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Jeremiah 10:20

Jeremiah 10:20 in Multiple Translations

My tent is destroyed, and all its ropes are snapped. My sons have departed from me and are no more. I have no one left to pitch my tent or set up my curtains.

My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth from me, and they are not: there is none to spread my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

My tent is pulled down and all my cords are broken: my children have gone from me, and they are not: no longer is there anyone to give help in stretching out my tent and hanging up my curtains.

Our tents have been destroyed; all our ropes have been broken. Our children have been taken from us and are no more. We don't have anyone left to put up our tents or hang our curtains.”

My tabernacle is destroyed, and all my coardes are broken: my children are gone from me, and are not: there is none to spread out my tent any more, and to set vp my curtaines.

My tent hath been spoiled, And all my cords have been broken, My sons have gone out from me, and they are not, There is none stretching out any more my tent, And raising up my curtains.

My tent has been destroyed, and all my cords are broken. My children have gone away from me, and they are no more. There is no one to spread my tent any more, to set up my curtains.

My tabernacle is laid waste, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone from me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

My tabernacle is laid waste, all my cords are broken: my children are gone out from me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

It is as though our great tent is destroyed; the ropes that held it up have been cut; our children have gone away from us and will not return; there are no people left to rebuild our great tent.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 10:20

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 10:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אָהֳלִ֣/י שֻׁדָּ֔ד וְ/כָל מֵיתָרַ֖/י נִתָּ֑קוּ בָּנַ֤/י יְצָאֻ֨/נִי֙ וְ/אֵינָ֔/ם אֵין נֹטֶ֥ה עוֹד֙ אָהֳלִ֔/י וּ/מֵקִ֖ים יְרִיעוֹתָֽ/י
אָהֳלִ֣/י ʼôhel H168 tent N-ms | Suff
שֻׁדָּ֔ד shâdad H7703 to ruin V-Pual-Perf-3ms
וְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms
מֵיתָרַ֖/י mêythâr H4340 cord N-mp | Suff
נִתָּ֑קוּ nâthaq H5423 to tear V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
בָּנַ֤/י bên H1121 son N-mp | Suff
יְצָאֻ֨/נִי֙ yâtsâʼ H3318 to come out V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
וְ/אֵינָ֔/ם ʼayin H369 nothing Conj | Part | Suff
אֵין ʼayin H369 nothing Part
נֹטֶ֥ה nâṭâh H5186 to stretch V-Qal
עוֹד֙ ʻôwd H5750 still Adv
אָהֳלִ֔/י ʼôhel H168 tent N-ms | Suff
וּ/מֵקִ֖ים qûwm H6965 -kamai Conj | V-Hiphil
יְרִיעוֹתָֽ/י yᵉrîyʻâh H3407 curtain N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 10:20

אָהֳלִ֣/י ʼôhel H168 "tent" N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Definition: : tent 1) tent 1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience 1b) dwelling, home, habitation 1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle) Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
Usage: Occurs in 314 OT verses. KJV: covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. See also: Genesis 4:20; Leviticus 14:23; Joshua 22:4.
שֻׁדָּ֔ד shâdad H7703 "to ruin" V-Pual-Perf-3ms
To ruin or devastate is the meaning of this word, often used to describe the powerful and destructive actions of God or human enemies, as seen in the conquest of Canaan. It can also mean to be powerful or impregnable, as in the case of the strongholds of David. This concept is explored in the book of Psalms.
Definition: 1) to deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin, destroy, spoil 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to violently destroy, devastate, despoil, assail 1a2) devastator, despoiler (participle) (subst) 1b) (Niphal) to be utterly ruined 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to assault 1c2) to devastate 1d) (Pual) to be devastated 1e) (Poel) to violently destroy 1f) (Hophal) to be devastated Also means: shud (שׁוּד "to waste" H7736)
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: dead, destroy(-er), oppress, robber, spoil(-er), [idiom] utterly, (lay) waste. See also: Judges 5:27; Jeremiah 25:36; Psalms 17:9.
וְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מֵיתָרַ֖/י mêythâr H4340 "cord" N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a cord or string, like the ones used for a tent or a bow. It is a simple term for a length of rope or twine. In the Bible, it is translated as cord or string.
Definition: cord, string
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: cord, string. See also: Exodus 35:18; Numbers 4:26; Psalms 21:13.
נִתָּ֑קוּ nâthaq H5423 "to tear" V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
To tear or pull something away from something else, like pulling a plant out of the ground or separating two things, is what this word means, and it can also describe being separated or torn apart.
Definition: 1) to pull or tear or draw off or away or apart, draw out, pluck up, break, lift, root out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to draw away 1a2) to draw or pull off 1a3) to pull or tear away 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be drawn away, be drawn out 1b2) to be torn apart or in two, be snapped 1b3) to be separated 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to tear apart, snap 1c2) to tear out, tear up, tear away 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to draw away 1d2) to drag away 1e) (Hophal) to be drawn away
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: break (off), burst, draw (away), lift up, pluck (away, off), pull (out), root out. See also: Leviticus 22:24; Isaiah 5:27; Psalms 2:3.
בָּנַ֤/י bên H1121 "son" N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יְצָאֻ֨/נִי֙ yâtsâʼ H3318 "to come out" V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
וְ/אֵינָ֔/ם ʼayin H369 "nothing" Conj | Part | Suff
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
אֵין ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
נֹטֶ֥ה nâṭâh H5186 "to stretch" V-Qal
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
עוֹד֙ ʻôwd H5750 "still" Adv
The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.
Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.
אָהֳלִ֔/י ʼôhel H168 "tent" N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Definition: : tent 1) tent 1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience 1b) dwelling, home, habitation 1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle) Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
Usage: Occurs in 314 OT verses. KJV: covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. See also: Genesis 4:20; Leviticus 14:23; Joshua 22:4.
וּ/מֵקִ֖ים qûwm H6965 "-kamai" Conj | V-Hiphil
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.
יְרִיעוֹתָֽ/י yᵉrîyʻâh H3407 "curtain" N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for curtain or drape refers to a hanging or trembling fabric. It is used to describe the curtains in the tabernacle or temple, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: curtain, drape
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: curtain. See also: Exodus 26:1; Exodus 36:12; Psalms 104:2.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 10:20

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Jeremiah 4:20 Disaster after disaster is proclaimed, for the whole land is laid waste. My tents are destroyed in an instant, my curtains in a moment.
2 Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
3 Isaiah 54:2 “Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back. Lengthen your ropes and drive your stakes in deep.
4 Isaiah 49:20–22 Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’ Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” This is what the Lord GOD says: “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and raise My banner to the peoples. They will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.
5 Job 7:8 The eye that beholds me will no longer see me. You will look for me, but I will be no more.
6 Proverbs 12:7 The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
7 Lamentations 2:4–6 He has bent His bow like an enemy; His right hand is positioned. Like a foe He has killed all who were pleasing to the eye; He has poured out His wrath like fire on the tent of the Daughter of Zion. The Lord is like an enemy; He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah. He has laid waste His tabernacle like a garden booth; He has destroyed His place of meeting. The LORD has made Zion forget her appointed feasts and Sabbaths. In His fierce anger He has despised both king and priest.
8 Isaiah 51:16 I have put My words in your mouth, and covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”
9 Lamentations 1:5 Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy.

Jeremiah 10:20 Summary

[Jeremiah 10:20 is a sad and desperate cry from someone who has lost everything - their home, their family, and their sense of security. This feeling of loss and devastation is similar to what is described in Psalm 137:1-4, where the Israelites wept and mourned by the rivers of Babylon. The image of a destroyed tent with snapped ropes and unpitched curtains is a powerful symbol of this loss, and it reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we can cry out to God for comfort and support, just like the psalmist does in Psalm 42:1-2. As we read this verse, we can reflect on times when we've felt like our own 'tent' has been destroyed, and how we can find hope and strength in God's presence, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of 'my tent is destroyed' in Jeremiah 10:20?

The phrase 'my tent is destroyed' is a metaphor for the loss of one's home, family, or sense of security, as seen in Jeremiah 10:20, similar to the devastation described in Lamentations 2:4 where the Lord 'has destroyed his booth like a garden'

Who are the 'sons' that have departed from the speaker in Jeremiah 10:20?

The 'sons' in Jeremiah 10:20 likely refer to the children or descendants of the speaker, possibly representing the loss of a family or community, as also seen in the lamentations of Job 29:5 where Job had sons who were taken from him

What does the image of snapped ropes and unpitched tents signify in Jeremiah 10:20?

The image of snapped ropes and unpitched tents signifies a complete breakdown of stability and security, much like the destruction prophesied in Isaiah 33:20 where 'the tent will not be taken down' is contrasted with a time of upheaval

How does Jeremiah 10:20 relate to the surrounding verses?

Jeremiah 10:20 is part of a larger lamentation, where the speaker is mourning the destruction and chaos brought upon their land, as described in Jeremiah 10:18-19, and the ensuing verses, Jeremiah 10:21-22, which describe the senseless shepherds and the desolation of the cities

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in your life where you feel like your 'tent is destroyed' and you've lost a sense of security or stability?
  2. How do you respond to loss or devastation, and what can you learn from the speaker's lament in Jeremiah 10:20?
  3. In what ways can you relate to the feeling of having 'no one left' to help or support you, and how can you reach out to others in similar situations?
  4. What does this verse teach you about the importance of community and support, and how can you apply that to your own life?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 10:20

My tabernacle is spoiled,.... Not the temple at Jerusalem only, rather Jerusalem itself, as Kimchi; or the whole land, as the Targum, "my land is wasted:'' the allusion is to the tents of shepherds,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 10:20

My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:20

He proceeds in his prosopopoeia to bring in the land, or the inhabitants thereof, enumerating their calamities, and by a metaphor sets out the overthrow of the land, or Jerusalem, by the breaking of the cords of a tabernacle, the use whereof is to fasten it on every side to stakes in the ground, which cords being broken the tabernacle falls, implying all the supports of city and country were gone, nothing but desolation to be expected. See . My children are gone forth of me; either the inhabitants of the land, or the lesser cities, being frequently called daughters, viz. the Chaldeans have snatched them away from me, and carried them into captivity. They are not; of the phrase and meaning of it see . There is none to stretch forth my tent any more, i.e. it is irrevocable, I am without all help, either for defence or beauty, or any thing to regain my pristine state, which he chooseth to describe hereby, continuing this metaphor rather than any other, of a shepherd’ s tent; possibly insinuating the ground of it to arise principally from their pastors, the neglect both of their civil and ecclesiastical governors, which the next verse favours.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:20

Jeremiah 10:20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they [are] not: [there is] none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.Ver. 20. My tabernacle is spoiled.] I am irreparably ruined; like as when a camp is quite broken up, not any part of a tent or hut is left standing.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:20

(20) My tabernacle . . .—The tent which had been the home of Israel is destroyed, the cords that fastened it to the ground are broken, the children that used to help their mother in arranging the tent and its curtains “are not,” i.e. (as in Genesis 42:36; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18), they are either dead or in exile. There is something significant in the fact that the destruction of the city is represented under the imagery of that of a tent. The daughter of Zion has, as it were, been brought back to her nomadic state.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:20

Verse 20. My tabernacle is spoiled] The city is taken, and all our villages ruined and desolated.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 10:20

20. The land is likened to a tent overthrown and injured beyond repair. curtains] See on Jeremiah 4:20.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:20

20. Tabernacle — As though even at this time the tent was the ordinary dwelling. Cords — Those which stayed the tent. Children… are not — Matthew 2:13.

Sermons on Jeremiah 10:20

SermonDescription
Chuck Smith (Through the Bible) Lamentations by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of being double-minded and unstable in one's ways, as mentioned in the book of James. He emphasizes that God does not speak both
A.W. Tozer Living That Grieves the Spirit by A.W. Tozer James urges believers to experience deep sorrow and wretchedness over their sins, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance and inner penitence rather than external ascetic pract
A.W. Tozer The Birth of the Infant Lord by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher discusses the three disasters that have engulfed the human race: total, moral, and spiritual disaster. He emphasizes the importance of understanding th
Paul Washer Internship Program Study Part 1 by Paul Washer In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeing God work in the lives of believers. He explains that although perfection may not be achieved in a short period of t
Pat Kenney (Matthew) True Worshipers by Pat Kenney In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living for Christ and not being deceived by the temporary pleasures of the world. He quotes Matthew 10, where Jesus states
David Servant 008 the Exceeding Value of Christ by David Servant This sermon delves into the tragic event of King Herod's slaughter of innocent children in Bethlehem, exploring the questions of why God allowed such a horrific event to occur. It
David Servant God Guides the Faithful by David Servant This sermon delves into the guidance of God, using the story of Joseph being led through dreams and obedience. It emphasizes the importance of following God's general commandments

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