Isaiah 5:2

He fenced it. The Heb. ‘azaq, translated “fenced,” meant “to dig” in Biblical Hebrew. The translation “fenced” is based on post-Biblical Hebrew. The context makes clear, however, that the vineyard did have a fence, or “wall,” about it (Isa. 5:5; cf. Matt. 21:33). God set a protecting hedge about His people to safeguard them. Their location on the central highlands of Palestine, away from immediate contact with the nations about, was a safeguard. God’s law and His messages sent by the prophets were valuable safeguards designed to keep their steps from evil.

The stones. These, perhaps, represent the native peoples of the land, with their idolatrous religion and wicked customs.

The choicest vine. This represents the people of Israel, carefully selected by God Himself (see v. 7).

A tower. The tower represented the Temple (DA 596).

A winepress. This may be thought of as representing institutions like the schools of the prophets, which were God’s appointed means for inculcating such virtues and graces as righteousness, justice, honesty, and purity.

Grapes. The vineyard was planted for the purpose of bringing forth fruit, as was the fig tree in the parable of Luke 13:6-9 (see Matt. 21:19, 34). The grapes represent the fruitage of character, a reflection of the divine character Israel was to exhibit before the world (see pp. 27-30).

Wild grapes. Instead of producing the fruits of the Spirit, Israel brought forth fruits of the flesh (see Gal. 5:19-23). Deeds of cruelty and injustice, dishonesty and deception, intemperance and immorality, a disregard for the rights of the poor and distressed, the taking advantage of widows and orphans — these were the evils the prophets constantly rebuked; these are the “wild grapes” here mentioned.