Old Testament
Isaiah 5:10
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In Isaiah 5:10, the prophet uses agricultural imagery to illustrate the futility of Israel's efforts due to their disobedience to God.
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Ten acres of vineyard will produce only one bath of wine, and a homer of seed will yield just an ephah of grain."
Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In Isaiah 5:10, the prophet uses agricultural imagery to illustrate the futility of Israel's efforts due to their disobedience to God. A vineyard that should produce a bountiful harvest yields very little wine, and a large amount of seed results in a meager grain harvest. This stark contrast highlights the consequences of turning away from God's ways. The verse serves as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness, indicating that despite the land's potential, the people's actions lead to disappointment and scarcity. It emphasizes that without God's blessing, even the most promising endeavors can fail. The imagery of a vineyard, which is often associated with prosperity and joy, becomes a symbol of loss and unfulfilled potential, reflecting the broader themes of judgment and the need for repentance in the face of divine displeasure.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Isaiah 5:10 to your life
This verse reminds us that our efforts can be fruitless if we stray from God's guidance. It encourages us to seek His will in our lives, ensuring that our actions align with His purpose. By doing so, we can experience true abundance and fulfillment.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 5:10 mean?
Isaiah 5:10 illustrates the futility of Israel's efforts due to their disobedience to God. It uses agricultural imagery to show that despite having the potential for abundance, their actions lead to disappointment and scarcity.
What is the significance of the vineyard in Isaiah 5:10?
The vineyard in Isaiah 5:10 symbolizes Israel's potential for prosperity and joy. However, the poor yield of wine represents spiritual barrenness and the consequences of turning away from God's ways.
What does 'one bath of wine' mean in Isaiah 5:10?
In Isaiah 5:10, 'one bath of wine' refers to a very small amount of wine produced from a large vineyard, highlighting the lack of productivity and the disappointment of unfulfilled potential due to disobedience.
How does Isaiah 5:10 relate to spiritual barrenness?
Isaiah 5:10 relates to spiritual barrenness by showing that even with great potential, the people's disobedience results in minimal harvests, symbolizing their lack of spiritual fruitfulness.
The Book of Isaiah
Isaiah 41: Fear Not, I Am With You
The LORD calls the nations to keep silence before him and to renew their strength. He asks who raises up the righteous man from the east and gives nations before him, making him rule over kings. He says he gives them as dust to his sword and as driven stubble to his bow, and he declares he is the first and with the last.
Unlock the full Isaiah summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Isaiah — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 66 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Isaiah summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.