Pentecost Season · Proper 22 · Year A
Isaiah 5:1-7
The Song of the Vineyard
October 4, 2026
Overview & Insights
“The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel… he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed.” (Isaiah 5:7)
Judgment Missed and Demonstrated: In length and theme chapter 5 pairs with chapter 1 and closes a bracket around 2:2–4:6. Chapter 5 comprises a mock love song; a series of woes that will be completed in 10:1–4; and a warning about Yahweh’s outstretched hand that will continue in chapter 9. In contrast to 1:1–2:1 and 2:2–4:6, no positive note is struck at the beginning or the end. Chapters 1–5 come to a close as bleak as their opening. Rebellion and darkness ultimately bracket them.
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Isaiah 5:1-7 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis on the vineyard song and its turn against the hearers.
CEP: Isaiah 5:1-7 Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on God's disappointed love and the demand for justice.
Enduring Word: Isaiah 5 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the chapter.
Precept Austin: Isaiah 5 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse-level study helps, Hebrew word notes, and gathered quotations.
BibleHub: Isaiah 5:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on the song of the vineyard.
Background & Word Study
Sefaria: Isaiah 5 (Hebrew) Sefaria
Hebrew text with English and classical Jewish commentary on the vineyard song.
BibleHub Interlinear: Isaiah 5:1 BibleHub
Hebrew text with parsing for the vineyard, wild grapes, and the wordplay on justice.
Enter the Bible: Isaiah Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the prophet Isaiah and Judah's setting.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the Song of the Vineyard?
Isaiah sings a love song about a carefully tended vineyard that yields only wild grapes, then reveals it is Israel: God looked for justice but saw bloodshed. It stands directly behind Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenants.
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