Jeremiah 8 16

Jeremiah 8:16 kjv

The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.

Jeremiah 8:16 nkjv

The snorting of His horses was heard from Dan. The whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of His strong ones; For they have come and devoured the land and all that is in it, The city and those who dwell in it."

Jeremiah 8:16 niv

The snorting of the enemy's horses is heard from Dan; at the neighing of their stallions the whole land trembles. They have come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who live there.

Jeremiah 8:16 esv

"The snorting of their horses is heard from Dan; at the sound of the neighing of their stallions the whole land quakes. They come and devour the land and all that fills it, the city and those who dwell in it.

Jeremiah 8:16 nlt

"The snorting of the enemies' warhorses can be heard
all the way from the land of Dan in the north!
The neighing of their stallions makes the whole land tremble.
They are coming to devour the land and everything in it ?
cities and people alike.

Jeremiah 8 verses

Jeremiah 8 16 Meaning

Jeremiah 8:16 graphically depicts the terrifying and swift invasion from the north that will devastate Judah. It describes the palpable fear instilled by the enemy's approach, symbolized by the sounds of their warhorses heard as far south as Dan. The verse signifies the absolute and comprehensive destruction of the land, its resources, cities, and inhabitants, emphasizing the inescapable nature of God's judgment against an unrepentant people.

Jeremiah 8 16 Context

Jeremiah chapter 8 is a part of the prophet's denunciation of Judah's persistent sin, particularly their spiritual rebellion and refusal to turn back to the Lord. Preceding verses (8:4-12) speak of Judah's unremitting apostasy, likening their stubbornness to an animal instinctively returning to its path, but they deviate from God. They reject wisdom, trusting instead in lies, as false prophets and priests offer deceptive assurances of "peace" (shalom) when imminent destruction is approaching (8:10-12). The chapter continues with a lament over the people's fruitlessness and judgment (8:13-15). Verse 16 then transitions from abstract warnings to a concrete and terrifying image of the instrument of God's judgment: a formidable invading army from the north. Historically, this points to the rising power of Babylon, which would eventually conquer Judah. The reference to Dan emphasizes the invasion's full scale, reaching the furthest points of the land, leaving no corner untouched. It highlights the devastating reality awaiting a people who have forsaken their covenant with God.

Jeremiah 8 16 Word analysis

• The snorting (נַחֲרַת - nakharat): This rare Hebrew word implies a violent, deep exhalation through the nostrils. It conveys a raw, visceral sound, evoking the power and ferocity of charging warhorses. It symbolizes the relentless and terrifying advance of the enemy.
• of his horses (סוּסָיו - susayv): "His" refers to the unspecified, yet clearly understood, invading enemy army. Horses were a primary symbol of military might, speed, and terror in ancient warfare. This word emphasizes the overwhelming cavalry force.
• from Dan (מִדָּן - miDan): Dan was the northernmost point of Israel's territory. Hearing the snorting from Dan signifies that the invasion has breached the traditional geographical boundaries and is fully underway. It signals no possibility of escape or protection from any direction, indicating complete penetration.
• at the sound (מִקּוֹל - miqqol): Implies a direct cause-and-effect. The sound itself is what directly elicits the response of trembling.
• of the neighing (מִצָּהֲלַת - mits'ahalāt): Distinct from "snorting," this word refers to the loud, often aggressive, call of a horse. Used specifically for war-horses, it contributes to the auditory terror, signaling the impending battle and conquest.
• of his stallions (אַבִּירָיו - 'abbi'rāyv): Lit. "his mighty ones" or "strong ones," often used specifically for strong, robust horses (stallions). This reinforces the impression of the enemy's immense strength and ferocity, depicting an elite and powerful military force.
• the whole land (כָּל־הָאָרֶץ - kol-ha'aretz): Emphasizes the widespread, universal impact of the invasion. No part of the country will be spared. This phrase heightens the sense of impending, total catastrophe.
• trembles (חָרְדָה - khāredāh): Describes a deep-seated fear and agitation, a quaking or trembling, indicating not just physical shaking but also profound terror and dread that pervades the entire population. It highlights the psychological impact of the invasion.
• They come (וּבָאוּ - uvau): Simple, direct, and declarative. Conveys the inevitability and immediacy of the invasion, moving from an abstract threat to a concrete, present reality.
• and devour (וְאָכְלָה - v'ākhəlāh): A strong, destructive verb, meaning to eat, consume, or destroy. Used metaphorically, it conveys total despoliation, like a predator consuming its prey. It describes the plunder and destruction brought by the enemy.
• the land (אֶרֶץ - eretz): Refers to the physical territory of Judah.
• and all that fills it (וּמְלֹאָהּ - u'mlo'āh): This includes everything found within the land: its produce, resources, wealth, animals, and by extension, its cultural and material prosperity. Signifies total annihilation of the nation's well-being.
• the city (עִיר - 'ir): A singular noun, often implying Jerusalem as the representative capital, but also referring to fortified towns in general. Indicates that even well-defended places will fall.
• and those who dwell in it (וְיֹשְׁבֵי בָהּ - v'yoshvei vāh): Explicitly points to the inhabitants, underscoring the human cost—death, enslavement, and displacement—that accompanies such a catastrophic invasion.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan; at the sound of the neighing of his stallions": This auditory imagery creates a terrifying sense of proximity and overwhelming power. The repetition of warhorse sounds (snorting, neighing) emphasizes the magnitude and predatory nature of the incoming army, echoing through the land from its northernmost point, making escape seem impossible.
• "the whole land trembles": This phrase encapsulates the widespread terror and psychological impact of the invasion. It conveys not just a physical reaction but a collective existential dread among the people, indicating that the fear is total and inescapable, permeating every aspect of their existence.
• "They come and devour the land and all that fills it, the city and those who dwell in it": This climactic statement outlines the comprehensive destruction. "Devour" is a brutal metaphor for consumption, signifying not merely defeat but utter obliteration of everything: the physical landscape, its resources, its urban centers, and most poignantly, its people. It details the scale of ruin from physical assets to human lives.

Jeremiah 8 16 Bonus section

• Polemics against Contemporary Beliefs: The verse subtly undermines Judah's false sense of security rooted in erroneous beliefs about Yahweh's automatic protection of Jerusalem (e.g., Ps 48:1-3), irrespective of their moral conduct. The "peace, peace" preached by false prophets (Jer 6:14; 8:11) is exposed as a deadly delusion, with the sounds from Dan obliterating such comfort.
• Animalistic Imagery: The portrayal of the invaders' horses is almost zoomorphic, dehumanizing the enemy to highlight their primal, destructive force. This intensifies the horror, suggesting an unstoppable natural catastrophe rather than merely a human army.
• Theological Implication: The imagery conveys that God is in sovereign control even of the instruments of destruction. Though a foreign army, their actions are part of His divine judgment, orchestrating the 'trembling' and 'devouring' as consequences for Judah's covenant faithlessness.

Jeremiah 8 16 Commentary

Jeremiah 8:16 stands as a stark and terrifying prophecy of God's impending judgment on Judah through a powerful northern invading force. The prophet masterfully employs vivid auditory and destructive imagery to convey the sheer scale and inescapability of this calamity. The sounds of "snorting" and "neighing" from "Dan" act as a chilling herald, signaling that the enemy has breached the northern border, meaning no corner of the land will be safe. This auditory dread quickly transforms into physical terror as the "whole land trembles." The invaders are depicted as a voracious beast, coming not merely to conquer but to "devour" everything – the physical "land," its "fullness" of resources, its fortified "city," and crucially, "those who dwell in it." This total consumption reflects God's complete withdrawal of protection and the severe consequences of persistent disobedience and spiritual apostasy despite repeated warnings. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of divine justice and the bitter fruit of national rebellion.