Jeremiah 4 26

Jeremiah 4:26 kjv

I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.

Jeremiah 4:26 nkjv

I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were broken down At the presence of the LORD, By His fierce anger.

Jeremiah 4:26 niv

I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert; all its towns lay in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

Jeremiah 4:26 esv

I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

Jeremiah 4:26 nlt

I looked, and the fertile fields had become a wilderness.
The towns lay in ruins,
crushed by the LORD's fierce anger.

Jeremiah 4 verses

Jeremiah 4 26 Meaning

Jeremiah 4:26 presents a terrifying prophetic vision observed by the prophet, depicting the reversal of creation and the utter desolation of the land of Judah. The once "fruitful land," a symbol of blessing and prosperity, is seen transformed into a barren "desert." Simultaneously, all the cities, centers of human life and civilization, are utterly "broken down" or demolished. This overwhelming destruction is not attributed to random disaster or human warfare but directly to the active "presence of the LORD" and "His fierce anger," highlighting the divine judgment as the ultimate cause of this devastation against a rebellious nation.

Jeremiah 4 26 Context

Jeremiah chapter 4, from which this verse is taken, is a powerful call to repentance for the people of Judah, warning them of the dire consequences if they persist in their rebellion and idolatry. The chapter describes the impending invasion from the north (likely Babylon) as God's instrument of judgment. Verses 23-28 specifically portray a prophetic vision seen by Jeremiah, an apocalyptic glimpse into a de-creation or unmaking of the world. The world is shown returning to a state of "formlessness and void" (Jer 4:23), reminiscent of Genesis 1:2 before God's creative work. Jeremiah 4:26 is an integral part of this vision, illustrating the tangible, destructive outcome of this divine reversal – the ruination of the promised, fruitful land and its populated cities, signifying the absolute nature of God's judgment against their unfaithfulness. Historically, this vision foreshadows the actual destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of Judah by the Babylonian Empire in the early 6th century BCE.

Jeremiah 4 26 Word Analysis

• I looked, and behold (הִנֵּה֙ – hinnēh): An interjection demanding attention, emphasizing the immediate and striking nature of Jeremiah's prophetic vision. It conveys surprise, shock, and certainty, suggesting an unveiling of profound truth.
• the fruitful land (הַכַּרְמֶ֣ל – hak-karmel): While literally meaning "Carmel" (Mount Carmel, a highly fertile region known for its lush vegetation and productivity), here it symbolizes the entire land of Judah in its optimal state—a land of blessing, abundance, and prosperity that God had given His people. Its usage highlights the tragic loss of divine favor and blessing.
• was a desert (מִדְבָּ֔ר – midbār): Signifies a desolate, barren wilderness, a place devoid of life and cultivation. This stands in stark contrast to "Carmel," underscoring a complete reversal of God's blessings and the profound impact of judgment on the land. It evokes a state of untamed, inhospitable emptiness.
• and all its cities were broken down (וְכָל־ עָרֶ֖יהָ נִתְצ֖וּ – v’ḵāl-‘ārêhā nittṣū):
  • its cities (עָרֶ֖יהָ – ‘ārêhā): Refers to the inhabited centers of Judah, representing human civilization, order, and life.
  • broken down (נִתְצ֖וּ – nittṣū): A powerful verb meaning "demolished," "pulled down," "razed," or "utterly destroyed." It implies thorough, systemic ruination, leaving nothing standing. This is not mere damage but absolute destruction.
• before the LORD (מִפְּנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה – mipp’nê Yahweh):
  • before (מִפְּנֵ֣י – mipp’nê): Can mean "from the face of," "in the presence of," or "because of." Here, it unequivocally points to the divine source and active presence behind the destruction. It's God's judgment manifested.
  • the LORD (יְהוָ֑ה – Yahweh): The covenant name of God, emphasizing that this judgment proceeds from the righteous and holy God of Israel who is upholding His covenant with its associated curses for disobedience.
• before His fierce anger (וּמִפְּנֵ֖י חֲר֥וֹן אַפּֽוֹ – ūmipp’nê charōn ’appō):
  • fierce anger (חֲר֥וֹן אַפּֽוֹ – charōn ’appō): Literally "burning of His nose," a strong Hebrew idiom for intense, furious, or burning wrath. The repetition of "before" (or "because of") underscores that the absolute and total devastation is a direct result of God’s righteous and consuming wrath. It's His divine fury unleashed against profound sin.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a desert": This phrase immediately establishes the theme of reversal and de-creation. What was lush and blessed is now barren and cursed, a powerful visual representation of divine judgment turning order into chaos.
• "and all its cities were broken down": This emphasizes the complete eradication of human settlement and societal structures, illustrating the totality of the devastation impacting not just the natural landscape but also all signs of human prosperity and life.
• "before the LORD, before His fierce anger": The doubled causative phrase highlights the divine agency as the sole and supreme force behind this destruction. It removes any doubt about the source or justification, affirming that this desolation is a righteous, intentional act of Yahweh's intense wrath against sin. This signifies that God is not merely permitting destruction, but actively inflicting it.

Jeremiah 4 26 Bonus Section

This verse, along with Jeremiah 4:23-28, provides one of the Bible's most explicit "de-creation" motifs, wherein the original creation found in Genesis 1:2 ("without form and void") is brought about again through divine judgment. It’s a profound theological statement that God is not only the Creator but also capable of unraveling His creation as an act of holy judgment against profound human rebellion. The transformation of Karmel, a region symbolic of fertility and the Abrahamic promise of a land flowing with milk and honey, into a midbar (desert), deeply underscores the severity of breaking covenant with a righteous God. This reversal signifies that even the Lord's chosen people are not exempt from the consequences of their actions, and God's anger, while terrifying, is a just response to pervasive sin.

Jeremiah 4 26 Commentary

Jeremiah 4:26 is a vivid prophetic snapshot within Jeremiah’s larger de-creation vision, articulating the overwhelming scope and divine origin of the impending judgment upon Judah. It is a reversal of the paradisiacal state, turning the blessed land, metaphorically Mount Carmel, into a barren wilderness. This profound change underscores that God's judgment affects the very fabric of existence and the symbols of national identity. The annihilation of cities signifies the obliteration of communal life and order, a direct consequence of covenant infidelity. The repeated emphasis on the Lord and His fierce anger attributes this catastrophic event not to random misfortune or the strength of foreign armies alone, but primarily to the righteous, consuming wrath of the sovereign God who meticulously oversees judgment, holding His people accountable for their persistent sin and rebellion. It’s a terrifying testament to the consequences of neglecting His call to repentance.