Isaiah 5:17
Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture, and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights a dramatic reversal: the "lambs" (representing the vulnerable, the humble, or even the remnant of God's people) will find their pasture, while the "fat ones" (the wealthy, the powerful, the oppressors) will lose their possessions, leaving only ruins for strangers to claim. This isn't just about the rich being punished, but about the land itself becoming a testament to their downfall, serving a new purpose for those they once disregarded.
Following the pronouncement of "woe" on those who greedily hoard land and exploit the vulnerable, this verse shifts to the consequence of their actions. God declares that the land, once seized and misused by the wealthy, will be laid waste. The imagery shifts to a scene of desolation where harmless creatures graze freely amidst the ruins, and those who were previously oppressed will inherit what was unjustly taken.
What happens to those who hoard wealth and oppress others? Isaiah paints a picture of ultimate reversal, where the very places of the rich become common ground.
Isaiah 5:17 describes a dramatic shift in fortunes. The "fat ones" – those who accumulated wealth and power through oppression, joining "house to house" and "field to field" as mentioned earlier in Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 5:8) – will see their luxurious estates and lands fall into ruin.
Instead of pampered sheep or cattle grazing in private parks, the "lambs" (representing the humble, the poor, or even the faithful remnant) will now graze freely in these desolate areas. Even more striking, "strangers" – perhaps meaning foreign invaders or the displaced poor – will come to inhabit and consume the ruins left by the wealthy oppressors. This isn't an idyllic scene, but one of stark desolation and the complete undoing of unjust wealth.
God's justice isn't just about punishment; it's about restoration and the inevitable consequence of turning away from Him.
This verse isn't merely a poetic description of desolation; it's a declaration of divine judgment. The "fat ones" represent those who have built their prosperity on injustice, greed, and the exploitation of others. Isaiah has previously detailed their "woes" (Isaiah 5:8-12) for their avarice and self-indulgence.
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God's response is to dismantle their ill-gotten gains. The "ruins" are the direct result of God's judgment falling upon their oppressive system. The "strangers" eating among these ruins signify that what was unjustly hoarded will be consumed by those outside the oppressive structure, whether they are foreign conquerors or the very people the rich oppressed. It's a powerful statement that injustice will not stand and that God will ensure His justice is ultimately served.
This verse paints a stark picture of desolation following divine judgment. The 'fat ones' (the wealthy and powerful who oppressed others) lose their estates, which become pastures for humble sheep, while the ruins of their former splendor are consumed by 'strangers'—likely referring to those left behind after the exile or even foreign invaders, highlighting the complete reversal of fortune and the judgment on greed.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian military campaigns
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conducted numerous military campaigns, expanding its territory and influence throughout the Near East, often resulting in the subjugation and deportation of conquered peoples.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The northern kingdom of Israel, a separate entity from Judah, was conquered by the Assyrians, its capital Samaria fell, and many of its inhabitants were exiled, leaving its lands vulnerable.
Early 7th century BC
Josiah's religious reforms
King Josiah of Judah initiated a significant religious reformation, centralizing worship in Jerusalem and attempting to purge the land of idolatry, likely in response to perceived national decline and divine displeasure.
c. 609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah was killed in battle against the Egyptians, a loss that destabilized Judah and signaled a turning point towards future conquest and exile.
605 BC
First Babylonian deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonians defeated the Egyptians and began deporting segments of the Judean population and elites to Babylon, marking the start of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II completely destroyed Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining Judean population.
c. 540 BC
Prophetic period of Isaiah's second 'half'
During the later years of the Babylonian exile, prophetic voices like those traditionally associated with the 'second Isaiah' spoke of future restoration and a return to the land.
This passage mirrors the theme of misplaced earthly riches by illustrating the folly of a rich man whose wealth could not secure his soul, highlighting the emptiness of material possessions.
James 5:1This verse directly echoes Isaiah's condemnation of the wealthy, warning them of impending doom because of their hoarding and oppression, which resonates with the fate of the 'fat ones' in Isaiah.
Amos 5:11Similar to Isaiah, Amos pronounces woes on those who build luxurious houses and plant vineyards but will not enjoy their fruits, emphasizing divine judgment on greed and injustice.
Ezekiel 36:12This prophecy speaks of the land of Israel being re-inhabited and fruitful after desolation, reflecting the idea of the 'waste places' being utilized again, though in Ezekiel's context it's a restoration by God, not by invaders.
barnesIsaiah 5:17: "Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat."
Then shall the lambs feed - This verse is very variously interpreted. Most of the Hebrew commentators have followed the Chaldee interpretation, and have regarded it as desired to console the pious part of the people with the assurance of protection in the general calamity. The Chaldee is, 'Then the just shall feed, as it is said, to them; and they shall be multiplied, and shall…
jfbIsaiah 5:8-23: "Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!"
Isa 5:8-23. Six Distinct Woes against Crimes.8. (Le 25:13; Mic 2:2). The jubilee restoration of possessions was intended as a guard against avarice.till there be no place—left for any one else.that they may be—rather, and ye be.the earth—the land.
The verse highlights a dramatic reversal: the "lambs" (representing the vulnerable, the humble, or even the remnant of God's people) will find their pasture, while the "fat ones" (the wealthy, the powerful, the oppressors) will lose their possessions, leaving only ruins for strangers to claim. This isn't just about the rich being punished, but about the land itself becoming a testament to their downfall, serving a new purpose for those they once disregarded.
Following the pronouncement of "woe" on those who greedily hoard land and exploit the vulnerable, this verse shifts to the consequence of their actions. God declares that the land, once seized and misused by the wealthy, will be laid waste. The imagery shifts to a scene of desolation where harmless creatures graze freely amidst the ruins, and those who were previously oppressed will inherit what was unjustly taken.
Following the pronouncement of "woe" on those who greedily hoard land and exploit the vulnerable, this verse shifts to the consequence of their actions. God declares that the land, once seized and misused by the wealthy, will be laid waste. The imagery shifts to a scene of desolation where harmless creatures graze freely amidst the ruins, and those who were previously oppressed will inherit what was unjustly taken.
"Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture, and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich." — The verse highlights a dramatic reversal: the "lambs" (representing the vulnerable, the humble, or even the remnant of God's people) will find their pasture, while the "fat ones" (the wealthy, the po…
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