Isaiah 5:3
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֛ה
H6258
יוֹשֵׁ֥ב
And now O inhabitants
H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֥ב
And now O inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
3 of 10
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְאִ֣ישׁ
and men
H376
וְאִ֣ישׁ
and men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
5 of 10
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
שִׁפְטוּ
judge
H8199
שִׁפְטוּ
judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
6 of 10
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
נָ֕א
H4994
נָ֕א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
7 of 10
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
בֵּינִ֖י
H996
בֵּינִ֖י
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
8 of 10
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern legal procedure involved witnesses. Isaiah frames God's complaint as a legal case where the defendants themselves must acknowledge the legitimacy of the charges.
Questions for Reflection
- If God asked you to judge between Him and His church today, what verdict would be appropriate?
- How does God's transparency in explaining His actions demonstrate His justice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God calls the inhabitants of Jerusalem to judge between Him and His vineyard, making them witnesses in His case against Israel. The rhetorical question format anticipates their agreement with the judgment that follows. By inviting human judgment, God demonstrates the reasonableness of His case—even His rebellious people must acknowledge His justice.