Israel.
* **"I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up;"** Here, God specifies His first punitive action: the removal of the protective "hedge." This hedge, meticulously established by God, symbolized His divine safeguarding over Israel, a barrier against external threats. Its removal signifies the deliberate withdrawal of His covenantal protection, leaving the vineyard utterly vulnerable. The consequence, "it shall be eaten up," indicates that without this barrier, the vineyard will be consumed and ravaged by wild animals or other destructive forces, symbolizing the nation's exposure to foreign invasion and internal decay.
* **"[and] break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:"** This clause details the second, equally devastating act of judgment. The "wall" represents another layer of robust protection, likely a more substantial stone barrier built around the vineyard. God's act of breaking it down underscores the completeness of His withdrawal of defense, ensuring no protection remains. The result, "it shall be trodden down," paints a grim picture of utter desolation and contempt. This implies that the vineyard will be trampled underfoot by enemies, signifying widespread destruction, humiliation, and the complete ruin of the nation's social, political, and spiritual fabric.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 5:5 is rich in literary devices that amplify its prophetic message. The entire passage (Isaiah 5:1-7) functions as an **Allegory**, where the vineyard explicitly represents the house of Israel and the inhabitants of Judah, and the owner is the Lord. Within this allegory, the "hedge" and "wall" are powerful **Metaphors** for God's divine protection and the covenant blessings He bestowed upon His people. The phrase "it shall be eaten up" and "it shall be trodden down" employs vivid **Imagery** that evokes a sense of complete devastation and desecration, appealing to the audience's understanding of agricultural ruin. The structure of the verse also demonstrates **Parallelism**, with the two destructive actions ("take away the hedge" and "break down the wall") followed by their corresponding consequences ("eaten up" and "trodden down"), intensifying the sense of impending judgment and its thoroughness. The preceding rhetorical question in Isaiah 5:4, "What more could have been done to my vineyard?", sets up the pronouncement in verse 5 as a definitive and inescapable divine verdict.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 5:5 powerfully articulates the theological principle of divine judgment as a consequence of covenant unfaithfulness. God, having invested fully in His relationship with Israel, expects a return of righteousness and justice. When this expectation is unmet, His patience reaches its limit, and He withdraws the very protection and blessings He once bestowed. This act is not arbitrary but a righteous response to persistent sin and a failure to bear the fruit of a holy nation. It underscores God's justice, demonstrating that His covenant promises include both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, ultimately holding His people accountable for their moral and spiritual conduct.

* [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalm/80-8 "Psalm 80:8-16 - Israel as God's Vine")
* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - The Noble Vine Turned Wild")
* [Matthew 21:33-41](/matthew/21-33 "Matthew 21:33-41 - Parable of the Wicked Tenants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 5:5 serves as a profound and sobering reminder for believers today regarding the nature of God's relationship with His people and the serious implications of spiritual unfruitfulness. Just as God meticulously cultivated His ancient vineyard, He invests in our lives through His grace, the gift of His Son, His Spirit, and His Word, expecting us to bear the fruit of righteousness, love, and justice. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives: are we producing "good grapes" that honor God and bless others, or "wild grapes" of self-interest, injustice, or spiritual apathy? It warns against the dangerous complacency that assumes God's protection and blessings are unconditional, regardless of our obedience or spiritual vitality. The removal of the hedge and wall signifies that persistent unfaithfulness can lead to the withdrawal of divine favor, leaving us vulnerable to the destructive forces of the world and the consequences of our choices. Therefore, this passage is a call to diligent self-examination, fervent repentance, and a renewed commitment to living lives that genuinely reflect the character of Christ, bearing fruit that endures.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be producing "wild grapes" instead of the fruit God desires?**
* **Am I taking God's grace and protection for granted, assuming it will remain even if I am disobedient or spiritually complacent?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and ensure I am bearing good fruit in my life?**
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in this passage inform my understanding of His holiness and justice?**

### FAQ
**What does the "hedge" and "wall" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: In Isaiah 5:5, the "hedge" (Hebrew: *mᵉsûwkâh*) and "wall" (Hebrew: *gâdêr*) are powerful symbols of God's divine protection and the meticulous care He had extended to Israel. In ancient viticulture, these barriers were essential for safeguarding a vineyard from wild animals, thieves, and natural elements. Spiritually, they represent the covenant blessings, the Law, and God's active safeguarding presence that shielded Israel from its enemies and preserved its distinct identity among the nations. Their removal signifies the withdrawal of God's protective hand, leaving the nation exposed to invasion and desolation.

**How does this verse relate to God's love and mercy?**

Answer: While Isaiah 5:5 is a stark declaration of judgment, it must be understood within the broader context of God's character, which is abundant in love and mercy. The preceding verses (Isaiah 5:1-4) highlight God's immense investment and patient care for His vineyard, demonstrating His enduring love and desire for His people to flourish. The judgment described in verse 5 is not arbitrary but a righteous response to persistent and unrepentant rebellion, a final recourse after all other efforts to elicit good fruit have failed. It underscores that God's love is holy and just, and while He is slow to anger, His patience has limits when His grace is continually spurned. This judgment, though severe, ultimately serves to uphold His righteousness and call His people back to Himself, even through painful discipline.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 5:5, with its imagery of a beloved vineyard facing judgment for unfruitfulness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who redefines the true "vineyard" and the nature of "fruit." While Israel, the original vineyard, failed to yield righteousness and faced desolation, Jesus declares Himself to be the "true vine" in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine"), with believers as the branches. The judgment foreshadowed in Isaiah 5:5, which fell upon unfaithful Israel, ultimately culminates in the cross, where Jesus, the perfect Son, bore the full weight of God's judgment for the "wild grapes" of humanity's sin. He became the "trodden down" and "eaten up" Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His sacrifice, the "hedge" and "wall" of the Law, which Israel failed to keep, are fulfilled and transcended, offering a new covenant where true fruitfulness is made possible not by human effort, but by abiding in Christ ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine")). Thus, the judgment on the unfaithful vineyard points forward to the perfect obedience of Christ and the establishment of a new people, the Church, who are empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit of righteousness and justice that God has always desired ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit")).

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

Lamentations 1:15

The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty [men] in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, [as] in a winepress.

Isaiah 28:18

And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

Luke 21:24

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Genesis 11:4

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top [may reach] unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Deuteronomy 28:49

The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, [as swift] as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

Deuteronomy 28:52

And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

Genesis 11:7

Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.