King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:9 in the King James Version says “If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till t...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough. till: Heb. their sufficiency”

Jeremiah 49:9 · KJV

Context

7

Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?

8

Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him. turn: or, they are turned back

9

If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough. till: Heb. their sufficiency

10

But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.

11

Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? This rhetorical question uses agricultural imagery to emphasize the totality of Edom's coming destruction. Normal grape harvesters (botserim, בֹּצְרִים) leave gleanings ('olelot, עֹלֵלוֹת)—the remnant grapes for the poor (Leviticus 19:10, Deuteronomy 24:21). Even thieves take only what they need and can carry. But Edom's judgment will be complete—no remnant, no survivors, no recovery.

If thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough. The Hebrew shavitu (שָׁבִיתוּ) means to ruin or destroy, while dayyam (דַּיָּם, enough) indicates thieves stop when satisfied. The contrast is stark: human plunderers show restraint; divine judgment is thorough. This echoes Obadiah 5, which uses nearly identical language in prophesying Edom's destruction.

The imagery teaches that God's judgment, when fully executed, surpasses human devastation. While invaders leave survivors to rebuild, God's decreed judgment on Edom would be final. This didn't mean immediate genocide but the nation's eventual, complete disappearance from history—a fate that materialized over subsequent centuries.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern warfare typically left some population to work the land and pay tribute. The gleaning laws in Israel's Torah ensured provision for the vulnerable. But Edom's judgment would exceed normal conquest patterns. After Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns, the Nabataeans displaced the Edomites, who migrated into southern Judea (becoming 'Idumeans'). By the Roman period, Edom as a distinct nation had vanished. The Herodian dynasty (Idumean converts to Judaism) represented Edom's final appearance in biblical history, ending with Jerusalem's destruction in 70 AD. Unlike Israel, which survived exile with preserved identity, Edom disappeared completely—fulfilling the imagery of total devastation without remnant.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the completeness of God's judgment on Edom teach about the seriousness of persistent rebellion and pride?
  2. How does this passage challenge assumptions that God's judgment will always leave room for recovery or second chances?
  3. In what ways does Edom's total disappearance from history validate the reliability of prophetic Scripture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אִם1 of 12
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בֹּֽצְרִים֙2 of 12

“If grapegatherers”

H1219

to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)

בָּ֣אוּ3 of 12

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָ֔ךְ4 of 12
H0
לֹ֥א5 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַשְׁאִ֖רוּ6 of 12

“to thee would they not leave”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

עֽוֹלֵל֑וֹת7 of 12

“some gleaning grapes”

H5955

only in plural gleanings; by extension gleaning-time

אִם8 of 12
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

גַּנָּבִ֥ים9 of 12

“if thieves”

H1590

a stealer

בַּלַּ֖יְלָה10 of 12

“by night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

הִשְׁחִ֥יתוּ11 of 12

“they will destroy”

H7843

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

דַיָּֽם׃12 of 12

“till they have enough”

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

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 49:9 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 49:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Obadiah 1:5-6Isaiah 17:6

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