Jeremiah 19:7

And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

And I will make void {H1238} the counsel {H6098} of Judah {H3063} and Jerusalem {H3389} in this place {H4725}; and I will cause them to fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719} before {H6440} their enemies {H341}, and by the hands {H3027} of them that seek {H1245} their lives {H5315}: and their carcases {H5038} will I give {H5414} to be meat {H3978} for the fowls {H5775} of the heaven {H8064}, and for the beasts {H929} of the earth {H776}.

I will nullify the plans of Y'hudah and Yerushalayim in this place. I will have them fall by the sword before their enemies and at the hand of those seeking their lives, and I will give their corpses as food for the birds in the air and the wild animals.

And in this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hands of those who seek their lives, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.

And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies will I give to be food for the birds of the heavens, and for the beasts of the earth.

Commentary

Jeremiah 19:7 delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment against Judah and Jerusalem, emphasizing the futility of their human strategies in the face of God's determined wrath.

Context

This verse is part of a dramatic prophetic act where the prophet Jeremiah, at God's command, takes an earthenware bottle to the Valley of Hinnom (also known as Tophet), breaks it, and declares God's impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. This judgment is a direct consequence of their persistent idolatry and abominable practices, particularly the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice to Baal (Jeremiah 19:5). The breaking of the jar vividly symbolizes the nation's imminent shattering. Verse 7 specifically details the dire consequences awaiting them, highlighting the complete devastation that will befall them.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse powerfully illustrates God's severe response to unrepentant sin and idolatry. It underscores His unwavering justice when His people turn away from Him, demonstrating that rebellion has grave consequences.
  • Futility of Human Counsel Against God: God declares He will "make void the counsel" of Judah and Jerusalem, meaning their strategic plans, military alliances, and political wisdom will utterly fail. No human scheme or ingenuity can thwart God's sovereign will or avert His decreed judgment. This theme, that man's plans are often futile without God, is powerfully echoed elsewhere, such as in Proverbs 19:21.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The horrific imagery of unburied bodies serving as food for birds and beasts directly links to the severity of their idolatrous practices, especially the child sacrifices in Tophet. It represents ultimate disgrace, a complete lack of dignity even in death, and a fulfillment of the devastating curses for disobedience found in the Mosaic Law (e.g., Deuteronomy 28:26).

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase translated "make void" is baqaq (Χ‘ΦΈΦΌΧ§Φ·Χ§), meaning "to empty," "to lay waste," or "to make desolate." It conveys a sense of complete nullification and destruction, indicating that God will actively undo and render useless all their efforts.
  • "Counsel" comes from the Hebrew word etzah (Χ’Φ΅Χ¦ΦΈΧ”), referring to advice, plans, or strategies. The declaration that God will make their etzah void emphasizes that all their human efforts to secure their future or escape judgment will be rendered utterly useless.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 19:7 serves as a timeless warning about the serious consequences of spiritual rebellion and the danger of relying on human wisdom over divine guidance. For believers today, it highlights several important truths:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: God takes sin, especially idolatry (whether worshipping physical idols or prioritizing anything above Him), very seriously. He is a righteous judge.
  • God's Sovereignty: No human plan or strategy can ultimately stand against God's purposes. True security and wisdom come from aligning with His will and trusting in His divine plan.
  • Call to Repentance: While this verse describes severe judgment, the broader message of Jeremiah often includes a call to repentance and a return to the Lord, offering hope for those who turn from their wicked ways, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 18:7-8.
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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 26:17

    And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.

  • Jeremiah 16:4

    They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

  • Jeremiah 15:2

    And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.

  • Jeremiah 15:9

    She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while [it was] yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 7:33

    And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray [them] away.

  • Psalms 33:10

    The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

  • Psalms 33:11

    The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
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