Jeremiah 30:23
Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יָֽצְאָ֔ה
goeth forth
H3318
יָֽצְאָ֔ה
goeth forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
5 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִתְגּוֹרֵ֑ר
a continuing
H1641
מִתְגּוֹרֵ֑ר
a continuing
Strong's:
H1641
Word #:
7 of 11
to drag off roughly; by implication, to bring up the cud (i.e., ruminate); by analogy, to saw
עַ֛ל
H5921
עַ֛ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹ֥אשׁ
upon the head
H7218
רֹ֥אשׁ
upon the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
9 of 11
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
Cross References
Jeremiah 25:32Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.Zechariah 9:14And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
Historical Context
Written during Judah's final years before the 586 BC destruction, Jeremiah 30-33 (the 'Book of Consolation') balances hope with realism. These verses (23-24) echo earlier judgment oracles (23:19-20), reminding the exiles that Babylon's conquest was divine justice, not cosmic accident.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the certainty of God's judgment against wickedness inform your understanding of His mercy toward the repentant?
- What does it mean that God's wrath is described as purposeful ('continuing') rather than impulsive?
- How do these verses prevent us from sentimentalizing God's promises of restoration?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury (סַעֲרַת יְהוָה, sa'arat YHWH)—divine judgment depicted as an unstoppable storm. The Hebrew se'arah denotes a violent tempest, the same word used of the whirlwind that took Elijah (2 Kings 2:1). This is not random natural disaster but the directed fury (חֵמָה, chemah) of covenant wrath against treaty-breakers.
It shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked—the storm targets resha'im (רְשָׁעִים), those who actively oppose God's righteous order. The continuing whirlwind (מִתְחוֹלֵל, mitcholel, 'whirling') emphasizes relentless motion—judgment once launched cannot be recalled. This verse bridges the Book of Consolation's promises (vv. 1-22) with sober warning: restoration doesn't negate accountability for wickedness.