Isaiah 5:9
In mine ears said the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.
Original Language Analysis
בְּאָזְנָ֖י
In mine ears
H241
בְּאָזְנָ֖י
In mine ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
1 of 13
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
יְהוָ֣ה
said the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
said the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֑וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֑וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
3 of 13
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
4 of 13
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֞א
Of a truth
H3808
לֹ֞א
Of a truth
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בָּתִּ֤ים
houses
H1004
בָּתִּ֤ים
houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
רַבִּים֙
many
H7227
רַבִּים֙
many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
7 of 13
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
יִֽהְי֔וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֔וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
גְּדֹלִ֥ים
even great
H1419
גְּדֹלִ֥ים
even great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
10 of 13
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְטוֹבִ֖ים
and fair
H2896
וְטוֹבִ֖ים
and fair
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
11 of 13
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
מֵאֵ֥ין
H369
Cross References
Matthew 23:38Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.Isaiah 22:14And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.Amos 3:7Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.Amos 5:11Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.
Historical Context
Babylonian exile fulfilled this prophecy literally as Jerusalem's houses stood empty. Archaeological evidence shows 6th century BC destruction layers confirming widespread abandonment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the certainty of earthly dwellings becoming desolate inform our investment priorities?
- What 'great and fair' possessions might we accumulate that ultimately stand empty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The oath formula 'In mine ears said the LORD of hosts' emphasizes divine determination to judge. The prophecy that 'many houses shall be desolate' and 'great and fair, without inhabitant' describes judgment through depopulation—likely exile. Beautiful dwellings emptied of occupants illustrate vanity of material accumulation without covenant faithfulness. This anticipates Jesus' teaching about the rich fool whose barns couldn't secure his soul (Luke 12:16-21).