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Isaiah 5:12

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And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

And the harp {H3658}, and the viol {H5035}, the tabret {H8596}, and pipe {H2485}, and wine {H3196}, are in their feasts {H4960}: but they regard {H5027} not the work {H6467} of the LORD {H3068}, neither consider {H7200} the operation {H4639} of his hands {H3027}.

They have lutes and lyres, drums and flutes, and wine at their parties; but they pay no attention to how ADONAI works and never look at what his hands have made.

At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.

And the harp and the lute, the tabret and the pipe, and wine, are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of Jehovah, neither have they considered the operation of his hands.

Commentary

Isaiah 5:12 delivers a sharp prophetic rebuke to ancient Israel, highlighting their spiritual apathy amidst a life of indulgence. The verse paints a vivid scene of their feasts filled with the sounds of "harp, viol, tabret, and pipe," and the presence of "wine," all symbols of revelry and pleasure. Yet, in stark contrast to their outward merriment, the people are condemned for failing to "regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands." This verse serves as a powerful warning against a life consumed by worldly delights to the exclusion of divine awareness.

Context

This verse is part of a series of "Woes" pronounced by the prophet Isaiah against Judah (Isaiah 5:8-25). Preceding this passage, Isaiah laments the societal injustices and moral decay within the nation, famously using the imagery of a vineyard that yielded wild grapes instead of good fruit (Isaiah 5:1-7). The revelry described in verse 12 is not merely innocent enjoyment but represents a deeper spiritual sickness – a people so engrossed in their own desires that they are blind to God's active presence, His providential care, and His impending judgment. The immediate preceding verse, Isaiah 5:11, already alludes to their excessive pursuit of drink and pleasure.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Blindness and Indifference: The central message is the profound lack of spiritual perception. The people are so captivated by their own entertainment and luxury that they are utterly oblivious to God's activity in their world. This is a willful disregard, not mere ignorance.
  • The Idolatry of Pleasure: While not explicitly stated as idolatry, their consuming focus on "harp, viol, tabret, pipe, and wine" elevates self-gratification to a priority that displaces reverence for God. Their feasts become a substitute for acknowledging divine sovereignty.
  • God's Active Sovereignty: The phrases "the work of the LORD" and "the operation of his hands" emphasize that God is continuously at work in creation, history, and judgment. Even when people ignore Him, His plans and purposes are unfolding.
  • Consequences of Disregard: This spiritual apathy is not without consequence. The prophet warns that such a lifestyle inevitably leads to divine judgment, as outlined in the very next verse, where the people will go into captivity due to their lack of knowledge.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words behind "regard not" (*lo' yabbîṭû*) and "neither consider" (*lo' hitbônānû*) offer deeper insight. "Regard not" implies a failure to look, perceive, or pay attention, suggesting a deliberate turning away from God's actions. "Consider" speaks to a lack of understanding, discernment, or thoughtful reflection. It's not just a passive ignorance, but an active choice to not apply their minds to God's work, reinforcing the idea of spiritual negligence rather than simple oversight.

Practical Application

Isaiah 5:12 remains profoundly relevant today. It challenges us to examine where our primary focus lies. In a world saturated with entertainment and pursuits of pleasure, this verse serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of becoming so engrossed in worldly comforts and self-gratification that we lose sight of God's presence and activity. It calls believers to:

  • Cultivate Spiritual Awareness: Actively seek to discern God's hand in creation, in daily providence, and in the unfolding of world events.
  • Prioritize God Over Pleasure: While enjoyment is not inherently sinful, the verse cautions against allowing pleasure to become an idol that blinds us to spiritual realities and our responsibilities to God. The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:19-20 offers a New Testament parallel to this danger.
  • Heed Divine Warnings: Recognize that persistent spiritual indifference can lead to grave consequences, as illustrated by the judgment that eventually befell Judah. This prophetic warning echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 28:5: "Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up."

Ultimately, Isaiah 5:12 is a call to awaken from spiritual slumber and to actively acknowledge the Lord's sovereignty and His continuous work in our lives and in the world.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 21:11 (5 votes)

    They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

  • Job 21:14 (5 votes)

    Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

  • Amos 6:4 (5 votes)

    That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

  • Amos 6:6 (5 votes)

    That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

  • Job 34:27 (5 votes)

    Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:

  • Psalms 28:5 (5 votes)

    Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.

  • Daniel 5:23 (3 votes)

    But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: