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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Jeremiah 4  › Jeremiah 4:8

Jeremiah 4:8

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Jeremiah 4:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So put on sackcloth, mourn and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us.”

King James Version KJV

For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.

American Standard Version ASV

For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and wail; for the fierce anger of Jehovah is not turned back from us.

Bible in Basic English BBE

For this put on haircloth, with weeping and loud crying: for the burning wrath of the Lord is not turned back from us.

Free Bible Version FBV

Wear clothes made of sackcloth, weep and wail, crying out, “The Lord's furious anger against us hasn't stopped.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Wherefore girde you with sackecloth: lament, and howle, for the fierce wrath of the Lord is not turned backe from vs.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

For this, gird on sackcloth, lament and howl, For the fierce anger of Jehovah hath not turned back from us.

World English Bible WEB

For this, clothe yourself with sackcloth, lament and wail; for the fierce anger of the LORD hasn’t turned back from us.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

For this gird yourselves with haircloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the Lord is not turned away from us.

Translation for Translators T4T

So, put on sackcloth/rough clothes and weep and beat your chests to show that you are very sorry for what you have done, because Yahweh is still very angry with us.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 4:8

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 4:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB עַל זֹ֛את חִגְר֥וּ שַׂקִּ֖ים סִפְד֣וּ וְ/הֵילִ֑ילוּ כִּ֥י לֹא שָׁ֛ב חֲר֥וֹן אַף יְהֹוָ֖ה מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ
עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep
זֹ֛את zôʼth H2063 this Pron
חִגְר֥וּ châgar H2296 to gird V-Qal-Impv-2mp
שַׂקִּ֖ים saq H8242 sackcloth N-mp
סִפְד֣וּ çâphad H5594 to mourn V-Qal-Impv-2mp
וְ/הֵילִ֑ילוּ yâlal H3213 to wail Conj | V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
כִּ֥י kîy H3588 for Conj
לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part
שָׁ֛ב shûwb H7725 to return V-Qal-Perf-3ms
חֲר֥וֹן chârôwn H2740 burning anger N-ms
אַף ʼaph H639 face DirObjM
יְהֹוָ֖ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 from Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 4:8

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
זֹ֛את zôʼth H2063 "this" Pron
This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.
חִגְר֥וּ châgar H2296 "to gird" V-Qal-Impv-2mp
The Hebrew word chagar means to gird or put on a belt, and is used to describe preparing for battle or work, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to gird, gird on, gird oneself, put on a belt 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to gird 1a2) to gird on, bind on 1a3) to gird oneself
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: be able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, [idiom] on every side. See also: Exodus 12:11; 2 Kings 3:21; Psalms 45:4.
שַׂקִּ֖ים saq H8242 "sackcloth" N-mp
This term refers to a coarse cloth or sack used for mourning or carrying grain. People wore sackcloth to show humility or grief, like in the book of Esther. It symbolized repentance and sorrow.
Definition: 1) mesh, sackcloth, sack, sacking 1a) sack (for grain) 1b) sackcloth 1b1) worn in mourning or humiliation 1b2) same material spread out to lie on
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: sack(-cloth, -clothes). See also: Genesis 37:34; Psalms 69:12; Psalms 30:12.
סִפְד֣וּ çâphad H5594 "to mourn" V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew verb means to mourn or lament, often by tearing hair and beating breasts. It involves expressing deep sadness or grief, like wailing or lamenting. The KJV translates it as lament or mourn.
Definition: 1) to wail, lament, mourn 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wail, lament 1a2) wailers (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be lamented, be bewailed
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: lament, mourn(-er), wail. See also: Genesis 23:2; Jeremiah 16:4; Isaiah 32:12.
וְ/הֵילִ֑ילוּ yâlal H3213 "to wail" Conj | V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
This word means to wail or howl, expressing strong emotions like sadness or pain, used to describe a loud, mournful cry.
Definition: (Hiphil) to howl, wail, make a howling
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (make to) howl, be howling. See also: Isaiah 13:6; Jeremiah 48:31; Isaiah 14:31.
כִּ֥י 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.
לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
שָׁ֛ב shûwb H7725 "to return" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
חֲר֥וֹן chârôwn H2740 "burning anger" N-ms
This Hebrew word describes God's burning anger or fierce wrath, often used in the Bible to convey His intense emotions. It is used to describe God's anger towards sin and disobedience, and appears in various translations as sore displeasure or fury. This word emphasizes the seriousness of God's emotions.
Definition: 1) anger, heat, burning (of anger) 1a) always used of God's anger
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: sore displeasure, fierce(-ness), fury, (fierce) wrath(-ful). See also: Exodus 15:7; Psalms 88:17; Psalms 2:5.
אַף ʼaph H639 "face" DirObjM
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
יְהֹוָ֖ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 "from" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 4:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Isaiah 22:12 On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.
2 Jeremiah 6:26 O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.
3 Isaiah 10:4 Nothing will remain but to crouch among the captives or fall among the slain. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
4 Isaiah 5:25 Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lay like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
5 Isaiah 32:11 Shudder, you ladies of leisure; tremble, you daughters of complacency. Strip yourselves bare and put sackcloth around your waists.
6 Numbers 25:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
7 Psalms 78:49 He unleashed His fury against them, wrath, indignation, and calamity— a band of destroying angels.
8 Amos 8:10 I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day.
9 Isaiah 15:2–3 Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping.
10 Jeremiah 48:20 Moab is put to shame, for it has been shattered. Wail and cry out! Declare by the Arnon that Moab is destroyed.

Jeremiah 4:8 Summary

Jeremiah 4:8 is a call to mourn and repent because God's anger has not turned away from His people. This means that God is still upset with the people's sin, and they need to take it seriously and turn back to Him. Just like in Jonah 3:5-8, where the people of Nineveh repented and wore sackcloth, we can show our sorrow for sin by humbling ourselves and seeking God's mercy. By doing so, we can experience God's forgiveness and restoration, as promised in 1 John 1:9 and Psalm 51:17.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'put on sackcloth' in Jeremiah 4:8?

In biblical times, wearing sackcloth was a sign of mourning and repentance, as seen in Jonah 3:5-8 and Esther 4:1-3, where people wore sackcloth to show their sorrow and humility before God.

Why is God's anger 'fierce' in Jeremiah 4:8?

God's anger is fierce because His people have rebelled against Him, as stated in Jeremiah 4:8, and this anger is a result of their disobedience, similar to what is described in Deuteronomy 29:20 and Psalm 102:10.

Can God's anger be turned away from us?

Yes, God's anger can be turned away through repentance and turning back to Him, as seen in Jeremiah 18:8 and Joel 2:13, where God promises to relent from His anger if His people return to Him with all their heart.

How does this verse relate to the rest of Jeremiah 4?

This verse is a call to mourning and repentance in response to the impending disaster described in Jeremiah 4:6-7, and it sets the stage for the descriptions of judgment and chaos that follow in Jeremiah 4:9-10 and beyond, such as Jeremiah 4:23-26.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can practically humble myself before God, like putting on sackcloth, to show my repentance and sorrow for sin?
  2. How have I experienced God's anger or discipline in my life, and what can I learn from those experiences about His character and my need for repentance?
  3. In what ways can I 'mourn and wail' over my own sin and the sin of my community, and what would it look like to take those feelings to God in prayer?
  4. What are some areas in my life where I need to turn away from sin and turn back to God, and how can I take steps to do so in the coming days?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 4:8

For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl,.... That is, because of this destruction threatened, which was so near at hand, and so sure and certain: for the fierce anger of the Lord is not turned back from us.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 4:8

For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us. Nothing is left to the Jews but to bewail their desperate condition.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:8

Gird you with sackcloth; the usual habit of mourners, especially in those days, : it is a calling upon them to repent. Lament and howl: probably these expressions do import the several ways that men have to set forth their bitter complaints and sorrows of the mind, both by the gestures of the body, , and expressions of the tongue, . Is not turned back from us; neither will it, until it have accomplished its ends, .

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:8

Jeremiah 4:8 For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.Ver. 8. For this, gird you with sackcloth.] Repent, if at least it be not too late, as the next words hint that now it was. For the fierce wrath of the Lord is not turned back from us.] Or, Because the fierce wrath of the Lord will not turn from us; it will have its full forth. See Zephaniah 2:2.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:8

(8) Gird you with sackcloth.—From the earliest times the outward sign of mourning, and therefore of repentance (Joe 1:8; Isaiah 22:12).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:8

Verse 8. Lament and howl] הילילו heililu. The aboriginal Irish had a funeral song called the Caoinian, still continued among their descendants, one part of which is termed the ulaloo: this is sung responsively or alternately, and is accompanied with a full chorus of sighs and groans. It has been thought that Ireland was originally peopled by the Phoenicians: if so, this will account for the similarity of many words and customs among both these people.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 4:8

Ch. Jeremiah 4:5-31. Impending judgements. National disaster This section and the two that follow it (viz. chs. 5 and 6) are somewhat later than the preceding, as presenting a more definite description of the punishment there threatened. They picture the excitement and dismay caused throughout the defenceless portions of the land by the approach of the enemy, and the hasty retreat to walled towns on the part of the country people. No doubt as originally uttered these sections referred to the threatened invasion of Palestine by the Scythian hordes. (See Introd. i. § 3 and on Jeremiah 1:13.) On being reproduced in the Roll of b.c. 604 (ch. 36), when the Chaldaeans had become the formidable enemy, the language may have been modified here and there to suit the new political aspect of affairs. Thus “lion” and “destroyer of nations” (Jeremiah 4:7) are epithets more appropriate to an individual leader such as Nebuchadnezzar than to a hostile multitude. Neither do we know that the Scythians had “chariots” (Jeremiah 4:13). The present section may be summarized as follows.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 4:8

Is not turned ... - As long as their sins are unrepented of, so long must their punishment continue.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:8

8. Gird you with sackcloth — This calamity, which on its surface would seem to be merely human, attributable solely to the ambition and rapacity of the Babylonish nation, is here referred to as an

Sermons on Jeremiah 4:8

SermonDescription
Leonard Ravenhill A Burning Heart by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher references various verses from the Bible, including Jeremiah chapter 4 and Joel chapter 1. He emphasizes the need for repentance and laments the state
Chuck Smith The Burden of the Valley of Vision by Chuck Smith In this video, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the concept of the "Burden of the Valley of Vision" as mentioned in Isaiah 22. He explains that this burden refers to a prophecy of the
Paris Reidhead Awake to Righteousness and Sin Not by Paris Reidhead In this sermon, the speaker recounts the powerful preaching of Jimmy Stewart, accompanied by William Fetler as his interpreter. They traveled through Eastern Europe, spreading the
Samuel Davies In Time of War by Samuel Davies Samuel Davies preaches a powerful sermon on the Valley of Vision, using the prophecy in Isaiah to warn about the impending danger faced by Jerusalem due to their sins and lack of r
Shane Idleman The Sin of Pride, Nimrod by Shane Idleman Shane Idleman emphasizes the destructive nature of pride, identifying it as the root cause of many personal and relational issues, including conflicts in marriages and workplaces.
Shane Idleman The Sin of Self Advancement - Puffed by Pride by Shane Idleman Shane Idleman addresses the destructive nature of pride in his sermon 'The Sin of Self Advancement - Puffed by Pride,' emphasizing that pride is often the root cause of personal an
G.W. North Spiritual Virginity by G.W. North In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being vessels for God. He shares personal experiences of witnessing people repenting and being transformed by the power of
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