Isaiah 5:7
New International Version
The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

New Living Translation
The nation of Israel is the vineyard of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. The people of Judah are his pleasant garden. He expected a crop of justice, but instead he found oppression. He expected to find righteousness, but instead he heard cries of violence.

English Standard Version
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!

Berean Standard Bible
For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.

King James Bible
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

New King James Version
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.

New American Standard Bible
For the vineyard of the LORD of armies is the house of Israel, And the people of Judah are His delightful plant. So He waited for justice, but behold, there was bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.

NASB 1995
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel And the men of Judah His delightful plant. Thus He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.

NASB 1977
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah His delightful plant. Thus He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the vineyard of Yahweh of hosts is the house of Israel And the men of Judah His delightful plant. Thus He hoped for justice, but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.

Amplified Bible
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house (nation) of Israel And the men of Judah are His delightful planting [which He loves]. So He looked for justice, but in fact, [He saw] bloodshed and lawlessness; [He looked] for righteousness, but in fact, [He heard] a cry of distress and oppression.

Christian Standard Bible
For the vineyard of the LORD of Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah, the plant he delighted in. He expected justice but saw injustice; he expected righteousness but heard cries of despair.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah, the plant He delighted in. He looked for justice but saw injustice, for righteousness, but heard cries of wretchedness.

American Standard Version
For the vineyard of Jehovah of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry.

Contemporary English Version
I am the LORD All-Powerful! Israel is the vineyard, and Judah is the garden I tended with care. I had hoped for honesty and for justice, but dishonesty and cries for mercy were all I found.

English Revised Version
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The vineyard of the LORD of Armies is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the garden of his delight. He hoped for justice but saw only slaughter, for righteousness but heard only cries of distress.

Good News Translation
Israel is the vineyard of the LORD Almighty; the people of Judah are the vines he planted. He expected them to do what was good, but instead they committed murder. He expected them to do what was right, but their victims cried out for justice.

International Standard Version
For the vineyard of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden in which he delights. He looked for justice, but saw only bloodshed; he searched for righteousness, but heard only an outcry!

Majority Standard Bible
For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.

NET Bible
Indeed Israel is the vineyard of the LORD who commands armies, the people of Judah are the cultivated place in which he took delight. He waited for justice, but look what he got--disobedience! He waited for fairness, but look what he got--cries for help!

New Heart English Bible
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, look, oppression; for righteousness, but, look, a cry of distress.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

World English Bible
For the vineyard of Yahweh of Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression, for righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Because the vineyard of YHWH of Hosts "" [Is] the house of Israel, "" And the man of Judah His pleasant plant, "" And He waits for judgment, and behold, oppression, "" For righteousness, and behold, a cry.

Young's Literal Translation
Because the vineyard of Jehovah of Hosts Is the house of Israel, And the man of Judah His pleasant plant, And He waiteth for judgment, and lo, oppression, For righteousness, and lo, a cry.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the vineyard of Jehovah of armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah the plant of his pleasures: and he will wait for judgment, and behold bloodshed; for justice, and behold a cry.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel: and the man of Juda, his pleasant plant: and I looked that he should do judgment, and behold iniquity: and do justice, and behold a cry.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel. And the man of Judah is his delightful seedling. And I expected that he would do judgment, and behold iniquity, and that he would do justice, and behold an outcry.

New American Bible
The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, the people of Judah, his cherished plant; He waited for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!

New Revised Standard Version
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant; and I looked for justice, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because the vineyard of LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts is the house of the household of Israel and the men from Yehuda, a new plant and beloved. I have waited for justice and there was rape, and for righteousness, and behold, wailing!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah the plant of His delight; And He looked for justice, but behold violence; For righteousness, but behold a cry.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Juda his beloved plant: I expected it to bring forth judgement, and it brought forth iniquity; and not righteousness, but a cry.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Song of the Vineyard
6I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it.” 7For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.

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 2:21
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. ...

Micah 7:1-4
Woe is me! For I am like one gathering summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster to eat, no early fig that I crave. / The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. / Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. ...

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. ...

Jeremiah 12:10
Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.

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? ...

Amos 5:11-12
Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted. / For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.

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!

Hebrews 6:7-8
For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. / But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.


Treasury of Scripture

For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

the vineyard

Psalm 80:8-11,15
Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it…

Jeremiah 12:10
Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

his pleasant plant.

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Psalm 147:11
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Psalm 149:4
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

he looked

Isaiah 5:2
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

Isaiah 58:6-8
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? …

Exodus 22:22-27
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child…

but.

oppression.

Isaiah 1:6
From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Isaiah 3:17
Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.

a cry

Genesis 4:10
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

Exodus 2:23,24
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage…

Exodus 3:7
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Jump to Previous
Almighty Armies Blood Bloodshed Blood-Shedding Cries Cry Delight Delightful Distress Garden Heard Help Hosts House Israel Judah Judging Judgment Justice Oppression Plant Planting Pleasant Righteousness Upright Vineyard Violence
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Almighty Armies Blood Bloodshed Blood-Shedding Cries Cry Delight Delightful Distress Garden Heard Help Hosts House Israel Judah Judging Judgment Justice Oppression Plant Planting Pleasant Righteousness Upright Vineyard Violence
Isaiah 5
1. Under the parable of a vineyard, God excuses his severe judgment
8. His judgments upon covetousness
11. Upon lasciviousness
13. Upon impiety
20. And upon injustice
26. The executioners of God's judgments














For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts
The term "vineyard" in the Hebrew context often symbolizes God's chosen people, Israel. The "LORD of Hosts" refers to Yahweh, the sovereign God who commands the armies of heaven. This phrase sets the stage for understanding Israel as a cherished and cultivated entity by God, who expects it to bear fruit. The imagery of a vineyard is rich in agricultural symbolism, reflecting the care, protection, and expectations God has for His people.

is the house of Israel
The "house of Israel" signifies the collective nation of Israel, God's covenant people. Historically, Israel was chosen to be a light to the nations, a people set apart to demonstrate God's holiness and love. This phrase emphasizes the identity and responsibility of Israel as God's vineyard, highlighting their unique relationship with Him.

and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight
"Men of Judah" refers specifically to the southern kingdom, which remained after the division of Israel. "The plant of His delight" suggests that Judah held a special place in God's heart, much like a gardener delights in a well-tended plant. This phrase underscores God's personal investment and pleasure in His people, expecting them to flourish in righteousness.

He looked for justice
The Hebrew word for "justice" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) conveys a sense of fairness, equity, and moral rightness. God expected His people to embody these qualities, reflecting His character in their societal structures and personal interactions. Justice is a central theme in the prophetic literature, often associated with the covenantal obligations of Israel.

but saw bloodshed
The contrast between "justice" and "bloodshed" (מִשְׂפָּח, mispach) is stark. Instead of fairness and righteousness, God finds violence and oppression. This wordplay in Hebrew highlights the tragic failure of Israel to live up to their calling. Bloodshed represents the breakdown of societal order and the perversion of justice, a direct violation of God's covenant.

for righteousness
"Righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tzedakah) in Hebrew encompasses right relationships, ethical behavior, and adherence to God's laws. It is a standard of living that reflects God's holiness. God anticipated that His people would live righteously, serving as a testament to His transformative power and moral order.

but heard a cry of distress
The "cry of distress" (צְעָקָה, tzeakah) signifies the outcry of those who suffer under injustice and oppression. Instead of the harmonious society God intended, there is turmoil and suffering. This phrase captures the heartache of God as He witnesses the pain and injustice among His people, a direct result of their failure to uphold His standards.

(7) For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts.--The words remind us of Nathan's "Thou art the man," to David (2Samuel 12:7), and of our Lord's words in Matthew 21:42-43.

Behold oppression.--The Hebrew word carries with it the idea of bloodshed, and points to the crimes mentioned in Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 4:4. The "cry" is that of the victims who appeal to Jehovah when they find no help in man (Genesis 4:10; Deuteronomy 24:15; James 5:4). . . .

Verse 7. - For the vineyard, etc. The full explanation of the parable follows immediately on the disclosure in ver. 6. The vineyard is "Israel," or rather "Judah;" the fruit expected from it, "judgment and righteousness;" the wild grapes which alone it had produced, "oppression" and the "cry" of the distressed. His pleasant plan;: literally, the plant of his delights; i.e. the plantation in which he had so long taken delight. He looked for judgment, etc. Gesenius has attempted to give the verbal antithesis of the Hebrew, which is quite lost in our version -

"Er harrete auf Recht, und siehe da Unrecht,
Auf Gerechtigkeit, und siehe da Schlechtigkeit."


Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the vineyard
כֶ֜רֶם (ḵe·rem)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard

of the LORD
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָאוֹת֙ (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

is the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and the men
וְאִ֣ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

are the plant
נְטַ֖ע (nə·ṭa‘)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5194: A plant, a plantation, a planting

of His delight.
שַׁעֲשׁוּעָ֑יו (ša·‘ă·šū·‘āw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8191: Enjoyment

He looked
וַיְקַ֤ו (way·qaw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6960: To bind together, collect, to expect

for justice
לְמִשְׁפָּט֙ (lə·miš·pāṭ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

but saw
וְהִנֵּ֣ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

injustice;
מִשְׂפָּ֔ח (miś·pāḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4939: Probably outpouring, bloodshed

for righteousness,
לִצְדָקָ֖ה (liṣ·ḏā·qāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

but heard
וְהִנֵּ֥ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

a cry of distress.
צְעָקָֽה׃ (ṣə·‘ā·qāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6818: A cry, outcry


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of Yahweh of Armies (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 5:6
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