Isaiah 5:9

In mine eares said the Lord of hostes, Of a trueth many houses shall be desolate, euen great and faire without inhabitant. Isaiah 5:9 (KJV)

Isaiah 5:9 belongs to the “woes” section of Isaiah 5:8‑30 and follows the well‑known “Song of the Vineyard” (Isaiah 5:1‑7). In this passage the prophet Isaiah conveys a direct pronouncement from the LORD of hosts, a title that emphasizes God’s supreme authority as commander of the heavenly armies. The opening words, “In mine ears said the LORD of hosts,” signal that what follows is a divine utterance heard by the prophet.

The verse declares, “Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.” The imagery of magnificent houses becoming empty and ruined serves as a powerful symbol of the judgment that will fall upon Israel because of its collective sinfulness. These houses may represent literal dwellings as well as the nation itself, once splendid and prosperous but now destined for abandonment because of unfaithfulness and wickedness.

The broader context of Isaiah 5 outlines a catalogue of sins—social injustice, oppression of the poor, idolatry, and moral decay—that have provoked God’s wrath. The desolation of “great and fair” houses illustrates the concrete consequences of those sins, reinforcing the warning that divine judgment is imminent. This vivid picture is intended to awaken the people to the seriousness of their actions and to call them to repentance.

Ultimately, the passage urges Israel to turn back to God. By exposing the stark outcome of continued rebellion—empty, splendid homes left without occupants—the text functions both as a lament over impending loss and as a plea for the nation to seek restoration through humility and obedience to the LORD of hosts.