Jeremiah 24:10
And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.
Original Language Analysis
וְשִׁלַּ֣חְתִּי
And I will send
H7971
וְשִׁלַּ֣חְתִּי
And I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 16
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחֶ֖רֶב
the sword
H2719
הַחֶ֖רֶב
the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
4 of 16
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
תֻּמָּם֙
among them till they be consumed
H8552
תֻּמָּם֙
among them till they be consumed
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
10 of 16
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
מֵעַ֣ל
H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
The sword-famine-pestilence triad characterized the Babylonian siege (588-586 BC) and its aftermath. Archaeological evidence shows widespread destruction and depopulation of Judah during this period. Later campaigns into Egypt (568 BC) completed the judgment on refugees. By 582 BC, a third deportation had occurred. The land lay largely desolate until the Persian period (539 BC onward).
Questions for Reflection
- How do covenant blessings and curses function as package deal, not buffet options?
- What gifts from God might He remove if you continue in disobedience?
- In what ways does the land itself respond to human covenant breaking?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land (וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי בָם אֶת־הַחֶרֶב אֶת־הָרָעָב וְאֶת־הַדָּבֶר עַד־תֻּמָּם מֵעַל הָאֲדָמָה, v'shillachti vam et-hacherev et-hara'av v'et-haddaver ad-tummam me'al ha'adamah). The threefold judgment—sword (חֶרֶב), famine (רָעָב), pestilence (דֶּבֶר)—appears throughout Jeremiah as comprehensive covenant curse (Leviticus 26:25-26, Deuteronomy 28:21-22). The verb שָׁלַח (shalach, 'send') indicates divine agency; these aren't natural disasters but directed judgment.
Till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers—the irony is tragic. The land was gift (נָתַן, natan, 'gave'), pointing back to patriarchal promises (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). Now the gifted land vomits out its inhabitants (Leviticus 18:25, 28). The verb תָּמַם (tamam, 'consume/finish/complete') suggests total removal—no remnant remains. Covenant promises include covenant curses; ignoring the latter doesn't negate them.