This chapter Isaiah 5 commences a new subject, and is in itself an entire prophecy, having no connection with the preceding or the following chapter. “When” it was delivered is unknown; but from the strong resemblance between the circumstances referred to here, and those referred to in Isaiah 2, it is probable it was at about the same period. The fact, also, that it is closely connected with that in the place which has been assigned it in the collection of the prophecies of Isaiah, is a circumstance which strongly corroborates that view. The general design of the chapter is to denounce the prevalent vices of the nation, and to proclaim that they will be followed with heavy judgments. The chapter may be conveniently regarded as divided into three parts.
I. A beautiful parable illustrative of the care which God had shown for his people, Isaiah 5:1-7. He states what he had done for them; calls on them to judge themselves whether he had not done for them all that he could have done; and, since his vineyard had brought forth no good fruit, he threatens to break down its hedges, and to destroy it.
II. The various vices and crimes which prevailed in the nation are denounced, and punishment threatened,Isaiah 5:8-23 Isaiah 5:8-23.
1. The sin of covetousness, Isaiah 5:8-10.
2. The sins of intemperance, revelry, and dissipation, Isaiah 5:11-17.
3. The sin of despising and contemning God, and of practicing iniquity as if he did not see it, or could not punish it, Isaiah 5:18-19.
4. The sin of those who pervert things, and call evil good and good evil, Isaiah 5:20.
5. The sin of vain self-confidence, pride, and inordinate self-esteem, Isaiah 5:21.
6. The sin of intemperance is again reproved, and the sin of receiving bribes; probably because these were in fact connected, Isaiah 5:22-23.
III. Punishment is denounced on the nation for indulgence in these sins, Isaiah 5:24-30. The punishment would be, that he would, call distant nations to invade their land, and it should be laid waste.
“The subject of this prophecy,” says Lowth, “does not differ materially from Isa. i., but it is greatly superior to it in force, in severity, in variety, in elegance.”