Jeremiah Chapter 8 · Verse 13
I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
Original Language Analysis
אָסֹ֥ף
I will surely
H622
אָסֹ֥ף
I will surely
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.)
יְהוָֹ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֹ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאֵ֧ין
H369
וְהֶֽעָלֶה֙
and the leaf
H5929
וְהֶֽעָלֶה֙
and the leaf
Strong's:
H5929
Word #:
11 of 15
a leaf (as coming up on a tree); collectively, foliage
Cross References
Matthew 21:19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.Joel 1:7He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.Jeremiah 17:8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Historical Context
Viticulture and fig cultivation were central to Judah's agricultural economy. Archaeological evidence shows extensive terraced vineyards and orchting throughout the Judean hill country. The vine and fig tree symbolized prosperity and security. Their destruction represented complete economic collapse—exactly what occurred during Babylon's invasions when agricultural infrastructure was devastated. The theme of fruitless Israel appears throughout the prophets (Isaiah 5:1-7, Hosea 9:10) and into Jesus' ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does spiritual fruitlessness invite divine judgment, and what constitutes genuine spiritual fruit?
- What warning does this verse offer to those who enjoy God's blessings without producing corresponding faithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse uses harvest imagery to announce judgment: 'I will surely consume them, saith the LORD.' The Hebrew asoph asiph (אָסֹף אֲסִיפֵם) uses an emphatic verbal construction—'I will utterly gather them away/consume them.' The agricultural imagery follows: 'there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade.' Vines and figs represent covenant blessing (1 Kings 4:25, Micah 4:4); their failure signals covenant curse (Deuteronomy 28:38-40). 'And the things that I have given them shall pass away from them' indicates loss of all God had provided—land, produce, prosperity, even national existence. The verse may anticipate Jesus' cursing of the barren fig tree (Matthew 21:18-19), symbolizing fruitless Israel's judgment.