Jeremiah 4:30
Jeremiah 4:30 in Multiple Translations
And you, O devastated one, what will you do, though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain; your lovers despise you; they want to take your life.
And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
And thou, when thou art made desolate, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with scarlet, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou enlargest thine eyes with paint, in vain dost thou make thyself fair; thy lovers despise thee, they seek thy life.
And you, when you are made waste, what will you do? Though you are clothed in red, though you make yourself beautiful with ornaments of gold, though you make your eyes wide with paint, it is for nothing that you make yourself fair; your lovers have no more desire for you, they have designs on your life.
You, Jerusalem, now desolate, what are you going to do? Even though you dress in scarlet clothes, and put on gold jewelry, and paint your eyes with makeup, all your dressing-up is pointless! Your lovers hate you; they want to kill you!
And when thou shalt be destroyed, what wilt thou doe? Though thou clothest thy selfe with skarlet, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of golde, though thou paintest thy face with colours, yet shalt thou trimme thy selfe in vaine: for thy louers will abhorre thee and seeke thy life.
And thou, O spoiled one, what dost thou? For thou puttest on scarlet, For thou adornest thyself [with] ornaments of gold. For thou rendest with pain thine eyes, In vain thou dost make thyself fair, Kicked against thee have doting ones, Thy life they do seek.
You, when you are made desolate, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with scarlet, though you deck yourself with ornaments of gold, though you enlarge your eyes with makeup, you make yourself beautiful in vain. Your lovers despise you. They seek your life.
And when thou art laid waste, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rendest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair: thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
But when thou art spoiled what wilt thou do? though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, and paintest thy eyes with stibic stone, thou shalt dress thyself out in vain: thy lovers have despised thee, they will seek thy life.
So you who will surely be destroyed, why are you doing the things that you are doing now? Why are you wearing beautiful clothes and jewelry? Why are you putting paint around your eyes? Doing those things will not help you, because the people in other countries that you think love you actually despise you, and they will try to kill you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 4:30
BAB
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 4:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ו/אתי
וְ/אַ֨תְּ
שָׁד֜וּד
מַֽה
תַּעֲשִׂ֗י
כִּֽי
תִלְבְּשִׁ֨י
שָׁנִ֜י
כִּי
תַעְדִּ֣י
עֲדִי
זָהָ֗ב
כִּֽי
תִקְרְעִ֤י
בַ/פּוּךְ֙
עֵינַ֔יִ/ךְ
לַ/שָּׁ֖וְא
תִּתְיַפִּ֑י
מָאֲסוּ
בָ֥/ךְ
עֹגְבִ֖ים
נַפְשֵׁ֥/ךְ
יְבַקֵּֽשׁוּ
ו/אתי
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Conj | Pron
וְ/אַ֨תְּ
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Conj | Pron
שָׁד֜וּד
shâdad
H7703
to ruin
V-Qal-Inf-c
מַֽה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
תַּעֲשִׂ֗י
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
תִלְבְּשִׁ֨י
lâbash
H3847
to clothe
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
שָׁנִ֜י
shânîy
H8144
scarlet
N-ms
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
תַעְדִּ֣י
ʻâdâh
H5710
to advance
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
עֲדִי
ʻădîy
H5716
ornament
N-ms
זָהָ֗ב
zâhâb
H2091
gold
N-ms
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
תִקְרְעִ֤י
qâraʻ
H7167
to tear
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
בַ/פּוּךְ֙
pûwk
H6320
color
Prep | N-ms
עֵינַ֔יִ/ךְ
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd | Suff
לַ/שָּׁ֖וְא
shâvᵉʼ
H7723
vanity
Prep | N-ms
תִּתְיַפִּ֑י
yâphâh
H3302
be beautiful
V-Hithpael-Imperf-2fs
מָאֲסוּ
mâʼaç
H3988
to reject
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בָ֥/ךְ
Prep | Suff
עֹגְבִ֖ים
ʻăgab
H5689
to lust
V-Qal
נַפְשֵׁ֥/ךְ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
יְבַקֵּֽשׁוּ
bâqash
H1245
to seek
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 4:30
ו/אתי
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Conj | Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
וְ/אַ֨תְּ
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Conj | Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
שָׁד֜וּד
shâdad
H7703
"to ruin"
V-Qal-Inf-c
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.
מַֽה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
תַּעֲשִׂ֗י
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
תִלְבְּשִׁ֨י
lâbash
H3847
"to clothe"
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
To clothe means to wrap something around or put on a garment. In the Bible, it can be used literally or figuratively, as in putting on clothes or being clothed with a certain attitude.
Definition: 1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear 1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed 1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848)
Usage: Occurs in 102 OT verses. KJV: (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear. See also: Genesis 3:21; Job 27:17; Psalms 35:26.
שָׁנִ֜י
shânîy
H8144
"scarlet"
N-ms
This Hebrew word describes the deep red color of the coccus ilicis insect, used to dye fabric scarlet or crimson, like the scarlet thread in Joshua 2:18. It symbolizes wealth and importance.
Definition: 1) scarlet, crimson 1a) properly, the insect 'coccus ilicis', the dried body of the female yielding colouring matter from which is made the dye used for cloth to colour it scarlet or crimson
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: crimson, scarlet (thread). See also: Genesis 38:28; Exodus 39:1; Proverbs 31:21.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
תַעְדִּ֣י
ʻâdâh
H5710
"to advance"
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
This verb means to adorn or decorate oneself with ornaments, and is used in 2 Samuel 1:24 to describe the Israelites' adornment. It also appears in Ezekiel 23:40, where it talks about the decorating of a bed.
Definition: 1) to pass on, advance, go on, pass by, remove 1a) (Qal) to pass on, put on 1b) (Hiphil) to remove Aramaic equivalent: a.dah (עֲדָה "to pass on/over/away" H5709)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: adorn, deck (self), pass by, take away. See also: Job 28:8; Jeremiah 31:4; Proverbs 25:20.
עֲדִי
ʻădîy
H5716
"ornament"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to ornaments or fine clothing, and can also describe the trappings of horses. It is used in books like Esther and Ezekiel to describe luxurious items. The word is about beautiful or impressive things.
Definition: 1) ornaments 1a) ornaments 1b) trappings (of horses)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] excellent, mouth, ornament. See also: Exodus 33:4; Isaiah 49:18; Psalms 32:9.
זָהָ֗ב
zâhâb
H2091
"gold"
N-ms
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
תִקְרְעִ֤י
qâraʻ
H7167
"to tear"
V-Qal-Imperf-2fs
This verb means to tear or rend something, and can be used literally or figuratively, as in the case of reviling or enlarging the eyes. In the book of the Prophet Joel, it describes the heavens being torn open. It can also describe the action of wild beasts.
Definition: 1) to tear, tear in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tear, rend 1a2) to tear away or out 1a3) to tear, rend asunder 1a3a) to make wide or large (of eyes) 1a3b) to rend open (of heavens) 1a4) to tear, rend (of wild beasts) 1b) (Niphal) to be rent, be split asunder
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: cut out, rend, [idiom] surely, tear. See also: Genesis 37:29; 2 Kings 5:8; Psalms 35:15.
בַ/פּוּךְ֙
pûwk
H6320
"color"
Prep | N-ms
This word means a type of eye makeup, specifically a black dye called stibium. In 2 Kings 9:30, it describes the makeup worn by Jezebel. The KJV translates it as paint or fair colors.
Definition: 1) antimony, stibium, black paint 1a) eye cosmetic
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: fair colours, glistering, paint(-ed) (-ing). See also: 2 Kings 9:30; Isaiah 54:11; Jeremiah 4:30.
עֵינַ֔יִ/ךְ
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
לַ/שָּׁ֖וְא
shâvᵉʼ
H7723
"vanity"
Prep | N-ms
Vanity or falsehood, this word describes something empty, useless, or deceitful, like the idols worshipped by the Israelites in Isaiah 41:29, or the lies and false promises spoken by false prophets in Jeremiah 23:25.
Definition: : false 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood 1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity 1b) emptiness of speech, lying 1c) worthlessness (of conduct) Also means: shav (שָׁוְא ": vain" H7723H)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity. See also: Exodus 20:7; Isaiah 1:13; Psalms 12:3.
תִּתְיַפִּ֑י
yâphâh
H3302
"be beautiful"
V-Hithpael-Imperf-2fs
To be beautiful in the Bible means to be bright and handsome, as seen in the story of Esther, who was chosen for her beauty. The term is also used to describe the beauty of nature and the beauty of God's creation.
Definition: 1) to be bright, be beautiful, be handsome, be fair 1a) (Qal) to be beautiful 1b) (Piel) to beautify 1c) (Pual) to be beautiful 1d) (Hithpael) to beautify oneself
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: be beautiful, be (make self) fair(-r), deck. See also: Psalms 45:3; Jeremiah 4:30; Jeremiah 10:4.
מָאֲסוּ
mâʼaç
H3988
"to reject"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To spurn or reject something is what this Hebrew word means. In Genesis 37:35, it is used to describe how Jacob felt when his sons told him Joseph had died.
Definition: 1) to reject, despise, refuse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to reject, refuse 1a2) to despise 1b) (Niphal) to be rejected
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: abhor, cast away (off), contemn, despise, disdain, (become) loathe(some), melt away, refuse, reject, reprobate, [idiom] utterly, vile person. See also: Leviticus 26:15; Psalms 106:24; Psalms 15:4.
בָ֥/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
עֹגְבִ֖ים
ʻăgab
H5689
"to lust"
V-Qal
To have a strong sensual desire or lust for someone. In the Bible, it is used to describe the love of Solomon for his many wives in 1 Kings 11:1.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to have inordinate affection or lust 1a) lust (participle) 1b) paramours (participle as subst)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: dote, lover. See also: Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 23:9; Ezekiel 23:20.
נַפְשֵׁ֥/ךְ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
יְבַקֵּֽשׁוּ
bâqash
H1245
"to seek"
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 4:30
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 4:30 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 4:30
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 4:30
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 4:30
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 4:30
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
- Sermons on Jeremiah 4:30
Context — Lamentation for Judah
28Therefore the earth will mourn and the heavens above will grow dark. I have spoken, I have planned, and I will not relent or turn back.”
29Every city flees at the sound of the horseman and archer. They enter the thickets and climb among the rocks. Every city is abandoned; no inhabitant is left.
30And you, O devastated one, what will you do, though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain; your lovers despise you; they want to take your life.
31For I hear a cry like a woman in labor, a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child— the cry of the Daughter of Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands to say, “Woe is me, for my soul faints before the murderers!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 9:30 | Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. |
| 2 | Lamentations 1:2 | She weeps aloud in the night, with tears upon her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies. |
| 3 | Lamentations 1:19 | I called out to my lovers, but they have betrayed me. My priests and elders perished in the city while they searched for food to keep themselves alive. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 23:9–10 | Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, the Assyrians for whom she lusted. They exposed her nakedness, seized her sons and daughters, and put her to the sword. Thus she became a byword among women, and they executed judgment against her. |
| 5 | Isaiah 10:3 | What will you do on the day of reckoning when devastation comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth? |
| 6 | Jeremiah 13:21 | What will you say when He sets over you close allies whom you yourself trained? Will not pangs of anguish grip you, as they do a woman in labor? |
| 7 | Ezekiel 28:13 | You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. |
| 8 | Isaiah 20:6 | And on that day the dwellers of this coastland will say, ‘See what has happened to our source of hope, those to whom we fled for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?’” |
| 9 | Ezekiel 16:36–41 | This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them, therefore I will surely gather all the lovers with whom you found pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and expose you before them, and they will see you completely naked. And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy. Then I will deliver you into the hands of your lovers, and they will level your mounds and tear down your lofty shrines. They will strip off your clothes, take your fine jewelry, and leave you naked and bare. They will bring a mob against you, who will stone you and cut you to pieces with their swords. Then they will burn down your houses and execute judgment against you in the sight of many women. I will put an end to your prostitution, and you will never again pay your lovers. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 23:28–29 | For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Surely I will deliver you into the hands of those you hate, from whom you turned away in disgust. They will treat you with hatred, take all for which you have worked, and leave you naked and bare, so that the shame of your prostitution will be exposed. Your indecency and promiscuity |
Jeremiah 4:30 Summary
Jeremiah 4:30 is a warning to the nation of Judah that even though they try to make themselves look beautiful and attractive, it is all in vain because their sin and idolatry are evident to God and to others. The verse is saying that it's not about how we look on the outside, but about the condition of our hearts, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7. We can apply this lesson to our own lives by focusing on inner beauty and a right relationship with God, rather than trying to cover up our sin with outward appearances, as seen in Matthew 23:25-26. By turning to God and seeking true restoration and beauty, we can avoid the consequences of sin and find true joy and peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Jeremiah 4:30 and who is the devastated one being addressed?
The devastated one in Jeremiah 4:30 is likely Judah or Jerusalem, which is being warned of its impending destruction, as seen in the surrounding verses, such as Jeremiah 4:28-29, where the earth mourns and the heavens grow dark, and every city flees at the sound of the horseman and archer.
What does it mean to dress oneself in scarlet and adorn oneself with gold jewelry in Jeremiah 4:30?
Dressing oneself in scarlet and adorning oneself with gold jewelry in Jeremiah 4:30 is a metaphor for trying to appear attractive and beautiful, but it is all in vain, as the lovers, or alliances, of Judah despise her and want to take her life, similar to how God sees the outward appearances of the wicked in Ezekiel 23:40-42.
Why do the lovers of the devastated one despise her and want to take her life in Jeremiah 4:30?
The lovers of the devastated one despise her and want to take her life because they have been deceived by her outward appearances, and now they see her for who she truly is, a sinful and idolatrous nation, as seen in Jeremiah 3:20, where God says that Judah has acted deceitfully against Him.
How does Jeremiah 4:30 relate to the overall message of the book of Jeremiah?
Jeremiah 4:30 is a part of the overall message of the book of Jeremiah, which is a call to repentance and a warning of the consequences of sin, as seen in Jeremiah 7:1-20, where God warns the people of Judah to amend their ways and turn back to Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I try to make myself appear attractive to others, and am I seeking true beauty that comes from within, as seen in 1 Peter 3:3-4?
- How can I apply the lesson of Jeremiah 4:30 to my own life, and what are some areas where I need to focus on inner beauty rather than outward appearances?
- In what ways can I be like the devastated one in Jeremiah 4:30, trying to cover up my sin and imperfections with outward appearances, and how can I instead turn to God for true restoration and beauty, as seen in Psalm 51:7-10?
- What does it mean to 'enlarge your eyes with paint' in Jeremiah 4:30, and how can I avoid trying to deceive others with my outward appearances, as warned in Proverbs 21:2?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 4:30
And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do?.... Or, "O thou spoiled" (k), wasted, and undone creature, how wilt thou help thyself? by what means dost thou think thou canst be delivered?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 4:30
And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
When thou art spoiled; which will certainly come upon thee; or when this destruction shall come upon thee, which is very near thee. What wilt thou do? viz. when thou, O daughter of Zion, as , art besieged by the Babylonians, what course wilt thou take? It is not to be avoided. A kind of an insulting way of speech, as it were upbraiding them with their pride and confidence: q.d. Your condition is desperate. Crimson, or scarlet, : see on See Poole "". Though thou deckest thee with ornaments; though thou dost superinduce those ornaments, or jewels of gold, that may reader thy attire the most rich and splendid, . Though thou rentest thy face with painting: it is observed that they that paint much make their skins withered. Face, Heb. eyes, the wantonness thereof being possibly set out more by painting; see ; or rather, face and eyes, being sometimes put one for the other see , compared with . In vain shalt thou make thyself fair; all thy tricking up thyself, thinking thereby to ingratiate thyself with the Chaldeans, will be to no purpose, for they will work thy ruin, as in the close of the verse, and .
Thy lovers will despise thee; they will slight thee more than ever; they that have doted on time, thy unchaste paramours, their lust being satisfied, shall abhor thee; see ; and the pronoun, being not in the original, it may signify that no lovers at all will look after thee; thou shalt be cast off by all. See thus of Tyre, ,16. Those that were in confederacy with thee, and thy professed friends, , shall not only forsake time, but join with thine enemies to destroy thee, . And thus is Babylon to be dealt withal, ,17. The sense is, That notwithstanding all thy allurings and enticements, either to obtain the help of thy friends and allies the Egyptians, whom thou takest to be thy lovers, and didst forsake me to cleave to them, or to stop the fury of thine enemies, the Chaldeans; (possibly alluding to Jezebel’ s practice, in painting herself to stop the fury of Jehu, O yet shall it advantage thee nothing; thou shalt be no more regarded than a forsaken strumpet, ,37 Ezekiel 23
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
Jeremiah 4:30 And [when] thou [art] spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; [thy] lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.Ver. 30. Though thou rendest thy face with paint.] Jezebel-like, In vain shalt thou make thyself fair,] i.e., Seek to ingratiate with the Chaldees, by submitting to them, and worshipping their idols. Thy lovers will despise thee.] As an old withered strumpet, and now out of date. See Ezekiel 16:36; Ezekiel 23:22.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
(30) And when thou art spoiled . . .—The sentence is clearer without the insertion of the words in italics: Thou spoiled one, what dost thou work, that thou clothest . . . that thou deckest . . . that thou rentest . . .? In vain dost thou beautify thyself. The “clothing with crimson “and “ornaments of gold” are, as before noticed (Note on Jeremiah 4:13), an echo from 2 Samuel 1:24. The “rending the face” is, literally, enlarging the eyes with kohl, or antimony, still used for this purpose in the east, the black powder being laid on horizontally with a small stylus, or pencil, drawn between the eyelashes. The daughter of Zion is represented as a woman who puts on her costliest attire, as Jezebel had done (2 Kings 9:30), in the vain hope of fascinating her lovers. The imagery points to the foreign alliances in which the statesmen and people of Jerusalem were trusting, and they are told that they shall be in vain. The lovers, i.e., the allies, shall become her foes.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
Verse 30. Though thou rentest thy face with painting] This probably refers to the custom of introducing stibium, a preparation of antimony, between the eye and the lids, in order to produce a fine lustre, which occasions a distension of the eye-lid in the time of the operation. In order to heighten the effect from this, some may have introduced a more than ordinary quantity, so as nearly to rend the eye-lid itself. Though thou make use of every means of address, of cunning, and of solicitation, to get assistance from the neighbouring states, it will be all in vain. Reference is here particularly made to the practice of harlots to allure men.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 4:30
30. Thy harsh captors will scorn thy feminine arts to make thyself attractive in their eyes. But the anomalous gender (masc.) of the Hebrew participle suggests that it is a gloss. And thou, when thou art spoiled] And thou, plundered one. The fem. indicates, as often, a collective sense; so in Jeremiah 4:11, Jeremiah 7:29, Jeremiah 10:17. Cp. Jeremiah 4:31; so also Psalms 45:12. ornaments of gold] Cp. Hosea 2:13. enlargest (Heb. rendest) thine eyes with paint] i.e. with antimony. It was considered that the lustre and apparent size of the pupil of the eye were enhanced by this practice, which consisted of “blackening the edge of the eyelids both above and below the eye with a black powder called kohl. This is a collyrium commonly composed of the smoke black, which is produced by burning a kind of liban, an aromatic resin, a species of frankincense.… kohl is also prepared of the smoke black produced by burning the shells of almonds.… Antimony, it is said, was formerly used for painting the edges of the eyelids.
The kohl is applied with a small probe of wood, ivory, or silver, tapering towards the end, but blunt; this is moistened, sometimes with rosewater, then dipped in the powder and drawn along the edges of the eyelids.… The custom of thus ornamenting the eyes prevailed among both sexes in Egypt in very ancient times: this is shewn by the sculptures and paintings in the temples and tombs of this country, and kohl-vessels with the probes and even with remains of the black powder have often been found in the ancient tombs” (Lane’s Modern Egyptians, 1. pp. 45, 46). For the custom cp. 2 Kings 9:30; Ezekiel 23:40; also Job 42:14 (Kerenhappuch = horn of eye paint). thy lovers] those whose political alliance thou hast cultivated. This term, hardly applicable to the Scythians, is an example of the modifications of phrase which Jeremiah would introduce when the Babylonians, whose friendship had formerly been sought, had become the foes to be dreaded. See Intr. iv. § 3 (end).
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 4:30
Translate, And thou, O plundered one, what effectest thou, that “thou clothest thyself with” scarlet, that “thou deckest” thyself “with ornaments of gold,” that thou enlargest thine eyes with antimony (2 Kings 9:30 note)?
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:30
30. When thou art spoiled — No arts, as of a courtezan, such as the putting on of crimson clothing and ornaments of gold, and rending or enlarging the eyes with pigment, can turn away the ruin.
Sermons on Jeremiah 4:30
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Payday Someday by R.G. Lee | In this sermon, the preacher describes a man who is in desperate need of rescue. The man is trapped in a pit of his own making, and his body is trembling and convulsing. The preach |
|
(Through the Bible) 2 Kings by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the stories and lessons from the 2nd book of Kings, highlighting the different kings who ruled Israel and Judah, the consequences of their actions, the impo |
|
Setting Fire to Satan's Harvest - Part 1 by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the danger of allowing complaints and seeds of discontent to take root in our hearts, leading to a spirit of overwhelming negativity and rebellion against Go |
|
Rock Seminar by John Musser | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the power of music, particularly rock music, as a tool of indoctrination. He argues that Satan has devised a beat that is appealing to young |
|
The Significance of the Death of Christ by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound significance of Christ's death, illustrating how it addresses the essence of sin, which is independence from God. He explains that this ind |
|
Generations Remade by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan explores the theme of creation and the fall, emphasizing that everything God created was initially good, but something went wrong, leading to a state of formlessness |