Isaiah 18 5

Isaiah 18:5 kjv

For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.

Isaiah 18:5 nkjv

For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect And the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks And take away and cut down the branches.

Isaiah 18:5 niv

For, before the harvest, when the blossom is gone and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the shoots with pruning knives, and cut down and take away the spreading branches.

Isaiah 18:5 esv

For before the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he cuts off the shoots with pruning hooks, and the spreading branches he lops off and clears away.

Isaiah 18:5 nlt

Even before you begin your attack,
while your plans are ripening like grapes,
the LORD will cut off your new growth with pruning shears.
He will snip off and discard your spreading branches.

Isaiah 18 verses

Isaiah 18 5 Meaning

The Lord declares His sovereign intention to act against the nations that have oppressed His people, specifically referencing a plundered and scattered nation. Despite the violence and destruction, God’s intervention is certain. He will gaze from His heavenly dwelling with attentive focus and watchful eyes.

Isaiah 18 5 Context

Isaiah 18 occurs within the broader prophetic ministry of Isaiah, addressing the nation of Judah and surrounding foreign powers during the Assyrian period. This particular chapter is often interpreted as a prophecy concerning Egypt and Ethiopia (often translated as Cush or Nubia in ancient texts), a powerful nation at the time. The prophecy seems to foretell a future intervention by God, bringing both judgment and protection. The initial verses describe a proud and strong nation that will be made low, suggesting a period of humiliation or defeat for them. The focus then shifts to God's watchful anticipation, highlighting His plan for these nations and His ultimate care for His people.

Isaiah 18 5 Word Analysis

• “For before the harvest”: (Hebrew: וְלִפְנֵי קָצִיר - v'liphnē qatsir) Indicates a time prior to the completion of agricultural work, signifying an opportune moment for God’s action before the full fruition of the enemy’s plans or prosperity. This suggests God intervenes at His appointed time.
• “when the blossoming is over”: (Hebrew: כְּפָרְחָה לֹו - kəpərḥâ lōw) Refers to the period when the flower has set and is developing into fruit. This signifies the point when the fruit is almost ready but not yet fully mature, highlighting that the enemies’ power or success, though seemingly advanced, is not yet complete or insurmountable.
• “and the tendril [that] has been budding has ripened into fruit”: (Hebrew: וְהַצִּיץ לֹו דַּרְכֶּנּוּבַת בְּשֵׁלָה - v'hatstsiytz lōw darkkênûḇaḇ bəšêlâ) The Hebrew here can be complex. Some scholars interpret "ציץ" (tsiyitz) as a blossom and "דרכנוב" (darkkenub as ripening into a ripe fruit, or specifically grapes. The emphasis is on the critical moment of ripeness or near-ripeness, when vulnerability is also present. It emphasizes the state just before full maturity.
• “and he will cut off the tender vine with pruning knives”: (Hebrew: וְחָמָס כַּרְמָיו יַסּוּר - v'ḥāmās karmāyw yassûr) The "pruning knives" (yasūr) implies instruments for cutting or removing. This refers to God's active intervention to destroy or disable the strength and productive capacity of the enemy nation’s efforts, likened to pruning back a vine. This signifies a decisive and destructive action against their burgeoning power.
• “and cast them to the birds of prey and to the wild beasts”: (Hebrew: וְהִשְׁלִיךְ אֶל־שָׂדָי צִפּוֹר וְחַיַּת־אֲדָמָה - v'hišlîḵ el-śāḏāy ṣippōr wəḥayyat-ăḏāmâ) This vividly describes the complete downfall and public disgrace of the enemy. Their remains will be left exposed to be devoured, signifying total annihilation and that no honorable burial will be given. This imagery underscores the totality of God's judgment.
• “and will let the wild beasts spend the summer on them”: (Hebrew: וְחֹרְפִי עֲלֵיהֶם חַיַּת־שָׂדָי - wəḥorəpî əlêhem ḥayyat-śāḏāy) This phrase, with "חֹרְפִי" (ḥorəpî), can mean to spend the winter, but in this context, it more likely emphasizes a prolonged period of devouring or presence of wild beasts. It highlights the lasting and desolate impact of the judgment.

Isaiah 18 5 Bonus Section

The imagery of cutting off a vine with pruning knives is powerfully symbolic in biblical agricultural contexts. Vines were highly valued, and proper pruning was essential for healthy growth and a good harvest. However, in this prophetic context, the "pruning" is destructive, indicating an unwanted removal by an external agent—God—because the vine’s "fruit" is not what He desires or has allowed to be established for His glory. This also echoes themes in the New Testament where Jesus refers to believers as branches in the true vine and the Father as the vinedresser who prunes the fruitful branches to bear more fruit, but removes the unfruitful ones (John 15:1-2). Here, however, the context is judgment, not discipleship pruning. The fate of the fallen also signifies ultimate desolation, contrasting with the divine preservation promised to God’s people.

Isaiah 18 5 Commentary

Isaiah 18:5 illustrates God’s perfect timing and authority over earthly kingdoms. Even as nations prosper and appear powerful, poised for greater influence or conquest, God watches from His heavenly throne. He intervenes at the precise moment when their power is evident but not yet unassailable. The imagery of cutting off the vine and leaving it for predators signifies not only destruction but also disgrace. God’s judgment is not only effective but also serves as a clear warning and demonstration of His sovereign power over all nations. This verse teaches believers to trust in God’s strategic timing and His ultimate ability to humble the proud and protect His own, even when the circumstances appear dire.