Isaiah 5:10 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 5:10 mean?

Isaiah 5:10 describes a situation where large amounts of land and seed produce only a small harvest, showing that the people’s efforts will result in disappointing returns. This verse uses agricultural language to picture scarcity and the failure of expected abundance.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of their actions. In this context, Isaiah uses the example of a vineyard and a field to show that, despite hard work and large investments, the land will yield far less than normal. This is part of a larger warning that turning away from what is right leads to loss and frustration.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 5:10

• "Acres" (צֶמֶד, tsemed): This word literally means a "yoke" or "pair," often used for a pair of oxen or the amount of land they could plow in a day. Here, it measures land, showing the scale of the vineyard.
• "Bath" (בַּת, bath): A "bath" is a unit of liquid measure, roughly 6 gallons (about 22 liters). The verse says that ten acres will only produce one bath, highlighting severe underproduction.
• "Homer" (חֹמֶר, chomer): This is a large measure for dry goods, about 6 bushels (roughly 220 liters). Planting a homer’s worth of seed would normally yield much more, but here it only produces an "ephah."
• "Ephah" (אֵיפָה, ephah): An "ephah" is a much smaller dry measure, about 0.6 bushels (roughly 22 liters). The contrast between a homer and an ephah shows just how poor the harvest is.

Why Isaiah 5:10 matters

• Isaiah 5:10 clears up any idea that hard work alone guarantees success; it shows that something deeper is wrong when even great effort brings little reward.
• The verse emphasizes the seriousness of the warning: the people’s actions have real, practical consequences, not just spiritual ones.
• This verse connects to the larger theme in Isaiah 5, where the prophet uses the image of a vineyard to describe God’s people and the results of their choices. It helps the reader see the link between moral failure and everyday hardship.