Isaiah 5:8

KJV

¶ Woe unto them that join house to house, [that] lay field to field, till [there be] no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {H1945} unto them that join {H5060} house {H1004} to house {H1004}, that lay {H7126} field {H7704} to field {H7704}, till there be no {H657} place {H4725}, that they may be placed {H3427} alone in the midst {H7130} of the earth {H776}!

Complete Jewish Bible

Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field, until there's no room for anyone else, and you live in splendor alone on your land.

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land.

American Standard Version

Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no room, and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 5:8 pronounces a severe "woe" against those in Judah who relentlessly accumulate land and property, "joining house to house" and "laying field to field," until no space remains for others. This insatiable greed leads to the displacement of the poor and the creation of an isolated, monopolistic society, directly contravening God's design for communal flourishing and equitable land distribution. The verse serves as a powerful indictment of economic injustice and covetousness, foreshadowing divine judgment upon such systemic exploitation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 5:8 is the first of a series of six "woe oracles" (Isaiah 5:8-23) that follow the "Song of the Vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1-7). The song establishes God's disappointment with Judah, His beloved vineyard, for yielding wild grapes of injustice rather than righteousness. These woes then specify the particular sins that have led to this moral decay. The initial woe in verse 8 targets economic exploitation, laying the groundwork for subsequent condemnations of drunkenness, arrogance, moral perversion, and perversion of justice. It sets a tone of divine judgment against a society that has thoroughly corrupted itself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Isaiah ministered in Judah during the 8th century BC, a period marked by significant social and economic stratification. While some enjoyed prosperity, many others faced severe hardship. Land was the primary source of wealth and security, intrinsically linked to family identity and inheritance, as established by the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Year of Jubilee")). The practice condemned in Isaiah 5:8 involved powerful and wealthy individuals aggressively acquiring more land, often through foreclosure, fraud, or coercion, from small landowners and peasant farmers. This concentration of land in the hands of a few violated the spirit of the Jubilee laws and the principle of maintaining tribal and family inheritances, leading to widespread displacement and poverty.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and prophetic literature. It highlights **Greed and Covetousness**, portraying an insatiable desire for material accumulation that disregards ethical boundaries and communal well-being, echoing the prohibition against coveting in [Exodus 20:17](/exodus/20-17 "Exodus 20:17 - The Tenth Commandment"). It underscores **Social Injustice and Oppression**, as the relentless land acquisition directly leads to the displacement and impoverishment of the vulnerable, a recurring concern for God's prophets who champion the cause of the poor (e.g., [Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6 "Amos 2:6-7 - Oppression of the Poor")). The phrase "till there be no place, that they may be placed alone" emphasizes the theme of **Disregard for Community and Isolation**, illustrating how self-centered accumulation destroys the fabric of communal life. Finally, the opening "Woe" signals **Divine Judgment**, a pervasive theme throughout [Isaiah 5](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5 - The Song of the Vineyard and Woes"), indicating that God will not tolerate such systemic unrighteousness and will bring consequences upon those who perpetrate it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Hebrew, _hôwy'_):** From H1945, this exclamation is more than just an expression of sorrow or pity. It functions as a solemn pronouncement of judgment, a prophetic curse, or a lament over impending disaster. In Isaiah, it often introduces a declaration of divine condemnation against specific sins, signaling the certainty of God's intervention and punishment.
* **join (Hebrew, _nâgaʻ'_):** From H5060, meaning "to touch, lay the hand upon," or by implication, "to reach, acquire." When used with "house to house," it conveys the aggressive, continuous act of extending one's property lines, effectively annexing adjacent plots. It implies a relentless, almost violent, encroachment and absorption of others' land.
* **placed (Hebrew, _yâshab'_): ribosomeH3427, meaning "to sit down, dwell, remain," or causatively, "to settle." In this context, "that they may be placed alone" highlights the ironic and destructive outcome of their greed. They seek to "settle" or "dwell" in isolation, having consumed all surrounding property, but this self-imposed solitude is presented as a consequence of their sin, leading to a desolate and unjust landscape.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto them that join house to house,"**: This opening clause immediately sets a tone of divine condemnation. The "woe" is directed at those who are actively and aggressively expanding their property by acquiring adjacent houses. The imagery suggests a relentless, insatiable desire for more, blurring the boundaries of individual ownership and encroaching upon the space of others.
* **"that lay field to field,"**: This parallels the previous phrase, extending the covetousness to agricultural land. The act of "laying field to field" signifies the consolidation of small, independent plots into vast estates, effectively dispossessing small farmers and creating large, monopolistic landholdings. This was a direct violation of the Mosaic Law's intent to preserve family inheritances and ensure equitable land distribution.
* **"till there be no place,"**: This phrase emphasizes the extreme and destructive nature of their accumulation. Their greed is so voracious that they leave no physical space, no land, for anyone else. It paints a picture of total absorption of communal or individual property, leading to a landscape dominated by a few wealthy landowners.
* **"that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!"**: This concluding clause reveals the ultimate, ironic consequence of their actions. In their pursuit of absolute control and exclusive possession, they end up isolated. While they desire to be the sole occupants, their isolation is not one of peaceful dominion but of a desolate, unrighteous solitude, stripped of community and subject to divine judgment. The "midst of the earth" (or land) highlights their central, dominant position, yet it is a position of spiritual emptiness.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 5:8 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, seen in the phrase "till there be no place," which exaggerates the extent of land accumulation to emphasize its devastating impact on society. This vivid imagery underscores the insatiable nature of greed. **Parallelism** is evident in "join house to house" and "lay field to field," reinforcing the pervasive and systematic nature of the covetousness, applying it to both residential and agricultural property. The phrase "that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth" contains a strong element of **Irony**; those who strive for ultimate control and exclusive possession ultimately achieve a form of desolate isolation, highlighting the self-destructive nature of unchecked avarice. The opening "Woe" is an example of **Anaphora** within the broader chapter, as it is repeated throughout Isaiah 5, creating a rhythmic and forceful declaration of divine judgment against various societal sins.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 5:8 powerfully articulates God's profound concern for justice, particularly economic justice, and His condemnation of covetousness. It reveals that the accumulation of wealth and property, when driven by insatiable greed and achieved through the oppression or displacement of others, is not merely a social ill but a direct affront to God's righteous character and His covenantal principles. The Mosaic Law, with its provisions for land inheritance and the Jubilee, aimed to prevent such monopolization and ensure that all families had a stake in the land, reflecting God's desire for a just and equitable society where the vulnerable are protected. This verse underscores that true prosperity is not measured by material accumulation but by adherence to God's commands, fostering community, and caring for the marginalized.

* [Micah 2:1-2](/micah/2-1 "Micah 2:1-2 - Woe to those who covet fields and houses")
* [Proverbs 23:4-5](/proverbs/23-4 "Proverbs 23:4-5 - Do not toil to acquire wealth")
* [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9 "1 Timothy 6:9-10 - The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 5:8 remains remarkably relevant, serving as a timeless warning against the dangers of unchecked materialism and economic exploitation. It challenges us to critically examine our own desires for accumulation and to consider the broader impact of our economic choices on our communities and the world. In a consumer-driven society, this verse calls believers to cultivate contentment, generosity, and a deep commitment to justice. It reminds us that our possessions are not merely for personal gain but are resources entrusted to us by God, to be stewarded in ways that honor Him and bless others, especially the vulnerable. We are called to be advocates for equitable systems, to resist the temptation to prioritize profit over people, and to ensure that our pursuit of prosperity does not come at the expense of our neighbors' well-being or the health of our shared society.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "joining house to house" or "laying field to field" in my own life, perhaps not literally, but in terms of unchecked ambition or accumulation?**
* **How does my pursuit of personal security or wealth align with, or diverge from, God's concern for social justice and the well-being of the marginalized?**
* **What practical steps can I take to counter the spirit of greed in my own heart and to advocate for more equitable economic practices in my community or sphere of influence?**
* **How does the idea of being "placed alone" as a consequence of greed challenge my understanding of true flourishing and community?**

### FAQ
**What does "Woe unto them" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "woe" (H1945, _hôwy_) is a strong prophetic exclamation. It's not merely an expression of pity or sorrow, but a solemn declaration of impending judgment, a divine curse, or a lament over the certain destruction that awaits those who engage in the condemned practices. In the context of [Isaiah 5](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5 - The Song of the Vineyard and Woes"), it introduces a series of pronouncements against the moral and social failures of Judah, signaling God's displeasure and the inevitable consequences of their sin.

**Why was land ownership so critical in ancient Israel, making its accumulation a severe sin?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, land was more than just property; it was a foundational element of identity, inheritance, and covenantal blessing. Each family's portion of land was considered a gift from God, intended to be passed down through generations. The Mosaic Law, particularly the [Jubilee laws in Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Year of Jubilee"), sought to prevent the permanent alienation of ancestral land, ensuring that every family had a means of livelihood and a stake in the community. Therefore, the aggressive accumulation of land by a few, as condemned in Isaiah 5:8, directly undermined God's design for an equitable society, dispossessed the poor, and violated the covenant.

**How does "till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth" illustrate the consequences of greed?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the ultimate, ironic outcome of insatiable greed. The wealthy, in their relentless pursuit of more land and property, consume all available space, leaving no room for others. The consequence is a self-imposed isolation: they are "placed alone." This isn't a desirable solitude but a desolate emptiness, a society where communal bonds have been severed by avarice. It underscores that unchecked greed ultimately destroys not only others' well-being but also the very fabric of healthy community, leading to a spiritually impoverished existence for the accumulators themselves.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 5:8, with its condemnation of covetousness and the unjust accumulation of earthly possessions, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God, perfectly embodied the principles of justice and self-emptying love that the wealthy in Isaiah's day so egregiously violated. He taught His disciples not to store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, but to lay up treasures in heaven ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay up treasures in heaven")). He warned against the deceitfulness of riches and the folly of those who build up earthly barns while being poor toward God ([Luke 12:13-21](/luke/12-13 "Luke 12:13-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")). Christ Himself, though rich, became poor for our sakes, so that we through His poverty might become rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's example of giving")). He did not seek to "join house to house" or "lay field to field" but had "nowhere to lay His head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head")). Instead, He offers a true inheritance, not of earthly land, but of the Kingdom of God, a heavenly country ([Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8 "Hebrews 11:8-10 - Abraham's faith and the heavenly city")). Through His sacrifice and resurrection, He establishes a new community, the Church, where believers are called to live not in isolated self-interest but in communal love and shared resources, anticipating the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells and all injustice is ultimately undone ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven 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

Micah 2:2

And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

Habakkuk 2:9

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

Habakkuk 2:12

Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

Jeremiah 22:13

Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; [that] useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

Jeremiah 22:17

But thine eyes and thine heart [are] not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do [it].

1 Kings 21:16

And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

1 Kings 21:20

And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found [thee]: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.