Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 27:2
In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.
2. The verse probably runs thus: In that day “ Pleasant vineyard! Sing ye of it.” The introductory formula (cf. ch. Isa 25:9, Isa 26:1) is here curtailed to the bare note of time, “In that day”; the song itself begins with the words “Pleasant vineyard.” This is preferable to making the last expression a part of the introduction. The construction of the A.V. is opposed to the order of words in the original.
A vineyard of red wine ] The reading here ( kerem emer) is that of the majority of MSS. But a few MSS. (and indeed the common printed editions), as well as the LXX. and Targ., have kerem emed (“pleasant vineyard”), and this as yielding the best sense is generally adopted by commentators. For the phrase see Amo 5:11.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
2 6. The song of the vineyard, the counterpart of ch. Isa 5:1 ff. This peculiar and perplexing passage has little relation to the context. It seems to fall into two stanzas; the first ( Isa 27:2-4 a) expresses Jehovah’s satisfaction in his vineyard (the Theocratic nation), the second ( Isa 27:4b 5, which however is obscure) states what He would do if it should again be injured by wicked men. Isa 27:6 forms an appendix.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Sing ye unto her – That is, sing unto, or respecting the vineyard. The word rendered sing ( anu) signifies properly, answer, respond to; and then, sing a responsive song, where one portion of the choir responds to another (see Exo 15:21). This has been well expressed here by Lowth in his translation:
To the beloved Vineyard, sing ye a responsive song.
It is the commencement of a song, or hymn respecting Judea, represented under the image of a vineyard, and which is probably confirmed to the close of the chapter.
A vineyard – (see the notes at Isa 5:1 ff) The Hebrew phrase rendered a vineyard of red wine is the title to the song; or the responsive song respects the vineyard of red wine.
Of red wine – ( chemer). Lowth proposes to read instead of this, chemed, pleasantness, beauty, or beloved. He observes that many manuscripts have this meaning, and that it is followed by the Septuagint and the Chaldee. The Septuagint reads it: Ampelon kallos – Beautiful vineyard. This would well suit the connection, and this slight error in transcribing might have easily occurred. But the authority in the manuscripts for the change is not conclusive. The word which now occurs in the text denotes properly wine, from chamar, to ferment. The word chamar also has the signification to be red Psa 75:8; Job 16:16; and according to this, our translators have rendered it of red wine. Bochart (Geog. Sac. ii. 1, 29) renders it, A vineyard fertile in producing wine. The correct translation would be one that would not seem very congruous in our language, a vineyard of wine, or a wine-vineyard.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 27:2-3
A vineyard of red wine
The Church a vineyard of red wine
The Church of God is here compared to a vineyard.
The vine is a tender plant, needing continual care; and if the vineyard is not well fenced and guarded, the enemies of the vine are sure to get in and destroy it. The Church is called a vineyard of red wine, because the red grape happened to be the best kind grown in Palestine; and, in like manner, Gods Church is to Him the best of the best, the excellent of the earth, in whom is all His delight. But what is true of the whole Church is also true of every member; the same God who keeps the vineyard also protects every vine, nay, not only so, but His care extends to every little branch, to every-spreading leaf, and to every clinging tendril of that vine which He undertakes to keep night and day. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The vineyard of red wine
In what day? The day of threatening and punishment of the wicked. The Church needs encouragement amid danger and darkness. And God gives it when required.
I. WHAT SHE IS. A vineyard of red wine. A common figure of the Church. It is to intimate–
1. That members are separate from the world and enclosed around.
2. That they are cultivated and eared for. They differ from the world as flowers from weeds, a garden from a wilderness.
3. That they are owned. Believers are Gods people, His chosen inheritance, His private property.
4. That they are profitable. A vineyard yields fruit, and so adds to the advantage of its owner. It is a vineyard of red wine. A vineyard from which is extracted the richest juice. Everything of Gods doing is not only perfect, but superior. Everything with which He supplies His people is the best. Their peace passeth understanding. Their joy is full of glory.
II. WHAT SHE IS TO POSSESS. I, the Lord, do keep it, etc. Here is–
1. Guardianship. The Keeper gives His whole attention to Its protection. How wise a guardian is God! Lest any hurt it. His whole army of angels act as a guard with their flaming swords.
2. Provisions. I will water it. The act of watering means all the necessary provision required for the nourishment of the vines and the production of fruit. The Holy Spirit is likened to the water of life, which Christ has promised to give freely to all who ask Him. There are also His ordinances and sacraments.
3. Vigilance. Keep it constantly–night and day. The great God slumbers not nor sleeps. His eye is ever on His people. No foe can elude His guardianship. (Homilist.)
The Church as Gods vineyard
What a contrast between the vineyard here spoken of and that whose history was given in the fifth chapter of this prophet. That was a favoured vineyard. Everything was done for it to promote its fruitfulness; but what sort of fruit did it produce? God looked that it should bring forth grapes: and it brought forth wild grapes. What happened then? His indignation fell upon it. By that unfruitful vineyard was represented the Jewish people. But now turn and behold the other vineyard
– that which is brought before us by my text. This vineyard is the real,spiritual Church of the Redeemer.
I. THE DESCRIPTION GIVEN OF THIS VINEYARD. The spiritual Church of Jesus is a vineyard of red wine.
1. By this red wine may be intended, perhaps in part, the faith of Christs elect people. Red wine was in great esteem amongst ancient Jews, as appears in Pro 23:31.
2. The Lord may call His Church a vineyard of red wine, in reference to the love she bears to Him.
3. Christs Church is a vineyard of red wine, because she abounds in all the fruits of righteousness.
II. THE PRIVILEGE WHICH IT IS REPRESENTED AS ENJOYING. The vineyards of the Jews were carefully kept and cultivated. The vines in the country of the Jews appear to have needed constant watering. The Lords spiritual vineyard needs perpetual watering from above. These natural vineyards in which the Jewish land abounded required, however, something more than cultivation. A chief part of the duty of the keepers of the vineyard was to protect the vines from depredation. And is the spiritual vineyard less exposed? (A. Roberts, M. A.)
Gods care for His vineyard a subject for song
To them who are ready to conclude that God hath forgotten to be gracious these words may prove a source of encouragement. They–
I. REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF GOD AS A VINEYARD. As God values His vineyard for the same reasons that men value their vineyards (because of its fruit), it behoves us to inquire what sort of fruit it is which makes His vineyard valuable to Him. All the asperities of disposition and all the want of spiritual excellence, which we may suppose are designed by wild grapes, must give place to whatsoever things are true; whatsoever things are honest; whatsoever things are just; whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are lovely, and whatsoever things are of good report. Love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, must adorn and beautify your character.
II. DESCRIBE GODS CARE FOR HIS VINEYARD. The care of God for His vineyard is manifested in two ways: by His unceasing attention to the culture and growth of these heavenly fruits, and by His unremitting vigilance in preserving it. The soil is not congenial with a plant of heavenly origin. For the heart of man is hard and unfruitful. The clime of this world is cold and variable: the atmosphere tainted with sin; and every wind of passion blights and withers the vine. If the sun of persecution and trouble smites it too often it is scorched. He, therefore, who has planted it for His own glory, and who is always glorified when it brings forth much fruit, watches over it, tends it with solicitude. There is not one moment when you who love and serve God cease to be the objects of His care, and of His renovating influence.
III. A SUBJECT FOR SONG. This song implies, that the people of God have the knowledge and enjoyment of His care and protection. It is not the will of God that you who have repented, and are doing works meet for repentance; who have believed in Christ, and have a faith which worketh by love, should continue in doubt and uncertainty respecting your state. As the song should be appropriate to the occasion and suitable to the subject, the song which we are to sing is–
1. A song of adoring admiration.
2. Of joyful gratitude.
3. Of holy confidence.
4. Of deep humility.
You are called upon to be humble because you have nothing that you have not received, but also because, after having received so much, and after being laid under obligations so many and so distinguishing, you make returns so inadequate and so unsuitable. (M. Jackson.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 2. Sing ye unto her] anu lah. Bishop Lowth translates this, Sing ye a responsive song; and says that anah, to answer, signifies occasionally to sing responsively; and that this mode of singing was frequently practised among the ancient Hebrews. See De Poes. Sac. Heb. Prael. xix., at the beginning.
This, indeed, was the ancient method of singing in various nations. The song was divided into distinct portions, and the singers sang alternately. There is a fine specimen of this in the song of Deborah and Barak; and also in the Idyls of Theocritus, and the Eclogues of Virgil.
This kind of singing was properly a dialogue in verse, sung to a particular tune, or in the mode which is now termed recitativo. I have seen it often practiced on funeral occasions among the descendants of the aboriginal Irish. The poems of Ossian are of this kind.
The learned Bishop distinguishes the parts of this dialogue thus: –
3. JEHOVAH. It is I, JEHOVAH, that preserve her;
I will water her every moment:
I will take care of her by night;
And by day I will keep guard over her.
4. VINEYARD. I have no wall for my defence:
O that I had a fence of the thorn and brier!
JEHOVAH. Against them should I march in battle,
I should burn them up together.
5. Ah! let her rather take hold of my protection.
VINEYARD. Let him make peace with me!
Peace let him make with me!
6. JEHOVAH. They that come from the root of Jacob shall
flourish, Israel shall bud forth;
And they shall fill the face of the world with
fruit.
A vineyard of red wine] The redder the wine, the more it was valued, says Kimchi.
Bishop Lowth translates, To the beloved vineyard. For chemer, red, a multitude of MSS. and editions have chemed, desirable. This is supported by the Septuagint and Chaldee.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In that day; when this potent enemy shall be destroyed
A vineyard of red wine: the words in the Hebrew text lie thus, A vineyard (Behold, a vineyard; or, Jacob or Israel, my church and people, which is sufficiently understood from the next verse, and is expressed Isa 27:6, shall be a vineyard, shall be defended and dressed, shall thrive and flourish like a vineyard) of red wine, (i.e. of the choicest and best wine, which in those parts was red, as appears both from Scripture, as Pro 23:31, whence it is called the blood of the grape, Gen 49:11; Deu 32:14, and from other authors,)
sing ye (O you faithful souls, sing with joy and thanksgiving to God) to (or of, or concerning, as this prefix is elsewhere used) her, or it, to wit, the vineyard, or church, (which is frequently compared to a vineyard, as Psa 80:8; Isa 5:7, and elsewhere,) now delivered from her great enemy, and blessed with peace and prosperity.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. In that day when leviathanshall be destroyed, the vineyard (Ps80:8), the Church of God, purged of its blemishes, shall belovely in God’s eyes; to bring out this sense the better,LOWTH, by changing aHebrew letter, reads “pleasant,” “lovely,”for “red wine.”
singa responsivesong [LOWTH].
unto herrather,”concerning her” (see on Isa5:1); namely, the Jewish state [MAURER].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
In that day sing ye unto her,…. The congregation of Israel, as the Targum; or rather the church of Christ; for after, and upon the destruction of his and her enemies, there will be great rejoicing and singing alternately, and by responses, as the word signifies; see Re 15:1. Gussetius l renders it, “afflict her”; as if spoken by the Lord to the enemies to do their worst to her, and he would take care of her, that it shall be in vain, and to no purpose, since he would keep her:
A vineyard of red wine; as the people of the Jews are compared to one, Isa 5:1 so is the church of Christ under the Gospel dispensation; see So 8:11 a vineyard is a spot of ground separated from others, and the church and people of God are separated from the rest of the world by electing, redeeming, and calling grace; a vineyard is a place set with various vines, so is the church; there is Christ the true vine, the principal one, which stands in the first place, Joh 15:1 and there are particular congregated churches, which belong to the vineyard, the general or catholic church, So 2:13 and there are particular believers that may be so called, So 6:11 moreover, sometimes in vineyards other trees are planted besides vines, as barren fig trees, Lu 13:6 and so there are in the visible church of God nominal believers, carnal professors, trees without fruit; there are no true vines but such as are ingrafted and planted in Christ, and who, through union to him, and abiding in him, bring forth fruit; a vineyard is the property of some one person, as this is of Christ, whose it is by his own choice, by his Father’s gift, by inheritance, by purchase, as well as it is of his planting, and under his care; vineyards are valuable, pleasant, and profitable, but exposed to beasts of prey, and therefore to be fenced and guarded; all which may be applied to the church of Christ, which shall, in the latter day especially, be very fruitful, and answer to this character given her in this song, a vineyard “of red wine”; the allusion is to such a vineyard, in which vines grow, that bring forth grapes, productive of the best wine, as the red was reckoned in the eastern countries; see Ge 49:12 and so Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it; this is a vineyard very different from that in Isa 5:5 and from the vine of Israel, Ho 10:1 the fruit of it, signified by “red wine”, may intend the graces of the Spirit, which like grapes, the fruit of the vine, grow in clusters; where one is, all of them are, and come from Christ, the vine, from whom all the fruit of divine grace is found: and which receive their tincture from the blood of Christ, their vigour and their usefulness; and may be said, like wine, to cheer the heart of God and man, Jud 9:13 grace when in exercise is delightful to God and Christ, So 4:9 and gives pleasure to other saints, Ps 34:1 and as the fruit of the vine must be squeezed ere the liquor can be had, so the graces of the Spirit are tried by afflictive dispensations of Providence, by which the preciousness and usefulness of them are made known; moreover, the fruits of righteousness, or good works, may be also intended, by which the graces of faith and repentance are evidenced, and which, when performed aright, are acceptable to God through Christ, and profitable to men; and for these fruits of grace and good works the church will be famous in the latter day.
l Comment. Ebr. p. 622.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The prophecy here passes for the fourth time into the tone of a song. The church recognises itself in the judgments upon the world, as Jehovah’s well-protected and beloved vineyard.
In that day a merry vineyard – sing it!
I, Jehovah, its keeper,
Every moment I water it.
That nothing may come near it,
I watch it night and day.
Wrath have I none;
O, had I thorns, thistles before me!
I would make up to them in battle,
Burn them all together.
Men would then have to grasp at my protection,
Make peace with me,
Make peace with me.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Vs. 2-6: JEHOVAH’S FAITHFUL CARE OF HIS VINEYARD
1. Here Israel, the vineyard of the Lord (condemned and judged in chapter 5), is restored and blessed by her divine Planter and Keeper, (vs. 2-3a; Psa 80:8-9).
2. He waters the vineyard constantly (comp. Isa 58:11), and, lest anything hurt it, keeps it constantly, (vs. 3; comp. Isa 31:5; 1Sa 2:9; Joh 10:28).
3. His wrath toward Israel is spent, but if briars and thorns attempt to hinder them He will trample and burn them, (vs. 4; Isa 10:17; 2Sa 23:6; Isa 33:12; Mat 3:12; Heb 6:8).
4. Yet, He invites them to make peace with Him; it is possible for Israel’s foes to make peace with Israel’s God, (vs. 5; Isa 26:3; Job 22:21; Jer 9:24; 2Co 5:20).
5. In generations to come (after Leviathan has been destroyed), Jacob will take root (vs. 6; 37:31), Israel will blossom and bud (Isa 35:1-2; Hos 14:4-7), and they will fill the earth with fruit, (Isa 4:2-3).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
2. Sing to the vineyard of redness. (191) He now shews that all this will promote the salvation of the Church; for the Lord attends to the interests of his people, whom he has taken under his guardianship and protection. In order, therefore, that the Church may be restored, Satan and all his kingdom shall be utterly destroyed. The object of all the vengeance which God takes on his enemies is to shew that he takes care of the Church; and although in this passage the Prophet does not name the Church, he shews plainly enough that he addresses her in this congratulation.
This figure conveys the meaning even more strongly than if he had spoken expressly of the people of Israel; for since the whole excellence of a vineyard depends partly on the soil in which it is planted, and partly on diligent cultivation, if the Church of God is a vineyard, we infer that its excellence is owing to nothing else than the undeserved favor of God and the uninterrupted continuance of his kindness. The same metaphor expresses also God’s astonishing love towards the Church, of which we spoke largely under the fifth chapter. (192)
He calls it a vineyard of redness, that is, very excellent; for in Scripture, if we compare various passages, “red wine” denotes excellence. He says that this song may at that time be sung in the Church, and foretells that, though it would in the mean time be reduced to fearful ruin, and would lie desolate and waste, yet that afterwards it will be restored in such a manner as to yield fruit plentifully, and that this will furnish abundant materials for singing.
(191) Bogus footnote
(192) Bogus footnote
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
GODS GOODNESS TO THE CHURCH
Isa. 27:2-3. In that day sing ye unto her, &c. [1084]
[1084] Cowles only follows Alexander in the rendering of these verses. Birks translates: In that day sing ye unto her. A vineyard of choice wine! &c. Cheyne: In that daya pleasant vineyardsing ye of it. I Jehovah, its keepermoment by moment I water it; lest any should invade it, by night and by day I keep it. Kay: Sing ye unto her.
The Church a vineyard: a spot set apart: weeds taken out; choice trees planted; supplied with means; fruitful of red wine, the best (Pro. 31:31).
I. GODS CARE OF HIS CHURCH.
1. It is constant, night and day.
2. It is all-sufficient. I, the Lord, do keep itwhat Omniscience and Omnipotence guards, none can hurt.
II. GODS MINISTRY TO THE CHURCH. Not only does He guard it from external assault, He ministers to its internal necessities. I will water it. Gods influence upon His Church is
1. Adapted to its wants. The vine needs moisture.
2. It is a continued blessing. Every moment.
3. It is followed by blessed results: Growth, fragrance, beauty, fruitfulness.
Application.
1. How secure is the true Church of God (H. E. I., 12461251; 2449).
2. How important to belong to it.
3. How great are its obligations to God.
4. How zealous we ought to be for its extension.British and Foreign Pulpit, i. 74, 75.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
THE SONG TO THE VINEYARD
Isa. 27:2-3. In that day sing ye unto her, &c.
There are different opinions as to what is meant by leviathan, that crooked serpent, and the dragon that is in the sea (Isa. 27:1), whether the same power is signified by different names, &c.
(1.) On a point concerning which learned and able men cannot see eye to eye, it would be presumptuous in me to give an opinion.
(2.) If we cannot feel certain as to the literal meaning, the spiritual is plain.
(3.) Neither of the expositions affects the substance of the prophecy. A great deliverance is spoken of, to be accomplished by the destruction of the enemies of the Church, and the Lord gives a command to comfort His people. There is in our text a command and a promise.
I. THE COMMAND.
1. Sing ye unto her. It is taken for granted that the spiritual condition of the Church is pleasing to God, but that the feeling of His people is in a low state. Sometimes the Lord directs His servant to reprimand them: Show unto my people their transgression. A Church may need comfort while some of its members deserve correction. Possibly the faulty members are the cause of discomfort to the Church, and render it desirable that she should be comforted. It is so in the family. We comfort the family when a member of it has transgressed. The fact that one member needs correction causes the others to need consolation. In some cases, it requires much wisdom to decide whether an encouragement or a reproof should be given. We have seen the rod used when a kind word would have been more suitable; and some are singing songs while it would be more appropriate to sound an alarm. There is need for rightly dividing the Word of truth. A word in its season, &c.
Possibly the accurate expositor will ask who is commanded to sing. Is it the prophets, or the priests, or the choir of the Temple? This is a poetical book, and sometimes it calls on the heavens, the mountains, and the trees of the field to sing. In this respect I would rather let the command of the text remain undecided, and say to everybody and everything, Sing unto her!
2. What shall be sung to this vineyard? Remind her in this song that she is the vineyard of the Lord of hosts. The Old Testament is full of references to a vineyard, to vines, and to wine. The reason for this is, that the Bible is an Eastern book. A vineyard supposes
(1.) Separation. Not the superiority of its soil to that of the surrounding country makes the vineyard, but its separation. It is not because the saints are by nature better than others that they are Gods vineyard, but because they are set apart by Him. The idea of separation as regards the Church is made conspicuous in every age. The saints, the disciples, constitute the flock and the vineyard of the Old Testament, the Church of the New. When I speak of a separated Church, of course I do not allude to any sect, but to the Church in general. There are hypocrites in the Churches, but none in the Church. It is in the world, but not of the world. The soul is in the body, but not of the body. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord (2Co. 6:7). Ceremonials cannot plant the vine; there are necessarily ordinances, but circumcision could not make the Jews a godly people, and there were thousands of ungodly people partaking every year of the Passover. A change of heart, a change in the condition of the soul, constitutes the planting in the vineyard; not a ceremonial separation, but a change of mind; not the affixing of the stamp of a sect, but the impartation of the image of God (H. E. I. 11711183).
II. THE PROMISE.
A large and comprehensive one. It includes
1. Care. I the Lord do keep it. With regard to a vineyard, there is a special meaning in the word keep. The vine requires great care. There is much work for the knife. From the pruning of the vine by the vinedresser, there is much valuable instruction to be gained. We learn that what appear to be grievous losses may secure great gains (H. E. I. 63, 104, 126). Oh, this pruning, how painful it often is! But it is not done because the Owner of the vineyard delights in it; it proves His love. See Jochebed taking an ark of bulrushes, putting the child Moses in it, and then laying it amidst the perils of the Nile: not because she hated him! No; love was at the bottom of it all, though it appeared otherwise. It behoves the pulpit still to assure Gods people of His care for them.
2. Provision. I will water it. There was necessity for watering the vineyard constantly. This was done by means of trenches conveying the water to the roots of the plants. For this purpose rain-water was carefully stored in cisterns; dew was also of great service. The means of grace are somewhat like watercourses. We are dry enough and withered in appearance, but what would we be without the means of grace? What is the dew? The noiseless influences of the Holy Spirit. We will compare revivals to showers; they are not with us, like the watercourses, always. I do not know whether the natural vineyards must have water without intermission; but the vineyard of the Lord of hosts requires it every moment, and here is His promise to supply the need.
3. Safety. Lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. It shall be protected from the blighting frost, from thieves and spoilers, from the boar out of the wood, from the little foxes that spoil the vines. I the Lord do keep it. He will not only give His angels charge concerning it, though He will do that. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him. That shall be done, and more! For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about her, and will be the glory in the midst of her. All things are in the hand of God, and under His control they shall co-operate for her safety. It is not surprising that Moses, as he surveyed Israel from the top of Mount Nebo, should say, Happy art thou, O Israel! who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help? The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. In dwelling near God there is safety. Israel was always flourishing when with God. The safety of Gods people means more than being kept together and saved from destruction: Lest any hurt it! How excellent are the promises of God!Gweithiau Rhyddieithol, pp. 4851, by the late William Ambrose of Port Madoc, translated from the Welsh by the Rev. T. Johns, of Llanelly.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(2) In that day sing ye . . .The prophet appears once again, as in Isa. 26:1, as the hymn writer of the future day of the triumph of the redeemed. He had chanted a dirge over the vineyard that was unfruitful, and therefore given over to desolation. He now changes the wailing into a poem. The word translated red wine (comp. Deu. 32:14) signifies fiery, or foaming. The LXX. seems to have followed a different text, giving (with the alteration of a single letter) the meaning, a pleasant vineyard.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2-5. God’s work of overthrow and vindication being accomplished, what more appropriate than the ode which follows?
In that day The day or period in which leviathan is destroyed.
Vineyard of red wine Lowth turns the sense into lovely, pleasant, wine; to the ancients, meaning joy. Jehovah is the keeper of the vineyard, or the Church on Mount Zion, which assures its complete preservation. It is watered and guarded night and day.
Fury is not in me God speaks and says, I entertain no longer any anger toward my vine. My people have been punished as they needed for discipline. Purified, they need it no more as in days past.
Briers and thorns To whom do these refer? The foes of God’s people, most likely, in defence of which people God would go through, that is, against, the said foes; which would be equivalent to burning them.
Or Alternative, else, otherwise. To be safe from this, let such foes take hold of my strength. Let them become reconciled and at peace with God.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
God’s Fierce Protection of His People Seen As A Vineyard ( Isa 27:2-6 ).
In contrast to that mighty Serpent are the afflicted people of God, and with such an Enemy they certainly need special protection. God’s people have previously been seen as a vineyard, but one that was rejected because it only produced useless grapes (Isa 5:1-7). Now, however, God’s renewed people, His remnant, are seen as ‘a vineyard of wine’ (or ‘of delight’ in some MS), no longer fruitless but fruitful, a vineyard that He will fiercely protect.
Before considering it further we should note a translation problem. In the first phrase, regularly translated as, ‘In that day, a vineyard of wine, sing to it’, the verb translated ‘sing’ usually means ‘to afflict, to humble, oneself’. Thus it should more literally be translated, “In that day, as a vineyard of wine, afflict it (or ‘humble it’)”, or, “in that day afflict for her the vineyard of wine.” In view of what follows (which is the cause of the alternative translation) we may see it as signifying the difference between Yahweh smiting the Monster to its death, while only afflicting the vineyard of His people for their good, and at the same time watching over it.
Analysis.
a In that day, a vineyard of wine, sing to it. “I Yahweh do keep it, I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day” (Isa 27:2-3)
b Fury is not in me. Would that the briars and thorns were against me in battle, I would march on them, I would burn them up together (Isa 27:4).
b Or let him take hold of my protection (strength, stronghold), that he may make peace with me. Let him make peace with me (Isa 27:5).
a In days to come will Jacob take root, Israel will blossom and bud, and they will fill the face of the world with fruit (Isa 27:6).
In ‘a’ Yahweh’s vineyard is kept and watered and watched over so that it might be fruitful, and in the parallel the way that Jacob/Israel will become fruitful is described. In ‘b’ He is ready to protect His vine from any enemies, and in the parallel He calls on the enemies to seek His protection and make peace with Him.
Isa 27:2-5
‘In that day, a vineyard of wine, sing to it.
I Yahweh do keep it,
I will water it every moment,
Lest any hurt it,
I will keep it night and day.
Fury is not in me,
Would that the briars and thorns were against me in battle,
I would march on them,
I would burn them up together,
Or let him take hold of my protection (strength, stronghold),
That he may make peace with me.
Let him make peace with me.’
‘In that day’ here again looks from Isaiah’s viewpoint to the future when God intervenes in world affairs, but not necessarily the end future. As we have seen earlier the prophets looked ahead to the future seeing it as one whole. They saw what God was going to do, but they were not informed of the time scale. Indeed had they been their message would have lost something of its imminence as a message for their day. So ‘in that day’ refers to a future ‘day’ when God acts. But the phrase has a much wider meaning from our viewpoint, for looking back in history we see that God has intervened and acted over what seems to us, with our limited conceptions, a long period, beginning when Jesus Christ came and proclaimed that the Kingly Rule of God had arrived, (seen by the Apostles as ‘the last times’ or equivalent – 1Pe 1:20; 1Co 10:11; Heb 1:2; 1Pe 1:20; 1Pe 4:7 ; 2Pe 3:3; 1 John 1:18), and continuing through until His purposes are complete. All is part of ‘that day’. Indeed its length of time puzzled Peter until he recognised that with God a day was as a thousand years (2Pe 3:8).
‘A vineyard of wine!’ It is the time when God’s vineyard begins to produce good wine, watched over and tended by Yahweh. No longer a vineyard producing wizened grapes (compare Isa 5:1-7) but one producing good fruit. This producing of good fruit was what would be urged by John the Baptiser (Mat 3:8; Mat 3:10), followed by Jesus Himself (Mat 7:16-20; Matthew 13; Luk 6:43-44). The time of fruitfulness had arrived. It points to the new fruitful Israel which would result from the presence of the King, Immanuel.
‘I, Yahweh, do keep it, I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.’ God’s continual and constant, yes, even daily, care over His true people is here declared. He will tend them, and keep them, and water them, and watch over them night and day. They will be totally safe and well cared for in His hands. It is a picture of constant watch and tending that should be a comfort to each one of us, parallel to Jesus description of Himself as the good shepherd watching over His sheep. Jesus almost certainly had this passage in mind when He expanded on the idea in Joh 15:1-6 where He spoke of Himself as the true vine with His people as the branches, and His Father as the Carer, tending, watching, caring, pruning, so as to produce fruitful branches (while casting the unfruitful into the fire).
‘Fury is not in me. Would that the briars and thorns were against me in battle, I would march on them, I would burn them up together.’ God assures His people that then He will no longer be angry towards them. That anger would have been assuaged. This assumes some kind of propitiation, and we discover later that it was provided by Him Who was the propitiation for our sins (Isa 53:4; Isa 53:10; Rom 3:25; 1Jn 2:2; 1Jn 4:10; compare Isa 1:18). That in the end is why His anger was turned way from His true people.
Indeed God’s love for His true people is now such that He longs to fight the briars and thorns on their behalf, for, He assures Isaiah that were the briars and thorns to seek to do battle with the vines He would march on them and burn them up. The briars and thorns represent the world peoples, with their pressures producing the cares of this world; with their enticements producing, the deceitfulness of riches and the desire for other things; and with their persecution causing suffering and affliction.
‘Or let him take hold of my protection (strength, stronghold), that he may make peace with me. Let him make peace with me.’ But the offer is still open to individual ‘briars’ in that world to make their peace with God. As with Moab in Isa 16:4-5 they may come to Him and become one with His people. Then He would be their stronghold too, and instead of battling with them, would offer them peace. In the last two phrases the emphasis in the first phrase is on ‘with me’, the emphasis in the second is on ‘peace’. There is peace for all if only they will come.
Isa 27:6
‘In days to come will Jacob take root,
Israel will blossom and bud,
And they will fill the face of the world with fruit.’
This is the fulfilment of the parable. God’s whole purpose for His people is that they might, like a vine, take root, blossom and fill the whole world with fruit. They were to be a blessing to the world as God had promised Abraham (Gen 12:3). Note the need to take root so that we may blossom and bud. The Christian who fails in establishing his roots through seeking God in His word and by prayer, will not be fruitful. Fulfilment of this began in a small way when the Jews were scattered among the nations, and in a bigger way when the (Jewish) Apostles and their helpers went from Jerusalem, through Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth, taking the word of God (Act 1:8), as Isaiah had earlier prophesied in Isa 2:3, allowing it to take root and grow, until the word of God was established throughout the world.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Isa 27:2. In that day, &c. The church, being purified by the fire of affliction, shall at that time, the prophet informs us, appear in its true character: Fervent in faith, love, zeal, piety, it shall be beheld in all its full beauty and comeliness, which is the end and design of all its afflictions and trials, This he sets forth by an elegant emblem, declaring that God should have at that time a vineyard of red, or fervent wine; alluding to the church, glowing with the zeal of religion and red with the blood of martyrs: see Rev 7:14. This was the case of the church at the time of the Maccabees, and at the time of the apostles, after the Dioclesian persecution; but yet, says Vitringa, we expect something greater in the full completion of this prophesy.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Isa 27:2 In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.
Ver. 2. In that day sing ye to her. ] Or, Of her, a new song for a new deliverance. Haply this shall be done by the Christian Churches upon the conversion of the Jews, after the Turks’ downfall; like as at the building of the second temple, the people sang and shouted, “Grace, grace unto it.” Zec 4:7
A vineyard of red wine,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isa 27:2-6
2In that day,
A vineyard of wine, sing of it!
3I, the LORD, am its keeper;
I water it every moment.
So that no one will damage it,
I guard it night and day.
4I have no wrath.
Should someone give Me briars and thorns in battle,
Then I would step on them, I would burn them completely.
5Or let him rely on My protection,
Let him make peace with Me,
Let him make peace with Me.
6In the days to come Jacob will take root,
Israel will blossom and sprout,
And they will fill the whole world with fruit.
Isa 27:2
NASBA vineyard of wine
NKJVa vineyard of red wine
NRSV, TEVa pleasant vineyard
NJB, REBthe splendid vineyard
LXXa fair vineyard
JPSOAa Vineyard of Delight
The Hebrew word for pleasant is (BDB 326), which is in the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, but the MT and the DSS have the not the . The Hebrew word for wine is (BDB 330). The vowel points are the same for both words. The UBS Hebrew Text Project gives pleasanta C rating (considerable doubt).
The vineyard was a symbol of Israel (cf. Isa 5:1-7; Peshitta), but here, because of the universal nature of chapters 24-27, it may be the whole earth (cf. Isa 26:21; JPSOA footnote).
sing This is a Piel IMPERATIVE (BDB 777, KB 854). There are several songs mentioned in this literary unit. See note at Isa 26:1 b.
Isa 27:3 YHWH had a special relationship, a covenant relationship with the descendants of Abraham. They were uniquely His people. However, Isa 27:6 shows He had a universal plan for all the world (cf. Gen 3:15; Gen 12:3; Exo 19:5).
Isa 27:4-5 There are several COHORTATIVES and JUSSIVES in these verses.
1. I would step on them, BDB 832, KB 979, Qal COHORTATIVE (VERB found only here in the OT)
2. I would burn them, BDB 428, KB 429, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense
3. let him rely on My protection, BDB 304, KB 302, Hiphil JUSSIVE
4. let him make peace with Me, BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, twice
Isa 27:3 describes YHWH’s care and protection for Abraham’s descendants; Isa 27:4 describes His willingness to protect and destroy her enemies; Isa 27:5 is a call to trust in His care and protection; Isa 27:6 is the result of the blessings which will one day fill the earth (the original intention of God in Genesis 1).
Isa 27:4
NASBwrath
NKJVfury
TEV, JBangry
NJB, LXXwall
REBwine
PESHITTAhedge
Notice how many options.
1. (BDB 404), wrath, very common in Isaiah
2. (BDB 327), wall, used several times in this literary unit, cf. Isa 2:15; Isa 22:10-11; Isa 25:12; Isa 26:1
3. (BDB 330), wine, rare, only in Isa 27:2 and Deu 32:14
The UBS Hebrew Text Project gives wrath a B rating (some doubt).
Isa 27:5 Or let him rely on My protection This shows that human (even for God’s enemies, cf. Isa 27:4) response is part of God’s plan (cf. Isa 1:16-20). There is a paradox in the Bible between the sovereignty of God in history and God’s will that humans respond to Him by faith. See Special Topic at Isa 1:3. Isa 27:5 is God’s offering of forgiveness and salvation to those Gentiles who trust in Him (cf. Isa 2:2-4; Isa 42:6; Isa 45:22; Isa 49:6).
Let him make peace with Me This phrase is doubled, which is characteristic of this section of Isaiah. See note at Isa 26:6.
Peace is such a crucial aspect of a faith relationship with God (cf. Isa 26:12; Isa 32:17; Isa 52:7; Isa 54:10; Isa 55:12; Isa 57:2; Isa 57:19; Isa 60:17; Isa 66:12; Php 4:7; Php 4:9) and His Messiah (cf. Isa 9:6-7; Isa 53:5; Rom 5:1; Joh 14:27; Joh 16:33; Joh 20:19; Joh 20:21; Joh 20:26). It also involves peace between nations (cf. Isa 2:4; Isa 39:8), but there is no peace for the wicked (cf. Isa 48:22; Isa 57:1; Isa 59:18).
Here the term denotes a peace treaty, initiated by YHWH, but must be accepted and lived out by the faithful.
Isa 27:6 Israel will blossom and sprout;
And they will fill the whole world with fruit Here again is the imagery of Mount Zion being raised to the highest of all mountains and all the other topological barriers eliminated so that all the world can flow to Jerusalem to worship God (cf. Isa 2:2-4; Isa 24:23; Isa 25:6-7; Isa 27:13). This faithfulness is the exact opposite of Isa 26:18. Maybe part of the fruit is raised ones of Isa 26:19.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
sing: or, answer.
red wine. Hebrew. chemer. App-27. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, and Septuagint, read chemed, pleasant, or lovely.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Isa 27:2-6
Isa 27:2-6
“In that day: A vineyard of wine, sing ye unto it. I Jehovah am its keeper; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. Wrath is not in me: would that the briers and thorns were against me in battle! I would march upon them, I would burn them together. Or else let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; yea, let him make peace with me. In days to come shall Jacob take root; Israel shall blossom and bud; and they shall fill the face of the world with fruit.”
“This is a joy-song, set over against the dirge recorded in Isa 5:1-7.” Both regard the Lord’s vineyard; but the one in Isa 5:1-7 is the object of God’s disapproval and judgment; and the one here is a vineyard approved and protected by the Lord. “The first one of these is beyond all doubt the Jewish Church in the times of Isaiah”; and the one here in this chapter is just as certainly identified with the New Israel of God, namely, the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord. “In the end of the age there will be occasion for a counterpart to the Mournful Vineyard song of Isaiah. Redeemed Israel will be the vineyard that a holy God may properly protect from its foes.” The mention of God’s watering and caring for the vineyard is the same promise found in Mat 28:18-20.
The text in this portion of the chapter has suffered somewhat, and many have pointed out that it is very difficult in places. Gleason’s rendition of Isa 27:4 here appears to be a viable option in meaning: “The Berkeley Version translates this verse 4 thus: `There is no wrath now with Me. Should I find thorn-bushes and briers in it, I would fight them and burn them altogether.'”
“Make peace with me; yea, let him make peace with me …” (Isa 27:5). Many have observed that in this verse is revealed God’s purpose of converting his enemies into friends and of saving, if possible, even those who oppose his plans. “God’s enemies he is willing to spare if they will surrender their hostility.”
Isa 27:6 speaks of “filling the face of the world” with the fruit of Israel; but this is a reference to the efforts and success of Christian evangelism throughout the world. As Hailey expressed it, “The first vineyard is national Israel in the past; and the new vineyard is the spiritual Israel,” that is, the kingdom-church of our Lord.
Isa 27:7-11 speak of God’s judgments against his people and of desolation and captivity brought upon his people by their sins and transgression; but they also speak of God’s mercy, God’s partiality, and God’s purpose in those privations, designed not to destroy but to redeem his people. There seems to be no well organized paragraph in this passage, so we shall note the implications one verse at a time.
Isa 27:2-6 MERCY DISPENSED: At the same time, on the same day, Jehovah defeats the monster He dispenses mercy to all men. Gods vineyard (the covenant people) in that day (the church) will be producing according to His wishes. It will produce wine not sour grapes like the vineyard of Isaiah, chapter 5. Its fruitfulness and pleasantness will motivate a response of rejoicing. The Hebrew word ahnu means literally, to answer, respond to by singing. Songs of praise, honor and rejoicing for Gods church are appropriate human responses for the mercy God has provided through His new covenant relationship.
Jehovah Himself is the notsrah (keeper) which has the connotation of preserver. He will refresh it constantly. He protects it constantly (cf. Psa 121:4). The Lord watches over this new vineyard (the church) in such a manner that even the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. There are many enemies ready to destroy the church but not one shall succeed. Gods new vineyard will be invincible. Whatever wrath Jehovah once held for His rebellious vineyard (Isaiah 5), He does not hold for His new vineyard. Gods wrath against His covenant people is removed and punished in Christ. His wrath is still abiding on those who do not believe (cf. Joh 3:18; Joh 3:36), but those who believe are made branches in the Vine (cf. Joh 15:1-11) and God cherishes them, prunes them, they produce much fruit and have much joy. Since this vineyard is symbolic of the Messianic kingdom it is a prediction of that day when all nations (Isa 26:5 ff) are part of it. It is a prediction of the joining (grafting, cf. Romans 11) of the Gentiles with the Hebrews.
If briers and thorns attempt to choke out the vineyard, God will step upon them and crush them, then burn them. There is the challenge of the sovereign God here to His enemies. Nothing foreign to His vineyard can enter and take His vineyard. He will protect and purify it. Destruction is inevitable to the enemies of His vineyard.
There is one alternative open to His enemies. They may take hold of His strength. God bids His enemies take refuge in His maoozyi, or His fortress, refuge or stronghold. If the enemy comes into Gods fortress (the church) he does so only after he has made peace with God. The Hebrew word translated make is the most fundamental Hebrew word for make, ashah, and therefore indicates a significant part of the peace between man and God is action initiated by man in making peace with Him. That action is belief, repentance and obedience. When an enemy of God believes, repents and obeys, he is no longer an enemy but has come into Gods stronghold (the new vineyard, the new covenant, the church). The repetition of the phrase, let him make peace with me, serves to emphasize Gods merciful grace in offering the invitation to His enemies to come to peace lest they be crushed and burned like weeds (cf. Psa 2:1-11; Luk 3:7-9; Joh 15:6, Jer 12:10 ff, etc.)
In days future to Isaiah, Israel will take root. How many days in the future this promise is we are left to surmise from the context. It is obviously speaking of that day of Isa 25:6; Isa 25:9; Isa 26:1; Isa 27:1-2, in other words, the day of the Messiah. The Messiah is to be the shoot and branch out of the stump of Jesse (cf. Isa 11:1 ff). The Messianic people will take root, flourish, produce fruit and fill all the earth with its fruit (cf. Hos 14:4 ff). In the missionary proclamation of the gospel this passage finds it fulfillment, the Israel of God (cf. Gal 6:14-18).
So, as before in these chapters (24-27), we see the focus of Gods purging, chastening judgments on Judah is the preparation of a remnant through which He may accomplish His Messianic redemption of all mankind. Jews and Gentiles, all enemies of God, will be given opportunity to come into His stronghold (the church) when they have made peace with Him. Gods judgment on Judah in her captivity was not capricious nor malicious but loving and purposeful-God aimed it all at calling to Himself a people zealous of good works.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
sing: Isa 5:1-7, Num 21:17
A vineyard: Psa 80:8-19, Jer 2:21, Mat 21:33-46, Luk 20:9-18
Reciprocal: Isa 2:11 – in that day Isa 24:14 – General Isa 26:1 – this song Isa 52:8 – with Joh 15:1 – husbandman 1Co 3:9 – ye are God’s
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 27:2-3. In that day When these powerful enemies shall be destroyed. Sing ye unto her Hebrew, , answer ye her, or say ye to her, namely, to the church of God. A vineyard of red wine Behold a vineyard, or, Thou art a vineyard of red wine, that is, of the choicest and best wine, which in those parts was red, as appears both from the Scriptures and from heathen authors. I the Lord do keep it, &c. I will protect my church from all her enemies, and supply her with my ordinances, word, and Spirit, with all necessary means and helps. The import of these two verses, says Lowth, is, that when the enemies of Gods people are destroyed, among other songs and thanksgivings, this acknowledgment shall be made to the praise of God, and of the church which he protects, that as she is fruitful in all good works, so God continually watches over her, and defends her from danger.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 27:2-6. Yahwehs Cherished Vineyard.Here another song is inserted. The text and meaning are alike most uncertain, but apparently the general thought is that Israel is Yahwehs pleasant vineyard (mg.), tended and protected by Him with the most assiduous care. He is not angry with it, but with its enemies, whom He is longing to destroy, but whom He is willing to spare if they will surrender their hostility. Israel will become a vine that will fill the world with fruit. On this interpretation the song forms a striking contrast to Isaiahs song of the ungrateful vineyard (Isa 5:1-7). There Israel is threatened with judgment, here Israels foes.
Isa 27:3. lest any hurt it: read lest its leafage be missing.
Isa 27:4. Fury: i.e. against Israel.briers and thorns: Israels enemies.
Isa 27:6. At the end of the song the identity of the vineyard is disclosed, as in Isa 5:7.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
27:2 In that day sing ye to her, A vineyard {c} of red wine.
(c) Meaning, of the best wine, which this vineyard, that is, the Church would bring forth, as most agreeable to the Lord.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The future blessing and former discipline of Israel 27:2-11
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Isaiah, speaking for the Lord, announced that a delightful vineyard that produced wine was in view, and that the news about it was so good that the hearers could sing about it. The vineyard was an ancient and popular figure of the nation of Israel that Isaiah used earlier (Isa 5:7).