Isaiah 5:9
ESV
The Lord of hosts has sworn in my hearing: "Surely many houses shall be desolate, large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant.
NIV
The Lord Almighty has declared in my hearing: "Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants.
NASB
In my ears the Lord of armies has sworn, 'Many houses shall certainly become desolate, Even great and fine ones, without occupants.
CSB
I heard the Lord of Armies say: Indeed, many houses will become desolate, grand and lovely ones without inhabitants.
NLT
But I have heard the Lord of Heaven’s Armies swear a solemn oath: 'Many houses will stand deserted; even beautiful mansions will be empty.
KJV
In mine ears said the Lord of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.
NKJV
In my hearing the Lord of hosts said, “Truly, many houses shall be desolate, Great and beautiful ones, without inhabitant.
What does Isaiah 5:9 mean?
Isaiah reveals to Israel what will become of the mansions built after the wealthy have bought up all the houses of the poor (Isaiah 5:8). Many of those large houses will simply sit abandoned. They may be beautiful, but they will have no purpose.These glorious houses made for the wealthy become the perfect example of useless fruit. They are the product of the rich coveting the land of those who are poorer than them. The wealthy are successful enough to build the houses, but they won't be around long enough to genuinely enjoy these places. Either the Lord's judgment will drive them from the land or they will simply occupy other homes in other places. This adds insult to injury to the poor families from whom they scooped these homes. Not only were they unable to keep the lands that had been theirs, but the land wasn't even appreciated by those who bought it. This serves as a perfect example of the excesses of the people of Israel in Isaiah's era.
Isaiah 5:8–30 contains Isaiah's dire predictions about the upcoming judgment of Israel. The first "woes" are to the greedy and the pleasure-seeking drinkers. They will go into exile and to the grave for refusing to acknowledge God. The Lord then will be exalted for restoring justice and righteousness. The next woes are to those who embrace sin and mock the coming judgment. These are also those people who have mixed evil and good and believe they know better than God. The final listed woes are those who make it a point of pride how much alcohol they can drink, as well as how they can work the system with bribes. The Lord will summon the armies of the nations to bring judgment on His people.
Isaiah 5 begins with a parable about a farmer who builds a vineyard that produces sour grapes. The owner says he will lay waste to the vineyard. Isaiah reveals the owner to be the Lord and the vineyard to be Israel. Israel's bad fruit includes the greed of the wealthy and the hedonism of the people. They will go hungry and thirsty, into exile, and the grave. The Lord will be exalted for His righteousness. Isaiah pronounces woe on the sinners, the mockers, and the unjust rulers. The Lord will summon the nations to judge His people.
