Jeremiah 9:11
And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
Original Language Analysis
אֶתֵּ֥ן
And I will make
H5414
אֶתֵּ֥ן
And I will make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם
Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם
Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
3 of 13
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
לְגַלִּ֖ים
heaps
H1530
לְגַלִּ֖ים
heaps
Strong's:
H1530
Word #:
4 of 13
something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)
מְע֣וֹן
and a den
H4583
מְע֣וֹן
and a den
Strong's:
H4583
Word #:
5 of 13
an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)
תַּנִּ֑ים
of dragons
H8577
תַּנִּ֑ים
of dragons
Strong's:
H8577
Word #:
6 of 13
a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָרֵ֧י
the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֧י
the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 13
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָ֛ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֛ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
9 of 13
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֶתֵּ֥ן
And I will make
H5414
אֶתֵּ֥ן
And I will make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Isaiah 25:2For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.Jeremiah 51:37And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.Isaiah 34:13And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.Isaiah 13:22And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.Jeremiah 10:22Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.Jeremiah 34:22Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.
Historical Context
Archaeological surveys of Judean sites confirm massive destruction and abandonment during the Babylonian conquest and exile. Jerusalem's walls were razed, the temple destroyed, and the population deported. For seventy years, the land lay largely depopulated, fulfilling the Sabbath rest the people had denied it (2 Chronicles 36:21). Jackals inhabiting ruins became a standard image of desolation (Isaiah 13:22, 34:13-14).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the image of Jerusalem as jackal dens contrast with its identity as God's holy city?
- What does this prophecy teach about the vulnerability of sacred places when sacred people become unfaithful?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse announces Jerusalem's fate: 'And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons.' The Hebrew gallim (גַּלִּים, heaps, ruins) describes rubble piles; tannim (תַּנִּים, jackals, wild dogs) indicates desolate ruins inhabited only by scavengers. 'And I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant' uses shemamah (שְׁמָמָה, desolation, waste) and ein yoshev (אֵין יוֹשֵׁב, without inhabitant). The judgment extends beyond Jerusalem to all Judah's urban centers. This verse repeats Jeremiah 4:7 and 10:22, emphasizing the theme of urban devastation throughout the book.