Isa 5:2 | JFB | STEP | 2. fenced —rather, "digged and trenched" the ground to prepare it for planting the vines [MAURER ]. choicest vine — Hebrew, sorek; called still in Morocco, serki; the grapes had scarcely perceptible seeds; the Persian kishmish or bedana, that is, "without seed" ( ). tower —to watch the vineyard against the depredations of man or beast, and for the use of the owner ( ). wine-press —including the wine-fat; both hewn, for coolness, out of the rocky undersoil of the vineyard. wild grapes —The Hebrew expresses offensive putrefaction, answering to the corrupt state of the Jews. Fetid fruit of the wild vine [MAURER ], instead of "choicest" grapes. Of the poisonous monk's hood [GESENIUS ]. The Arabs call the fruit of the nightshade "wolf grapes" ( ). JEROME tries to specify the details of the parable; the "fence," angels; the "stones gathered out," idols; the "tower," the " temple in the midst" of Judea; the "wine-press," the altar.

Isaiah 5:2

2. fenced—rather, "digged and trenched" the ground to prepare it for planting the vines [MAURER].

choicest vine—Hebrew, sorek; called still in Morocco, serki; the grapes had scarcely perceptible seeds; the Persian kishmish or bedana, that is, "without seed" (Ge 49:11).

tower—to watch the vineyard against the depredations of man or beast, and for the use of the owner (Mt 21:33).

wine-press—including the wine-fat; both hewn, for coolness, out of the rocky undersoil of the vineyard.

wild grapes—The Hebrew expresses offensive putrefaction, answering to the corrupt state of the Jews. Fetid fruit of the wild vine [MAURER], instead of "choicest" grapes. Of the poisonous monk's hood [GESENIUS]. The Arabs call the fruit of the nightshade "wolf grapes" (De 32:32, 33; 2Ki 4:39-41). JEROME tries to specify the details of the parable; the "fence," angels; the "stones gathered out," idols; the "tower," the "temple in the midst" of Judea; the "wine-press," the altar.