King James Version

What Does Isaiah 18:5 Mean?

Isaiah 18:5 in the King James Version says “For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.”

Isaiah 18:5 · KJV

Context

3

All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.

4

For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. consider: or, regard my set dwelling upon: or, after rain

5

For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.

6

They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.

7

In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion. scattered: or, outspread and polished

Read Isaiah 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.' Before harvest (before plans mature), God intervenes with pruning. The imagery depicts viticulture—cutting off promising growth before fruit matures. This describes God's judgment on Ethiopian/Egyptian anti-Assyrian plans: before diplomacy could produce results, God terminates the scheme. The pruning metaphor indicates not mere failure but divine intervention preventing success. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over human plans—'Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails' (Proverbs 19:21). God permits plans to develop only to the point serving His purposes, then cuts them off.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The pruning metaphor precisely describes what occurred: Ethiopian/Egyptian anti-Assyrian coalition-building was cut off before achieving goals. The 701 BCE campaign saw Assyria defeat Egyptian forces at Eltekeh, neutralizing Ethiopian military support before it could effectively aid Judah. Yet Jerusalem's deliverance came through direct divine intervention, not Ethiopian help. God pruned human plans while accomplishing His own purposes. This fulfilled Isaiah's consistent warnings against trusting Egypt/Ethiopia rather than God. Historically, Ethiopia's influence in Levantine politics was permanently reduced after these failures, illustrating divine pruning's lasting effects.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the pruning metaphor teach about God's sovereignty over human plans?
  2. How does God's intervention before harvest demonstrate His perfect timing and control?
  3. Why does God sometimes permit plans to develop before terminating them?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּֽי1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לִפְנֵ֤י2 of 16

“For afore”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

קָצִיר֙3 of 16

“the harvest”

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

כְּתָם4 of 16

“is perfect”

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

פֶּ֔רַח5 of 16

“when the bud”

H6525

a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom

וּבֹ֥סֶר6 of 16

“and the sour grape”

H1155

sour grape

גֹּמֵ֖ל7 of 16

“is ripening”

H1580

to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה8 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נִצָּ֑ה9 of 16

“in the flower”

H5328

a blossom

וְכָרַ֤ת10 of 16

“he shall both cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

הַזַּלְזַלִּים֙11 of 16

“the sprigs”

H2150

tremulous, i.e., a twig

בַּמַּזְמֵר֔וֹת12 of 16

“with pruning hooks”

H4211

a pruning-knife

וְאֶת13 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַנְּטִישׁ֖וֹת14 of 16

“the branches”

H5189

a tendril (as an offshoot)

הֵסִ֥יר15 of 16

“and take away”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

הֵתַֽז׃16 of 16

“and cut down”

H8456

to lop off

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 18:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 18:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 17:10-11Song of Solomon 2:13Song of Solomon 2:15Ezekiel 17:6-10

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