The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.
God's active role in judgment continues: "The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me" (silah kol-abirai Adonai be-kirbi). The verb salah (סָלָה, "trodden under foot, rejected") describes contemptuous trampling—treating warriors as worthless. The "mighty men" (abirim, אַבִּירִים) were elite warriors, yet God crushes them effortlessly. "He hath called an assembly against me" (kara alai mo'ed) uses ironic language—mo'ed usually means appointed feast or sacred assembly (Leviticus 23). Here it's an appointed time of judgment, inverting festive gathering into slaughter. "To crush my young men" (lishbor bacuraj) describes breaking Israel's military strength—the young warriors who should defend are instead destroyed. The final image: "the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress" (darakh Adonai gat le-betulat bat-Yehudah). Winepress imagery appears in Isaiah 63:3 (God treading nations) and Revelation 14:19-20, 19:15 (final judgment). The virgin represents Jerusalem/Judah—once pure, now crushed like grapes, her blood flowing like wine.
Historical Context
Judah's military was systematically destroyed by Babylon. 2 Kings 25:4-7 records the army fleeing when walls were breached, King Zedekiah captured, his sons executed, and himself blinded. Jeremiah 39:4-7 gives similar account. The 'mighty men' included professional soldiers, officers, and the royal guard—all defeated or killed. The winepress metaphor would be familiar; ancient winepresses involved treading grapes with feet to extract juice. Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous winepress installations throughout Israel. The image of God treading people in a winepress is horrifying—human lives crushed like fruit. Yet it accurately portrays judgment's totality. Joel 3:13 uses similar imagery: 'the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.'
Questions for Reflection
How does God 'treading' and 'trampling' His people challenge comfortable views of divine love divorced from holiness and justice?
What does the ironic use of 'appointed feast' (<em>mo'ed</em>) for judgment teach about God's sovereignty over timing?
How does Christ experience the winepress of God's wrath (Isaiah 63:3, Revelation 19:15) so believers are spared?
Analysis & Commentary
God's active role in judgment continues: "The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me" (silah kol-abirai Adonai be-kirbi). The verb salah (סָלָה, "trodden under foot, rejected") describes contemptuous trampling—treating warriors as worthless. The "mighty men" (abirim, אַבִּירִים) were elite warriors, yet God crushes them effortlessly. "He hath called an assembly against me" (kara alai mo'ed) uses ironic language—mo'ed usually means appointed feast or sacred assembly (Leviticus 23). Here it's an appointed time of judgment, inverting festive gathering into slaughter. "To crush my young men" (lishbor bacuraj) describes breaking Israel's military strength—the young warriors who should defend are instead destroyed. The final image: "the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress" (darakh Adonai gat le-betulat bat-Yehudah). Winepress imagery appears in Isaiah 63:3 (God treading nations) and Revelation 14:19-20, 19:15 (final judgment). The virgin represents Jerusalem/Judah—once pure, now crushed like grapes, her blood flowing like wine.