Jeremiah 12:10
Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
רֹעִ֤ים
pastors
H7462
רֹעִ֤ים
pastors
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
1 of 13
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
רַבִּים֙
Many
H7227
רַבִּים֙
Many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
2 of 13
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
שִֽׁחֲת֣וּ
have destroyed
H7843
שִֽׁחֲת֣וּ
have destroyed
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
3 of 13
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נָֽתְנ֛וּ
they have made
H5414
נָֽתְנ֛וּ
they have made
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Isaiah 63:18The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.Jeremiah 23:1Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.Jeremiah 6:3The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place.Jeremiah 3:19But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
Historical Context
Vineyard imagery for Israel appears prominently in Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:8-16. Babylon's armies ('many shepherds') systematically devastated Judah's agricultural infrastructure during their campaigns (605-586 BC). Archaeological evidence shows destruction of farms, orchards, and vineyards throughout the land. The 'wilderness' description fits depopulated, abandoned territory during the exile.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing invading armies as 'pastors/shepherds' highlight the irony of destructive leadership?
- What emotions does God express in watching His 'pleasant vineyard' become wilderness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes devastation: 'Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.' 'Pastors' (ro'im, shepherds) here means foreign rulers/invaders. 'Vineyard' (kerem) and 'portion' (chelqah) are images for Israel and the promised land. 'Trodden under foot' (bus) indicates trampling, contemptuous destruction. 'Pleasant portion' (chelqath chemdah) becomes 'desolate wilderness' (midbar shemamah). God watches His carefully cultivated vineyard destroyed by brutal invaders—yet He summoned them (v. 9). The grief is genuine though the judgment is just.