King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 12:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 12:10 in the King James Version says “Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a d...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. pleasant: Heb. portion of desire”

Jeremiah 12:10 · King James Version

Context

8

Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it. crieth: or, yelleth: Heb. giveth out his voice

9

Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour. speckled: or, taloned come to: or, cause them to come to

10

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

11

They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.

12

The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.

Read Jeremiah 12 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
This verse describes devastation: 'Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.' 'Pastors' (ro'im, shepherds) here means foreign rulers/invaders. 'Vineyard' (kerem) and 'portion' (chelqah) are images for Israel and the promised land. 'Trodden under foot' (bus) indicates trampling, contemptuous destruction. 'Pleasant portion' (chelqath chemdah) becomes 'desolate wilderness' (midbar shemamah). God watches His carefully cultivated vineyard destroyed by brutal invaders—yet He summoned them (v. 9). The grief is genuine though the judgment is just.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Vineyard imagery for Israel appears prominently in Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:8-16. Babylon's armies ('many shepherds') systematically devastated Judah's agricultural infrastructure during their campaigns (605-586 BC). Archaeological evidence shows destruction of farms, orchards, and vineyards throughout the land. The 'wilderness' description fits depopulated, abandoned territory during the exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does viewing invading armies as 'pastors/shepherds' highlight the irony of destructive leadership?
  2. What emotions does God express in watching His 'pleasant vineyard' become wilderness?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
רֹעִ֤ים1 of 13

“pastors”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

רַבִּים֙2 of 13

“Many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

שִֽׁחֲת֣וּ3 of 13

“have destroyed”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

כַרְמִ֔י4 of 13

“my vineyard”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

בֹּסְס֖וּ5 of 13

“they have trodden”

H947

to trample (literally or figuratively)

אֶת6 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חֶלְקַ֥ת7 of 13

“my portion”

H2513

properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery

נָֽתְנ֛וּ8 of 13

“they have made”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת9 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חֶלְקַ֥ת10 of 13

“my portion”

H2513

properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery

חֶמְדָּתִ֖י11 of 13

“my pleasant”

H2532

delight

לְמִדְבַּ֥ר12 of 13

“wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

שְׁמָמָֽה׃13 of 13

“a desolate”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 12:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 12:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 5:1-7Isaiah 63:18Jeremiah 23:1Psalms 80:8-16Jeremiah 6:3Luke 20:9-16

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