Jeremiah 6:9

KJV

¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, They shall throughly {H5953} glean {H5953} the remnant {H7611} of Israel {H3478} as a vine {H1612}: turn back {H7725} thine hand {H3027} as a grapegatherer {H1219} into the baskets {H5552}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus says ADONAI-Tzva'ot: "They will glean the remnant of Isra'el as thoroughly as in a vineyard - one last time, like a grape-picker, pass your hand over the vines."

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine. Pass your hand once more like a grape gatherer over the branches.”

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, They shall thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn again thy hand as a grape-gatherer into the baskets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 6:9 delivers a stark prophetic oracle from the LORD of hosts, employing a vivid agricultural metaphor to convey the thoroughness of Judah's impending judgment. Likening the nation to a vine, the divine decree announces that the remaining inhabitants, the "remnant of Israel," will be meticulously "gleaned" by an invading force, much like a diligent grapegatherer repeatedly passes his hand through the vine to collect every last cluster. This imagery underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the coming destruction and exile, leaving no part of the rebellious nation untouched by divine discipline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 6:9 is nestled within a section of Jeremiah's prophecies (chapters 6-10) that intensifies the warnings of imminent judgment against Judah and Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this verse, Jeremiah 6:1-8 describes the approach of a formidable enemy from the north, urging the people of Benjamin to flee Jerusalem, which is depicted as a city ripe for siege and destruction due to its pervasive sin. The Lord's lament over Jerusalem's obstinacy and refusal to be disciplined (Jeremiah 6:8) sets the stage for the severe judgment described in verse 9. Following this, the chapter continues to detail the spiritual blindness and moral decay of the people and their leaders, emphasizing their rejection of God's word and the inevitable consequences (Jeremiah 6:10-15). The agricultural metaphor of gleaning in verse 9 thus powerfully illustrates the exhaustive nature of the judgment that will befall a nation unwilling to repent.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah's prophecy is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous period marked by the decline of Assyrian power and the rise of Babylon. Judah, under kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, found itself caught between these shifting empires, often making ill-advised political alliances. Spiritually, the nation was steeped in idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial adherence to religious rituals, despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. The agricultural imagery of the "vine" and "grapegathering" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society like ancient Israel, where vineyards were a common sight and viticulture a vital part of the economy and culture. The process of "gleaning" was well-understood as the final, meticulous collection of what remained after the main harvest, often for the poor or for a second pressing. Here, however, it is repurposed to describe the thorough, almost predatory, removal of the population by an invading army, specifically the Babylonians, who would eventually carry the people into exile.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 6:9 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the **Thoroughness of Divine Judgment**, emphasizing that God's discipline, though delayed, would be utterly comprehensive, leaving no segment of the unrepentant nation untouched. This contrasts sharply with the earlier concept of a preserving remnant. The verse also highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, as the declaration "Thus saith the LORD of hosts" underscores that this calamity is not random but a direct, intentional act of God, who uses foreign armies as instruments of His righteous judgment, a theme echoed in passages like [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant"). Furthermore, the **Agricultural Metaphor** of the vine and grapegathering serves as a powerful means of communicating the intensity and deliberateness of this judgment, transforming an image of abundance and blessing into one of desolation and removal. This imagery is a common biblical motif, often used to depict Israel's relationship with God, as seen in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5 "Isaiah 5 - The Song of the Vineyard"), but here it signifies destruction rather than cultivation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **glean (Hebrew, _ʻâlal'_):** This primitive root (H5953) signifies "to effect thoroughly," specifically "to glean" or gather after the main harvest. When intensified, as it is here by repetition ("throughly glean"), it conveys an action that is exhaustive and complete, leaving virtually nothing behind. In a negative sense, it can also mean to maltreat or abuse, suggesting the harshness of the "gleaning" by the invading army.
* **vine (Hebrew, _gephen'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to bend," this word (H1612) refers specifically to a vine, especially the grape vine, known for its twining growth. In biblical literature, the vine often symbolizes Israel, representing its potential for fruitfulness under God's care. Here, however, the vine is subject to a devastating "harvest" of judgment, indicating a failure to produce righteous fruit.
* **grapegatherer (Hebrew, _bâtsar'_):** This term (H1219) comes from a root meaning "to clip off" or "to gather grapes." It describes someone engaged in the meticulous work of harvesting the grapes. The comparison of the invading forces to a "grapegatherer" emphasizes the methodical and complete nature of their work in carrying away the inhabitants of Judah, much as a diligent worker ensures no grapes are left on the vine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD of hosts,"**: This opening phrase functions as a divine oracle formula, asserting the absolute authority and sovereignty of the message that follows. "The LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme power over all armies, both earthly and heavenly, underscoring that the impending judgment is not a random calamity but a deliberate act of the Almighty.
* **"They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine:"**: This clause introduces the central metaphor. "They" refers to the invading forces (Babylon), acting as God's instrument of judgment. "Throughly glean" (a repetition of the Hebrew verb _ʻâlal_) stresses the exhaustive nature of the removal; just as a vine is meticulously stripped of its grapes, so too will Judah be emptied of its inhabitants. The "remnant of Israel" here does not denote a preserved, faithful group, but rather those who have survived previous phases of judgment and are now subject to the final, comprehensive sweep into exile.
* **"turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets."**: This imperative, directed at the "grapegatherer" (the invading army), reinforces the command to be utterly thorough. It depicts the relentless action of repeatedly reaching into the vine to ensure every last grape (person) is collected and put "into the baskets" (symbolizing captivity or exile). This vivid image conveys the intensity and completeness of the impending deportation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 6:9 is rich in **Imagery** and employs a powerful **Simile** to convey its message. The comparison of the "remnant of Israel" to a "vine" and the invading forces to a "grapegatherer" is a striking simile that makes the abstract concept of judgment tangible and relatable to an agrarian society. The act of "throughly gleaning" evokes a vivid mental picture of meticulous, exhaustive removal, transforming a common agricultural practice into a metaphor for devastating national judgment. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Divine Oracle**, beginning with the authoritative formula "Thus saith the LORD of hosts," which establishes the divine origin and certainty of the prophecy. This prophetic utterance underscores God's active involvement in human history and His sovereign control over the fate of nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates God's unwavering justice and His commitment to holding His covenant people accountable for their persistent sin and rebellion. The imagery of a thorough gleaning signifies that divine judgment, when it comes, will be comprehensive and inescapable for those who refuse to repent. It underscores that God's patience has limits, and His love is perfectly balanced with His righteousness. While the concept of a "remnant" often carries a hopeful connotation of preservation and restoration in other prophetic contexts, here it highlights the severity of judgment, where even those who remain after initial calamities will be swept away. This passage serves as a sobering reminder that covenant relationship demands obedience and faithfulness, and persistent disobedience invites severe divine discipline, not out of arbitrary wrath, but out of a just response to unrepentant sin.

* [Isaiah 1:7-9](/isaiah/1-7 "Isaiah 1:7-9 - Desolation and a Small Remnant")
* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Scattering Among the Nations")
* [Hosea 9:10](/hosea/9-10 "Hosea 9:10 - Israel as Grapes in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 6:9 stands as a profound warning, not just for ancient Judah, but for all who claim to be God's people. It compels us to soberly consider the consequences of spiritual complacency, persistent disobedience, and the rejection of divine warnings. While we live under the New Covenant of grace, the principles of God's justice and His expectation of genuine repentance remain. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives: are we truly bearing fruit for God's glory, or are we like the barren vine, ripe for a different kind of "gleaning"? It calls us to respond with humility and urgency to the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit and the clear commands of Scripture, understanding that God's love does not negate His justice. Ultimately, it invites us to cling to the mercy offered in Christ, recognizing that true security lies not in outward religious observance but in a heart fully yielded to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's warnings or calls to repentance?**
* **How does the thoroughness of God's judgment in this verse shape my understanding of His character?**
* **What "fruit" (or lack thereof) in my life might be indicative of a need for deeper spiritual examination and change?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's voice and a quicker obedience to His commands?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean God is always looking to punish His people?**

Answer: No, this verse does not suggest God is always looking to punish His people. Instead, it highlights the severe consequences of persistent and unrepentant rebellion against God's covenant and repeated warnings. In Jeremiah's time, Judah had a long history of spiritual infidelity, idolatry, and injustice, despite numerous prophetic calls to return to the Lord. This "gleaning" is a divine judgment, a corrective measure, not an arbitrary act. God's primary desire is for His people to repent and live in covenant faithfulness, as evidenced by His patience and repeated sending of prophets (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:25](/jeremiah/7-25 "Jeremiah 7:25 - God Sending Prophets Continually")). The severity of the judgment here reflects the depth of Judah's sin and their stubborn refusal to heed His loving correction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 6:9 speaks of a judgment on an unfaithful Israel, its imagery and underlying theological principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The "vine" motif, often used to represent Israel's relationship with God, is powerfully reinterpreted by Jesus Himself in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine"), where He declares, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser." This shifts the focus from a nation that failed to bear fruit to Christ as the perfect, fruitful Vine, through whom all true spiritual life and fruitfulness must come. The "gleaning" of judgment foreshadows the ultimate separation of the righteous from the unrighteous, a theme Jesus speaks of in parables like the wheat and the weeds (e.g., [Matthew 13:30](/matthew/13-30 "Matthew 13:30 - Parable of the Weeds")) and the separation of sheep and goats (e.g., [Matthew 25:32-33](/matthew/25-32 "Matthew 25:32-33 - Separation of Sheep and Goats")). While Jeremiah's gleaning was for physical exile, the New Testament speaks of a spiritual gleaning, where those who are not "in the vine" (Christ) will be cut off and gathered for judgment (cf. [John 15:6](/john/15-6 "John 15:6 - Branches Thrown Away")). Conversely, for those who are united with the true Vine, Christ has borne the full "gleaning" of divine wrath on the cross, taking upon Himself the judgment due to humanity, so that all who believe might escape the ultimate "gleaning" of condemnation and instead receive eternal life and abundant fruitfulness through Him (cf. [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 16:16

Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

Jeremiah 49:9

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

Obadiah 1:5

If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave [some] grapes?

Obadiah 1:6

How are [the things] of Esau searched out! [how] are his hidden things sought up!

Jeremiah 52:28

This [is] the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:

Jeremiah 52:30

In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons [were] four thousand and six hundred.

Revelation 14:18

And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.