Jeremiah 12:4
How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.
Original Language Analysis
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
1 of 20
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָתַי֙
H4970
מָתַי֙
Strong's:
H4970
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
הָאָ֔רֶץ
How long shall the land
H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ
How long shall the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
4 of 20
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִיבָ֑שׁ
wither
H3001
יִיבָ֑שׁ
wither
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
8 of 20
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
מֵרָעַ֣ת
for the wickedness
H7451
מֵרָעַ֣ת
for the wickedness
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
9 of 20
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
יֹֽשְׁבֵי
of them that dwell
H3427
יֹֽשְׁבֵי
of them that dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
סָפְתָ֤ה
are consumed
H5595
סָפְתָ֤ה
are consumed
Strong's:
H5595
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r
בְהֵמוֹת֙
therein the beasts
H929
בְהֵמוֹת֙
therein the beasts
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
וָע֔וֹף
and the birds
H5775
וָע֔וֹף
and the birds
Strong's:
H5775
Word #:
14 of 20
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִרְאֶ֖ה
He shall not see
H7200
יִרְאֶ֖ה
He shall not see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
18 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
Cross References
Jeremiah 9:10For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.Psalms 107:34A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.Jeremiah 4:25I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.Jeremiah 23:10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.Jeremiah 7:20Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.Romans 8:22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.Hosea 4:3Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?Habakkuk 3:17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Historical Context
The connection between human sin and ecological devastation appears throughout Scripture (Genesis 3:17-18, Leviticus 26:19-20, Hosea 4:1-3). The drought and agricultural failures Jeremiah witnessed resulted from both natural causes and divine judgment. Modern ecology confirms that human behavior affects environmental systems; biblical theology grounds this in moral-cosmic connections established at creation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does human wickedness affect creation beyond human society?
- What does creation's 'mourning' reveal about the cosmic scope of sin's consequences?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse connects human sin to creation's suffering: 'How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein?' The Hebrew evel (אָבַל, mourn) applies to the land itself—creation groans under sin's burden (Romans 8:19-22). 'Herbs wither' (yavesh) describes agricultural suffering. 'The beasts are consumed, and the birds.' Even animals suffer from human wickedness. 'Because they said, He shall not see our latter end.' The wicked assume God doesn't observe consequences—practical atheism enabling sin. Their denial of divine oversight produces creation-wide devastation.