Isaiah 5:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the vineyard {H3754} of the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} is the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, and the men {H376} of Judah {H3063} his pleasant {H8191} plant {H5194}: and he looked {H6960} for judgment {H4941}, but behold oppression {H4939}; for righteousness {H6666}, but behold a cry {H6818}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the vineyard of ADONAI-Tzva'ot is the house of Isra'el, and the men of Y'hudah are the plant he delighted in. So he expected justice, but look - bloodshed! - and righteousness, but listen - cries of distress!

Berean Standard Bible

For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 5:7 serves as the divine interpretation of the preceding "Song of the Vineyard," unequivocally identifying the vineyard of the LORD of hosts as the house of Israel and the men of Judah as His pleasant plant. This verse starkly reveals God's profound disappointment: despite His meticulous cultivation and care, His chosen people, Israel and Judah, failed to produce the expected fruit of justice and righteousness, yielding instead the bitter grapes of oppression and a cry of distress from the afflicted. It underscores the covenantal failure of the nation and foreshadows the impending judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 5:7 acts as the climactic interpretive key to the allegorical "Song of the Vineyard" presented in [Isaiah 5:1-6](/isaiah/5-1 "Isaiah 5:1-6 - The Song of the Vineyard"). The preceding verses describe a vineyard owner who spares no effort in cultivating his vineyard, expecting choice grapes, but it yields only wild, sour fruit. The owner then declares his intention to lay waste to the vineyard, removing its hedge and wall, allowing it to be trampled. Verse 7 explicitly unveils the identities behind the allegory, transitioning from poetic lament to direct accusation. This direct explanation reinforces the prophetic message, ensuring the audience understands the severe implications of their actions and the just basis for God's impending judgment. The entire chapter forms a cohesive unit, moving from lament to interpretation to a series of "woes" that further detail Israel's sins, setting the stage for the judgments described later in [Isaiah 5](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5 - Woes Against Injustice").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Isaiah was delivered during the 8th century BC, a tumultuous period for both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Isaiah ministered primarily in Judah during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. At this time, both kingdoms were experiencing periods of relative economic prosperity, which often led to social stratification and moral decay. The "vineyard" imagery was common in ancient Near Eastern literature and familiar to the Israelites, symbolizing a cherished possession or a nation. God's meticulous care for His "vineyard" reflects His covenantal faithfulness and the special relationship He established with Israel through the Law, prophets, and His miraculous interventions. The "wild grapes" of oppression and injustice were rampant, particularly among the elite, who exploited the poor and perverted the legal system, practices condemned throughout prophetic literature (e.g., [Amos 2:6-8](/amos/2-6 "Amos 2:6-8 - Oppression of the Poor")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several key themes in Isaiah and the broader prophetic tradition. It highlights **Divine Ownership and Expectation**, emphasizing that Israel and Judah were God's chosen people, cultivated with immense care and intention, and from whom He rightly expected righteous conduct in line with their covenant obligations (see [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The theme of **Covenantal Faithfulness and Failure** is prominent, as God upheld His side of the covenant, but Israel failed to produce the "fruit" of justice and righteousness. This failure leads directly to the theme of **Divine Disappointment and Impending Judgment**, as God's just character necessitates a response to such widespread moral corruption. Finally, the verse underscores the critical importance of **Social Justice** within God's kingdom; the "cry" of the oppressed reveals that Israel's spiritual failure was deeply intertwined with ethical and social perversion, a recurring message throughout the prophets (e.g., [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **vineyard (Hebrew, _kerem'_):** This term refers to a garden or vineyard, a place meticulously cultivated for producing grapes. In the context of Isaiah 5, it signifies a place of special care and investment by the owner. Its application to Israel emphasizes God's diligent and loving efforts in establishing and nurturing His chosen people, expecting a bountiful and good harvest of righteousness.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** Properly, a verdict pronounced judicially, encompassing justice, law, right, and ordinance. God looked for the proper administration of justice, equitable decisions, and adherence to His righteous laws within Israelite society. It denotes the societal manifestation of fairness and adherence to divine standards.
* **righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** This word signifies rightness, rectitude, justice, and moral virtue. It refers to a state of being in conformity with ethical and moral standards, particularly God's standards. God expected His people to live in a way that reflected His own character, demonstrating integrity, fairness, and moral uprightness in all their dealings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts [is] the house of Israel":** This clause directly identifies the primary subject of the allegory. The "vineyard" is not merely a piece of land but represents the entire nation of Israel, emphasizing their unique status as God's specially chosen and cultivated people. The phrase "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) highlights God's sovereign power and authority over all creation, reinforcing His ownership and the gravity of Israel's failure.
* **"and the men of Judah his pleasant plant":** This further refines the identification, specifically including the Southern Kingdom of Judah, where Isaiah primarily ministered. "Pleasant plant" underscores the special affection and care God had for them, implying that they were a source of delight and hope for Him, cultivated for beauty and fruitfulness.
* **"and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression":** This marks the stark contrast between God's expectation and the reality. God anticipated "judgment" (_mishpâṭ_), meaning justice, fairness, and adherence to His righteous laws in society. However, what He found was "oppression" (_mispâch_), a term implying bloodshed, injustice, and slaughter. This indicates a perversion of justice, where the legal and social systems were used to exploit and harm rather than protect.
* **"for righteousness, but behold a cry":** This second contrasting pair further deepens the indictment. God sought "righteousness" (_tsᵉdâqâh_), moral uprightness, and ethical conduct. Yet, He encountered a "cry" (_tsaʻăqâh_), a wail or shriek of anguish from those suffering under injustice. The absence of righteousness directly led to the suffering and lament of the vulnerable, highlighting the devastating societal impact of Israel's moral decay.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 5:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The overarching device is **Allegory**, where the "vineyard" serves as an extended metaphor for the nation of Israel and Judah, and the "vineyard owner" represents the LORD. This allegory, established in the preceding verses, is explicitly interpreted here, leaving no ambiguity about the subjects. The verse also utilizes striking **Antithesis** and **Juxtaposition** by presenting sharp contrasts between God's expectations and the reality. He "looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry." This direct opposition highlights the profound moral perversion. Furthermore, the passage employs powerful **Pun/Wordplay** (known as *paronomasia* in Hebrew). The Hebrew word for "judgment" is _mishpâṭ_, which is contrasted with _mispâch_ for "oppression," a word that sounds strikingly similar but means bloodshed or injustice. Similarly, "righteousness" (_tsᵉdâqâh_) is juxtaposed with "a cry" (_tsaʻăqâh_), again using aural similarity to emphasize the tragic irony that the absence of righteousness led directly to cries of anguish. This wordplay vividly underscores the extent of Israel's moral corruption.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 5:7 is a profound theological statement on God's covenant relationship with His people and His unwavering expectation for them to reflect His character in the world. It reveals that God's primary concern is not merely ritualistic adherence but deeply ethical living, particularly in the realm of social justice. The failure of Israel and Judah to produce the fruit of justice and righteousness, despite God's diligent cultivation, underscores the gravity of their covenant unfaithfulness. This passage serves as a foundational text for understanding the prophetic critique of injustice and the divine imperative for God's people to champion the cause of the oppressed. It highlights that true worship and relationship with God are inextricably linked to how His people treat one another, especially the vulnerable.

* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - God's Planting of a Noble Vine")
* [Psalm 80:8-16](/psalm/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 Vinedressers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 5:7 serves as a timeless mirror for both individual believers and the collective church, prompting us to examine the "fruit" our lives and communities are producing. Just as God meticulously cultivated Israel, He invests in us today through His Spirit, His Word, and His Church, expecting a harvest of righteousness and justice. This verse challenges any form of spiritual complacency or hypocrisy, reminding us that outward religiosity is meaningless if it does not translate into ethical conduct and compassion for others. We are called to be agents of God's justice in a world marked by oppression and suffering. The "cry" of the afflicted should not be met with indifference but should stir us to action, to advocate for the marginalized, to challenge systemic injustices, and to live out the radical demands of God's kingdom. Our faith must be visible in our commitment to fairness, equity, and the well-being of all, especially the vulnerable, ensuring that our lives yield the pleasant fruit God desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fruit" is God looking for in my life and in our church community today, based on Isaiah 5:7?**
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be producing "wild grapes" of injustice or indifference instead of righteousness?**
* **How can I actively contribute to "judgment" (justice) and "righteousness" in my sphere of influence, rather than allowing "oppression" or a "cry" to persist?**
* **What specific actions can I take to align my life more closely with God's expectations for justice and compassion?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "vineyard" metaphor in Isaiah 5:7?**

Answer: The "vineyard" metaphor in [Isaiah 5:7](/isaiah/5-7 "Isaiah 5:7 - The Vineyard Identified") is profoundly significant because it represents the nation of Israel and Judah as God's cherished and specially cultivated possession. It underscores the immense care, investment, and covenantal love God poured into His people, much like a diligent vineyard owner tending his prized vines. This imagery highlights God's ownership and His rightful expectation of a good harvest—specifically, the fruit of justice and righteousness—from those He has so graciously nurtured. The metaphor also sets up the tragic disappointment when the vineyard yields only "wild grapes" of oppression, thus justifying the impending divine judgment. This imagery is echoed in other biblical passages, such as [Psalm 80](/psalm/80 "Psalm 80 - A Prayer for Restoration of Israel") and Jesus' parable of the wicked vinedressers in [Matthew 21:33-46](/matthew/21-33 "Matthew 21:33-46 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"), consistently portraying God's people as His vineyard.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 5:7 directly addresses ancient Israel's covenantal failure, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Jesus Himself is presented as the true "vine" in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine"), shifting the focus from a corporate nation to a personal relationship with Him. Believers, as branches in this true vine, are called to bear "much fruit" ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine")), which includes the "fruit of the Spirit" like goodness, righteousness, and truth ([Ephesians 5:9](/ephesians/5-9 "Ephesians 5:9 - Fruit of the Spirit")). The "judgment" and "righteousness" that Israel failed to produce are perfectly embodied in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled God's law and lived a life of complete justice and righteousness ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Life")). Furthermore, the "cry" of oppression that Israel caused ultimately finds its answer in Jesus, who identifies with the suffering and marginalized ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Identifying with the Least of These")) and whose redemptive work brings true justice and liberation to those oppressed by sin and its consequences ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). Thus, what Israel failed to be, Christ perfectly is, and through Him, His followers are empowered to live as God's "pleasant plant," bearing the fruit of righteousness and actively pursuing justice in the world, not by their own strength but by abiding in the true Vine.

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

Psalms 80:8

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

Psalms 80:11

She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.

James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Matthew 3:8

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Matthew 3:10

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Micah 6:8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.