Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
–
21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
[NCMM]
|
Locate verse: Type a verse reference like 'Romans 10:9' or abbreviated 'Rm 10:9'.
By just typing the verse one can jump to the corresponding verse on the active page (only works if the current page displays a chapter).
If a chapter and a verse is entered without a book, the current selected book is assumed.
Providing only the name of a book will bring one to the chapter index of that book.
Examples (without the quotes): '1 Tim 3:16', 'Rv 1:8', 'Matthew 5', '3:16', '8', 'Phm'.
|
THE PROPHET ISAIAH
CHAPTER FIVE:
WOES UPON YEHOWAH’S VINEYARD
Isaiah 5:1, 2 – Isaiah Sings of Yehowah’s Vineyard
IS5:1 Please, permit me to sing about my beloved – a song about my beloved, regarding His vineyard.
My beloved
had a vineyard on a productive hillside.
| 215 | Vineyard: Isaiah introduces a parable of the Vineyard of Israel, and then Yehowah speaks regarding what He is going to do. Compare
such parables in John 15 and Romans 11. Jesus also compares Israel to a vineyard at Matthew 20:1-16. Compare also Ezekiel 15:1-8; 17:3-10; 19:10-14. |
| 216 | My beloved: Probably Yehowah Himself. |
IS5:2 He dug it out thoroughly, gathering out all of its rocks. Then He planted a cherished vine,
and built a tower in the middle. Also He made a winepress and began to wait while it produced grapes. But it produced wild grapes. | 217 | Cherished vine: Or, LXX: choice; RHM: precious vine; NJB: red grapes. The planting of Israel before Sinai. [Matthew 21:18-21 |
| 218 | Wild grapes: Some note “worthless things,” or, “putrid things.” |
Isaiah 5:3-7 – Yehowah Destroys His Vineyard
IS5:3 “Now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem
and men of Judah, judge,
please, between Me and My vineyard.
| 219 | Jerusalem: As with earlier prophecies this deals with ancient Jerusalem and Judah. One fulfillment occurred near the end of the 5th
Century BC. The song may also be applied to that “generation” of Jews in which Jesus lived. |
| 220 | Judge:
Or, JPS: you be the judges; NJB: I ask you to judge. |
IS5:4 What else could I have done
with My vineyard? Something I had not already done? Why, then, should it produce wild grapes, while I was expecting home-grown grapes?
| 221 | What else could I have done: Or, NJB: what more could I have done; RHM: would could have been done further; LXX: what shall I do any more. Even God has exhausted all the possibilities. These are hopeless habitual sinners and apostates. |
| 222 | Home-grown grapes: Or, LXX: thorns; KJV: grapes; NJB: fine grapes. |
IS5:5 So, now, please, let me tell you what I am going to do to My vineyard. [I will] remove the fence around it, and then it will be consumed. [I will] tear down its wall, and it will be trampled underfoot.
| 223 | Trampled underfoot: Compare the Nazarene at Luke 21:24. [Daniel 12:7; Revelation 11:2, 3] |
IS5:6 And I will lay it waste. It will not be pruned or hoed. Instead it will produce briars and thorns. Also I will command the clouds, that no rain may fall on it.
| 224 | No rain may fall on it: Compare the LXX Greek [ME BREXAI] with Revelation 11:6 [ME UETOS BREKHE]. |
IS5:7 For a certainty the vineyard of YeHoWaH of [angelic] hosts is the House of Israel.
And so the men of Judah are the planting
which He dearly loved. And He waited for righteousness,
but, behold, unrighteousness!
For the rule of right,
but, behold, the cry of the oppressed!” | 225 | House of Israel: Judah and Jerusalem are paralleled with the House of Israel. The ten-tribe northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians in the first half of the 7th Century BC. |
| 226 | The planting: Or, LXX: beloved planting; KJV: pleasant plant; JPS: seedlings he lovingly tended; RHM: plantation; NJB: the plant he cherished.
[Exodus 15:17] Compare 1 Corinthians 3:9. |
| 227 | Righteousness: Or, NJB: fair judgment; RHM: equity; JPS: justice;
KJV: judgment. Righteousness is that which is right or correct with regard to observance of law. |
| 228 | Unrighteousness:
Or, LXX: iniquity; KJV: oppression; JPS: injustice; RHM: murderous iniquity; DAR: blood-shedding. Unrighteousness is the same as lawlessness or a refusal to keep the law. |
| 229 | Rule of right: Or, NJB: uprightness; JPS: equity; KJV: righteousness. |
| 230 | Cry
of the oppressed: Or, JPS: behold, iniquity; RHM: cry of the wronged; NJB: cries of distress. God hears such outcries. [Genesis 19:13; Job 34:28] |
Isaiah 5:8-17 – Isaiah Pronounces Woes
IS5:8 Woe to those who build house next to house,
closing in with field next to field, until there is no more room.
But all of you are abandoned to dwell alone within the land.
| 231 | Build house next to house: Or, NJB: add; RHM: join. It was as though God did not approve of people living so close to one another.
There could be an inference of greedy materialism in such building. [Jeremiah 22:17; Micah 2:2; Habakkuk 2:9] |
| 232 | No
more room: Or, LXX: that they may take away something of their neighbor’s; NJB: no where left. Some would see modern circumstances in metropolitan areas. |
| 233 | Abandoned to dwell alone within the land: Or, NJB: they are the sole inhabitants of the country; JPS: till there is room for none but you to dwell in the land. Perhaps alluding to the greedy building of some who would
push others out of the land. |
IS5:9 My own ears have heard YeHoWaH of [angelic] armies tell me that for a certainty despite the numerous houses
– though large and beautiful
– there will come a desolation without a single inhabitant.
| 234 | Numerous houses: Or, LXX: many houses should be built; KJV: many houses shall be desolate; JPS: great houses; KJV: many houses. Despite
great building and farming efforts disaster awaits. |
| 235 | Large and beautiful: Or, LXX: many and fair; KJV: great
and fair; JPS: spacious and splendid; NJB: great and fine. When God’s people move away from Him they become materialistic. |
IS5:10 Though a vineyard be ten acres it will produce but little.
Though a huge amount of seed is planted it will produce very little.
| 236 | Produce but little: Literally, 8.5 gallons. The image is of a parcel of land plowed by ten yokes of oxen producing only enough for
some loaves of bread. The image is one of famine and God’s curse. Compare Revelation 6:6. |
IS5:11 Woe to those who get up early in the morning to chase after strong drink
– who continue into the cool of the evening until they are aflame with wine.
| 237 | Chase after strong drink: Or, RHM: pursue; NJB: go after; JPS: chase liquor; LXX: follow. They have become alcoholics. Compare the
Nazarene’s warning at Luke 21:34. The Hebrew is SHEKAR [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #7941, intoxicating liquor]. |
| 238 |
Aflame with wine: Or. LXX: wine shall inflame them; RHM: with wine they are heated. [Proverbs 23:30] |
IS5:12 It will certainly happen that though the music of lyre, harp, tambourine
and flute are heard at their drunken feasts they never pay any attention to the works of YeHoWaH,
nor have they experienced the work of His hands.
| 239 | Never pay any attention to the works of YeHoWaH: Or, NJB: never a thought; RHM: do not discern; JPS: never give a thought; KJV: regard
not. They have drifted away from God, become materilaists, and now no longer think of Him. Such is a sign of loose conduct and materialism. |
| 240 |
Experienced the work of His hands: Or, LXX: consider; KJV: operation of; JPS: take no note of what He is designing; RHM: they have not seen; NJB: never a glance. Compare Matthew 24:38, 39 where busy materialists take no note. On “work of His hands”
note Psalm 19:1, 2. Materialists no longer see God in His creation. [Psalm 14:1; Romans 1:20] |
IS5:13 For this reason my people become prisoners
before they know it.
Their highly respect men
are famished with hunger, and their crowds are wide-eyed from thirst.
| 241 | My people become prisoners: Or, LXX: captives; KJV: into captivity; JPS: suffer exile. |
| 242 | Before they know it: Or, NJB: for want of perception; JPS: for not giving heed; KJV: no knowledge; LXX: because they know not the Lord. Compare Jeremiah
8:7; Hosea 4:6; Luke 19:44. |
| 243 | Highly respect men: Or, NJB: dignitaries; RHM: honourable men; JPS: multitude
victims. LXX varies. |
IS5:14 And so Hades
has increased her soulful desire,
and opened her mouth as wide as possible. It is then that all their glory,
and their crowds, and their pompous show and loud noise-making shall plunge into [Hades].
| 244 | Hades: Or, KJV: hell; JPS: Sheol. The Greek LXX uses HADES [= unseen place of the dead]. The Hebrew is SHEOL and refers to gravedom,
or the place of the unconscious dead. For details see the work Where Are the Dead? Hades is something of a temporary storage place for the dead awaiting the resurrection to the Last Judgment. [Job 14:13; Psalm 16:8, 9; Revelation 20:11-13] |
| 245 | Has increased her soulful desire: Or, NJB: opened wide its throat; RHM: enlarged her desire [footnote “her soul”]; JPS: Sheol
has opened wide its gullet. The Hebrew uses NEPHESH [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5315]. The origin is from breath, as in a breathing creature. [Genesis 2:7] |
| 246 | Their glory: Referring to Jerusalem. |
| 247 | Plunge
into [Hades]: Both the righteous and unrighteous go to Hades, or Sheol. All will come out to their own judgment in the Last Day. See Where Are The Dead? Or research “Sheol” [“Hades”] and compare notes. Note Matthew 11:23. |
IS5:15 Even the average person has bent over, and the great person
has been humiliated. Yes, for sure the prideful face
will be humbled.
| 248 | Great person: Versions vary. Some use “him” and others” her” throughout. |
| 249 | Prideful face: Or, LXX: lofty eyes; JPS: pride of the haughty; RHM: the looks of the haughty; NJB: eyes of the proud. |
IS5:16 Instead YeHoWaH of [angelic] armies will be exalted through judgment. And then the Holy God has been sanctified through righteousness.
| 250 | Has been sanctified through righteousness: Or, is the more respected for his judgment; RHM: exalted in justice. On the “sanctification”
of God see Matthew 6:9. [Psalm 98:2] |
IS5:17 Then the young rams will feed wherever they wish,
and foreigners will consume the wastes of the wealthy. | 251 | Young rams will feed wherever they wish: Or, they that were spoiled shall be fed as bulls; KJV: lambs feed after their manner; JPS: lambs shall graze as in their meadows; RHM: where they please; NJB: in their old pastures. |
| 252 | Foreigners will consume the wastes of the wealthy: Or, NJB: fields laid waste by fat cattle will fed the kids; JPS: strangers shall feed
on the ruins of the stout; LXX: lambs shall fed on the waste places of them that are taken away. |
Isaiah 5:18-23 – More Woes Pronounced
IS5:18 Woe to those who pull sin with ropes of untruth,
and lawlessness
with cords of the handcart.
| 253 | Pull sin with ropes of untruth: Or, LXX: draw sins to them as with a long rope; KJV: draw iniquity with cords of vanity; JPS: haul
sin with cords of falsehood; NJB: drag guilt by the reins of duplicity. |
| 254 | Lawlessness: Or, sin, iniquity. |
IS5:19 Those who say: “Let Him act swiftly! Let Him hurry His purpose! So we can see it!
Let the purpose Israel’s Holy One approach and come near, so we can know it!”
| 255 | So we can see it: A challenge from the doubters. That is, “if God exists let Him prove it.” |
IS5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.
Who replace darkness with light,
and light with darkness. Who replace bitter with sweet, and sweet with bitter.
| 256 | Call evil good and good evil: Or, NJB: call what is bad, good, and what is good, bad. The moral confusion of the amoral either have
no moral standards, or deceitfully mislead others. Compare Proverbs 17:15; Malachi 2:17. |
| 257 | Darkness with light:
Compare 2 Corinthians 6:14. |
IS5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and who are discreet in their own view.
| 258 | Wise in their own eyes: Or, NJB: think themselves wise; JPS: so wise – in their own opinion; LXX: wise in their own conceit.
An attitude condemned throughout the Bible. [Proverbs 3:7; 15:12; Romans 1:22; 12:16] Self-conceit repels God. |
| 259 | Discreet
in their own view: Or, KJV: prudent in their own sight; JPS: so clever – in their own judgment; RHM: in their own sight are prudent; NJB: believe themselves enlightened. |
IS5:22 Woe
to those who are heroes in drinking wine,
and virile men who mix strong drinks.
| 260 | Heroes in drinking wine: Or, NJB: whose might lies in mixing strong drink; KJV: mighty to drink wine; NJB: whose mighty lies in wine
bibbing. |
| 261 | Virile men who mix strong drinks: Or, LXX: mighty ones that mingle strong drink; JPS: so valiant
– as mixers of drink; RHM: men of valour; NJB: heroism in mixing strong drink. That is, macho in drinking matches. [Proverbs 23:20; 31:5] Refer back to Isaiah 5:11. The Hebrew for “virile” is CHAYIL [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
#2428] is often associated with brave soldiers. It is used of women twice – Ruth and the “capable wife” of Proverbs. Yehowah has now listened the reasons He is justified in desolating His chosen people. Now this destruction is described as
coming from a nation far away – first Assyria, later the Babylon, and then the Romans. |
IS5:23 Who for a bribe pronounce the lawless innocent,
while they take away the truthful testimony of the righteous person. | 262 | For a bribe pronounce the lawless innocent: Or, NJB: acquit the guilty for a bribe; RHM: justify the lawless; JPS: vindicate him who is in the wrong; KJV: justify the wicked for reward; LXX:
justify the ungodly for reward. The judicial system is completely corrupt. Refer back to Isaiah 1:23. [Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 17:23; Micah 3:11] |
| 263 | Take away the truthful testimony of the righteous person: Or, LXX: take away the righteousness of the righteous; JPS: withhold vindication from him who is right; NJB: deny justice to the upright. [Psalm 94:21; Proverbs
17:15] |
Isaiah 5:24-30 – Rejection of the Law Brings a Lion
IS5:24 As a result a tongue of fire will consume straw, and a flame will reduce dry grass to ash. They will become like a rotten root, and their bloom will rise like dust. All because they refused the Law of YeHoWaH
of [angelic] armies, and they have despised the word
of the Holy One of Israel.
| 264 | Refused the Law of YeHoWaH: Or, NJB: despised; JPS: rejected; KJV: cast away. [Deuteronomy 31:20] Compare the curses of Moses on those disobedient to the Law in Deuteronomy chapter 28. |
| 265 | Despised the word: Or, LXX: insulted the word; JPS: spurned. They are not only materialists and decadent, they have rejected the word and law of God. |
IS5:25 For this reason
the anger of YeHoWaH was kindled against His own people.. So He reached out His own hand against them, striking them. Then the mountains quaked and their corpses were used as fuel
in the middle of streets. For these reasons His anger has not abated, though His hand remains outstretched.
| 266 | This reason: God is justified in annihilating His own people. Compare Paul’s list of Israel’s sins in Romans 1:18-32.
It serves as a model and lesson to all those who profess to be part of God’s people in any period of time. [Jude 5] |
| 267 |
Corpses were used as fuel: Or, RHM: dead bodies [footnote: “carcasses rot in the street]; KJV: carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets; LXX: as dung in the midst of the way. The language, including the earthquake, are similar to the wording
in Revelation 11:8, 13. |
| 268 | His hand remains outstretched: Or, KJV: his hand is stretched out still; JPS: arm;
NJB: his hand is still raised. Possibly with regard to what follows. |
IS5:26 And so He will raise a signal to a great nation far away,
and a whistle-call
to him at the ends of the earth. And, behold, with burning fervor he will come.
| 269 | Raise a signal to a great nation far away: Or, NJB: signal for a distant nation; RHM: nations far off; JPS: ensign. [Jeremiah 52:4]
God has called great nations against Israel in the forms of Assyria, Babylon and Rome. |
| 270 | Whistle-call: Or, LXX: hiss; JPS: whistle; RHM: signal. Seven centuries before Moses predicted the same. [Deuteronomy 28:49; Jeremiah 5:15] |
| 271 | Burning fervor he will come: Or, NJB: how swift; RHM: hot haste; JPS: lightning speed; KJV: come with speed swiftly; LXX: they are coming very quickly. [Jeremiah 4:13; Lamentations 4:19] |
IS5:27 There will be no one among them
who is tired, and none of them will stumble among them. He will neither slumber or sleep. Their belts will not become loosened, nor the straps of their sandals.
| 272 | No one among them: The coming soldiers are described. |
IS5:28 Their
arrows are sharpened and their bows bent. The hooves of their horses will be compared to rocky flint, and their chariot wheels like a thunderous storm.
IS5:29 Their roar is like that of a lioness – like savage lions they will roar. Snarling they will seize their prey – with no one to rescue – and carry it off to a safe place.
IS5:30 In that day they will growl like the roaring of great surf. It is then that he will look below, and behold, dark distress. Yes, light grows dark amidst the clouds.
|
Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
|
