Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. New Living Translation Now, you people of Jerusalem and Judah, you judge between me and my vineyard. English Standard Version And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. Berean Standard Bible “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. King James Bible And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. New King James Version “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. New American Standard Bible “And now, you inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, Judge between Me and My vineyard. NASB 1995 “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge between Me and My vineyard. NASB 1977 “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge between Me and My vineyard. Legacy Standard Bible “So now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Please judge between Me and My vineyard. Amplified Bible “And now, says the LORD, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge between Me and My vineyard (My people). Christian Standard Bible So now, residents of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between me and my vineyard. Holman Christian Standard Bible So now, residents of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between Me and My vineyard. American Standard Version And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. Contemporary English Version Listen, people of Jerusalem and of Judah! You be the judge of me and my vineyard. English Revised Version And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. GOD'S WORD® Translation Now then, you inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah, judge between me and my vineyard! Good News Translation So now my friend says, "You people who live in Jerusalem and Judah, judge between my vineyard and me. International Standard Version "So now, you inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, won't you please, between me and my vineyard. NET Bible So now, residents of Jerusalem, people of Judah, you decide between me and my vineyard! New Heart English Bible "Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between me and my vineyard. Webster's Bible Translation And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. World English Bible “Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between me and my vineyard. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd now, O inhabitant of Jerusalem and man of Judah, "" Please judge between Me and My vineyard. Young's Literal Translation And now, O inhabitant of Jerusalem, and man of Judah, Judge, I pray you, between me and my vineyard. Smith's Literal Translation And now, ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge ye now, between me and between my vineyard. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd now, O ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and ye men of Juda, judge between me and my vineyard. Catholic Public Domain Version Now then, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah: judge between me and my vineyard. New American Bible Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem, people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: New Revised Standard Version And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd now, O men of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem, judge between me and my vineyard. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Now, men of Judea, and inhabitants of Jerusalem, judge between me and my vineyard OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. Brenton Septuagint Translation And now, ye dwellers in Jerusalem, and every man of Juda, judge between me and my vineyard. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Song of the Vineyard…2He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! 3“And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. 4What more could I have done for My vineyard than I already did for it? Why, when I expected sweet grapes, did it bring forth sour fruit?… Cross References Matthew 21:33-41 Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ... Mark 12:1-9 Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. / But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. ... Luke 20:9-16 Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. / So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed. ... Jeremiah 2:5 This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves. Jeremiah 2:21 I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine? Hosea 10:1 Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars. Psalm 80:8-16 You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. ... Ezekiel 15:1-8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest? / Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils? ... Ezekiel 19:10-14 Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters. / It had strong branches, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick branches, conspicuous for its height and for its dense foliage. / But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them. ... Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Romans 9:30-33 What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; / but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. / Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, ... Romans 11:17-24 Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ... John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ... Micah 6:2-3 Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel: / ‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you! Amos 3:1-2 Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: / “Only you have I known from all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” Treasury of Scripture And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, between me and my vineyard. judge Psalm 50:4-6 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people… Psalm 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Jeremiah 2:4,5 Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel: … Jump to Previous Betwixt Dwellers Inhabitant Inhabitants Jerusalem Judah Judge Judges Please Vine-Garden VineyardJump to Next Betwixt Dwellers Inhabitant Inhabitants Jerusalem Judah Judge Judges Please Vine-Garden VineyardIsaiah 5 1. Under the parable of a vineyard, God excuses his severe judgment8. His judgments upon covetousness 11. Upon lasciviousness 13. Upon impiety 20. And upon injustice 26. The executioners of God's judgments And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah This phrase addresses the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the broader region of Judah, indicating a direct appeal to the people of God’s chosen nation. Jerusalem, as the capital city, represents the spiritual and political heart of Israel. The mention of both Jerusalem and Judah emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the message, targeting both urban and rural populations. Historically, this period was marked by social injustice and spiritual decline, which Isaiah frequently addressed. The call to the "dwellers" signifies a communal responsibility and awareness of the covenant relationship with God. I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard Persons / Places / Events 1. Dwellers of JerusalemThe inhabitants of Jerusalem, the capital city of Judah, representing the people of God who are being called to witness and judge. 2. Men of Judah The people of the southern kingdom of Judah, who are being addressed directly by God through the prophet Isaiah. 3. God The speaker in this verse, who is calling upon His people to judge between Him and His vineyard, symbolizing His relationship with Israel. 4. Vineyard A metaphor for the nation of Israel, which God has cultivated and cared for, expecting it to produce good fruit. 5. Isaiah The prophet through whom God is delivering this message, serving as a mouthpiece for divine judgment and instruction. Teaching Points God's Expectation of FruitfulnessGod has invested in His people, expecting them to bear spiritual fruit. Reflect on how we are cultivating our spiritual lives to meet God's expectations. Accountability to God Just as the dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah were called to judge, we are accountable to God for our actions and spiritual productivity. Self-Examination This verse invites us to examine our lives and communities, asking whether we are living up to the standards God has set for us. The Consequences of Unfaithfulness The vineyard's failure to produce good fruit serves as a warning of the consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience to God. God's Righteous Judgment God's call for judgment between Him and His vineyard underscores His righteousness and justice, reminding us of His fair and just nature. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 5:3?2. How does Isaiah 5:3 illustrate God's expectations for His people today? 3. What lessons from Isaiah 5:3 can we apply to our spiritual growth? 4. How does Isaiah 5:3 connect with Jesus' teachings on fruitfulness? 5. In what ways can we ensure our lives bear good fruit for God? 6. How does Isaiah 5:3 challenge us to evaluate our spiritual productivity? 7. What is the significance of the vineyard metaphor in Isaiah 5:3 for God's judgment? 8. How does Isaiah 5:3 reflect God's expectations of His people? 9. Why does God call upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem in Isaiah 5:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 5? 11. Why did God's vineyard produce only wild grapes? 12. Does Isaiah 43:5's promise of gathering exiles have archeological support for a mass return in that era? 13. Isaiah 3:25-26: How do the predicted devastations align (or conflict) with known historical or archaeological data on warfare and destruction in ancient Judah? 14. Isaiah 3:1-3: How can we verify a historical event where God supposedly removes all forms of leadership and resources without clear archaeological evidence of sudden societal collapse? What Does Isaiah 5:3 Mean And now• The phrase pivots from the vineyard song’s imagery (Isaiah 5:1-2) to a direct, urgent call for response. • It signals that a verdict cannot be postponed; the moment of accountability has arrived (2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:7-8). • “And now” frames the Lord’s words as the climax of a settled case, similar to the summons in Isaiah 1:18—“Come now, let us reason together…”—where mercy and justice are both on the table. O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah • The address pinpoints the covenant community—those with Scripture, temple, and promises (Romans 3:1-2). • By naming both city and tribe, God embraces every social layer: leaders, priests, merchants, laborers (Jeremiah 17:25-26). • The reminder echoes Isaiah 1:2-3, where Judah is rebuked for knowing less than an ox or donkey; privilege heightens responsibility (Luke 12:48). I exhort you • The Lord does not merely accuse; He invites participation in the court (Micah 6:1-2). • “Exhort” conveys strong urging, yet still offers grace—He wants them to see His righteousness before judgment falls (Ezekiel 33:11). • The tone recalls Psalm 50:4-6, where God summons His people to witness His justice. To judge • Judah is asked to function as jury, evaluating whether God or the nation is at fault—an appeal that exposes their own conscience (Romans 2:1-3). • The challenge anticipates objections that the LORD has been unfair (Ezekiel 18:25). • By putting the decision in their hands, He strips away excuses and prepares the ground for the next verse’s question, “What more was there to do…?” (Isaiah 5:4). Between Me and My vineyard • “My vineyard” ties back to Isaiah 5:1-2: God planted, protected, and expected fruit, yet it yielded only wild grapes. • The relationship is intimate—owner and possession—making the vineyard’s failure a personal affront (Psalm 80:8-16). • Jesus later echoes this courtroom scene in the parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:33-41), where Israel likewise condemns itself by pronouncing judgment. • The underlying principle: divine investment warrants fruit (John 15:1-2; Hebrews 6:7-8). Refusal reveals willful rebellion, not divine neglect. summary Isaiah 5:3 is God’s courtroom summons. Having sung the parable, He now calls His own covenant people to weigh His dealings with them. By addressing Judah directly, urging them to judge, and placing His vineyard relationship on display, He proves His care is flawless and their fruitlessness inexcusable. The verse invites honest self-examination, stripping away every defense so that God’s justice and Judah’s responsibility stand unmistakably clear. (3) And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem.--"The song of the vineyard" comes to an end and becomes the text of a discourse in which Jehovah, as the "Beloved" of the song, speaks through the prophet. Those to whom the parable applies are invited, as David was by Nathan, to pass an unconscious judgment on themselves. (Comp. Matthew 21:40-41, as an instance of the same method.)Verse 3. - The prophet's "song" here ends, and Jehovah himself takes the word. As if the story told in the parable had been a fact, he calls on the men of Judah and Jerusalem to "judge between him and his vineyard." Compare Nathan's appeal to David by the parable of the ewe lamb (2 Samuel 12:1-4).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And now,וְעַתָּ֛ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time O dwellers יוֹשֵׁ֥ב (yō·wō·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry of Jerusalem יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel and men וְאִ֣ישׁ (wə·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of Judah, יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites I exhort נָ֕א (nā) Interjection Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then' you to judge שִׁפְטוּ־ (šip̄·ṭū-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate between Me בֵּינִ֖י (bê·nî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 996: An interval, space between and My vineyard. כַּרְמִֽי׃ (kar·mî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard Links Isaiah 5:3 NIVIsaiah 5:3 NLT Isaiah 5:3 ESV Isaiah 5:3 NASB Isaiah 5:3 KJV Isaiah 5:3 BibleApps.com Isaiah 5:3 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 5:3 Chinese Bible Isaiah 5:3 French Bible Isaiah 5:3 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 5:3 Now inhabitants of Jerusalem and men (Isa Isi Is) |