Isaiah 5:10 Meaning and Explanation
“Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord will drastically reduce the harvest so that the wealthy reap only a fraction of what they sowed.
The Context of Isaiah 5:10
The economic consequence: harvests will fail to reward the sower.
What Does Isaiah 5:10 Mean?
Isaiah specifies economic judgment in terms of agricultural failure. A bath was about six gallons; an ephah was a dry measure roughly a bushel. The ratios are stark: ten acres yielding one bath (not ten baths), a homer of seed yielding an ephah (not an ephah or more per homer sown).
This invokes the covenant curses of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, where covenant-breaking results in agricultural devastation. The 'tenfold diminishment' expresses divine judgment on those who oppressed their neighbor's livelihood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 5:10
What does Isaiah 5:10 mean?
The Lord will drastically reduce the harvest so that the wealthy reap only a fraction of what they sowed.
What is the context of Isaiah 5:10?
The economic consequence: harvests will fail to reward the sower.