Jeremiah 31 5

Jeremiah 31:5 kjv

Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.

Jeremiah 31:5 nkjv

You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; The planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food.

Jeremiah 31:5 niv

Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit.

Jeremiah 31:5 esv

Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit.

Jeremiah 31:5 nlt

Again you will plant your vineyards on the mountains of Samaria
and eat from your own gardens there.

Jeremiah 31 verses

Jeremiah 31 5 meaning

This verse paints a vivid picture of future restoration and abundant prosperity for the land of Israel, specifically extending to the long-desolate Northern Kingdom (Samaria). It assures the people that after their time of exile and barrenness, they will not only return to their land but actively re-establish thriving vineyards, signifying a complete reversal of judgment and a renewed enjoyment of the land's bounty, free from enemy threats.

Jeremiah 31 5 Context

Jeremiah 31 is part of the "Book of Consolation" (Jeremiah 30-33), a section of Jeremiah's prophecy characterized by messages of hope and future restoration amidst declarations of judgment and impending exile. Jeremiah preached during a time of national decline, foreseeing the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity. However, in this section, God shifts from impending doom to glorious promises of a future return.

Specifically, Jeremiah 31 focuses on the restoration of both the Southern Kingdom (Judah) and the Northern Kingdom (Israel, which had fallen to Assyria centuries earlier and whose land was largely desolate). This verse (Jer 31:5) highlights the agricultural renewal of Samaria, the former capital region of the Northern Kingdom. It's a prophecy about the ingathering of all Israel, reunited under God's loving hand. This chapter also contains the famous prophecy of the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34), underscoring that the physical restoration will be accompanied by a profound spiritual renewal, marking a new era in God's relationship with His people. The verse is a powerful assurance that despite the present desolation and exile, God's steadfast love will bring His people back to a place of thriving life and joy.

Jeremiah 31 5 Word analysis

• Again (עוֹד ‘od): This adverb signifies repetition, return, or further action. Its presence here strongly emphasizes that the good times of planting and prosperity, which have ceased due to judgment, will be resumed. It marks a definite reversal and a new beginning.

• You shall plant (תִּטְּעִו tittə‘u): This is a future tense verb from the root נטע (nata), meaning "to plant, set in place." The "you" is plural, referring to the returning exiles. It conveys a confident assurance from God that the people will indeed be back in their land and engaged in the essential life-giving work of agriculture, actively participating in their own restoration.

• Vineyards (כְּרָמִים kəramim): The plural of כֶּרֶם (kerem), "vineyard." Vineyards were vital to ancient Israel's economy and culture, symbolizing prosperity, joy, and the good life. Their destruction (e.g., Isa 5:6) was a sign of God's judgment and desolation. Planting vineyards, therefore, signifies peace, stability, and abundance—a sign of settled life and lasting blessing.

• On the mountains (הָרֵי harey): Refers to the elevated, often terraced, terrain typical for vineyards in ancient Israel. It specifically points to the geographical features of Samaria. Planting vineyards on mountains indicates robust growth even in less fertile or more challenging conditions, emphasizing the supernatural extent of the restoration.

• Of Samaria (שֹׁמְרוֹן shomron): Historically, the region and capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was conquered by Assyria in 722 BCE. Its inhabitants were scattered or displaced, and its land often laid desolate or settled by foreigners. The mention of "Samaria" here is highly significant: it explicitly includes the "lost tribes" of the Northern Kingdom in God's promise of restoration, indicating a full and inclusive ingathering of all Israel, transcending the historical divide between Israel and Judah. It emphasizes the comprehensiveness of God's redemptive plan.

• The planters (נֹטְעִים notə‘im): A participle, denoting those who perform the action of planting. This refers directly to the returning Israelite exiles. It highlights their active, peaceful labor in the restored land, taking possession and working it productively.

• Shall plant (וְנָטְעוּ vənaṭə‘u): A perfect verb with a consecutive waw, effectively continuing the future action begun by "you shall plant." It strongly confirms the certainty and immediacy of the planters' actions upon return. It is a declarative affirmation that this activity will happen.

• And eat their fruit (וְחִלְּלוּ vəḥilləlu): The verb חלל (ḥalal) in this agricultural context means "to enjoy," "to redeem," or specifically "to use for common use" after the prescribed period. According to Mosaic law (Lev 19:23-25), the fruit of newly planted vineyards was consecrated or restricted for the first three or four years. In the fourth year, it was given to the LORD, and only from the fifth year could it be eaten freely. "Eating their fruit" immediately (or implying the lifting of these restrictions for the new era of blessing) symbolizes full enjoyment, peaceful possession, and freedom from threat or restriction. It signifies that the work done will yield immediate and satisfying returns, contrasting with times of famine or enemy confiscation.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "Again you shall plant vineyards": This phrase speaks of a renewed covenant relationship, moving beyond a state of barrenness and punishment into active participation in God's blessings. The re-engagement in viticulture signals restoration of settled life and prosperity.
  • "on the mountains of Samaria": This points to the geographical and historical scope of God's mercy. It means God's promise is not limited to Judah but encompasses the entirety of His scattered people, indicating a complete, unifying restoration for both houses of Israel. It reverses centuries of desolation and division.
  • "the planters shall plant and eat their fruit": This entire clause conveys assured success and full enjoyment. The emphasis is on direct benefit from their labor. It speaks to a time of security and peace, where labor is not in vain, and the fruits of the land are consumed by its rightful owners without fear of invasion or taxation, which had previously plagued Israel. It embodies complete divine blessing and human satisfaction.

Jeremiah 31 5 Bonus section

The phrase "eat their fruit" (וְחִלְּלוּ vəḥilləlu) carries a deeper significance in light of Israel's agricultural laws. Under Mosaic law (Leviticus 19:23-25), newly planted fruit trees and vines were subject to specific restrictions: their fruit was considered ‘orlah (uncircumcised) for three years, and the fruit of the fourth year was to be offered to the Lord. Only from the fifth year could the owner eat the fruit freely (called ḥillûlîm or "making common"). Thus, for Jeremiah to prophesy that the planters "shall plant and eat their fruit" (using the verb ḥillelu) implies that the ordinary legal/ritual delay will be lifted or overcome in this future, blessed state of restoration. It's a sign of unprecedented grace and an immediate, abundant enjoyment of the land's produce without previous restrictions, highlighting a return to a Garden of Eden-like blessedness where one's labor instantly yields sweet reward and peace. This signals a new dispensation of blessing, signifying a joyful experience of God's immediate and unreserved generosity to His restored people.

Jeremiah 31 5 Commentary

Jeremiah 31:5 is a radiant promise of profound restoration and abundant blessing for Israel after the judgment of exile. It emphasizes a complete reversal: where once there was desolation, there will again be vineyards; where fear and insecurity reigned, there will be peaceful labor and enjoyment of its fruits. The specific mention of "Samaria" signifies the comprehensive nature of God's grace, extending His redemptive hand not just to Judah but to the historically alienated Northern Kingdom, foreshadowing a reunification of all Israel. This restoration is not merely physical; the New Covenant, declared just verses away (Jer 31:31), indicates that alongside renewed agriculture will come a spiritual renewal, with God's law written on their hearts. The ability to "eat their fruit" implies a lifting of the previous curses and the full, unhindered enjoyment of God's provision, free from the previous limitations and threats. It speaks of security, stability, and joyful prosperity as God's people settle into the land He has blessed for them, living a life of peace and fruitfulness under His divine favor. This is a powerful declaration of God's enduring faithfulness and His power to bring new life out of utter destruction.