I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse shifts from describing natural neglect to divine intervention, revealing God's direct command over the clouds. This isn't just about abandonment; it’s an active withholding of blessing, emphasizing that God's favor, like rain, is a sovereign gift, not an automatic right.
I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God, the vinedresser, has poured immense care into His beloved vineyard, which represents Israel. Despite this meticulous tending, the vineyard has produced only wild grapes instead of the expected fruit. This verse is God's pronouncement of judgment, detailing how He will abandon the vineyard, allowing it to become overgrown and barren, and withholding the very rain needed for life.
Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a garden, only to see it choked by weeds. That's the picture God paints here, but with devastating consequences.
Isaiah 5:6 isn't just about a physical vineyard; it's a stark image of God's judgment on His people, Israel.
Withholding Cultivation:
Allowing Desolation:
Withholding Life Itself:
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Who has the power to command the clouds? It's a question that points us to something far greater than human control.
In Isaiah 5:6, God makes a crucial shift. While the earlier part of the verse maintains the vineyard parable, the command over the clouds steps outside the farmer's ability.
Beyond Human Control:
Divine Abandonment:
Understand the original words
shiyth/shamir · Hebrew Noun
A state of being laid waste, deserted, or ruined. In a biblical context, it often signifies divine judgment resulting in the removal of God's blessing or presence.
This prophecy comes during a time of immense geopolitical pressure from the Assyrian Empire, highlighting God's judgment on Judah for its unfaithfulness, which ultimately led to destruction and exile.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Empire's Expansion
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II, was at its peak, actively expanding its territory and influence throughout the ancient Near East. This imperial power loomed as a significant threat to both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel, known as Samaria, was conquered and its people exiled by the Assyrian Empire. This devastating event served as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience and unfaithfulness to God.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Sennacherib, king of Assyria, launched a major campaign against Judah, capturing many fortified cities. Jerusalem was besieged, but miraculously spared destruction, a pivotal moment often attributed to divine intervention and the prophet Isaiah's counsel.
605-586 BC
Babylonian Exile
Following the decline of Assyrian power, the Neo-Babylonian Empire rose to prominence. Nebuchadnezzar II led multiple deportations of the Judean population to Babylon, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC.
This parable of the unfruitful fig tree directly parallels the vineyard imagery in Isaiah, illustrating God's patience and the consequences of continued unfruitfulness.
Jeremiah 2:21This passage also uses the vineyard metaphor to lament Israel's unfaithfulness and the resulting destruction, emphasizing God's diligent care and the people's betrayal of that trust.
Matthew 21:33-46Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants in the vineyard, which is a powerful New Testament echo of Isaiah's message, highlighting how God's chosen people rejected and killed His messengers and ultimately His Son.
John 15:1-8Jesus identifies Himself as the true vine and God the Father as the vinedresser, explaining how believers are pruned for fruitfulness and the severe consequence of not bearing fruit.
Revelation 14:15-20This passage describes a final harvest and judgment, where the earth is reaped due to its ripeness for destruction, echoing the theme of God's judgment on a land that refuses to yield good fruit.
gillIsaiah 5:6: "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."
And I will lay it waste,.... Or "desolate", as it was by the Romans: the whole land of Judea, as well as the city and temple Matthew 23:38 , it shall not be pruned nor digged; as vineyards are, to make them more fruitful; but no care shall be taken of it, no means made use of to cultivate it, all being ineffectual: b…
barnesIsaiah 5:6: "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."
I will lay it waste ... - The description here is continued from Isaiah 5:5 . The image is carried out, and means that the Jews should be left utterly without protection. I will also command the clouds ... - It is evident here, that the parable or figure is partially dropped. A farmer could not command the clouds. It…
The verse shifts from describing natural neglect to divine intervention, revealing God's direct command over the clouds. This isn't just about abandonment; it’s an active withholding of blessing, emphasizing that God's favor, like rain, is a sovereign gift, not an automatic right.
God, the vinedresser, has poured immense care into His beloved vineyard, which represents Israel. Despite this meticulous tending, the vineyard has produced only wild grapes instead of the expected fruit. This verse is God's pronouncement of judgment, detailing how He will abandon the vineyard, allowing it to become overgrown and barren, and withholding the very rain needed for life.
God, the vinedresser, has poured immense care into His beloved vineyard, which represents Israel. Despite this meticulous tending, the vineyard has produced only wild grapes instead of the expected fruit. This verse is God's pronouncement of judgment, detailing how He will abandon the vineyard, allowing it to become overgrown and barren, and withholding the very rain needed for life.
"I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it." — The verse shifts from describing natural neglect to divine intervention, revealing God's direct command over the clouds. This isn't just about abandonment; it’s an active withholding of blessing, emp…
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Last reviewed October 2026