Jeremiah 33:10

KJV

¶ Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say [shall be] desolate without man and without beast, [even] in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Again there shall be heard {H8085} in this place {H4725}, which ye say {H559} shall be desolate {H2720} without man {H120} and without beast {H929}, even in the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}, and in the streets {H2351} of Jerusalem {H3389}, that are desolate {H8074}, without man {H120}, and without inhabitant {H3427}, and without beast {H929},

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is what ADONAI says: "You say that this place is a wasteland, with neither people nor animals in the cities of Y'hudah, and that the streets of Yerushalayim are desolate, without people or animals - no inhabitants. Yet there will again be heard here

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD says: In this place you say is a wasteland without man or beast, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted—inhabited by neither man nor beast—there will be heard again

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah: Yet again there shall be heard in this place, whereof ye say, It is waste, without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 33:10 stands as a profound declaration of divine reversal and unwavering hope, delivered amidst the seemingly irreversible desolation of Judah and Jerusalem. It proclaims that despite the widespread destruction and abandonment that has rendered the land "without man and without beast," the voice of joy and restoration will once again be heard in these very places. This prophecy serves as a powerful testament to God's covenant faithfulness and His sovereign power to bring life and vibrant habitation where only emptiness and ruin are expected, foreshadowing a future of renewal beyond the immediate judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 33:10 is nestled within a larger section of prophecies (Jeremiah 30-33) often referred to as "The Book of Consolation." This particular chapter opens with Jeremiah imprisoned in the court of the guard during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, yet it is precisely in this dire circumstance that the word of the Lord comes to him, promising restoration (Jeremiah 33:1). The verses immediately preceding Jeremiah 33:10 detail God's promise to heal His people, cleanse them from their iniquity, and restore their fortunes, making Jerusalem a name of joy and praise among all nations (Jeremiah 33:6-9). Thus, verse 10 serves as a stark contrast to the present reality of desolation, setting the stage for the glorious sounds of celebration and worship promised in Jeremiah 33:11, which directly follows. It emphasizes the extent of the current devastation to magnify the wonder of the future restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 33:10 is the final, devastating siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army, which culminated in the city's destruction in 586 BC. The people of Judah had repeatedly rebelled against God, leading to this severe divine judgment. The land was literally becoming "desolate," its cities burned, its inhabitants killed or exiled, and its fields laid waste. Culturally, the people were in deep despair, believing that their covenant with God was broken and their future was irrevocably lost. The phrase "without man and without beast" reflects the ultimate picture of abandonment and ruin in an agrarian society, signifying a complete cessation of life and productivity. Jeremiah's prophecy directly confronts this despair, offering a vision of renewal that defied all human logic and current circumstances, speaking to a people who felt utterly forsaken and their land forever cursed.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 33:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Reversal**, where God dramatically overturns seemingly impossible situations. What appears to be permanent desolation is declared to be temporary, subject to God's redemptive will. Secondly, the verse underscores God's **Unwavering Covenant Faithfulness**. Despite Israel's persistent disobedience and the ensuing judgment, God's promises to His people and His land (as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 30:3](/jeremiah/30-3 "Jeremiah 30:3 - Return from Captivity") and [Jeremiah 32:44](/jeremiah/32-44 "Jeremiah 32:44 - Land Will Be Bought Again")) remain intact. The judgment is corrective, not annihilative. Thirdly, it is a beacon of **Hope Amidst Despair**, offering a future vision of life and joy to a people facing utter ruin. This hope is not based on human effort or circumstances but solely on the sovereign declaration of "Thus saith the LORD," emphasizing God's ultimate control over history and His ability to bring life out of death, as also seen in the promise of a "righteous Branch" in [Jeremiah 33:15](/jeremiah/33-15 "Jeremiah 33:15 - A Righteous Branch").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **desolate (Hebrew, _chârêb'_):** This word (H2720) signifies a state of being parched, ruined, or laid waste. In Jeremiah 33:10, it powerfully describes the utter destruction and abandonment expected for Judah and Jerusalem, emphasizing the severity of divine judgment that would leave the land barren of life and habitation. Its repetition underscores the perceived finality of the devastation from a human perspective.
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼâdâm'_):** The term (H120) refers to a human being, an individual or mankind in general. Its inclusion in the phrase "without man" highlights the depopulation of the land due to war, famine, and exile, emphasizing the absence of human life and activity, which was a core aspect of the judgment.
* **inhabitant (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** Derived from the root (H3427) meaning "to sit down, dwell, or remain," this word emphasizes the lack of permanent residents. "Without inhabitant" reinforces the idea of complete abandonment, not just a temporary absence, but a land devoid of those who would settle and live there, further stressing the depth of desolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Thus saith the LORD;":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine authority and certainty of the message. It is not a human prediction but a direct declaration from Yahweh (H3068), the covenant God of Israel, lending absolute weight to the prophecy that follows. The "¶" typically indicates a new paragraph in the KJV, signaling a distinct prophetic utterance.
* **"Again there shall be heard in this place,":** This clause introduces the core promise of restoration. "Again" signifies a reversal of the current silence and desolation, promising a return of sounds of life and joy. "This place" (H4725) refers specifically to Judah and Jerusalem, the very locations currently experiencing devastation.
* **"which ye say [shall be] desolate without man and without beast,":** This part highlights the stark contrast between human perception and divine reality. The people, witnessing the destruction, had concluded that the land was irreversibly "desolate" (H2720), stripped of both human (H120) and animal (H929) life. This reflects their despair and the apparent finality of the judgment.
* **"[even] in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,":** This final, extended clause reiterates and intensifies the description of the desolation, specifying the "cities of Judah" (H5892, H3063) and the "streets of Jerusalem" (H2351, H3389). The repetition of "desolate, without man, and without beast," augmented by "without inhabitant" (H3427), powerfully emphasizes the utter emptiness and abandonment of the land, making the subsequent promise of restoration all the more miraculous and profound.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Jeremiah 33:10 is **Repetition**. The phrase "desolate, without man, and without beast" is stated twice, with the second instance amplified by the addition of "and without inhabitant." This insistent reiteration serves to underscore the profound and widespread destruction that has befallen or is about to befall Judah and Jerusalem. It paints a vivid, almost overwhelming, picture of utter emptiness and abandonment from a human perspective, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of the divine promise of restoration that follows. Furthermore, the verse employs **Contrast**, setting the current, perceived state of desolation ("which ye say [shall be] desolate") against the future, divinely declared reality ("Again there shall be heard"). This stark juxtaposition highlights God's power to reverse what appears to be an irreversible situation. The language also contains elements of **Hyperbole** in its description of absolute emptiness ("without man... without beast... without inhabitant"), emphasizing the severity of the judgment to underscore the magnitude of the promised divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 33:10 is a powerful theological statement on God's sovereignty over judgment and restoration, demonstrating that even in the darkest moments of divine discipline, His ultimate purpose is redemptive. It affirms that God's covenant promises are unbreakable, transcending human failure and the consequences of sin. The desolation is a temporary, though severe, phase designed to bring His people to repentance and prepare them for a renewed relationship with Him. The promise of sounds returning to desolate places signifies not merely physical repopulation but a spiritual and communal revival—a return to joy, worship, and the rhythms of life under God's blessing. This profound truth assures believers that no situation, no matter how bleak or "desolate," is beyond God's capacity to restore and fill with His presence and purpose.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return after Seventy Years")
* [Isaiah 62:4](/isaiah/62-4 "Isaiah 62:4 - Land No Longer Called Desolate")
* [Ezekiel 36:33-36](/ekekiel/36-33 "Ezekiel 36:33-36 - Restoration of Desolate Cities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 33:10 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God's power to restore is not limited by the extent of our present desolation, whether personal, spiritual, or communal. In moments when we feel our lives, relationships, or ministries are "desolate, without man, and without inhabitant," this verse calls us to look beyond the immediate barrenness to the unchanging character and covenant faithfulness of God. It assures us that God is capable of bringing life, joy, and purpose back into the most seemingly ruined situations. Our hope is not in the absence of trouble, but in the presence and promises of a God who declares, "Again there shall be heard." This encourages us to trust in His redemptive plan, even when circumstances seem to contradict it, and to actively participate in the work of restoration, knowing that He is at work to turn our mourning into dancing and our barrenness into fruitfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of your life currently feel "desolate" or beyond hope of restoration?**
* **How does the promise of God's voice being "heard again" in desolate places challenge your perspective on your current difficulties?**
* **In what ways can you actively participate in bringing God's life and hope into seemingly barren situations around you?**

### FAQ

**What does "desolate without man and without beast" truly signify in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "desolate without man and without beast" (repeated and intensified with "without inhabitant") is a powerful and vivid description of utter ruin and abandonment. It signifies that the land, particularly the cities of Judah and Jerusalem, would be completely depopulated and stripped of all life, both human and animal, due to the Babylonian invasion, war, famine, and exile. From an agricultural and societal perspective, this represents the ultimate state of devastation, where the very fabric of life and productivity has ceased to exist. It underscores the severity of God's judgment and the perceived finality of the destruction from a human viewpoint, making the subsequent divine promise of restoration all the more miraculous. This state of desolation is a direct consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness, as warned in passages like [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Scattering Among the Nations").

**How does Jeremiah 33:10 relate to God's covenant with Israel?**

Answer: Jeremiah 33:10 is deeply rooted in God's covenant faithfulness, particularly the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. Despite Israel's repeated breaches of the Mosaic Covenant, leading to severe judgment and exile, God's unconditional promises to Abraham regarding a land and a numerous offspring, and to David regarding an eternal dynasty, remain intact. This verse, promising the return of life and joy to a desolate land, demonstrates that God's judgment is not a cancellation of His covenant but a disciplinary measure designed to purify and restore His people. It reaffirms that God will ultimately fulfill His promises to Israel, bringing them back to their land and re-establishing their national life, as also seen in the promise of a righteous Branch from David in [Jeremiah 33:15-17](/jeremiah/33-15 "Jeremiah 33:15-17 - The Righteous Branch and Davidic Covenant"). The desolation is temporary; God's covenant love is eternal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The physical restoration promised in Jeremiah 33:10, where desolate places are re-inhabited and filled with the sounds of life, finds its ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the one who brings life to those who are spiritually dead and desolate, transforming hearts that were once barren and empty into vibrant dwelling places for the Holy Spirit. Just as God promised to restore the physical land and its inhabitants, so too does Christ restore humanity to a right relationship with God, establishing a new covenant where sins are forgiven and a new spiritual Jerusalem, the Church, is built. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ overcomes the desolation of sin and death, offering new creation to all who believe, echoing the new creation found in [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"). The ultimate fulfillment is seen in the promise of a glorious, heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, described in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth"), where God dwells with His people, and there is no longer any desolation, only abundant life, joy, and the eternal presence of the Lamb. This spiritual restoration is far grander than any physical return, ushering in an everlasting kingdom where God's people truly dwell with Him without end.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 32:43

And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It [is] desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 32:36

And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;

Ezekiel 37:11

Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.