Isaiah 65:8

KJV

¶ Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and [one] saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing [is] in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, As the new wine {H8492} is found {H4672} in the cluster {H811}, and one saith {H559}, Destroy {H7843} it not; for a blessing {H1293} is in it: so will I do {H6213} for my servants {H5650}' sakes, that I may not destroy {H7843} them all.

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is what ADONAI says: "As when juice is found in a cluster of grapes, and people say, 'Don't destroy it, there is still some good in it,' so I will do likewise for the sake of my servants, and not destroy them all.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD says: “As the new wine is found in a cluster of grapes, and men say, ‘Do not destroy it, for it contains a blessing,’ so I will act on behalf of My servants; I will not destroy them all.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sake, that I may not destroy them all.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 65:8 presents a tender yet powerful divine analogy, likening God's preservation of a righteous remnant within Israel to the careful discernment of a vintner who, finding new wine in a cluster of grapes, refrains from destroying the entire cluster because of the blessing contained within. This verse encapsulates the Lord's unwavering mercy and covenant faithfulness, explaining why, despite widespread rebellion and the just cause for complete judgment, He will not utterly destroy His people, but will preserve a chosen few for the sake of His redemptive purposes and His enduring promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal section of Isaiah (chapters 65-66), which serves as the grand finale of the prophet's message, contrasting severe judgment with glorious restoration. The preceding verses (Isaiah 65:1-7) vividly detail the persistent idolatry, spiritual rebellion, and hypocrisy of the unfaithful segments of Israel, outlining the specific sins that provoke God's wrath and warrant divine punishment. Within this context of deserved judgment, Isaiah 65:8 introduces a crucial counterpoint, explaining the *reason* for God's restraint and the preservation of a faithful few. It transitions the narrative from the pronouncement of judgment on the wicked to the promise of a glorious future for God's true servants, culminating in the vision of the [new heavens and new earth](/isaiah/65-17 "Isaiah 65:17 - The New Creation") and the establishment of a righteous community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a turbulent period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah), a time marked by significant political instability, the rise of Assyrian power, and widespread spiritual decline within Israel. The people often vacillated between periods of reform and deep apostasy, adopting pagan practices and neglecting the covenant with Yahweh. The analogy of the "new wine in the cluster" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society like ancient Israel, where viticulture was a central part of life and economy. The practice of harvesting grapes and preserving the valuable "new wine" (must) was a familiar and essential process, making the divine illustration immediately understandable and impactful to Isaiah's audience. It speaks to a cultural understanding of value, discernment, and careful stewardship.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 65:8 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Preservation and Mercy**, highlighting God's steadfast commitment to His covenant people despite their unfaithfulness. It underscores the **Principle of the Remnant**, a foundational concept in biblical theology, asserting that even when the majority of a nation or group falls into apostasy, God consistently preserves a faithful portion through whom His redemptive purposes will be fulfilled. This concept is seen from the time of Noah ([Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Genesis 6:8 - Noah Finds Grace")) to Elijah ([1 Kings 19:18](/1_kings/19-18 "1 Kings 19:18 - God Preserves a Remnant")) and beyond. Furthermore, the verse speaks to God's **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating that His promises to Abraham and his descendants are not abrogated by human sin, but rather upheld through His sovereign election and preservation of those who truly belong to Him, ensuring the continuity of His plan for salvation, as also seen in [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God's Unchanging Character").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **new wine (Hebrew, _tîyrôwsh'_):** This term refers to the fresh, unfermented grape juice, often associated with the firstfruits of the harvest and symbolizing blessing, abundance, and the potential for new life. Its presence in the cluster signifies something valuable and desirable that warrants preservation, representing the spiritual vitality and potential for righteousness within a seemingly corrupt whole.
* **blessing (Hebrew, _Bᵉrâkâh'_):** Derived from the root "to bless," this word denotes divine favor, prosperity, and the intrinsic goodness or value found within something. In the context of the verse, the "blessing" within the cluster of grapes is the new wine itself, which is deemed worthy of preservation. Theologically, it refers to the spiritual worth and covenant potential of the faithful remnant, whom God deems valuable enough to spare from complete destruction.
* **destroy (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** This primitive root carries the strong sense of decay, ruin, corruption, or utter annihilation. Its repetition in the verse ("Destroy it not" and "that I may not destroy them all") emphasizes the gravity of the judgment being averted. God's decision to "not destroy them all" highlights His sovereign prerogative to limit judgment and extend mercy, demonstrating that His ultimate purpose is not annihilation but preservation for the sake of His chosen ones.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD,"**: This opening phrase is a classic prophetic formula, establishing the divine authority and origin of the message. It signals that the subsequent words are not merely human wisdom but a direct revelation from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel.
* **"As the new wine is found in the cluster,"**: This introduces the central analogy. The "cluster" represents the nation of Israel as a whole, which, despite its overall state, contains a precious element—the "new wine." This "new wine" symbolizes the righteous, the faithful remnant, or the divine potential for future blessing within the nation.
* **"and [one] saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing [is] in it:"**: This clause describes the human response to finding the valuable new wine. A discerning person would prevent the destruction of the entire cluster, recognizing the inherent "blessing" or value it holds. This reflects God's own discernment and His unwillingness to discard the good along with the bad.
* **"so will I do for my servants' sakes,"**: This is the application of the analogy to God's actions. Just as the new wine is preserved, so too will God act to preserve a portion of His people. The phrase "for my servants' sakes" emphasizes that God's preservation is not arbitrary but specifically for the benefit of those who truly serve Him, or for the sake of His covenant purposes that are tied to their existence.
* **"that I may not destroy them all."**: This concluding phrase states the direct consequence of God's merciful discernment. Despite the widespread sin that would justify total destruction, God's commitment to His "servants" (the remnant) ensures that complete annihilation will not occur. This highlights God's selective judgment and His ultimate desire for preservation and redemption.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 65:8 is rich in literary artistry, primarily employing a powerful **Analogy** to convey its message. The comparison of God's dealings with Israel to a vintner's care for a grape cluster makes the abstract concept of divine judgment and mercy tangible and relatable. The "new wine" and "cluster" serve as potent **Symbolism**: the cluster represents the nation of Israel, while the new wine within it symbolizes the righteous remnant, the spiritual potential, or the inherent value that God discerns and chooses to preserve. This imagery effectively communicates God's selective judgment and His unwillingness to destroy the good along with the bad. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" is a classic example of **Divine Speech**, lending authoritative weight and prophetic certainty to the message, underscoring that this is not human speculation but a direct declaration from God Himself. The repetition of the word "destroy" (Hebrew _shâchath_) further emphasizes the gravity of the judgment being averted and the profound nature of God's mercy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 65:8 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign prerogative to extend mercy even in the face of deserved judgment, a theme central to biblical theology. It reveals that God's justice is always tempered by His covenant faithfulness, ensuring that His redemptive plan will not be thwarted by human sin. The preservation of a "remnant" is not merely an act of mercy but a strategic divine act to maintain the continuity of His promises and to bring about His ultimate purposes for humanity. This concept undergirds the entire narrative of salvation history, from the flood to the establishment of the Church, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His chosen people and His ultimate goal of dwelling with a redeemed community.

* [Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Genesis 6:8 - Noah Finds Grace")
* [Romans 9:27-29](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27-29 - The Remnant of Israel")
* [Zechariah 13:8-9](/zechariah/13-8 "Zechariah 13:8-9 - Refining the Remnant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 65:8 offers profound comfort and a sobering challenge for believers today. It assures us that even in times of widespread spiritual decline, moral decay, or societal chaos, God remains sovereign and faithful to His promises. He always preserves a people for Himself, a "blessing" within the "cluster" of humanity, through whom His light and truth will continue to shine. This should inspire us to trust in God's discerning eye and His unfailing mercy, knowing that He sees and values those who genuinely seek Him. Furthermore, it calls us to examine our own lives: are we part of that "new wine," contributing to the "blessing" that God seeks to preserve? Our faithfulness, obedience, and commitment to God's ways can be a testament to His grace and a reason for His continued patience with a world that often rejects Him. This verse encourages active participation in God's redemptive work, striving to live as a faithful remnant, embodying the hope and truth of the Gospel in a world desperately in need of divine preservation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the analogy of "new wine in the cluster" deepen your understanding of God's mercy and justice?**
* **In what ways can you identify with being part of the "blessing" that God preserves, and what responsibility does that identification carry?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to pray for and engage with the broader community, even when you perceive widespread unfaithfulness?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "new wine" in this verse?**

Answer: The "new wine" (Hebrew: *tîyrôwsh*) in Isaiah 65:8 symbolizes something fresh, valuable, and full of potential. In ancient Israel, *tîyrôwsh* referred to the unfermented grape juice, representing the firstfruits of the harvest and a promise of future abundance and blessing. In this analogy, it represents the faithful remnant within Israel—those who genuinely serve the Lord and possess spiritual vitality and potential for righteousness. God, like a discerning vintner, sees this precious element within the larger "cluster" (the nation) and chooses to preserve it, even if the rest of the cluster might be corrupted or deserving of destruction. This highlights God's selective mercy and His commitment to His covenant people.

**Does this verse mean God will never completely destroy any nation or group?**

Answer: No, this verse specifically refers to God's dealings with His covenant people, Israel, in the context of their deserved judgment. It emphasizes that God will not utterly destroy *them all* (i.e., the entire nation of Israel), but will preserve a remnant "for my servants' sakes." While God has indeed brought complete judgment upon various nations in history (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah in [Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24 "Genesis 19:24-25 - Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah")), this particular prophecy assures Israel of their continued existence as a people, albeit through a preserved faithful core. It speaks to God's unique covenant relationship with Israel and His promise to maintain a lineage through whom His redemptive plan would unfold, ultimately leading to the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 65:8 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the establishment of His Church. The "new wine" that God preserves is not merely a physical remnant of Israel, but a spiritual one, embodied in those who are "in Christ." Jesus Himself is the true "blessing" within humanity, the perfect and righteous one through whom God's purposes are fully realized. He came to gather the lost sheep of Israel ([Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus Sent to the Lost Sheep of Israel")) and, through His atoning sacrifice, established a new covenant, creating a spiritual remnant from every nation, tribe, and tongue ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation")). God's promise not to "destroy them all" culminates in Christ's work, where He builds His Church, and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")). The preservation of the "new wine" foreshadows the preservation of all who are united to Christ, whom God will never abandon or utterly destroy, ensuring their eternal salvation and participation in the [new heavens and new earth](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - The New Heavens and New Earth") where righteousness dwells. Through Christ, the "servants' sakes" are fully satisfied, and God's redemptive plan is brought to its glorious completion.

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

Romans 9:27

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

Romans 9:29

And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

Amos 9:8

Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD [are] upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD.

Amos 9:9

For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as [corn] is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.

Romans 11:5

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Romans 11:6

And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Jeremiah 30:11

For I [am] with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.