Jeremiah 19:8
And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.
Original Language Analysis
וְשַׂמְתִּי֙
And I will make
H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּי֙
And I will make
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 14
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעִ֣יר
this city
H5892
הָעִ֣יר
this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 14
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
כֹּ֚ל
H3605
כֹּ֚ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֹבֵ֣ר
every one that passeth
H5674
עֹבֵ֣ר
every one that passeth
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
8 of 14
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשֹּׁ֥ם
thereby shall be astonished
H8074
יִשֹּׁ֥ם
thereby shall be astonished
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
10 of 14
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
וְיִשְׁרֹ֖ק
and hiss
H8319
וְיִשְׁרֹ֖ק
and hiss
Strong's:
H8319
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, to be shrill, i.e., to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Jeremiah 18:16To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.Jeremiah 49:13For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.1 Kings 9:8And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?Jeremiah 25:18To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day;Jeremiah 50:13Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.Zephaniah 2:15This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
Historical Context
Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC fulfilled this prophecy. The magnificent city David established and Solomon beautified became ruins. For seventy years during Babylonian exile, Jerusalem lay largely desolate, a testimony to covenant violation's consequences. Even after the return, the city never regained its former glory until Christ came. Visitors to the ruins during the exile period would have shaken their heads in astonishment, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy precisely.
Questions for Reflection
- How does awareness that your witness affects others' perception of God motivate faithfulness?
- What 'plagues' result in your life when you depart from God's ways?
- How can you ensure your life adorns the gospel rather than bringing reproach on Christ's name?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Continuing the judgment prophecy: "And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing." Desolation (shammah, שַׁמָּה) describes uninhabited ruins, formerly thriving places now abandoned. "An hissing" (shreqah, שְׁרֵקָה) represents mockery and astonishment—passersby will whistle in amazement or derision at Jerusalem's fallen state. "Every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof."
This repeats and intensifies earlier warnings (Jer 18:16). Jerusalem, meant to be a testimony to God's glory and a light to nations (Isa 2:2-5, 60:1-3), will instead become a byword for judgment. The repeated warnings demonstrate God's patience and His desire that Judah repent before it's too late. Yet the prophecy's certainty shows that persistent rebellion will inevitably bring promised judgment.
The principle: those called to be God's witnesses who fail their calling bring reproach not just on themselves but on God's name before watching nations. This sobering responsibility applies to the church—when Christians and churches fail to honor God, they bring His name into disrepute among unbelievers (Rom 2:24, 1 Pet 2:12). Conversely, faithfulness adorns the gospel and attracts others to Christ (Tit 2:10, Matt 5:16).