Jeremiah 4:7
Jeremiah 4:7 in Multiple Translations
A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited.
The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
A lion is gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations; he is on his way, he is gone forth from his place, to make thy land desolate, that thy cities be laid waste, without inhabitant.
A lion has gone up from his secret place in the woods, and one who makes waste the nations is on his way; he has gone out from his place, to make your land unpeopled, so that your towns will be made waste, with no man living in them.
A lion has left his hiding place; a destroyer of nations has started out. He has left his den to come and turn your country into a wasteland. Your towns will be demolished, and no one will live there.
The lyon is come vp from his denne, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is departed, and gone forth of his place to lay thy land waste, and thy cities shalbe destroyed without an inhabitant.
Gone up hath a lion from his thicket, And a destroyer of nations hath journeyed, He hath come forth from his place To make thy land become a desolation, Thy cities are laid waste, without inhabitant.
A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations. He is on his way. He has gone out from his place, to make your land desolate, that your cities be laid waste, without inhabitant.
The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
The lion is come up out of his den, and the robber of nations hath roused himself: he is come forth out of his place, to make thy land desolate: thy cities shall be laid waste, remaining without an inhabitant.
An army that has destroyed many nations will attack you like [MET] a lion that comes out of its den to attack other animals. The soldiers of that army have taken down their tents and they are ready to march toward your land. They will destroy your cities and leave them without any people still living in them.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 4:7
BAB
Word Study
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Jeremiah 4:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עָלָ֤ה
אַרְיֵה֙
מִֽ/סֻּבְּכ֔/וֹ
וּ/מַשְׁחִ֣ית
גּוֹיִ֔ם
נָסַ֖ע
יָצָ֣א
מִ/מְּקֹמ֑/וֹ
לָ/שׂ֤וּם
אַרְצֵ/ךְ֙
לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה
עָרַ֥יִ/ךְ
תִּצֶּ֖ינָה
מֵ/אֵ֥ין
יוֹשֵֽׁב
עָלָ֤ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אַרְיֵה֙
ʼărîy
H738
lion
N-ms
מִֽ/סֻּבְּכ֔/וֹ
çôbek
H5441
thicket
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וּ/מַשְׁחִ֣ית
shâchath
H7843
to ruin
Conj | V-Hiphil
גּוֹיִ֔ם
gôwy
H1471
Gentile
N-mp
נָסַ֖ע
nâçaʻ
H5265
to set out
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
יָצָ֣א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
מִ/מְּקֹמ֑/וֹ
mâqôwm
H4725
place
Prep | N-ms | Suff
לָ/שׂ֤וּם
sûwm
H7760
to set
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אַרְצֵ/ךְ֙
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs | Suff
לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה
shammâh
H8047
horror
Prep | N-fs
עָרַ֥יִ/ךְ
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp | Suff
תִּצֶּ֖ינָה
nâtsâh
H5327
to struggle
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
מֵ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Prep | Part
יוֹשֵֽׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 4:7
עָלָ֤ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
אַרְיֵה֙
ʼărîy
H738
"lion"
N-ms
In biblical times, a lion was a symbol of strength and power, and is often mentioned in stories like Daniel in the lions' den. The word for lion appears in various forms, including pictures or images of lions, and is used in books like 1 Kings and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) lion 1a) pictures or images of lions
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). See also: Genesis 49:9; Proverbs 22:13; Psalms 7:3.
מִֽ/סֻּבְּכ֔/וֹ
çôbek
H5441
"thicket"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a dense cluster of trees or shrubs, like a thicket, providing shelter or cover. It describes a natural, wooded area, often used as a hiding place or refuge in biblical stories. The KJV translates it as thicket.
Definition: thicket
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: thicket. See also: Jeremiah 4:7.
וּ/מַשְׁחִ֣ית
shâchath
H7843
"to ruin"
Conj | V-Hiphil
This verb means to ruin or destroy something, and it is used in various forms throughout the Bible to describe corruption and decay.
Definition: 1) to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay 1a) (Niphal) to be marred, be spoiled, be corrupted, be corrupt, be injured, be ruined, be rotted 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to spoil, ruin 1b2) to pervert, corrupt, deal corruptly (morally) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to spoil, ruin, destroy 1c2) to pervert, corrupt (morally) 1c3) destroyer (participle) 1d) (Hophal) spoiled, ruined (participle) Aramaic equivalent: she.chat (שְׁחַת "to corrupt" H7844)
Usage: Occurs in 136 OT verses. KJV: batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r). See also: Genesis 6:11; Psalms 14:1; Psalms 53:2.
גּוֹיִ֔ם
gôwy
H1471
"Gentile"
N-mp
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.
נָסַ֖ע
nâçaʻ
H5265
"to set out"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this word means to set out or start a journey, like the Israelites departing from Egypt, or to remove something, as in pulling up tent pins.
Definition: 1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pull out or up 1a2) to set out, depart 1a3) to journey, march 1a4) to set forth (of wind) 1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up 1c2) to remove, quarry
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way. See also: Genesis 11:2; Numbers 33:9; Psalms 78:26.
יָצָ֣א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
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.
מִ/מְּקֹמ֑/וֹ
mâqôwm
H4725
"place"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.
Definition: 1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode 1c) city, land, region 1d) place, locality, spot 1e) space, room, distance 1f) region, quarter, direction 1g) give place to, instead of
Usage: Occurs in 379 OT verses. KJV: country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 1:9; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1 Kings 20:24.
לָ/שׂ֤וּם
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
אַרְצֵ/ךְ֙
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs | Suff
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה
shammâh
H8047
"horror"
Prep | N-fs
Shammâh refers to a state of horror or ruin, often describing a waste or desolate land. It can also mean consternation or appalment, and is used in the Bible to describe the aftermath of war or disaster.
Definition: : destroyed/waste 1) waste, horror, appalment 1a) a waste (of land, city, etc) 1b) appalment, horror Also means: sham.mah (שַׁמָּה ": appalled" H8047H)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: astonishment, desolate(-ion), waste, wonderful thing. See also: Deuteronomy 28:37; Jeremiah 29:18; Psalms 46:9.
עָרַ֥יִ/ךְ
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
תִּצֶּ֖ינָה
nâtsâh
H5327
"to struggle"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
To desolate or lay waste, this word describes the destruction of a city or land. It is used in the book of Jeremiah to describe the fall of Jerusalem. The word implies a complete ruin.
Definition: 1) to struggle 1a) (Niphal) to struggle 1b) (Hiphil) to struggle
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: be laid waste, runinous, strive (together). See also: Exodus 2:13; 2 Samuel 14:6; Psalms 60:2.
מֵ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Prep | 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.
יוֹשֵֽׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 4:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 4:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 4:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 4:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 4:7
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 4:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
- Sermons on Jeremiah 4:7
Context — Disaster from the North
5Announce in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say: “Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry aloud and say, ‘Assemble yourselves and let us flee to the fortified cities.’
6Raise a signal flag toward Zion. Seek refuge! Do not delay! For I am bringing disaster from the north, and terrible destruction.
7A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited.
8So put on sackcloth, mourn and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us.” 9“In that day,” declares the LORD, “the king and officials will lose their courage. The priests will tremble in fear, and the prophets will be astounded.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 1:7 | Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your fields before you— a desolation demolished by strangers. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 5:6 | Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious acts are many, and their unfaithful deeds are numerous. |
| 3 | Isaiah 6:11 | Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged, |
| 4 | Jeremiah 2:15 | The young lions have roared at him; they have growled with a loud voice. They have laid waste his land; his cities lie in ruins, without inhabitant. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 26:7–10 | For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, with cavalry and a great company of troops. He will slaughter the villages of your mainland with the sword; he will set up siege works against you, build a ramp to your walls, and raise his shields against you. He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and tear down your towers with his axes. His multitude of horses will cover you in their dust. When he enters your gates as an army entering a breached city, your walls will shake from the noise of cavalry, wagons, and chariots. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 25:9 | behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 50:17 | Israel is a scattered flock, chased away by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to crush his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” |
| 8 | Daniel 7:4 | The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and given the mind of a man. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 49:19 | Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Edom from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?” |
| 10 | Jeremiah 25:38 | He has left His den like a lion, for their land has been made a desolation by the sword of the oppressor, and because of the fierce anger of the LORD. |
Jeremiah 4:7 Summary
[Jeremiah 4:7 is a warning from God that a powerful and fierce nation is coming to judge His people for their sins, just like a lion comes out of its thicket to attack its prey. This verse is telling us that God's judgment is real and it will bring destruction and ruin to those who do not repent and turn to Him, as seen in Jeremiah 25:9. We can learn from this verse by recognizing the importance of repentance and obedience to God's commands, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14. By humbling ourselves and turning from our wicked ways, we can avoid the kind of judgment that is described in Jeremiah 4:7.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lion in Jeremiah 4:7 a symbol of?
The lion in Jeremiah 4:7 is a symbol of a powerful and fierce nation that God is using to judge His people, as seen in Jeremiah 25:9 where God says He will send Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, to destroy Judah.
Why will the cities be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited?
The cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited because of God's judgment on His people for their sins, as stated in Jeremiah 4:7, which is a consequence of their disobedience to God's commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:15-20.
Is this verse only talking about the destruction of Judah or is it a warning for other nations as well?
While Jeremiah 4:7 is specifically addressing Judah, the principles of God's judgment on sin are universal, as seen in Romans 11:21, where it says that if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare the grafted ones either.
How can we apply this verse to our lives today?
We can apply Jeremiah 4:7 to our lives today by recognizing the importance of repentance and obedience to God's commands, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14, where it says that if God's people will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, He will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can humble myself before God and turn from my wicked ways, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14?
- How can I be sure that I am not contributing to the spiritual ruin of my community or nation through my own sinful actions or attitudes?
- What are some things that I can do to prepare myself spiritually for the trials and challenges that are coming, just like the people of Judah were warned to do in Jeremiah 4:5-6?
- In what ways can I be a voice of warning and a call to repentance to those around me, just like the prophet Jeremiah was in Jeremiah 4:7?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 4:7
The lion is come up from his thicket,.... Meaning Nebuchadnezzar (s), from Babylon, who is compared to a lion for his strength, fierceness, and cruelty; see Jeremiah 50:17 so the Roman emperor is
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 4:7
The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
The lion is come up from his thicket, i.e. Nebuchadnezzar, called here a lion from his fierceness and strength, ; a metaphor; especially in this expedition; see shall come up from Babylon, where his chief seat is, ; as lions are principally among the thickets of the forest, in coverts; this place being so remote and hid from them, that they least expected trouble to arise from thence. The destroyer of the Gentiles; another description of the same person, of whose destroying armies the nations have had woeful experience, ,17, called the hammer of the whole earth, : q.d. And how shall you think to escape him? Is on his way, i.e. as it is expressed in the next clause, he is gone forth from his place, he is already upon his march. To make thy land desolate, i.e. with a resolution so to do. Shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant, i.e. as places uninhabited soon lie waste, and are overgrown with grass, as the notation of the word seems to import.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
Jeremiah 4:7 The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; [and] thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.Ver. 7. The lion is come up from his thicket,] i.e., Nebuchadnezzar from Babylon, where he lieth safe, sicut leo in vepreto, and will shortly show himself for a mischief to many people, who shall feel his force and fierceness.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
(7) The lion is come up . . .—The “lion” is, of course, the Chaldæan invader, the destroyer, not of men only, but of nations. So in Daniel 7:4 the lion is the symbol of the Assyrian monarchy. The winged lions that are seen in the palaces of Mosul and Nimroud gave a special character to what was in any case a natural metaphor. The word “Gentiles” answers to the meaning, but there is no special reason why it should be used here, rather than nations.Is on his way.—Literally, has broken up his encampment, i.e., has started on his march. Without an inhabitant.—The language, like that of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:11), was probably in some measure hyperbolical, but the depopulation caused by the Chaldæan invasion (as seen in Jeremiah 39:9) must have been extreme.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
Verse 7. The lion is come up] Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. "The king (Nebuchadnezzar) is come up from his tower." - Targum. The destroyer of the Gentiles] Of the nations: of all the people who resisted his authority. He destroyed them all.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 4:7
7. A lion] See introd. note above. thy land] We should perhaps read the land, and consider the rest of the v. as an insertion suggested by the parallels in Jeremiah 2:15, Jeremiah 9:11. Du. proposes, but on insufficient grounds (viz. the use of the expression “at that day,” as though implying vagueness as to time, and a change in the character of the metre), to omit Jeremiah 4:9-11 a (… Jerusalem).
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 4:7
Rather, A “lion”... a “destroyer” of nations: a metaphor descriptive of the impending calamity. A lion is just rousing himself from his lair, but no common one. It is destroyer, not of men, but of nations.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:7
7. The lion — Literally, a lion. The destroyer of the Gentiles — Rather, destroyer of nations; a vivid description of such beasts of prey as are figured by Assyria and Babylon.
Sermons on Jeremiah 4:7
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(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 |
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Contrasting Picture of Life and Death by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the challenges and struggles of life, comparing them to footmen in a race. He emphasizes that everyone will face disappointments, sickness, s |
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(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 3-5 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for people to turn away from worldly distractions and dedicate themselves fully to God and spiritual matters. He quotes from the bo |
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Some Comments on Netanyahu’s Election in Israel: A Prelude to Coming Disaster? by Art Katz | Art Katz discusses the implications of Benjamin Netanyahu's election in Israel, suggesting that it may not lead to any significant change in the nation's dire circumstances. He arg |
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With or Without God by Matthew Little | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the devotion and departure of Israel. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a genuine and passionate relationship with God, rather tha |
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The Rise and Fall of Babylon by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord delves into the early history of Babylon as mentioned in the Bible, tracing its origins from the time of Nimrod to its eventual rise as a center of religious signi |