Isaiah 5 3

Isaiah 5:3 kjv

And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

Isaiah 5:3 nkjv

"And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard.

Isaiah 5:3 niv

"Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.

Isaiah 5:3 esv

And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.

Isaiah 5:3 nlt

Now, you people of Jerusalem and Judah,
you judge between me and my vineyard.

Isaiah 5 verses

Isaiah 5 3 Meaning

God appeals directly to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah, calling upon them to judge His conduct concerning His "vineyard"—a metaphor for the nation of Israel. He asks them to acknowledge the righteousness of His past actions and His impending judgment, implying that their unfaithfulness, not His neglect, is the cause for the lack of good fruit.

Isaiah 5 3 Context

Isaiah chapter 5 begins with the "Song of the Vineyard," a parable (vv. 1-7) sung by the "beloved" (God) about His vineyard (Israel). This song details the diligent care God invested in His people, comparing their establishment to the careful planting and nurturing of a vineyard. The disappointment lies in the "wild grapes" it produced, symbolizing the spiritual corruption, injustice, and disobedience prevalent in Judah. Verse 3 directly follows this setup, initiating a "courtroom" scenario. God Himself serves as both the aggrieved party and the one who invites His audience – the very inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah – to be the arbiters in His case against them. This appeal seeks to elicit a self-indictment from the people before the formal declaration of judgment (the "woes" that follow from verse 8). Historically, Isaiah prophesied during a period of spiritual decline and political instability in Judah (8th century BC), facing threats from Assyria and internal decay. The imagery of the vineyard resonated deeply with an agrarian society.

Isaiah 5 3 Word analysis

• And now (וְעַתָּה - v'attah): A strong connective, marking a transition from the metaphorical song to a direct, immediate application. It introduces a solemn plea or an urgent command, drawing the audience into the impending legal challenge.

• O inhabitants of Jerusalem (יֹשֵׁב יְרוּשָׁלַם - yoshēv Yerushalem): Specific address to the citizens of the capital city, implying their primary accountability due to their prominent spiritual and political position.

  • Jerusalem: The chosen city, seat of the temple, often called the "City of God." Its residents bear significant responsibility for the nation's spiritual state.

• and men of Judah (וְאִישׁ יְהוּדָה - v'ish Yehudah): Broadens the scope beyond the capital to encompass the entire southern kingdom. The address is comprehensive, including all those bound by the covenant with God.

  • Judah: The primary tribe and later the name for the southern kingdom, to whom God's covenant promises and expectations directly applied.

• judge, please (שִׁפְטוּ נָא - shifṭu na): "Judge" is an imperative verb (shifṭu) suggesting a command, but "please" (na) softens it to an invitation or entreaty. God appeals to their moral reason, challenging them to discern righteousness and justice from His perspective. It casts the scenario as a legal proceeding, implying fairness.

• between me (בֵּינִי - beini): God presents Himself as a party in this "dispute," ready to have His actions scrutinized. This highlights His perfect justice and His confidence in His blamelessness.

• and my vineyard (וּבֵין כַּרְמִי - uvein karmi): Refers to Israel/Judah, established by God with immense care and provision (as detailed in verses 1-2). "My" indicates ownership, a relationship of deep investment and expectation.

  • Vineyard (כֶּרֶם - kerem): A rich biblical metaphor for Israel, symbolizing the meticulous cultivation, protection, and expected fruitfulness that God provided for His chosen people. The term immediately calls back to the song's vivid imagery and its shocking conclusion of wild grapes.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah": This direct and immediate appeal shifts from a poetic parable to a confrontational, legal challenge. It is a moment of divine earnestness, bringing the accusation directly to the doorstep of those most responsible.
  • "judge, please, between me and my vineyard": This phrase frames the subsequent indictment as a legitimate judgment call rather than an arbitrary punishment. God invites His people, who are implicated parties, to assess His righteous dealings with them, thereby confirming their guilt before He declares the just consequences. It is a rhetorical masterpiece designed to evoke conviction.

Isaiah 5 3 Bonus section

• Forensic Theology: This verse embodies a legal courtroom scene (a rib or mishpat), where God acts as both plaintiff and prosecuting attorney, yet remarkably, He invites the accused to sit as judges on His case. This highlights His unimpeachable character and underscores the self-evident nature of Israel's failure.
• Polemics: By appealing to their judgment, God implicitly challenges any notion among His people that He is arbitrary or unfair in His demands or actions. It dismantles excuses and lays bare their moral and spiritual rebellion.
• Prophetic Pattern: This specific appeal sets a precedent for later prophetic utterances and even for Christ's parables of the vineyard (e.g., Matt 21:33-46), where the metaphor of Israel as God's vineyard, and its unfaithful tenants, is expanded upon, showing a continuity in God's patient yet ultimately judging interaction with His chosen people.
• Divine Pathos: While the verse calls for judgment, there's an underlying tone of sorrow and disappointment from God, implying a deep pathos over His vineyard's failure to yield expected fruit despite His immense efforts.

Isaiah 5 3 Commentary

Isaiah 5:3 is a poignant moment in God's indictment of Judah. Having lovingly presented His case as a painstaking vineyard owner, God now transitions from parable to direct challenge. He doesn't command judgment but invites it, urging Jerusalem and Judah to consider fairly if He, the Beloved, has failed His part. The "judge, please" is a powerful rhetorical device, designed not to seek actual judgment but to elicit agreement with His righteousness and an admission of their own culpability. God's appeal emphasizes that any coming judgment is not arbitrary or severe but entirely just, given His diligent care and their unresponsiveness. It exposes their spiritual blindness, forcing them to confront the stark contrast between God's generous investment and their unfruitful output of injustice and oppression, which are symbolized by the "wild grapes" of the previous verse. This divine self-justification underscores His character as a God of both steadfast love and unyielding righteousness.