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Chapter 5

The Song of the Vineyard[a]

Now let me sing of my friend,
    my beloved’s song about his vineyard.
My friend had a vineyard
    on a fertile hillside;

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Footnotes

  1. 5:1–7 Vineyard: although the term is sometimes used in an erotic context (Sg 1:6; 8:12), “vineyard” or “vine” is used more frequently as a metaphor for God’s people (27:2; Ps 80:9, 14, 15; Jer 2:21; 12:10; Ez 17:7; Hos 10:1; Na 2:2). The terms translated “friend” (yadid) and “beloved” (dod) suggest the Lord’s favor (Dt 33:12; 2 Sm 12:25; Ps 127:2) and familial background rather than introducing the piece as a “love song,” as is sometimes suggested. The prophet disguises the real theme (the people’s infidelity) so that the hearers will participate in the unfavorable judgment called for (vv. 3–4). Cf. the reversal of this parable in 27:2–6.

The Song of the Vineyard

I will sing for the one I love
    a song about his vineyard:(A)
My loved one had a vineyard
    on a fertile hillside.

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11 Therefore, because you tax the destitute
    and exact from them levies of grain,
Though you have built houses of hewn stone,
    you shall not live in them;
Though you have planted choice vineyards,
    you shall not drink their wine.(A)

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11 You levy a straw tax on the poor(A)
    and impose a tax on their grain.
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,(B)
    you will not live in them;(C)
though you have planted lush vineyards,
    you will not drink their wine.(D)

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