And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

ISAIAH 61:5KJV
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Isaiah 61:5 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 61:5 mean?

Isaiah 61:5 pictures a future in which people from other nations work for the people being addressed. They care for their animals and farmland. The image presents a reversal of hardship: the people once devastated and displaced have flocks and fields again, with others working for them.

The speaker addresses the people associated with Zion. After the rebuilding pictured in verse 4, Isaiah 61:5 turns to the work needed to sustain the restored community. Flocks, fields, and vineyards were basic sources of food and livelihood.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 61:5

  • “strangers” — זָר (zar): This word often means someone from outside a group. Here it points to people who are not part of the community being addressed, rather than merely people who are unfamiliar.
  • “feed” — רָעָה (raʿah): This word can mean to tend or shepherd animals. The picture includes looking after the flocks, not simply giving them food.

Why Isaiah 61:5 matters

  • The verse places outsiders within the picture of restoration. The “strangers” and “sons of the alien” take part in the work that supports the community.
  • The work in verse 5 prepares for a contrast in verse 6. While outsiders tend flocks and land, the people addressed are called “Priests of the LORD” and “Ministers of our God.”

Where else these words appear

“vinedressers” Hebrew H3755 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:12 But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
  • Jeremiah 52:16 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.

“plowmen” Hebrew H406 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
  • Jeremiah 31:24 And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.
  • Joel 1:11 Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.

“alien” Hebrew H5236 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
  • 1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
  • Psalms 144:7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

“strangers” Hebrew H2114 · used in 76 verses

  • Exodus 29:33 And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.
  • Psalms 54:3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
  • Isaiah 28:21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.