Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture, and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just about destruction; it's a powerful image of reversal. The "lambs," representing the humble and oppressed, will find peace and sustenance in the very "ruins" left behind by the wealthy and powerful who were consumed by judgment. This shows God's deep care for the vulnerable, turning devastation into a place of refuge for them.
Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture, and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage follows Isaiah's "song of the vineyard," where God's people are depicted as a vineyard that yielded wild grapes instead of fruit. The Lord has detailed severe judgments against those who have hoarded land and indulged in corruption. Now, the prophet describes the desolate consequences of these impending judgments, showing how the land will be ravaged and its former abundance plundered.
What happens to the vast estates and luxurious homes of the wealthy when judgment falls? Isaiah paints a picture of profound reversal.
The verse contrasts the fate of the oppressors with the fate of the oppressed. The "fat ones" represent the wealthy and powerful who have amassed great fortunes through exploitation, as seen in the "woes" of Isaiah 5:8-12. Their opulent estates and cities, built on the backs of others, will be utterly destroyed.
Instead of manicured gardens and grand halls, these places will become desolate "waste places." But this desolation isn't empty; it becomes a pasture. The "lambs" – a symbol of the humble, the poor, and the innocent people of God – will graze there freely. Their simple needs will be met in the very places that once represented the excess and cruelty of the rich. This is a profound picture of God's justice, turning the tables on those who abused their power and wealth.
Who are the "strangers" in this prophecy, and what does their inheritance signify?
The "strangers" here are not necessarily foreign invaders (though that is a possible interpretation, as they would exploit the ruins). More likely, they represent the "nomads" mentioned in the first part of the verse. These are the displaced, the marginalized, the very people who were likely oppressed by the "fat ones."
They are "strangers" in the sense that they are not the rightful inheritors of these grand estates or well-tended fields. Their presence signifies the complete loss of inheritance for the oppressors and the unexpected provision for those who have been wronged. The wealth and property, once hoarded and guarded by the rich, are now consumed by those who have the most basic needs, symbolizing a radical redistribution of what was unjustly held.
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This verse depicts the aftermath of a devastating invasion. The ruins left by the Assyrians become grazing land for sheep, and the former wealth of the rich is plundered, highlighting the complete reversal of fortune and the consequence of judgment.
c. 750-700 BC
Isaiah's Ministry in Judah
Isaiah serves as a prophet during a period of prosperity in Judah but also increasing social injustice and reliance on foreign alliances.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many and scattering the population, serving as a dire warning to Judah.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieking Jerusalem. This invasion is a major crisis for Judah.
During Hezekiah's reign
Siege of Jerusalem
Although Jerusalem is miraculously spared from destruction by the Assyrians, the surrounding lands and cities suffer greatly, leading to widespread desolation.
This passage describes a similar judgment where the leaders, those who were 'fat' and prosperous, will be exiled and taken away, leaving others to inherit their positions and possessions.
Amos 5:11This verse speaks directly to the theme of the wealthy being dispossessed, with houses built of fine stone being uninhabitable, mirroring the idea of 'strangers eating' the ruins of the rich.
Micah 2:12This verse offers a contrasting promise of rebuilding and future prosperity for the people of God, directly paralleling the 'lambs grazing' after a period of desolation.
Ezekiel 34:12-16This passage highlights God's own role as a shepherd who will deliver his flock (the 'lambs') from the greedy leaders and restore them to good pasture, reflecting the promise of care for the vulnerable amidst desolation.
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.
This verse isn't just about destruction; it's a powerful image of reversal. The "lambs," representing the humble and oppressed, will find peace and sustenance in the very "ruins" left behind by the wealthy and powerful who were consumed by judgment. This shows God's deep care for the vulnerable, turning devastation into a place of refuge for them.
This passage follows Isaiah's "song of the vineyard," where God's people are depicted as a vineyard that yielded wild grapes instead of fruit. The Lord has detailed severe judgments against those who have hoarded land and indulged in corruption. Now, the prophet describes the desolate consequences of these impending judgments, showing how the land will be ravaged and its former abundance plundered.
This passage follows Isaiah's "song of the vineyard," where God's people are depicted as a vineyard that yielded wild grapes instead of fruit. The Lord has detailed severe judgments against those who have hoarded land and indulged in corruption. Now, the prophet describes the desolate consequences of these impending judgments, showing how the land will be ravaged and its former abundance plundered.
"Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture, and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich." — This verse isn't just about destruction; it's a powerful image of reversal. The "lambs," representing the humble and oppressed, will find peace and sustenance in the very "ruins" left behind by the w…
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Last reviewed October 2026