Jeremiah 7:20
Therefore 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.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 25
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּה
H3541
כֹּה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אַפִּ֤י
Behold mine anger
H639
אַפִּ֤י
Behold mine anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וַֽחֲמָתִי֙
and my fury
H2534
וַֽחֲמָתִי֙
and my fury
Strong's:
H2534
Word #:
8 of 25
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
נִתֶּ֙כֶת֙
shall be poured out
H5413
נִתֶּ֙כֶת֙
shall be poured out
Strong's:
H5413
Word #:
9 of 25
to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify
הַמָּק֣וֹם
upon this place
H4725
הַמָּק֣וֹם
upon this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽאָדָם֙
upon man
H120
הָֽאָדָם֙
upon man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
14 of 25
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה
and upon beast
H929
הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה
and upon beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
16 of 25
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֵ֥ץ
and upon the trees
H6086
עֵ֥ץ
and upon the trees
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
18 of 25
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Jeremiah 42:18For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.Isaiah 42:25Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.Jeremiah 17:27But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.Jeremiah 44:6Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.Nahum 1:6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.Ezekiel 22:22As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.Lamentations 4:11The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.Isaiah 66:24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.2 Kings 22:17Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
Historical Context
The Babylonian conquest devastated not just Jerusalem's population but also agriculture, livestock, and the land itself. Prolonged siege, warfare, and depopulation left the land desolate.
Questions for Reflection
- How does human sin affect the broader creation beyond just people?
- What does the comprehensiveness of judgment teach about the seriousness of covenant breaking?
- How should awareness of sin's cosmic effects shape environmental and ecological perspectives?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Lord GOD declares He will pour out His anger 'upon this place' (Jerusalem), affecting comprehensively: 'upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground.' This total judgment extends beyond humans to animals, vegetation, and crops. The final phrase 'it shall burn, and shall not be quenched' uses fire imagery for unstoppable judgment. This cosmic scope of judgment reflects Genesis 3's curse—human sin affects all creation. Romans 8:20-22 explains that creation groans under the curse of human rebellion. Reformed theology sees this as demonstrating sin's far-reaching consequences and God's comprehensive judgment.