Jeremiah 10:22
Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.
Original Language Analysis
גָּד֖וֹל
and a great
H1419
גָּד֖וֹל
and a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
6 of 15
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
צָפ֑וֹן
out of the north
H6828
צָפ֑וֹן
out of the north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
לָשׂ֞וּם
to make
H7760
לָשׂ֞וּם
to make
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 15
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָרֵ֧י
the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֧י
the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
11 of 15
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָ֛ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֛ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
12 of 15
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Historical Context
The 'noise' of approaching armies traveled ahead of actual invasion—refugees, messengers, commercial travelers spreading news of military movement. Jeremiah's repeated references to the 'north' enemy (1:13-15, 4:6, 6:1, 10:22) consistently identified the threat without always naming Babylon. The phrase 'den of dragons/jackals' appears throughout Jeremiah as the consistent image of urban destruction (9:11, 49:33, 51:37).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'noise' traveling ahead of invasion create psychological warfare before physical attack?
- What does the transformation of cities into jackal dens signify about reversing civilization to chaos?
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse announces invasion: 'Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country.' 'Bruit' (shemu'ah) means report, news—specifically news of approaching army. 'Great commotion' (ra'ash gadol) indicates earthquake-like tumult of marching forces. 'Out of the north country' identifies Babylon, which attacked Judah from the north via the Fertile Crescent. 'To make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.' shemamah (desolation) and tannim (jackals) repeat the judgment refrain—urban civilization reduced to animal lairs. The verse shifts from lament back to urgent warning.