Jeremiah 12:10 kjv
Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jeremiah 12:10 nkjv
"Many rulers have destroyed My vineyard, They have trodden My portion underfoot; They have made My pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jeremiah 12:10 niv
Many shepherds will ruin my vineyard and trample down my field; they will turn my pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.
Jeremiah 12:10 esv
Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard; they have trampled down my portion; they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jeremiah 12:10 nlt
"Many rulers have ravaged my vineyard,
trampling down the vines
and turning all its beauty into a barren wilderness.
Jeremiah 12 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 12:10 | Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. | Obad 1:7 (Leaders/Shepherds act unjustly) |
| Jer 23:1 | Woe unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. | Ezek 34:2-6 (Critique of negligent shepherds) |
| Ezek 34:4 | The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. | Jer 23:2 (Fulfills judgment on shepherds) |
| Ezek 37:24 | And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. | Isa 40:11 (God promises a good shepherd) |
| Hos 4:3 | Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. | Jer 4:23-26 (Similar imagery of desolation) |
| Psa 74:1-2 | O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture? Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased and redeemed of old; and the tribe of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; and mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt. | Jer 5:6 (Judgment and devastation described) |
| Jer 5:7 | How shall I pardon thee for this? thine children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: and when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. | Isa 1:3 (Israel's neglect of God) |
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. | Acts 20:28-30 (Warning against false shepherds) |
| 1 Pet 5:2-3 | Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. | Neh 9:36-37 (Israel's past servitude contrasted with present) |
| Lam 1:7 | Jerusalem, in the days of her pilgrimage, and her houses of vanity, yea, she remembereth not the last end: therefore she is wonderfully cast down; she had no comforter: see, O LORD, and consider my affliction; for the enemy hath magnified himself. | Isa 19:5 (Prophecy of Egypt's desolation) |
| Jer 50:6 | My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace. | John 10:3-5 (Jesus as the door and Shepherd) |
| Mark 14:27 | And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. | Zech 13:7 (Prophecy of the shepherd being smitten) |
| Jer 8:7 | Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. | Jer 14:1-6 (Divine judgment described) |
| Mic 6:14 | Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt put forth, and not deliver; and that which thou deliverest shall be given to the robbers. | Deut 28:39 (Consequences of disobedience) |
| Rev 17:15 | And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. | Jer 51:13 (Babylon's destruction) |
| Jer 6:14 | They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, by saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace. | Jer 8:11 (False healing of the nation) |
| Jer 22:30 | Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man barren, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no seed of his shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling no more in Judah. | 2 Kings 23:30-34 (Jehoiakim's reign and consequence) |
| Eze 22:26 | Her priests have violated my laws, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between unclean and clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. | Lam 4:13 (Sins of priests and prophets) |
| Jer 17:1-2 | The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars; Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves and their oaks, and that pleasant tree, by the great rivers. | Isa 3:18-23 (Description of Judah's idolatry) |
| Jer 11:14 | Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry nor an alms for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their affliction. | Jer 7:16 (God's rejection of prayer for unrepentant) |
Jeremiah 12 verses
Jeremiah 12 10 Meaning
The Lord declares that many shepherds, or leaders, have corrupted His vineyard, His people. They have trampled His field and left it waste, leading to its devastation.
Jeremiah 12 10 Context
Jeremiah chapter 12 continues the prophet's lament and accusation against his own people and their leaders for their unfaithfulness and the consequences of their actions. This verse, 12:10, specifically addresses the failure of the spiritual leaders ("shepherds") who are responsible for the well-being of God's people, the vineyard. These leaders have failed in their duties, leading to the corruption and devastation of the land and its inhabitants. This indictment comes amidst the larger theme of God's impending judgment upon Judah for its persistent sin, idolatry, and injustice. The historical context is the declining years of the Kingdom of Judah, with the threat of Babylonian invasion looming. The audience is the people of Judah, whom Jeremiah is warning to repent.
Jeremiah 12 10 Word Analysis
Many: Refers to a significant number of individuals, indicating a widespread failure among the leadership.
shepherds: This is a metaphorical term for the leaders, particularly the priests and rulers who were appointed to "tend" or care for God's people, the flock. In Hebrew, "ro'im" (רֹעִים) literally means "shepherds" or "pastors."
have destroyed: The Hebrew verb "shachat'u" (שִׁחֲתוּ) signifies ruin, corruption, devastation, or perishing. It speaks to active damage and spoiling.
my vineyard: This is a metaphor for God's people, Israel, whom He had cultivated and cared for, just as a vineyard is tended for its fruit. The imagery emphasizes God's ownership and investment. This term frequently appears in Isaiah (e.g., Isa 5:1-7) and Psalms, drawing parallels between God's chosen people and a carefully cultivated vineyard.
they: Refers back to the "shepherds" (leaders).
have trodden: The Hebrew word "davos" (דָּבוֹס) means to tread down, crush, or trample. It suggests an act of defilement and disregard.
my portion: This translates to "nahalati" (נַחֲלָתִי), referring to God's inheritance. Israel is God's special possession (Deut 32:9), His inheritance, a unique and cherished people.
under foot: This reinforces the idea of trampling, indicating contempt and complete disregard for what is valuable and belonging to God.
they have made: Implies deliberate action and causation.
my pleasant portion: "Nahalati sha'ashu'a" (נַחֲלָתִי שַׁעֲשׁוּעָ). "Sha'ashu'a" denotes delight, joy, or pleasantness. This highlights that what was once a source of joy for God has been ruined.
a desolate wilderness: "Midbar shammam" (מִדְבָּר שַׁמָּם). "Shammam" means desolate, devastated, ruined, or astonished. This is the ultimate consequence of the leaders' actions. It paints a picture of utter barrenness and lack of life, directly opposite to the fruitfulness expected of a vineyard.
Group analysis of "shepherds have destroyed my vineyard": This phrase encapsulates the core failure of leadership in Israel. The leaders, meant to guide and protect the people of God, have instead caused their ruin, much like negligent shepherds leading their flock to destruction. The active destruction contrasts with the nurturing role God intended.
Group analysis of "trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness": This conveys a sequence of sin and consequence. First, God's inheritance (His people) is desecrated through neglect and abuse ("trodden under foot"). Second, this desecration leads to utter ruin and barrenness, turning what was a source of delight for God into a waste ("desolate wilderness"). The vivid imagery emphasizes the severe judgment that follows such betrayal.
Jeremiah 12 10 Bonus Section
The concept of "shepherds" in the Old Testament carries significant weight. God presents Himself as the ultimate Shepherd of Israel (Psa 23:1, Isa 40:11). When human leaders fail to fulfill this role, their failure is seen as a betrayal of God's covenant and a direct affront to Him. This verse foreshadows the messianic prophecy of a good shepherd (Ezekiel 34, John 10:11) who will not destroy but will lay down His life for the sheep. The stark contrast between the failed shepherds and the ideal Good Shepherd highlights God's sovereign plan for redemption and restoration amidst human unfaithfulness. The destruction described also serves as a warning for all generations about the grave responsibility of leadership within God's people.
Jeremiah 12 10 Commentary
The verse functions as a stark accusation from God against the leadership of Judah. They are portrayed not as true shepherds caring for God's flock (His people), but as destroyers who have ruined the precious inheritance God possessed. The metaphor of the vineyard, previously used to represent Israel's favored status and expected fruitfulness, is now shown to be trampled and desolated due to the failures of those entrusted with its care. This devastation signifies a profound spiritual and national decline. The prophecy speaks of leaders who have prioritized their own interests over the well-being of the people and God's purposes, leading to judgment. True leadership, in contrast, would involve faithful shepherding and cultivation of God's people.