Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Jeremiah 6:9. It's a pretty serious and dramatic warning, and it’s about how God intends to deal with a nation that is drifting away from him. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: God is telling the people of Israel – specifically, those who are neglecting their covenant relationship with Him – that they need to harvest what's left of them. Think of it like this: “They shall throughly glean…” : This means God wants to gather up everything that’s still alive and remaining – the people, the land, the traditions, everything that is not fully devoted to Him. It’s a thorough and complete collection. “…the remnant of Israel” : This refers to the Jewish people who are growing apart from God. They're losing their faith and aren't following His laws or worshiping Him properly. “As a vine…” : This is a powerful metaphor. A vine grows and flourishes, reaching for the sun and producing fruit. Jeremiah is comparing Israel to a vine – strong, growing, but vulnerable. “…turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.” : This is the key part. It’s like saying that God wants to collect the remaining people in large groups – like a grape harvest. He wants to gather them up and put them into baskets, symbolizing being completely consumed by sin and idolatry. What it means practically: Jeremiah is warning that if Israel continues on its current path of separation from God, they will be overwhelmed and consumed by their own sins and lack of devotion. The result will be a complete gathering – a massive harvest of those who are lost. It’s a terrifying image of spiritual ruin. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a prophecy of future destruction, but it's more about the potential for disaster if Israel doesn't repent and return to God. --- To help me explain it even better, could you tell me: What specifically are you curious about? (e.g., Are you wondering about the meaning of the metaphor, or the historical context?)