Jeremiah 31:5
Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
Original Language Analysis
ע֚וֹד
H5750
ע֚וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
נֹטְעִ֖ים
Thou shalt yet plant
H5193
נֹטְעִ֖ים
Thou shalt yet plant
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
בְּהָרֵ֖י
upon the mountains
H2022
בְּהָרֵ֖י
upon the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
4 of 8
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
נֹטְעִ֖ים
Thou shalt yet plant
H5193
נֹטְעִ֖ים
Thou shalt yet plant
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Amos 9:14And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.Deuteronomy 28:30Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.Micah 4:4But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Historical Context
Samaria's mountains, once Israel's agricultural heartland, lay desolate for over a century after Assyrian conquest. Jeremiah's prophecy (to Judah, circa 587 BC) promised Northern Israel's restoration alongside Judah's—a reunification fulfilled partially in the post-exilic era and fully awaiting eschatological completion when 'all Israel shall be saved' (Romans 11:26).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to restore Samaria (Northern Israel) alongside Judah challenge divisions you maintain between 'acceptable' and 'unacceptable' believers?
- What does the detail about eating vineyards 'as common things' teach about God's desire for sustained peace, not merely momentary relief?
- Where in your life has God reversed curses (planting without harvesting) into blessings (long-term fruitfulness)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria—the verb עוֹד תִּטְּעִי (od tit'i, 'you shall yet plant') promises agricultural restoration specifically in Samaria, the Northern Kingdom's capital, destroyed by Assyria (722 BC). This prophecy transcends political division: God will reunite Israel and Judah (31:27-28, 31). Vineyard imagery evokes Israel's covenantal identity (Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:8-16)—God replants what judgment uprooted.
The planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things—the Hebrew וְחִלֵּלוּ (v'chilelu, literally 'profane them/treat as common') references Leviticus 19:23-25: newly planted fruit was forbidden (orlah) for three years, sacred to the LORD in year four, common in year five. This promise of eating as 'common' (חֻלִּין, chullin) means peace lasting long enough to harvest mature vineyards—no invading armies, no exile, no premature cutting down. Deuteronomy 28:30 threatened planting without eating; this reverses the curse.