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Jeremiah 12:10

Jeremiah 12:10 in Multiple Translations

Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

The keepers of sheep have been the destruction of my vine-garden, crushing my heritage under their feet; they have made my fair heritage an unplanted waste;

Many shepherds have come and destroyed my vineyard; they have trampled down the crops in my field. They have turned my pleasant land into an empty wasteland.

Many pastors haue destroyed my vineyarde, and troden my portion vnder foote: of my pleasant portion they haue made a desolate wildernesse.

Many shepherds did destroy My vineyard, They have trodden down My portion, They have made My desirable portion Become a wilderness — a desolation.

Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard. They have trodden my portion under foot. They have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot: they have changed my delightful portion into a desolate wilderness.

Many rulers from other countries have come with their armies and devastated/destroyed my people whom I care for like a farmer takes care of his vineyard. They have caused my beautiful land to become a barren desert where no one lives.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 12:10

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 12:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB רֹעִ֤ים רַבִּים֙ שִֽׁחֲת֣וּ כַרְמִ֔/י בֹּסְס֖וּ אֶת חֶלְקָתִ֑/י נָֽתְנ֛וּ אֶת חֶלְקַ֥ת חֶמְדָּתִ֖/י לְ/מִדְבַּ֥ר שְׁמָמָֽה
רֹעִ֤ים râʻâh H7462 House of Shepherds V-Qal
רַבִּים֙ rab H7227 many Adj
שִֽׁחֲת֣וּ shâchath H7843 to ruin V-Piel-Perf-3cp
כַרְמִ֔/י kerem H3754 vineyard N-cs | Suff
בֹּסְס֖וּ bûwç H947 to trample V-o-Perf-3cp
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
חֶלְקָתִ֑/י chelqâh H2513 portion N-fs | Suff
נָֽתְנ֛וּ nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
חֶלְקַ֥ת chelqâh H2513 portion N-fs
חֶמְדָּתִ֖/י chemdâh H2532 desire N-fs | Suff
לְ/מִדְבַּ֥ר midbâr H4057 mouth Prep | N-ms
שְׁמָמָֽה shᵉmâmâh H8077 Desolate N-fs
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 12:10

רֹעִ֤ים râʻâh H7462 "House of Shepherds" V-Qal
This verb means to care for or tend to someone or something, like a shepherd with his flock. It can also mean to rule over or associate with someone as a friend, and is sometimes used to describe a close relationship.
Definition: Ra'ah = "pasturing" perh. "binding-house of the shepherds"
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste. See also: Genesis 4:2; Isaiah 40:11; Psalms 23:1.
רַבִּים֙ rab H7227 "many" Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
שִֽׁחֲת֣וּ shâchath H7843 "to ruin" V-Piel-Perf-3cp
This verb means to ruin or destroy something, and it is used in various forms throughout the Bible to describe corruption and decay.
Definition: 1) to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay 1a) (Niphal) to be marred, be spoiled, be corrupted, be corrupt, be injured, be ruined, be rotted 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to spoil, ruin 1b2) to pervert, corrupt, deal corruptly (morally) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to spoil, ruin, destroy 1c2) to pervert, corrupt (morally) 1c3) destroyer (participle) 1d) (Hophal) spoiled, ruined (participle) Aramaic equivalent: she.chat (שְׁחַת "to corrupt" H7844)
Usage: Occurs in 136 OT verses. KJV: batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r). See also: Genesis 6:11; Psalms 14:1; Psalms 53:2.
כַרְמִ֔/י kerem H3754 "vineyard" N-cs | Suff
A vineyard, or kerem, was a garden or plot of land used for growing vines and other crops. In the Bible, vineyards were often used as a symbol of prosperity and abundance, as seen in the book of Isaiah and the parables of Jesus.
Definition: vineyard
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also H1021 (בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם). See also: Genesis 9:20; Nehemiah 5:11; Psalms 107:37.
בֹּסְס֖וּ bûwç H947 "to trample" V-o-Perf-3cp
To trample or tread down something, like an enemy or an undesirable thing. This word can also mean to reject or despise something. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, often in the context of war or conflict.
Definition: 1) to tread down, reject, trample down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tread down, trample (of warriors) 1a2) of rejection (fig.) 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to tread down (in bad sense) 1b2) to desecrate 1c) (Hithpolel) 1c1) to tread 1c2) to kick out 1c2a) of infants' blind movements 1c2b) of Jerusalem (fig.) 1d) (Hophal) to be trodden down
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: loath, tread (down, under (foot)), be polluted. See also: Psalms 44:6; Isaiah 63:6; Psalms 60:14.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
חֶלְקָתִ֑/י chelqâh H2513 "portion" N-fs | Suff
This word refers to smoothness, but can also imply flattery or slippery behavior. In some cases, it describes a plot of land or a portion of ground. The Bible uses this word to warn against smooth talk and deceitful actions.
Definition: 1) portion, parcel 1a) of ground
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: field, flattering(-ry), ground, parcel, part, piece of land (ground), plat, portion, slippery place, smooth (thing). See also: Genesis 27:16; 2 Kings 9:21; Psalms 12:3.
נָֽתְנ֛וּ nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
חֶלְקַ֥ת chelqâh H2513 "portion" N-fs
This word refers to smoothness, but can also imply flattery or slippery behavior. In some cases, it describes a plot of land or a portion of ground. The Bible uses this word to warn against smooth talk and deceitful actions.
Definition: 1) portion, parcel 1a) of ground
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: field, flattering(-ry), ground, parcel, part, piece of land (ground), plat, portion, slippery place, smooth (thing). See also: Genesis 27:16; 2 Kings 9:21; Psalms 12:3.
חֶמְדָּתִ֖/י chemdâh H2532 "desire" N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew term describes something that brings great joy and pleasure, like a precious gift. It's used in the Bible to talk about the good things in life that bring happiness and fulfillment. In Genesis and Psalms, it describes the delight of being in a loving relationship.
Definition: desire, that which is desirable
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: desire, goodly, pleasant, precious. See also: Genesis 27:15; Jeremiah 12:10; Psalms 106:24.
לְ/מִדְבַּ֥ר midbâr H4057 "mouth" Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
שְׁמָמָֽה shᵉmâmâh H8077 "Desolate" N-fs
This word refers to the state of being devastated or wasted, often used to describe the results of war or God's judgment. In Ezekiel 33:28, it describes the desolation of Israel. It's about a place being left empty and destroyed.
Definition: devastation, waste, desolation Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: (laid, [idiom] most) desolate(-ion), waste. See also: Exodus 23:29; Ezekiel 14:16; Isaiah 1:7.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 12:10

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Isaiah 5:1–7 I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. What more could I have done for My vineyard than I already did for it? Why, when I expected sweet grapes, did it bring forth sour fruit? Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it.” For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.
2 Jeremiah 23:1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.
3 Isaiah 63:18 For a short while Your people possessed Your holy place, but our enemies have trampled Your sanctuary.
4 Jeremiah 6:3 Shepherds and their flocks will come against her; they will pitch their tents all around her, each tending his own portion:
5 Luke 20:9–16 Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed. Then he sent a third, but they wounded him and threw him out. ‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and kill those tenants, and will give the vineyard to others.” And when the people heard this, they said, “May such a thing never happen!”
6 Psalms 80:8–16 You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. It sent out its branches to the Sea, and its shoots toward the River. Why have You broken down its walls, so that all who pass by pick its fruit? The boar from the forest ravages it, and the creatures of the field feed upon it. Return, O God of Hosts, we pray! Look down from heaven and see! Attend to this vine— the root Your right hand has planted, the son You have raised up for Yourself. Your vine has been cut down and burned; they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.
7 Jeremiah 3:19 Then I said, ‘How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!’ I thought you would call Me ‘Father’ and never turn away from following Me.
8 Revelation 11:2 But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.
9 Lamentations 1:10–11 The adversary has seized all her treasures. For she has seen the nations enter her sanctuary— those You had forbidden to enter Your assembly. All her people groan as they search for bread. They have traded their treasures for food to keep themselves alive. Look, O LORD, and consider, for I have become despised.
10 Jeremiah 25:9 behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation.

Jeremiah 12:10 Summary

Jeremiah 12:10 tells us that God's people, who are like a vineyard, have been destroyed by their spiritual leaders, who are like shepherds. This has happened because the shepherds have not taken care of God's people, but instead have hurt and neglected them (as seen in Ezekiel 34:1-10). As a result, God's people have become like a desolate wasteland, without spiritual life or fruitfulness (see also Jeremiah 4:23-26). We can learn from this by being careful to follow godly leaders and to take care of one another, just as God takes care of us (see Matthew 25:31-46).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the shepherds mentioned in Jeremiah 12:10?

The shepherds in this verse are likely the spiritual leaders of God's people, who have failed to care for and protect them, as seen in Ezekiel 34:1-10, where God condemns the shepherds of Israel for their neglect and abuse of power.

What is the vineyard in Jeremiah 12:10?

The vineyard represents God's people, whom He has cared for and nurtured, as seen in Isaiah 5:1-7, where God sings a song about His vineyard, which has failed to produce good fruit.

Why have the shepherds destroyed God's vineyard?

The shepherds have destroyed God's vineyard because of their own selfish desires and lack of care for God's people, as seen in Jeremiah 23:1-4, where God condemns the shepherds for scattering and destroying His flock.

What is the result of the shepherds' actions in Jeremiah 12:10?

The result is that God's pleasant field has been turned into a desolate wasteland, a picture of spiritual barrenness and devastation, as seen in Jeremiah 4:23-26, where God describes the devastation of the land due to the people's sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that spiritual leaders can fail to care for God's people, and what are the consequences of such failure?
  2. How can we, as God's people, prevent our spiritual lives from becoming a desolate wasteland, and instead, remain fruitful and vibrant in our faith?
  3. What does it mean for God's field to be 'pleasant' and how can we, as believers, contribute to the beauty and fruitfulness of God's kingdom?
  4. In what ways can we, as individuals, take responsibility for the spiritual well-being of those around us, and help to prevent the kind of destruction described in Jeremiah 12:10?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 12:10

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard,.... This is a metaphor which is often used of the people of Israel and Judah; see Psalms 80:8, the pastors that destroyed them are not their own governors,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 12:10

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:10

By pastors most here think civil persons, not ecclesiastical officers, are meant; but they are divided, some interpreting it of the rulers and princes of Nebuchadnezzar’ s army, who took Jerusalem, and destroyed Judah, called God’ s vineyard, ,2; others understanding it of the rulers of the Jews, who by their wicked government, and as wicked example, had ruined their country, and caused God to turn the country which he had chosen for his portion, and declared such a pleasure in, into a wilderness, and such a wilderness as was not. only thinly inhabited, but wholly desolate.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:10

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.Ver. 10. Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard.] Those who before were called beasts, are here called pastors - viz., Nebuchadnezzar’ s captains. See Jeremiah 6:3.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:10

(10) Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard.—The use of the word “pastors,” with all its modern spiritual associations, instead of “shepherds” (Jeremiah is the only book in the Old Testament, it may be noted, in which the word occurs), is peculiarly unhappy in this passage, where the “pastors” are reckless and destructive. Here the image (as in Jeremiah 6:3) is that of the shepherds of a wild, nomadic tribe (who represent the Chaldean and other invaders), breaking down the fence of the vineyard, and taking in their flocks to browse upon the tender shoots of the vine. The thought is the same as that of the “boar out of the wood” of Psalms 80:13, but the “shepherds” are introduced to bring in the thought of the organisation and systematic plan of destruction.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:10

Verse 10. Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard] My people have had many kinds of enemies which have fed upon their richest pastures; the Philistines, the Moabites, Ammonites, Assyrians, Egyptians. and now the Chaldeans.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 12:10

10. shepherds] See on Jeremiah 6:3. vineyard] For this figure cp. Isaiah 5:1 ff. have trodden my portion under foot] The figure is that of the destruction of vineyards by wandering hordes and their flocks.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 12:10

Nebuchadnezzar and his confederate kings trampled Judah under foot, as heedless of the ruin they were inflicting as the shepherds would be who led their flocks to browse in spring upon the tender shoots of the vine.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 12:10

10. Many pastors — Rather, shepherds. Pastor, in the sense of shepherd, is never found in any book of the Old Testament except Jeremiah.

Sermons on Jeremiah 12:10

SermonDescription
David Wilkerson The Church of Samuel Versus Today by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that we do not deserve to be alive today, but we are blessed by a loving God. However, the preacher criticizes the state of the church, stat
Thomas Brooks You Are Mine! by Thomas Brooks Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound truth that believers are cherished by God, who created, redeemed, and called them by name. He highlights that each individual is precious in G
David Wilkerson A Broken Down City Without Walls by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Saul and his son Jonathan from the Bible. Saul's disobedience to God's commandments and his disregard for the word of the Lord l
David Wilkerson The Wall Is Down by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is bringing a strong message to the United States through prophets and watchmen. He declares that God is no longer allowing people
Milton Green (In the Word) 08 - Bearing Fruit for God or the Devil by Milton Green In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God. He encourages the audience to reject old traditions and wrong teachings that may conflict with the Wo
John Rhys Watkins Till There Was No Remedy by John Rhys Watkins In this sermon, the preacher discusses the state of the church and the need for repentance. He references Isaiah chapter 5, where God compares his people to a vineyard that produce
T. Austin-Sparks Service and Servanthood of the Lord - Part 6 of 8 by T. Austin-Sparks In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the concept of service and the role of the servant in the Bible. The passages from Isaiah are examined to understand the model servant and th

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