Isaiah 5:1
Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
Original Language Analysis
נָּא֙
H4994
נָּא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 12
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
דּוֹדִ֖י
of my beloved
H1730
דּוֹדִ֖י
of my beloved
Strong's:
H1730
Word #:
5 of 12
(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּקֶ֥רֶן
hill
H7161
בְּקֶ֥רֶן
hill
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
10 of 12
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
Cross References
Mark 12:1And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.Luke 20:9Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.Psalms 80:8Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.Jeremiah 2:21Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?Matthew 21:33Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:John 15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.Song of Solomon 5:2I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.Song of Solomon 6:3I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.Song of Solomon 2:16My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.Song of Solomon 5:16His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
Historical Context
Vineyards required years of cultivation and care in ancient Israel. The audience would understand the investment and expectations associated with vineyard ownership, making the parable's impact powerful.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'fruitful hills' has God placed you in—what advantages and opportunities have you been given?
- How does viewing God as the 'beloved' affect your understanding of His expectations for your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Isaiah introduces the 'Song of the Vineyard,' a prophetic parable about God's relationship with Israel. The 'beloved' is Yahweh, and Isaiah acts as God's spokesman singing this love song. The vineyard in 'a very fruitful hill' represents the ideal conditions God provided Israel—choice land, covenant relationship, and divine care. This introduction sets up the devastating indictment that follows.