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They add field to field, Till there is no place Where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land! <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Woe to those who attach house to house and join field to field, Until there is no more room, And you alone are a landowner in the midst of the land! <a href="/nasb/isaiah/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field, Until there is no more room, So that you have to live alone in the midst of the land! <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field, Until there is no more room, So that you have to live alone in the midst of the land! <a href="/lsb/isaiah/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field, Until there is no more room, So that you have to live alone in the midst of the land! <a href="/amp/isaiah/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Woe (judgment is coming) to those who join house to house and join field to field [to increase their holdings by depriving others], Until there is no more room [for others], So that you have to live alone in the midst of the land! <a href="/csb/isaiah/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field until there is no more room and you alone are left in the land. <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field until there is no more room and you alone are left in the land. <a href="/asv/isaiah/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no room, and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land! <a href="/cev/isaiah/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You are in for trouble! You take over house after house and field after field, until there is no room left for anyone else in all the land. <a href="/erv/isaiah/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no room, and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land! <a href="/gwt/isaiah/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> How horrible it will be for you who acquire house after house and buy field after field until there's nothing left and you have to live by yourself in the land. <a href="/gnt/isaiah/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> You are doomed! You buy more houses and fields to add to those you already have. Soon there will be no place for anyone else to live, and you alone will live in the land. <a href="/isv/isaiah/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> "How terrible it will be for you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you have settled yourselves alone in the middle of the land!" <a href="/msb/isaiah/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land. <a href="/net/isaiah/5.htm">NET Bible</a> Those who accumulate houses are as good as dead, those who also accumulate landed property until there is no land left, and you are the only landowners remaining within the land. <a href="/nheb/isaiah/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Woe to those who join house to house, who lay field to field, until there is no room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land. <a href="/wbt/isaiah/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Woe to them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there is no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! <a href="/web/isaiah/5.htm">World English Bible</a> Woe to those who join house to house, who lay field to field, until there is no room, and you are made to dwell alone in the middle of the land! <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Woe [to] those joining house to house, "" They bring field near to field, "" Until there is no place, "" And you have been settled by yourselves "" In the midst of the land! <a href="/ylt/isaiah/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Woe to those joining house to house, Field to field they bring near, till there is no place, And ye have been settled by yourselves In the midst of the land! <a href="/slt/isaiah/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Wo to those touching house upon house, they will bring near field upon field, till no more place, and ye dwelt yourselves alone in the midst of the earth.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Woe to you that join house to house and lay field to field, even to the end of the place: shall you alone dwell in the midst of the earth? <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Woe to you who join house to house, and who combine field to field, even to the limits of the place! Do you intend to live alone in the midst of the earth? <a href="/nabre/isaiah/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Ah! Those who join house to house, who connect field with field, Until no space remains, and you alone dwell in the midst of the land! <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Ah, you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is room for no one but you, and you are left to live alone in the midst of the land!<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Woe to those who trespass the boundaries between houses, who remove the landmarks between the fields, to steal the land, that they may dwell alone in the midst of the earth! <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Woe to those who touch house to house and are mingling field to field that you may seize a place and you may dwell alone inside of the land!<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Woe unto them that join house to house, That lay field to field, Till there be no room, and ye be made to dwell Alone in the midst of the land! <a href="/sep/isaiah/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Woe to them that join house to house, and add field to field, that they may take away something of their neighbor's: will ye dwell alone upon the land? <a href="/parallel/isaiah/5-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=943" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/isaiah/5.htm">Woes to the Wicked</a> 8<a href="/hebrew/1945.htm" title="1945: hō·w (Interjection) -- Ah! alas! ha! A prolonged form of how; oh!">Woe</a> <a href="/hebrew/5060.htm" title="5060: mag·gî·‘ê (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mpc) -- A primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. Lay the hand upon; by implication, to reach; violently, to strike.">to you who add</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇa·yiṯ (N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">house</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bə·ḇa·yiṯ (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">to house</a> <a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: yaq·rî·ḇū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">and join</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: śā·ḏeh (N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">field</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: ḇə·śā·ḏeh (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">to field</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/657.htm" title="657: ’e·p̄es (N-msc) -- From 'aphec; cessation, i.e. An end; often used adverb, no further; also the ankle, as being the extremity of the leg or foot.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: mā·qō·wm (N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">place is left</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: wə·hū·šaḇ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Hofal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">and you live</a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: lə·ḇad·də·ḵem (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 2mp) -- Separation, a part. ">alone</a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: bə·qe·reḇ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the land.</a> 9I heard the LORD of Hosts declare: “Surely many houses will become desolate, great mansions left unoccupied.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Micah 2:2</a> They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. <a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Amos 8:4-6</a> Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, / asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!” <a href="/habakkuk/2-9.htm">Habakkuk 2:9</a> Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, to place his nest on high and escape the hand of disaster! <a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a> Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ... <a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15</a> And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13-17</a> “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages, / who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion. / Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. ... <a href="/ezekiel/22-12.htm">Ezekiel 22:12-13</a> In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD. / Now look, I strike My hands together against your unjust gain and against the blood you have shed in your midst. <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Matthew 23:14</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. <a href="/proverbs/23-10.htm">Proverbs 23:10-11</a> Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, / for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you. <a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9-10</a> Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Nehemiah 5:1-5</a> About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. / Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.” / Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” ... <a href="/1_kings/21-1.htm">1 Kings 21:1-16</a> Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. / So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” / But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” ... <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a> Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. <a href="/psalms/49-16.htm">Psalm 49:16-20</a> Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. / Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul—and men praise you when you prosper— ... <a href="/1_corinthians/6-10.htm">1 Corinthians 6:10</a> nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Woe to them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the middle of the earth!them<a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13-17</a> Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; … <a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Micah 2:2</a> And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.<a href="/habakkuk/2-9.htm">Habakkuk 2:9-12</a> Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! … field<a href="/1_kings/21-16.htm">1 Kings 21:16-20</a> And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it… they.<a href="/ezekiel/11-15.htm">Ezekiel 11:15</a> Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the LORD: unto us is this land given in possession.<a href="/ezekiel/33-24.htm">Ezekiel 33:24</a> Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm">Add</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-17.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-22.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-8.htm">Field</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-7.htm">House</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">Join</a> <a href="/job/16-4.htm">Joining</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-2.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-15.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/songs/3-4.htm">Room</a> <a href="/psalms/80-9.htm">Space</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-9.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-10.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/23-12.htm">Add</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-31.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-26.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-3.htm">Field</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-4.htm">House</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-11.htm">Join</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-9.htm">Joining</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-25.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-25.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-20.htm">Room</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-20.htm">Space</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-9.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 5</div>1. <a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Under the parable of a vineyard, God excuses his severe judgment</a> 8. <a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">His judgments upon covetousness</a> 11. <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Upon lasciviousness</a> 13. <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Upon impiety</a> 20. <a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">And upon injustice</a> 26. <a href="/isaiah/5-26.htm">The executioners of God's judgments</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Woe to you who add house to house This phrase begins with a "woe," a term often used by prophets to pronounce judgment or lamentation. The context here is a condemnation of greed and the accumulation of wealth at the expense of others. In ancient Israel, land was a critical resource, and the Law of Moses emphasized the equitable distribution of land among the tribes and families (<a href="/leviticus/25-23.htm">Leviticus 25:23-28</a>). The practice of adding house to house suggests a violation of this principle, as wealthy landowners were buying up properties, displacing smaller landowners, and disrupting the intended social order. This behavior reflects a disregard for the covenantal laws and a focus on material gain.and join field to field The joining of field to field further illustrates the expansion of personal estates at the expense of community welfare. This accumulation of land would lead to the creation of large estates, reducing the availability of land for others and increasing economic disparity. The historical context of this practice can be seen in the agricultural society of ancient Israel, where land was the primary means of production and sustenance. This behavior is reminiscent of the actions of Ahab and Jezebel in <a href="/1_kings/21.htm">1 Kings 21</a>, where Naboth's vineyard was unjustly seized, highlighting the abuse of power and disregard for divine law.until no place is left This phrase indicates the extent of the greed and the resulting desolation. The accumulation of land by a few leads to a lack of space and resources for the many, creating social and economic imbalance. This situation is contrary to the Jubilee laws, which were designed to prevent such monopolization and ensure that every family had access to their ancestral land. The prophetic warning here is that such actions will lead to judgment and desolation, as the land itself will suffer from the consequences of human greed.and you live alone in the land The result of this unchecked greed is isolation. The wealthy landowners, in their pursuit of expansion, end up living alone, having driven others away. This isolation is both physical and spiritual, as it reflects a separation from the community and from God's intended order. The prophetic implication is that such behavior leads to judgment, as seen in the Babylonian exile, where the land was left desolate and the people were removed. This phrase also serves as a warning against the dangers of materialism and the importance of community and stewardship.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a> The prophet who delivered God's messages to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He is the author of the Book of Isaiah and is known for his prophecies concerning judgment and redemption. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah_and_jerusalem.htm">Judah and Jerusalem</a> The primary audience of Isaiah's prophecies. During Isaiah's time, these regions were experiencing social and economic injustices, which the prophet frequently addressed. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_wealthy_landowners.htm">The Wealthy Landowners</a> The specific group being addressed in this verse. They were accumulating land and wealth at the expense of others, leading to social inequality and injustice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/greed_and_materialism.htm">Greed and Materialism</a> The verse warns against the dangers of greed and the relentless pursuit of material wealth. It serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual values over material possessions. <a href="/topical/s/social_justice.htm">Social Justice</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8</a> highlights the importance of social justice and caring for the community. Christians are called to be mindful of the needs of others and to work towards a fair and equitable society. <a href="/topical/c/contentment.htm">Contentment</a> The accumulation of wealth and property can lead to isolation and dissatisfaction. Believers are encouraged to find contentment in God's provision and to trust in His plan for their lives. <a href="/topical/s/stewardship.htm">Stewardship</a> The verse challenges Christians to consider how they use their resources. Believers are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to them, using their resources to bless others and advance God's kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 5</a> <a href="/q/what_does_polytheism_mean.htm">What does polytheism mean?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_verify_micah_2_1-2_injustices.htm">How can we confirm historically or archaeologically that the injustices described in Micah 2:1–2 actually occurred on a large scale? </a> <a href="/q/who_was_naboth_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Naboth in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_1_sam_8_11-18_align_with_divine_rule.htm">How do the ominous predictions about a king's behavior (1 Samuel 8:11-18) align with the notion of a divinely sanctioned ruler?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) Woe unto them that join house to house.--The series of "Woes" which follows has no precedent in the teaching of earlier prophets. The form of <a href="/context/luke/6-24.htm" title="But woe to you that are rich! for you have received your consolation.">Luke 6:24-26</a> seems based upon it. The general indictment of Isaiah 1 is followed by special counts. That which leads off the list was the destruction of the old village life of Palestine. The original ideal of the nation had been that it should consist of small proprietors; and the Jubilee (<a href="/leviticus/25-13.htm" title="In the year of this jubilee you shall return every man to his possession.">Leviticus 25:13</a>; <a href="/leviticus/27-24.htm" title="In the year of the jubilee the field shall return to him of whom it was bought, even to him to whom the possession of the land did belong.">Leviticus 27:24</a>), and the law of the marriage of heiresses (<a href="/context/numbers/27-1.htm" title="Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.">Numbers 27:1-11</a>, Numbers 36, <a href="/numbers/33-54.htm" title="And you shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more you shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falls; according to the tribes of your fathers you shall inherit.">Numbers 33:54</a>) were intended as safeguards for the maintenance of that ideal. In practice it had broken down, and might had taken the place of right. Landmarks were removed (<a href="/deuteronomy/19-14.htm" title="You shall not remove your neighbor's landmark, which they of old time have set in your inheritance, which you shall inherit in the land that the LORD your God gives you to possess it.">Deuteronomy 19:14</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/27-17.htm" title="Cursed be he that removes his neighbor's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.">Deuteronomy 27:17</a>; <a href="/proverbs/22-28.htm" title="Remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set.">Proverbs 22:28</a>), the owners of small estates forcibly expelled (<a href="/micah/2-2.htm" title="And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.">Micah 2:2</a>) or murdered as Naboth had been (<a href="/1_kings/21-16.htm" title="And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.">1Kings 21:16</a>); the law of debt pressed against the impoverished debtor (<a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm" title="Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children: and, see, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought to bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.">Nehemiah 5:5</a>), and the law of the Jubilee was practically set aside. In place of the small freeholders there rose up a class of large proprietors, often the novi homines of the state (e.g., Shebna in <a href="/isaiah/22-16.htm" title="What have you here? and whom have you here, that you have hewed you out a sepulcher here, as he that hews him out a sepulcher on high, and that engraves an habitation for himself in a rock?">Isaiah 22:16</a>), while the original owners sank into slavery (<a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm" title="Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children: and, see, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought to bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.">Nehemiah 5:5</a>) or became tenants at will, paying exorbitant rents in kind or money, and liable at any moment to be evicted. Isaiah's complaint recalls the agrarian laws by which first Licinius and then the Gracchi sought to restrain the extension of the latifundia of the Roman patricians, and Latimer's bold protest against the enclosure of commons in the sixteenth century. The evil had been denounced before by Micah (<a href="/micah/2-2.htm" title="And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.">Micah 2:2</a>), and in a psalm probably contemporary with Isaiah (<a href="/psalms/49-11.htm" title="Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.">Psalm 49:11</a>). The fact that the last year of Uzziah coincided with the Jubilee may have given a special point to Isaiah's protest. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 8-24. - THE SIX WOES. After the general warning conveyed to Israel by the parable of the vineyard, six sins are particularized as those which have especially provoked God to give the warning. On each of these woe is denounced. Two have special punishments assigned to them (vers. 8-17); the remainder are joined in one general threat of retribution (vers. 18 - 24). Verse 8. - Woe unto them that join house to house. This is the first woe. It is pronounced on the greed which leads men to continually enlarge their estates, without regard to their neighbors' convenience. Nothing is said of any use of unfair means, much less of violence in dispossessing the former proprietors. What is denounced is the selfishness of vast accumulations of land in single bands, to the detriment of the rest of the community. The Jewish law was peculiarly inimical to this practice (<a href="/numbers/27-1.htm">Numbers 27:1-11</a>; <a href="/numbers/33-54.htm">Numbers 33:54</a>; <a href="/1_kings/21-4.htm">1 Kings 21:4</a>); but perhaps it is not without reason that many writers of our own time object to it on general grounds. Till there be no place; literally, till want of place; i.e. till there is no room for others. A hyperbole, doubtless, but marking a real national inconvenience. That they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth; rather, that ye may dwell by yourselves in the midst of the land. The great landlords wished to isolate themselves; they disliked neighbors; they would fain "dwell by themselves," without neighbors to trouble them. Uzziah seems, by what is said of his possessions (<a href="/2_chronicles/26-10.htm">2 Chronicles 26:10</a>), to have been one of the greatest sinners in respect of the accumulation of land. <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/5-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Woe ה֗וֹי (hō·w) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1945.htm">Strong's 1945: </a> Ah! alas! ha! to those who add מַגִּיעֵ֥י (mag·gî·‘ê) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5060.htm">Strong's 5060: </a> To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike house בַ֙יִת֙ (ḇa·yiṯ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house to house בְּבַ֔יִת (bə·ḇa·yiṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house and join יַקְרִ֑יבוּ (yaq·rî·ḇū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> To come near, approach field שָׂדֶ֥ה (śā·ḏeh) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land to field בְשָׂדֶ֖ה (ḇə·śā·ḏeh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land until עַ֚ד (‘aḏ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while there is no אֶ֣פֶס (’e·p̄es) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_657.htm">Strong's 657: </a> Cessation, an end, no further, the ankle, foot room מָק֔וֹם (mā·qō·wm) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> A standing, a spot, a condition and you dwell וְהֽוּשַׁבְתֶּ֥ם (wə·hū·šaḇ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry alone לְבַדְּכֶ֖ם (lə·ḇad·də·ḵem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of in בְּקֶ֥רֶב (bə·qe·reḇ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7130.htm">Strong's 7130: </a> The nearest part, the center the land. הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 5:8 Woe to those who join house (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/5-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 5:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 5:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/5-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 5:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 5:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>