Jeremiah 33:5

Authorized King James Version

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They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city.

Original Language Analysis

בָּאִ֗ים They come H935
בָּאִ֗ים They come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לְהִלָּחֵם֙ to fight H3898
לְהִלָּחֵם֙ to fight
Strong's: H3898
Word #: 2 of 20
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
אֶת H854
אֶת
Strong's: H854
Word #: 3 of 20
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים with the Chaldeans H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים with the Chaldeans
Strong's: H3778
Word #: 4 of 20
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
וּלְמַלְאָם֙ but it is to fill H4390
וּלְמַלְאָם֙ but it is to fill
Strong's: H4390
Word #: 5 of 20
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אֶת H854
אֶת
Strong's: H854
Word #: 6 of 20
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
פִּגְרֵ֣י them with the dead bodies H6297
פִּגְרֵ֣י them with the dead bodies
Strong's: H6297
Word #: 7 of 20
a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image
הָאָדָ֔ם of men H120
הָאָדָ֔ם of men
Strong's: H120
Word #: 8 of 20
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִכֵּ֥יתִי whom I have slain H5221
הִכֵּ֥יתִי whom I have slain
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 10 of 20
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בְאַפִּ֖י in mine anger H639
בְאַפִּ֖י in mine anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 11 of 20
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וּבַחֲמָתִ֑י and in my fury H2534
וּבַחֲמָתִ֑י and in my fury
Strong's: H2534
Word #: 12 of 20
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִסְתַּ֤רְתִּי I have hid H5641
הִסְתַּ֤רְתִּי I have hid
Strong's: H5641
Word #: 14 of 20
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
פָנַי֙ my face H6440
פָנַי֙ my face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 15 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מֵהָעִ֣יר from this city H5892
מֵהָעִ֣יר from this city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 16 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַזֹּ֔את H2063
הַזֹּ֔את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 17 of 20
this (often used adverb)
עַ֖ל H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 18 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 19 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָעָתָֽם׃ and for all whose wickedness H7451
רָעָתָֽם׃ and for all whose wickedness
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 20 of 20
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

Analysis & Commentary

They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is to fill them with the dead bodies of men—The Hebrew construction emphasizes futility: defenders engage Babylon only to provide corpses to fill the demolished houses. Whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury (אֲשֶׁר הִכֵּיתִי בְאַפִּי וּבַחֲמָתִי, asher hiketi be'api uvachamati)—God Himself is the ultimate agent of judgment. The Babylonians are merely instruments; YHWH is the Judge.

For all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city—The hiding of God's face (הִסְתַּרְתִּי פָנַי, histartiy panay) is the ultimate curse, the withdrawal of covenant presence. Their ra'ah (wickedness/evil) caused divine abandonment, inverting the Aaronic blessing where God's face shines upon His people (Numbers 6:25).

Historical Context

The Babylonian siege (588-586 BC) resulted in massive casualties from warfare, famine, and disease. Jeremiah doesn't romanticize resistance—he reveals the theological reality that Judah fought against God Himself. The language of divine anger reflects the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28-29 now activated through Nebuchadnezzar's army.

Questions for Reflection

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