Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Isaiah 5:1

CHAPTER 5

Is 5:1-30. Parable of Jehovah's Vineyard.

A new prophecy; entire in itself. Probably delivered about the same time as the second and third chapters, in Uzziah's reign. Compare Is 5:15, 16 with Is 2:17; and Is 5:1 with Is 3:14. However, the close of the chapter alludes generally to the still distant invasion of Assyrians in a later reign (compare Is 5:26 with Is 7:18; and Is 5:25 with Is 9:12). When the time drew nigh, according to the ordinary prophetic usage, he handles the details more particularly (Is 7:1-8:22); namely, the calamities caused by the Syro-Israelitish invasion, and subsequently by the Assyrians whom Ahaz had invited to his help.

1. to--rather, "concerning" [Gesenius], that is, in the person of My beloved, as His representative [Vitringa]. Isaiah gives a hint of the distinction and yet unity of the Divine Persons (compare He with I, Is 5:2, 3).

of my beloved--inspired by Him; or else, a tender song [Castalio]. By a slight change of reading "a song of His love" [Houbigant]. "The Beloved" is Jehovah, the Second Person, the "Angel" of God the Father, not in His character as incarnate Messiah, but as God of the Jews (Ex 23:20, 21; 32:34; 33:14).

vineyard--(Is 3:14; Psa 80:8, &c.). The Jewish covenant-people, separated from the nations for His glory, as the object of His peculiar care (Mt 20:1; 21:33). Jesus Christ in the "vineyard" of the New Testament Church is the same as the Old Testament Angel of the Jewish covenant.

fruitful hill--literally, "a horn" ("peak," as the Swiss shreckhorn) of the son of oil; poetically, for very fruitful. Suggestive of isolation, security, and a sunny aspect. Isaiah alludes plainly to the Song of Solomon (So 6:3; 8:11, 12), in the words "His vineyard" and "my Beloved" (compare Is 26:20; 61:10, with So 1:4; 4:10). The transition from "branch" (Is 4:2) to "vineyard" here is not unnatural.