Jeremiah Chapter 48 · Verse 33
And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.
Original Language Analysis
וְנֶאֶסְפָ֨ה
is taken
H622
וְנֶאֶסְפָ֨ה
is taken
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
1 of 15
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
מִכַּרְמֶ֖ל
from the plentiful field
H3759
מִכַּרְמֶ֖ל
from the plentiful field
Strong's:
H3759
Word #:
4 of 15
a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce
וּמֵאֶ֣רֶץ
and from the land
H776
וּמֵאֶ֣רֶץ
and from the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
5 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מוֹאָ֑ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֑ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
6 of 15
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
וְיַ֙יִן֙
and I have caused wine
H3196
וְיַ֙יִן֙
and I have caused wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
7 of 15
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
מִיקָבִ֣ים
from the winepresses
H3342
מִיקָבִ֣ים
from the winepresses
Strong's:
H3342
Word #:
8 of 15
a trough (as dug out); specifically, a wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the juice drains; or the upper, in which the grapes are crushed)
הִשְׁבַּ֔תִּי
to fail
H7673
הִשְׁבַּ֔תִּי
to fail
Strong's:
H7673
Word #:
9 of 15
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִדְרֹ֣ךְ
none shall tread
H1869
יִדְרֹ֣ךְ
none shall tread
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
11 of 15
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
Cross References
Isaiah 5:10Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.Haggai 2:16Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.
Historical Context
Grape harvest in the ancient Near East was the year's most joyful celebration, similar to modern harvest festivals. Treading grapes in winepresses was communal, accompanied by rhythmic chanting and singing. Isaiah 16:9-10 contains nearly identical language about Moab's harvest joy being ended. The fulfillment came when Babylon conquered Moab (circa 582 BC), devastating agriculture and ending prosperity. This judgment parallels what Judah experienced—both nations lost their harvests and joy under divine discipline.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the removal of harvest joy illustrate that all human gladness depends on God's blessing?
- What does the silencing of joyful shouting teach about the comprehensive nature of divine judgment?
- In what ways should awareness that God gives and removes blessing shape our enjoyment of prosperity and productivity?
Analysis & Commentary
And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab (וְנֶאֶסְפָה שִׂמְחָה וָגִיל מִכַּרְמֶל וּמֵאֶרֶץ מוֹאָב)—The Hebrew simchah (שִׂמְחָה) and gil (גִּיל) both mean joy, gladness, rejoicing. These are harvest terms—the celebration accompanying grape gathering and wine production. This joy is 'taken' (asaph, אָסַף—gathered away, removed, withdrawn). God removes blessing, and with it, the joy that blessing produces.
I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting (וְיַיִן מִיקָבִים הִשְׁבַּתִּי לֹא־יִדְרֹךְ הֵידָד). The word shavat (שָׁבַת) means to cease, stop, rest—God actively stops wine production. Treading grapes was accompanied by joyful shouting (hedad, הֵידָד). Their shouting shall be no shouting—any cries will be of anguish, not celebration. The reversal is complete: sounds of joy become sounds of grief. This echoes the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:30-39—planting but not harvesting, because of covenant unfaithfulness.