Isaiah 5:4

God's faithfulness

² He 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.

What 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?

⁵ Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled.

⁶ I 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.”

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: What 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?
KJV: What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
WEB: What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked for it to yield grapes, did it yield wild grapes?
ASV: What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
DARBY: What was there yet to do to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
BLB: What could have been done more for My vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why—I waited for [it] to make grapes—and it made wild grapes?

ÅB: Hva var det mere å gjøre med min vingård, som jeg ikke har gjort med den? Hvorfor bar den ville druer når jeg ventet at den skulle bære gode?
OTB: Hva mer kunne ha blitt gjort for min vingård enn jeg har gjort for den? Når jeg ventet gode druer, hvorfor ga den bare dårlige?
B1930: Hvad var det mere å gjøre med min vingård, som jeg ikke har gjort med den? Hvorfor bar den ville druer når jeg ventet at den skulde bære gode?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

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!
Read in context
Micah 6:3–4
‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you!
Read in context
Jeremiah 2:5
This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me, and followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves?
Read in context
Acts 7:51–60
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
Read in context
Jeremiah 6:29–30
The bellows blow fiercely, blasting away the lead with fire. The refining proceeds in vain, for the wicked are not purged.
Read in context
Jeremiah 2:30–31
“I have struck your sons in vain; they accepted no discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a voracious lion.”
Read in context
Isaiah 1:5
Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted.
Read in context
Ezekiel 24:13
Because of the indecency of your uncleanness I tried to cleanse you, but you would not be purified from your filthiness. You will not be pure again until My wrath against you has subsided.
Read in context