Translations
Modern
If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? Were thieves to come in the night, would they not steal only what they wanted?
Traditional
If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.
Literal
If grape-gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? If thieves in the night, would they not destroy their sufficiency?
Latin
Si vindemiatores venissent super te, non reliquissent racemum: si fures in nocte rapuissent quod sufficeret sibi.
Original
Hebrew
English
If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? Were thieves to come in the night, would they not steal only what they wanted?
Notes
Harvesters usually left some of the crop for the poor (Leviticus 19:9–10). Thieves would take only the grapes they could grab quickly and easily. The invaders would take their time and ruthlessly strip Edom bare, leaving only ruin behind. However, the Lord promised to show mercy to the defeated nation's orphans and widows.
The people of Edom were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother (Genesis 32:3). Edom was located south of Moab, in the highlands east of the Arabah Valley. The divine Judge held every nation accountable.
Theme notes and profiles
Events
- Prophecies of Jeremiahc. 628 BC
Parallels
Glossary
Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Book of Jeremiah Nations Teman (Place)