Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.

JEREMIAH 31:5KJV
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Jeremiah 31:5 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 31:5 mean?

Jeremiah 31:5 promises that people will once again plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria and enjoy the fruit freely, as part of a future restoration. The verse uses the image of planting and eating from the vines to show that normal, peaceful life will return after a time of hardship.

Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Israel, who have experienced exile and loss. In this section, God is assuring them through Jeremiah that their land and daily life will be restored. The mention of Samaria’s mountains highlights that even areas that had been troubled or divided will see renewed blessing and stability.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 31:5

  • "plant" (נָטַע, nata‘) and "planters" (נָטַע, nata‘): This word means to set something firmly in the ground, often used for planting crops or trees. Its repetition stresses the certainty and activity of rebuilding life.
  • "vines" (גֶּפֶן, gephen): Grapevines were a symbol of settled, prosperous life in ancient Israel. Mentioning vines points to abundance and peace, since vineyards take years to mature and are not planted in times of war.
  • "mountains" (הַר, har): Refers to the hilly region of Samaria, which was both fertile and historically significant. Planting on these mountains suggests a return to normal life in places once marked by conflict.
  • "Samaria" (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron): This region was the heart of the northern kingdom of Israel, often associated with division and past judgment. Its mention signals that restoration will reach even formerly estranged areas.
  • "things" (חָלַל, chalal): The phrase "eat them as common things" uses a word that means ordinary or not set apart as sacred. It suggests that the fruit will be freely enjoyed, not restricted or reserved, highlighting everyday blessing.

Why Jeremiah 31:5 matters

  • Jeremiah 31:5 clears up the idea that restoration is only spiritual or distant; it promises real, physical renewal in the land and daily life.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s restoration reaches even places with a troubled history, like Samaria, showing the completeness of the promise.
  • In the wider passage, this verse is part of a message of hope after judgment, assuring the people that exile and loss are not the end of their story.

Where else these words appear

“plant” Hebrew H5193 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Psalms 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
  • Jeremiah 11:17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

“vines” Hebrew H3754 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 9:20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
  • 1 Kings 21:1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
  • Song of Solomon 8:12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

“things” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
  • Isaiah 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;