Jeremiah 31:5-6
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This promise isn't just about planting grapes; it's about reclaiming their right to enjoy the fruits of their labor without fear. The phrase "eat them as common things" refers to the ancient law where newly planted vines had to wait years before their fruit could be eaten, a period of waiting and even consecration. Here, God promises they'll get to enjoy the harvest right away, signifying a return to peace, security, and the simple blessing of enjoying what they’ve worked for.
Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim: ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage marks a shift from judgment to restoration, promising a future where the people will return to their land and rebuild their lives. It specifically mentions Samaria, the capital of the former northern kingdom, signifying that God's healing and return extend to all of Israel, not just Judah. The imagery of planting vineyards and enjoying their fruits points to a time of peace and security, where the usual restrictions on enjoying newly planted crops would be lifted, showing God's complete blessing.
Jeremiah prophesies a future where the northern kingdom, long divided and exiled, will thrive again. It's a promise of more than just rebuilding; it's about reunification and renewal.
A Unified Future
Jeremiah's message here is a powerful one of hope for the entire house of Israel, not just Judah. The mention of "mountains of Samaria" signifies the restoration of the northern kingdom, which had been conquered and exiled centuries before. This isn't just about rebuilding cities; it's about God's intention to bring all his people back together under his care. The promise to "plant vineyards" and "enjoy the fruit" speaks to a future where the land, once devastated by war and exile, will once again be a place of abundance and settled life for all the families of Israel.
Imagine planting a vineyard, tending it carefully, but being forbidden to taste its sweetness for years. This verse promises a time when the labor leads directly to enjoyment.
From Consecrated to Common
The phrase "shall eat them as common things" carries a rich historical and legal meaning. According to Mosaic Law, the fruit of a newly planted vineyard had specific restrictions:
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This promise in Jeremiah signifies a radical shift. It means the people will not only be allowed to plant but will immediately enjoy the fruits of their labor without these lengthy waiting periods or divine restrictions. It points to a time of peace and stability where the normal cycles of life and reward are fully restored, and the threat of enemies stealing the harvest is gone.
Understand the original words
natsar · Hebrew Noun
Sentinels or guards stationed on city walls or hills, often used metaphorically for those who keep spiritual vigilance or announce God's message.
Tsiyyon · Hebrew Noun
The fortified city of Jerusalem, often used biblically to represent the dwelling place of God, the site of the temple, and the spiritual center of God's people.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of God (YHWH), revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful, and personal Redeemer of His people.
This prophecy speaks of a future restoration that transcends the return from Babylonian exile, envisioning the re-establishment of the northern kingdom of Samaria alongside Judah. The specific mention of enjoying fruit 'as common things' highlights a profound return to normalcy and blessing, contrasting sharply with the severe curses of disobedience where crops were ruined or taken by enemies.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, destroyed its capital Samaria, and deported many of its people into exile. This event marked the end of the northern kingdom as a distinct entity.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling the majority of the population of the southern Kingdom of Judah. This event plunged the Jewish people into a deep crisis of faith and national identity.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great issued a decree allowing the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. This marked the beginning of the Second Temple period but did not include the restoration of the northern kingdom.
c. 627-586 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Ministry
Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period leading up to and during the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile. He proclaimed God's judgment but also offered prophecies of future restoration.
c. 5th-4th century BC
Post-Exilic Period
The Jewish people lived under Persian rule, gradually rebuilding their community and religious life in Judah. While there was a return, the full restoration of national sovereignty and the lost northern tribes remained a longing.
This passage lays out the ancient law regarding the fruit of newly planted trees, specifically vineyards. It explains the three-year prohibition and the fourth-year consecration, directly contrasting with Jeremiah's promise that the fruit would be enjoyed as 'common' right away, signifying immediate and secure restoration.
Deuteronomy 28:30This passage describes a curse where the people would plant vineyards but never enjoy their fruit, with others seizing the harvest. Jeremiah 31:5 directly reverses this curse, promising that those who plant will themselves enjoy the fruits of their labor, highlighting a restoration of security and divine favor.
Isaiah 65:21-22This passage offers a similar vision of peace and prosperity in the future, where people build houses and plant vineyards, enjoying the fruit of their labor without fear of displacement. It reinforces the theme of security and settled life promised in Jeremiah's prophecy.
Amos 9:14This passage echoes the promise of restoration for the people of Israel, including the imagery of planting vineyards and enjoying their produce. It connects the specific promise in Jeremiah to a broader prophetic theme of God's restorative justice for His people.
clarkeJeremiah 31:5: "Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things."
Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria - This was the regal city of the Israelites, as Jerusalem was of the Jews. Shall eat them as common things - By the law of Moses no man was permitted to eat of the fruit of his vineyard till the fifth year after planting. For the first three years it was considered uncircumcised, unclean, not fit to be…
pooleJeremiah 31:5: "Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things."
Samaria was the metropolis of the ten tribes, called so from Shemer, who owned the hill: Omri king of Israel bought it, and built Samaria upon it. Mountains in many places are judged the most convenient places for vineyards, being free from shades, and most exposed to the sun. God promiseth them a liberty to plant, and that they should enjoy their plantations…
This promise isn't just about planting grapes; it's about reclaiming their right to enjoy the fruits of their labor without fear. The phrase "eat them as common things" refers to the ancient law where newly planted vines had to wait years before their fruit could be eaten, a period of waiting and even consecration. Here, God promises they'll get to enjoy the harvest right away, signifying a return to peace, security, and the simple blessing of enjoying what they’ve worked for.
This passage marks a shift from judgment to restoration, promising a future where the people will return to their land and rebuild their lives. It specifically mentions Samaria, the capital of the former northern kingdom, signifying that God's healing and return extend to all of Israel, not just Judah. The imagery of planting vineyards and enjoying their fruits points to a time of peace and security, where the usual restrictions on enjoying newly planted crops would be lifted, showing God's complete blessing.
This passage marks a shift from judgment to restoration, promising a future where the people will return to their land and rebuild their lives. It specifically mentions Samaria, the capital of the former northern kingdom, signifying that God's healing and return extend to all of Israel, not just Judah. The imagery of planting vineyards and enjoying their fruits points to a time of peace and security, where the usual restrictions on enjoying newly planted crops would be lifted, showing God's complete blessing.
"Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim: ‘Arise, and l…" — This promise isn't just about planting grapes; it's about reclaiming their right to enjoy the fruits of their labor without fear. The phrase "eat them as common things" refers to the ancient law wh…
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Last reviewed October 2026
