Gann's Commentary on the Bible

my beloved --The prophet writes from the perspective of one who is in right relationship with Yahweh. Yahweh uses the same term to describe Israel in Jeremiah 11:15, which includes a similar agricultural metaphor.

vineyard -- Here, the genres of love song and parable come together in a mixed metaphor. Garden or vineyard imagery for a beloved figure are also found in Song of Songs (see Song of Solomon 2:15; Song of Solomon 4:16; Song of Solomon 8:11-12). The metaphor appears to symbolize the potential for fertility. The vineyard motif is also present in Isaiah 27:2-5.

a fertile hill -- The problem was not with the soil or location—the vineyard had the potential to bear fruit.

judge -- Ironically, the people of Judah are called to judge the vineyard that symbolizes their own failure to meet God’s standards.

I will break down its wall -- A subtle indication that this vineyard metaphorically represents a city, since the wall of the vineyard was usually just the hedgerow. The imagery foreshadows the siege and invasion of Jerusalem where the country is trampled by foreign armies.

briers and thornbushes -- This word pair is used several more times in Isaiah to symbolize Judah’s post-destruction condition (see Isaiah 7:23-25; Isaiah 9:17; Isaiah 10:17; Isaiah 27:4).

word pair Two terms that frequently appear as a pair, either synonymous or antithetical.

the house of Israel -- The prophet reveals that vv. 3–6 is actually a metaphorical indictment against Judah and Jerusalem.

justice, but look! Bloodshed -- Wordplay in Hebrew poetry is difficult to reproduce in translation. The Hebrew words contrasted in this closing stanza sound similar: mishpat (“justice”) and mispach (“bloodshed”), tsedaqah (“righteousness”) and tse’aqah (“call for help”). - FSB

wine at their feasts The second woe is directed at those who have essentially made a religion out of drunken partying. They are so besotted with their depraved and self-centered lifestyle that they have no time to give heed to the “deeds of Yahweh” or pay attention to affairs of state when invasion and siege is on the horizon.

let him hurry his work --The people’s prideful and haughty attitude comes into focus as they express a mocking desire to see God bring about the day of judgment that the prophet is warning them of.

the holy one of Israel -- A title emphasizing God’s presence and glory, ironically put into the mouth of a mocker who all but dares Yahweh to appear; Yahweh does appear in Isaiah 6:1. See Isaiah 1:4.

Isaiah 5:20

evil good and good evil -- As v. 21 makes clear, relying on our own wisdom leads to a distorted view of the world and a skewed perspective on right and wrong.

DIVISION is Sinful- 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, John 17:20-21.

There is only one body- Ephesians 4:4 & Ephesians 1:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:13.

To support false teacher is sinful- 2 John 1:10-11, Isaiah 5:20, Proverbs 17:15.

Those who acquit the guilty -- Refers to corruption in court and echoes Isaiah 1:23 In the next scene (ch. 6), Isaiah is in Yahweh’s court, where he witnesses things as they should be on earth.

still his hand is stretched out -- This line is reused as a refrain in chs. 9–10 (Isaiah 9:12, Isaiah 9:17, Isaiah 9:21; Isaiah 10:4).

a signal for a nation God will summon the nations when it is time for judgment (see Isaiah 11:12).

he will whistle for it God uses the nations as instruments of judgment. This is in contrast with Isaiah 2:2-4, where the nations come to Jerusalem to worship and learn from Yahweh. See Isaiah 7:18.