Isaiah 5,1-7: the Song of the Vineyard

I. Exegetical studies of the text

Abernethy, A. T., "The Ruined Vineyard Motif in Isaiah 1-39: Insights from Cognitive Linguistics", Bib 99 (2018) 334-350.

Avrahami, Y., "Foul Grapes: Figurative Smells and the Message of the Song of the Vineyard (Isa 5:1-7)", VT 67 (2017) 341-356.

Bartelmus, R., "Beobachtungen zur literarischen Struktur des sog. Weinberglieds (Jes 5,1-7). Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der formgeschichtlichen Methode bei der Interpretation von Texten aus dem corpus propheticum", ZAW 110 (1998) 50-66. Reprinted [same title] in R. Bartelmus, Auf der Suche nach dem archimedischen Punkt der Textinterpretation. Studien zu einer philologisch-linguistisch fundierten Exegese alttestamentlicher Texte (Zürich: Pano Verlag, 2002) 319-336.

Berger, P. R., "Ein unerklärtes Wort in dem Weinberglied Jesajas (Jes 5,6)", ZAW 82 (1970) 116-117.

Bergey, R., "The Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32.1–43) and Isaianic Prophecies: A Case of Early Intertextuality?", JSOT 28 (2003) 33-54.

Beyer, K., "Althebräische Syntax in Prosa und Poesie", in G. Jeremias – H.-W. Kuhn – H. Stegemann (eds.), Tradition und Glaube. Das frühe Christentum in seiner Umwelt. Festgabe für Karl Georg Kuhn zum 65. Geburtstag (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1971) 76-96: on Isa 5,1-7 esp. pp. 92-96.

Bjørndalen, A. J., "Zur Frage der Echtheit von Jesaja 1,2-3; 1,4-7 und 5,1-7", Norsk teologisk tidsskrift 83 (1982) 89-100.

Bjørndalen, A. J., Untersuchungen zur allegorischen Rede der Propheten Amos und Jesaja (BZAW 165; Berlin: De Gruyter, 1986), esp. 247-343.

Boer, P. A. H. de, "Cantate Domino: An Erroneous Dative?", in B. Albrektson et al., Remembering All the Way... : A Collection of Old Testament Studies Published on the Occasion of the Fortieth Anniversary of the Oudtestamentisch Werkgezelschap in Nederland (OTS 21; Leiden: Brill, 1981) 55-67: on Isa 5,1 esp. 61-62.

Bovati, P., "Le langage juridique du prophète Isaïe", in J. Vermeylen (ed.), The Book of Isaiah. Le Livre d'Isaïe. Les oracles, et leurs relectures; unité et complexité de l'ouvrage (BETL 81; Leuven: Leuven University Press, 1989) 177-196 (esp. 191-195). Revised Italian version: "Il genere letterario del rîb: Giudizio o lite? Il linguaggio giuridico del profeta Isaia", in P. Bovati, "Così parla il Signore". Studi sul profetismo biblico. A cura di S. M. Sessa (Collana biblica; Bologna: Edizioni Dehoniane, 2008) 125-151.

Buzzetti, C., 4 x 1: un unico brano biblico e vari «fare». Guida pratica di ermeneutica e pastorale biblica (Un ponte per, 3; Milano: Paoline, 1994), esp. 162-183.

Carroll, R. P., "YHWH's Sour Grapes: Images of Food and Drink in the Prophetic Discourses of the Hebrew Bible", Semeia 86 (1999) 113-131.

Chaney, M. L., "Whose Sour Grapes? The Addressees of Isaiah 5:1-7 in the Light of Political Economy", Semeia 87 (1999) 105-122. Reprinted [same title] in M. L. Chaney, Peasants, Prophets, & Political Economy: The Hebrew Bible and Social Analysis (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2017) 160-174.

Clark, D. J., "The Song of the Vineyard: Love Lyric or Comic Ode? A Study of the Oral and Discourse Features of Isaiah 5.1-7", in E. R. Wendland (ed.), Discourse Perspectives on Hebrew Poetry in the Scriptures (United Bible Societies Monograph Series, 7; New York: United Bible Societies, 1994) 131-146.

Collado Bertomeu, V., "La viña es la niña", in J. Pascual Torró (ed.), In spiritu et veritate: homenaje al Profesor D. Adolfo Barrachina (Series valentina, 53; Valencia: Facultad de Teología San Vicente Ferrer, 2006) 35-39.

Dobbs-Allsopp, F. W., "Isaiah's Love Song: A Reading of Isaiah 5:1-7", in J. B. Couey – E. T. James (eds.), Biblical Poetry and the Art of Close Reading (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018) 149-166.

Dobbs-Allsopp, F. W., "A Song of Love: Isaiah 5:1-7", with an Appendix "Isaiah 5: 1-7: Transcription, Translation, and Notes", in A. J. Ferrara – H. B. Huffmon (eds.), Some Wine and Honey for Simon: Biblical and Ugaritic Aperitifs in Memory of Simon B. Parker (Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2020) 218-241 and 243-251.

Eck, J., "The Song of the Unfruitful Vineyard (Isa 5:1-7): Its Position in the Book of Isaiah and Its Reception in Late Layers of Isaiah and the Twelve", in R. J. Bautch – J. Eck – B. M. Zapff (eds.), Isaiah and the Twelve: Parallels, Similarities and Differences (BZAW 527; Berlin: De Gruyter, 2020) 159-184.

Elness-Hanson, B. E., "The Fruitfulness of the Vineyard Metaphor: Isaiah 5 and Beyond", in D. Davage – M. Larsson – L.-S. Tiemeyer (eds.), Metaphors in the Prophetic Literature of the Hebrew Bible and Beyond (JAJSup 36; Paderborn: Brill Schöningh, 2024) 69-95.

Elwolde, J. F., "Isaiah 5:1-7 in the Dead Sea Scrolls, MT, and Versions: Basic Data and Preliminary Observations", in A. Puig i Tàrrech et al., Relectures de l'Escriptura a la llum del Concili Vaticà II (1): «La Vinya» (Scripta Biblica, 14; Barcelona: Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat – Associació Bíblica de Catalunya, 2015) 89-132. [there are several other essays on Isa 5,1-7 in Catalan in this volume]

Emerton, J. A., "The Translation of Isaiah 5,1", in F. García Martínez – A. Hilhorst – C. J. Labuschagne (eds.), The Scriptures and the Scrolls. Studies in Honour of A. S. van der Woude on the Occasion of his 65th Birthday (VTSup 49; Leiden: Brill, 1992) 18-30. Reprinted [same title] in J. A. Emerton, Studies on the Language and Literature of the Bible: Selected Works of J. A. Emerton. Edited by G. Davies and R. Gordon (VTSup 165; Leiden: Brill, 2015) 269-280.

Esterhuizen, E. – A. Groenewald, "Collective Woundedness and Subliminal Bleeding in the 'Song of the Vineyard' (Isaiah 5:1-7)", in S. Ernst – M. Häusl – H. Rechenmacher (eds.), "JHWH Zebaot, glücklich sind Menschen, die auf Dich vertrauen" (Ps 84,13): Gedenkschrift für Theo Seidl (ATSAT 109; Sankt Ottilien: EOS – Editions Sankt Ottilien, 2025) 25-42.

Evans, C. A., "On the Vineyard Parables of Isaiah 5 and Mark 12", BZ N.F. 28 (1984) 82-86.

Fechter, F., "Enttäuschte Erwartungen. Die Sprache der Bilder in Jesaja 5,1-7", BN 104 (2000) 69-82.

Feliks, Y., "The Song of the Vineyard: The Allegory and its Agricultural Background", in Proceedings of the Tenth World Congress of Jewish Studies. Division A: The Bible and its World (Jerusalem: The World Union of Jewish Studies, 1990) 19*-24*.

Foerster, J.-L. M., "Le chant de la vigne (Is 5,1-7)", Sémiotique et bible 109 (2003) 43-55.

Folmer, M. L., "A Literary Analysis of the 'Song of the Vineyard' (Is. 5:1-7)", JEOL 29 (1985-86) 106-123.

Fretheim, T. E., "What Kind of God is Portrayed in Isaiah 5:1-7?", in M. P. Zehnder (ed.), New Studies in the Book of Isaiah: Essays in Honor of Hallvard Hagelia (Perspectives on Hebrew Scriptures and Its Contexts, 21; Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias, 2014) 53-67.

Graffy, A., "The Literary Genre of Isaiah 5,1-7", Bib 60 (1979) 400-409.

Grätz, S., Der strafende Wettergott. Erwägungen zur Traditionsgeschichte des Adad-Fluchs im Alten Orient und im Alten Testament (BBB 114; Bodenheim: Philo, 1998), esp. 169-227.

Grol, H. W. M. van, "Clause, Sentence and Versification. A Theoretical and Practical Exploration of the Role of Syntax in Versification, with Isaiah 5,1-7 as Example", in E. Talstra – A. L. H. M. van Wieringen (eds.), A Prophet on the Screen. Computerized Description and Literary Interpretation of Isaianic Texts (Applicatio 9; Amsterdam: Vrije Universiteit Uitgeverij / Free University Press, 1992) 70-117.

Haelewyck, J.-C., "Le cantique de la vigne. Histoire du texte vieux latin d'Is 5,1-7(9a)", ETL 65 (1989) 257-279.

Hays, R. W. Poe, "Sing Me a Parable of Zion: Isaiah's Vineyard (5:1-7) and Its Relation to the 'Daughter Zion' Tradition", JBL 135 (2016) 743-761.

Höffken, P., "Probleme in Jesaja 5,1-7", ZTK 79 (1982) 392-410. Reprinted [same title] in P. Höffken, "Fürchte dich nicht, denn ich bin mit dir!" (Jesaja 41,10). Gesammelte Aufsätze zu Grundtexten des Alten Testaments (Beiträge zum Verstehen der Bibel, 14; Berlin: LIT Verlag, 2005) 69-84.

Irsigler, H., "Speech Acts and Intention in the 'Song of the Vineyard' Isaiah 5:1-7", OTE 10 (1997) 39-68.

Junker, H., "Die literarische Art von Is. 5,1-7", Bib 40 (1959) 256-266.

Korpel, M. C. A., "The Literary Genre of the Song of the Vineyard (Isa.5:1-7)", in W. van der Meer – J. C. de Moor (eds.), The Structural Analysis of Biblical and Canaanite Poetry (JSOTSup 74; Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1988) 119-155.

Korpel, M. C. A., "Structural Analysis as a Tool for Redaction Criticism: The Example of Isaiah 5 and 10.1-6", JSOT 69 (1996) 53-71.

Landy, F., "The Parable of the Vineyard (Isa 5,1-7), or What is a Love Song Doing among the Prophets?", SR 34 (2005) 147-164.

Lemana, E., "Le chant de la vigne chez Isaïe 5,1–7. Entre parabole, poésie et autres genres littéraires du texte: question éternellement ouverte? Essai di recherche et de précision d'un genre littéraire", in M. Häusl – D. Volgger (eds.), Vom Ausdruck zum Inhalt, vom Inhalt zum Ausdruck. Beiträge zur Exegese und Wirkungsgeschichte alttestamentlicher Texte. Festschrift der Schülerinnen und Schüler für Theodor Seidl zum 60. Geburtstag (ATSAT 75; Erzabtei St. Ottilien: EOS, 2005) 139-153.

Lescow, T., "Jesaja 5,1-7 und Ezechiel 37,1-14. Anmerkungen zu Komposition und Interpretation", ZAW 113 (2001) 74-76.

L'Heureux, C. E., "The Redactional History of Isaiah 5.1-10.4", in W. B. Barrick – J. R. Spencer (eds.), In the Shelter of Elyon. Essays on Ancient Palestinian Life and Literature in Honor of G. W. Ahlström (JSOTSup 31; Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1984) 99-119.

Loretz, O., "Weinberglied und prophetische Deutung im Protest-Song Jes 5,1-7", UF 7 (1975) 573-576.

Loretz, O., "Zitat der ersten Hälfte einer Weinberg-Parabel in Jes 5,1-7", UF 29 (1997) 489-510.

Lys, D., "La vigne et le double je. Exercice de style sur Esaʿïe V 1-7", in G. W. Anderson and other members of the Board of the Quarterly (eds.), Studies on Prophecy. A Collection of Twelve Papers (VTSup 26; Leiden: Brill, 1974) 1-16.

Matthews, V. H., "Treading the Winepress: Actual and Metaphorical Viticulture in the Ancient Near East", Semeia 86 (1999) 19-32.

Miller, D. J., Characterisations of YHWH in the Song of the Vineyard: A Multitextural Interpretation of Isaiah 5:1-7. Diss. University of South Africa, 2013. Available online here [accessed 2023-04-24].

Niehr, H. "Zur Gattung von Jes 5,1-7", BZ N.F. 30 (1986) 99-104.

Nielsen, K., "'From Oracles to Canon' – and the Role of Metaphor", SJOT 17 (2003) 22-33.

Olanisebe, S. O., "The Justice of God in His Anger: A Narrative Analysis of Isaiah 5:1-7 and Its Implications for Socio-Economic and Security Challenges in Nigeria", OTE 28 (2015) 481-496.

Olivier, H., "God as Friendly Patron: Reflections on Isaiah 5.1-7", In die Skriflig 30 (1996) 293-303 [a South African online journal]. Reprinted [same title] in E. Pfoh (ed.), Patronage in Ancient Palestine and in the Hebrew Bible: A Reader (The Social World of Biblical Antiquity, 2nd series, 12; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2022) 331-341.

Olivier, J. P. J. [= Hannes], "Rendering ידיד as benevolent patron in Isaiah 5:1", JNSL 22/2 (1996) 59-65.

Pantoja, J. M., The Metaphor of the Divine as Planter of the People: Stinking Grapes or Pleasant Planting? (Biblical Interpretation Series, 155; Leiden: Brill, 2017). [on Isa 5,1-7 see esp. 121-136]

Petersen, D. L. – K. H. Richards, Interpreting Hebrew Poetry (Guides to Biblical Scholarship, Old Testament Series; Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992), esp. 81-89.

Petit, O., "La vigne: les échos théologiques d'une figure biblique", Sémiotique et Bible 109 (2003) 56-61.

Pope, M. H., The Song of Songs (AB 7C; Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1977), esp. 323-325.

Prinsloo, W. S., "Isaiah 5:1-7: a synchronic approach", in W. C. van Wyk (ed.), Studies in Isaiah (OTWSA 22-23, 1979-1980; Pretoria: NHW Press, 1981) 183-197.

Schottroff, W., "Das Weinberglied Jesajas (Jes 5,1-7). Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der Parabel", ZAW 82 (1970) 68-91. Reprinted [same title] in W. Schottroff, Gerechtigkeit lernen. Beiträge zur biblischen Sozialgeschichte. Herausgegeben von F. Crüsemann, R. Kessler, und L. Schottroff (TB [AT] 94; Gütersloh: Christian Kaiser & Gütersloher Verlagshaus, 1999) 225-248.

Schramm, G. M., "Poetic Patterning in Biblical Hebrew", in L. L. Orlin (ed.), Michigan Oriental Studies in Honor of George G. Cameron (Ann Arbor, MI: Dept. of Near Eastern Studies, The University of Michigan, 1976) 167-191: on Isa 5,1-7 esp. 180-185.

Schüle, A., "Deutung und Neugestaltung. Althebräische Grammatik in alttestamentlichen Texten", ZDPV 116 (2000) 14-25: on Isa 5,1-7 in MT and 1QIsa^a esp. 17-19.

Scippa, V., "Il canto alla vigna (Is 5,1-7). Studio esegetico secondo il metodo dell'analisi strutturale", in C. Marcheselli-Casale (ed.), Oltre il racconto: esegesi ed ermeneutica. Alla ricerca del senso. Colloquium dei docenti della Facoltà Teologica dell'Italia Meridionale - Sezione S.Tommaso d'Aquino - Napoli, 12 febbraio 1993 (Biblioteca teologica napoletana; Napoli: D'Auria 1994) 49-68.

Seybold, K., "Das Weinberglied des Propheten Jesaja (5,1-7)", in K. Seybold, Die Sprache der Propheten. Studien zur Literaturgeschichte der Prophetie (Zürich: Pano Verlag, 1999) 111-122.

Sheppard, G. T., "More on Isaiah 5:1-7 as a Juridical Parable", CBQ 44 (1982) 45-47.

Sherman, T. M., Plant Metaphors in Prophetic Condemnations of Israel and Judah (SBLAIL 49; Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, 2023), esp. 91-130 [Chap. 4: "Vineyard Metaphors", with detailed study of Isa 5,1-7]

Story, J. L., "Hope in the Midst of Tragedy: (Isa 5:1-7; 27:2-6; Matt 21:33-46 par.)", HBT 31 (2009) 178-195.

Stulac, D. J., "Charting New Paths in Modern-Critical Exegesis: An Agrarian-Rhetorical Analysis of Isaiah 5", BibInt 27 (2019) 390-412.

Thiel, W., "Das Lied von der missratenen Lieblingspflanzung: Erwägungen zum Weinberglied Jesaja 5,1-7", EvT 72 (2012) 165-173.

Toloni, G., "Ἀγαπάω come rilettura dei LXX di šaʿăšûʿîm (Is 5,7) e šāʿaʿ (Sal 94[93],19)", RivB 44 (1996) 129-156.

Tromp, N. J., "Un démasquage graduel. Lecture immanente d'Is 5,1-7", in J. Vermeylen (ed.), The Book of Isaiah. Le Livre d'Isaïe. Les oracles et leurs relectures, unité et complexité de l'ouvrage (BETL 81; Leuven: Leuven University Press, 1989) 197-202.

Vogels, W., "The Unpredictable Vineyard-Owner (Is., 5,1-7)", ScEs 31 (1979) 367-371.

Vonach, A., "From Isa 5 to Isa 27: A Prophetical Metaphor for God's Acting in Ordinary Israelite Prophecy and in Apocalyptic Thinking", in M. Doss – A. Vonach (eds.), Cross-Cultural Encounter. Experience and Expression of the Divine (Innsbruck: Innsbruck University Press; Würzburg: Echter, 2009) 53-64.

Vonach, A., "Vinea Dei, quo vadis? Ambivalente Zukunftsszenarien in Jes 5 und 27", in M. Datterl – W. Guggenberger – C. Paganini (eds.), Welt am Abgrund: Zukunft zwischen Bedrohung und Vision (Theologische Trends, 29; Innsbruck: Innsbruck University Press, 2019) 77-90.

Wallace, H. N., "Harvesting the Vineyard: The Development of Vineyard Imagery in the Hebrew Bible", in M. A. O'Brien – H. N. Wallace (eds.), Seeing Signals, Reading Signs: The Art of Exegesis. Studies in Honour of Antony F. Campbell SJ, for His Seventieth Birthday (JSOTSup 415; London: T & T Clark International, 2004) 117-129.

Walsh, C. E., "God's Vineyard. Isaiah's Prophecy as Vintner's Textbook", Bible Review 14 (1998) 42-49, 52-53.

Williams, G. R., "Frustrated Expectations in Isaiah V 1-7: A Literary Interpretation", VT 35 (1985) 459-465.

Willis, J. T., "The Genre of Isaiah 5:1-7", JBL 96 (1977) 337-362. Reprinted [same title] in J. T. Willis, Instruction Shall Go Forth: Studies in Micah and Isaiah. Edited by T. M. Willis and M. W. Hamilton (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications / Wipf & Stock, 2014) 244-276.

Yee, G. A., "A Form-Critical Study of Isaiah 5:1-7 as a Song and a Juridical Parable", CBQ 43 (1981) 30-40.

II. Studies in the history of reception of the text

Baumgarten, J. M., "4Q500 and the Ancient Conception of the Lord's Vineyard", JJS 40 (1989) 1-6.

Brooke, G. J., "4Q500 1 and the Use of Scripture in the Parable of the Vineyard", DSD 2 (1995) 268-294.

Caragounis, C. C., "Vine, Vineyard, Israel, and Jesus", SEÅ 65 (2000) 201-214.

Caragounis, C. C., "Is Jesus the Vine or the Vineyard?", in C. C. Caragounis, The Development of Greek and the New Testament: Morphology, Syntax, Phonology, and Textual Transmission (WUNT 167; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2004) 247-261. Paperback reprint (with some corrections): Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006.

Evans, C. A., "On the Vineyard Parables of Isaiah 5 and Mark 12", BZ N.F. 28 (1984) 82-86.

Evans, C. A., "How Septuagintal is Isa. 5:1-7 in Mark 12:1-9?", NovT 45 (2003) 105-110.

Harl, M., "Le statut incertain du Chant de la vigne (Isaïe 5,1-7) chez Origène et dans les listes anciennes de cantiques bibliques", in M. Loubet – D. Pralon (eds.), Eukarpa / Εὔκαρπα. Études sur la Bible et ses exégètes en hommage à Gilles Dorival (Paris: Cerf, 2011) 97-106.

Hays, R. W. Poe, "Love, Marriage, and a Delayed Harvest: Isaiah 61 as the Reversal of the Song of the Vineyard (5:1-7)", JBL 142 (2023) 451-469.

Huber, K., "Vom 'Weinberglied' zum 'Winzergleichnis'. Zu einem Beispiel innerbiblischer relecture", PzB 5 (1996) 71-94.

Kloppenborg, J. S., "Egyptian Viticultural Practices and the Citation of Isa 5:1-7 in Mark 12:1-9", NovT 44 (2002) 134-159. Reprinted [same title] in J. S. Kloppenborg, Synoptic Problems. Collected Essays (WUNT 329; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2014) 409-433.

Kloppenborg, J. S., "Isa 5:1-7 LXX and Mark 12:1, 9, Again", NovT 46 (2004) 12-19.

Kloppenborg, J. S., The Tenants in the Vineyard. Ideology, Economics, and Agrarian Conflict in Jewish Palestine (WUNT 195; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2006).

Moyise, S., "Jesus and Isaiah", Neotestamentica 43 (2009) 249-270 (esp. 252-257).

Puig i Tàrrech, A., "Metaphorics, First Context and Jesus Tradition in the Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard", BN 159 (2013) 75-120.

Salvesen, A., "The 'Three' in Early Christian Commentary: The Case of the 'Song of the Vineyard' (Isaiah 5:1-7)", JSCS 48 (2015) 72-85.

Schmeller, T., "Der Erbe des Weinbergs. Zu den Gerichtsgleichnissen Mk 12,1-12 und Jes 5,1-7", MTZ 46 (1995) 183-201. Reprinted [same title] in T. Schmeller, Kreuz und Kraft, I: Untersuchungen zur Jesusüberlieferung und zu frühchristlichen Gemeinden (SBAB 62; Stuttgart: Katholisches Bibelwerk, 2016) 60-87.

Smit Sibinga, J., "Theme and Variations: Isaiah's Song of the Vineyard and its Influence in the New Testament", in B. Koet – S. Moyise – J. Verheyden (eds.), The Scriptures of Israel in Jewish and Christian Tradition: Essays in Honour of Maarten J. J. Menken (NovTSup 148; Leiden: Brill, 2013) 25-40.

Story, J. L., "Hope in the Midst of Tragedy: (Isa 5:1-7; 27:2-6; Matt 21:33-46 par.)", HBT 31 (2009) 178-195.

Weren, W. J. C., "The Use of Isaiah 5,1-7 in the Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12,1-12; Matthew 21,33-46)", Bib 79 (1998) 1-26. Reprinted in W. J. C. Weren, Studies in Matthew's Gospel. Literary Design, Intertextuality, and Social Setting (Biblical Interpretation Series, 130; Leiden: Brill, 2014) 186-209.

Wrembek, C., "Fünf Weinberg-Gleichnisse. Eine geistliche Schriftbetrachtung", ZTK 62 (1989) 260-277.

III. Online resources

Riede, P., "Weinberg / Weinstock / Weinproduktion", in WiBiLex [erstellt: Aug. 2022]. See the Useful Links page for information about the WiBiLex.

Zimmermann, C., "Lieder außerhalb des Psalters", in WiBiLex [erstellt: Okt. 2014]. See esp. section 5.15.