Jeremiah 10:22

Behold, 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.

Behold, the noise {H6963} of the bruit {H8052} is come {H935}, and a great {H1419} commotion {H7494} out of the north {H6828} country {H776}, to make {H7760} the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063} desolate {H8077}, and a den {H4583} of dragons {H8577}.

Listen! A noise! It's coming closer! A great uproar from the land to the north, to make the cities of Y'hudah desolate, a place for jackals to live.

Listen! The sound of a report is coming— a great commotion from the land to the north. The cities of Judah will be made a desolation, a haunt for jackals.

The voice of tidings, behold, it cometh, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a dwelling-place of jackals.

Jeremiah 10:22 vividly portrays the impending and devastating judgment upon the kingdom of Judah. The prophet Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," delivers a stark warning of an invasion from the north, signifying the Babylonian army, which will bring widespread desolation to the land.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Jeremiah (chapters 10-12) where the prophet contrasts the futility of idolatry and reliance on human strength with the sovereignty and power of the one true God. Following a powerful discourse on the incomparable nature of God versus idols (Jeremiah 10:10), Jeremiah shifts to the immediate threat facing Judah. The "north country" is a consistent prophetic designation for the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which God would use as an instrument of His judgment against His disobedient people.

Key Themes

  • Imminent Judgment: The phrase "Behold, the noise... is come" emphasizes the certainty and nearness of the destructive force. It's not a distant threat but one already at the threshold.
  • Divine Instrument of Punishment: Though the invaders are from the "north country," the underlying message is that God is orchestrating this "great commotion" as a consequence of Judah's persistent sin and idolatry, as prophesied elsewhere by Jeremiah (e.g., Jeremiah 25:9).
  • Total Desolation: The outcome—to "make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons"—paints a picture of utter ruin. Cities would be emptied of human inhabitants, becoming haunts for wild animals, symbolizing complete abandonment and destruction, a stark contrast to their former glory.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "bruit" (KJV) comes from the Hebrew sh'mu'ah (שְׁמוּעָה), meaning a report, rumor, or news. Here, it refers to the terrifying news or report of the approaching army, indicating that the threat is not just a distant possibility but a confirmed and advancing reality.
  • "Commotion" is from the Hebrew ra'ash (רַעַשׁ), which denotes a shaking, quaking, or great tumult, often associated with an earthquake or a noisy disturbance. It vividly describes the violent and disruptive nature of the invading force.
  • "Den of dragons" translates the Hebrew tan (תַּן), which can refer to jackals, wild dogs, or even serpents. In this context, it signifies a place of extreme wilderness and desolation, where only wild and dangerous creatures reside, confirming the complete ruin of the cities and their abandonment by people. This imagery echoes other prophecies of desolation, such as Isaiah 34:13.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Significance

Jeremiah's prophecies concerning the "north country" found their grim fulfillment in the successive invasions by the Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC and the subsequent Babylonian Exile. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and His faithfulness to His warnings when His people persist in rebellion.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 10:22 reminds us that ignoring divine warnings has severe consequences. Just as ancient Judah faced judgment for its idolatry and disobedience, individuals and nations today are accountable to God. The verse underscores the importance of heeding God's word, repenting from sin, and trusting in His sovereignty, even when facing challenging circumstances. It calls us to examine our own lives and ensure we are not turning away from the Lord, lest we face spiritual desolation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 5:15

    Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it [is] a mighty nation, it [is] an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

  • Jeremiah 4:6

    Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

  • Habakkuk 1:6

    For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, [that] bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces [that are] not theirs.

  • Habakkuk 1:9

    They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up [as] the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.

  • Jeremiah 6:22

    Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.

  • Jeremiah 6:1

    ¶ O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

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