King James Version

What Does Isaiah 5:4 Mean?

Isaiah 5:4 in the King James Version says “What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?”

Isaiah 5:4 · KJV

Context

2

And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. fenced: or, made a wall about made: Heb. hewed

3

And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

4

What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

5

And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: trodden: Heb. for a treading

6

And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

Read Isaiah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's rhetorical question challenges anyone to identify anything more He could have done for Israel. The implied answer—nothing—establishes His complete faithfulness to covenant obligations. The question 'wherefore...brought it forth wild grapes?' expresses divine grief and bewilderment at Israel's perverse response to perfect care. This demonstrates that salvation's failure never lies with God's insufficient grace.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel had received the law, prophets, temple worship, deliverance from Egypt, conquest of Canaan, and establishment as a kingdom—every covenant provision. Their failure was inexcusable.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage answer those who claim God hasn't given them enough to believe?
  2. What does Christ's incarnation add to the vineyard parable regarding God's exhaustive provision?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
מַה1 of 13
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ2 of 13

“What could have been done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עוֹד֙3 of 13
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לְכַרְמִ֔י4 of 13

“more to my vineyard”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

וְלֹ֥א5 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ6 of 13

“What could have been done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בּ֑וֹ7 of 13
H0
מַדּ֧וּעַ8 of 13

“in it wherefore”

H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

קִוֵּ֛יתִי9 of 13

“when I looked”

H6960

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ10 of 13

“What could have been done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עֲנָבִ֖ים11 of 13

“grapes”

H6025

a grape

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ12 of 13

“What could have been done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בְּאֻשִֽׁים׃13 of 13

“wild grapes”

H891

poison-berries

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 5:4 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 5:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 23:37Micah 6:3-4Jeremiah 2:5Acts 7:51-60Jeremiah 2:30-31Jeremiah 6:29-30

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