Jeremiah 33:5

KJV

They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but [it is] to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city.

KJV (with Strong's)

They come {H935} to fight {H3898} with the Chaldeans {H3778}, but it is to fill {H4390} them with the dead bodies {H6297} of men {H120}, whom I have slain {H5221} in mine anger {H639} and in my fury {H2534}, and for all whose wickedness {H7451} I have hid {H5641} my face {H6440} from this city {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

where they will come to fight the Kasdim: "These places will eventually be filled with the corpses of people whom I am striking down in my anger and fury, everyone whose wickedness has caused me to hide my face from this city.

Berean Standard Bible

The Chaldeans are coming to fight and to fill those places with the corpses of the men I will strike down in My anger and in My wrath. I have hidden My face from this city because of all its wickedness.

American Standard Version

while men come to fight with the Chaldeans, and to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my wrath, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 33:5 presents a grim prophetic declaration concerning the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, revealing the utter futility of Judah's military resistance. The verse pronounces that the city's attempts to defend itself will not lead to victory but will instead result in its spaces being filled with the corpses of its own inhabitants. This devastating outcome is unequivocally attributed to God's righteous judgment, a direct consequence of His profound anger and fury against the pervasive wickedness of the city's people, which has caused Him to withdraw His protective presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 33:5 is situated within a complex prophetic oracle (Jeremiah 33:1-26) that masterfully intertwines pronouncements of severe judgment with glorious promises of future restoration for both Judah and Jerusalem. While the preceding verses (Jeremiah 33:1-4) open with an invitation to "call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know," establishing a tone of divine revelation and hope, verse 5 abruptly shifts to the immediate, dire reality of the ongoing siege. It serves as a stark and necessary reminder of the depth of Judah's sin and the inevitability of divine judgment that must precede any true and lasting restoration. The verses immediately following (Jeremiah 33:6-9) then pivot back to the themes of healing, peace, and the rebuilding of the city, creating a powerful contrast between the present devastation and God's ultimate redemptive plan. This deliberate juxtaposition underscores that God's judgment, though painful and severe, is not an end in itself but a crucial, purifying prelude to His covenant faithfulness and renewed blessing.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy was delivered during the final, brutal stages of the Neo-Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, which culminated in the city's catastrophic destruction in 586 BC. The "Chaldeans" were the formidable Neo-Babylonian Empire, under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar, whom God explicitly used as His instrument of judgment against the rebellious kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem, renowned for its formidable fortifications, was traditionally expected to withstand prolonged sieges, yet its defenses were proving woefully ineffective against the Babylonian onslaught. Culturally, the profound idiom of "hiding God's face" (Hebrew: _hister panim_) was a deeply significant expression of divine displeasure and the withdrawal of divine favor and protection, leaving the people vulnerable and exposed to their enemies. It symbolized a grievous breach in the covenant relationship, brought about by Judah's persistent idolatry, rampant social injustice, and obstinate rejection of prophetic warnings. The accumulation of dead bodies within the city walls was a horrific and common outcome of ancient sieges, often leading to widespread disease, famine, and further despair, thereby underscoring the completeness and severity of the impending disaster.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 33:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, clearly articulating that the catastrophe unfolding is not merely a geopolitical event but a direct, intentional act of God's righteous anger against sin. This aligns perfectly with the consistent warnings found throughout prophetic literature, such as the lament over Israel's rebellion and its consequences in [Isaiah 1:4-7](/isaiah/1-4-7 "Isaiah 1:4-7 - The Consequences of Rebellion"). Secondly, the verse highlights the dire **Consequences of Persistent Wickedness**, explicitly linking the devastation to "all whose wickedness" God has responded to by withdrawing His presence. This reinforces the foundational covenant principle that disobedience inevitably leads to curses, as meticulously detailed in the covenant stipulations of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Lastly, it subtly but profoundly points to **God's Sovereignty in Adversity**. Even as Judah faces overwhelming defeat at the hands of the Chaldeans, the verse asserts that God is ultimately the one who has "slain" and "hid my face," demonstrating His absolute control over nations and historical events, even when His chosen people suffer. This divine sovereignty is foundational to the later promises of restoration and hope found elsewhere in [Jeremiah 33](/jeremiah/33 "Jeremiah 33 - Promises of Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **slain (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** From H5221, meaning "to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, kill, make (slaughter), slay." In this context, _nâkâh_ signifies God's direct, decisive, and active role in bringing about the deaths of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It emphasizes that the Chaldeans were merely instruments in His hand, and the ultimate cause of the widespread slaughter was divine judgment, demonstrating God's sovereign execution of His will.
* **anger (Hebrew, _ʼaph'_):** From H639, properly "the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire." Here, _ʼaph_ denotes God's righteous indignation and intense displeasure. This is not a capricious human emotion but a holy and just response to deep-seated rebellion, covenant unfaithfulness, and persistent sin, signifying a severe and warranted divine reaction to Judah's moral corruption.
* **wickedness (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, meaning "bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, mischief, misery, naughtiness, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse." This comprehensive term, _raʻ_, encompasses the full spectrum of Judah's moral and spiritual corruption—including idolatry, social injustice, oppression, and deliberate disobedience to God's law—which provoked God's righteous judgment and led to the withdrawal of His protective presence from the city.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They come to fight with the Chaldeans,"**: This initial clause sets the scene, describing the immediate, human-level reality of the siege. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, despite their desperate situation, are actively attempting to defend their city against the invading Babylonian (Chaldean) forces. It paints a vivid picture of a city under siege, engaged in a struggle for survival, yet one that is ultimately futile.
* **"but [it is] to fill them with the dead bodies of men,"**: This is a stark and devastating declaration of the inevitable outcome of their resistance. The true "purpose" or result of their fighting is not victory or successful defense, but rather the grim reality that the city's spaces—its houses, streets, and perhaps even the breaches in its walls—will be catastrophically filled with the corpses of its own inhabitants. This highlights the overwhelming nature of the impending defeat and the immense scale of the human cost, emphasizing the futility of their efforts against God's decree.
* **"whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury,"**: This is the theological core of the verse, revealing the divine agent behind the catastrophe. God explicitly takes full responsibility for the slaughter, asserting that it is His direct action, motivated by His intense "anger" (_ʼaph_) and "fury" (_chêmâh_). This underscores that the Babylonian invasion and the resulting deaths are not random acts of war but a divinely orchestrated judgment, a direct outpouring of God's righteous wrath.
* **"and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city."**: This final clause provides the divine rationale and justification for the severe judgment. The reason for God's intense wrath and the resulting devastation is the pervasive and unrepentant "wickedness" (_raʻ_) of the people of Jerusalem. The profound idiom "hid my face" signifies God's deliberate and judicial withdrawal of His protective presence, divine favor, and covenant blessing, thereby leaving the city vulnerable to the full consequences of its sin and the instruments of His judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 33:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and the tragic consequences of sin. **Irony** is powerfully evident, as the people's desperate attempt to "fight with the Chaldeans" is revealed to be a self-defeating act, leading not to defense or victory but to the filling of their own city with their dead bodies. This highlights the tragic futility of human effort when it stands in opposition to divine decree. The phrase "fill them with the dead bodies of men" also functions as vivid **Imagery** and borders on **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the horrifying scale of the impending death and destruction, painting a visceral picture of the siege's outcome. Furthermore, the verse uses **Anthropomorphism** when describing God's "anger" and "fury," and particularly when stating, "I have hid my face." These human-like attributes are employed to convey the intensity, personal nature, and deliberateness of God's righteous indignation and His judicial withdrawal of protection. The phrase "hid my face" is also a significant **Idiom** in Hebrew, signifying a profound act of divine abandonment or withdrawal of favor due to unfaithfulness and covenant breach.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 33:5 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine judgment and the inescapable consequences of persistent sin. It unequivocally asserts God's absolute sovereignty over history and His active, intentional involvement in the affairs of humanity, even in the midst of suffering and destruction. The verse demonstrates that God's wrath is not arbitrary or capricious but a just and holy response to pervasive wickedness, a necessary act to uphold His righteousness, maintain His covenant integrity, and ultimately purify His people. While devastating in its immediate impact, this judgment is presented within Jeremiah 33 as a painful but essential prelude to a promised restoration, emphasizing that divine discipline often precedes divine healing, renewal, and a deeper, more authentic relationship with God.

* [Psalm 10:11](/psalm/10-11 "Psalm 10:11 - The Wicked Believe God Has Hidden His Face")
* [Proverbs 1:28-31](/proverbs/1-28-31 "Proverbs 1:28-31 - The Consequences of Rejecting Wisdom's Call")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed Against All Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 33:5, though a difficult and stark passage, offers timeless truths for profound reflection and practical application in our lives today. It serves as an urgent reminder that God is holy and just, and that sin, particularly persistent rebellion against His commands and character, carries severe and inevitable consequences. We are called to recognize the gravity of our actions and to understand that God’s patience, while immense, is not infinite. This verse challenges us to engage in honest self-examination: are there areas in our lives where we are stubbornly resisting God's will, or where our "wickedness" might be leading to a withdrawal of His favor and blessing? It also reminds us that even in the darkest moments of judgment and adversity, God remains sovereign, working His divine purposes through all circumstances. His discipline, though painful and difficult to endure, is often aimed at leading us to genuine repentance and ultimately, to a deeper, more authentic, and purified relationship with Him. We are invited to heed the warnings, turn decisively from our sin, and embrace the boundless hope of His restorative grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "hiding" my own "wickedness" from God, and what might be the potential consequences of such unaddressed sin in my life?**
* **How does understanding God's "anger and fury" as a righteous and just response to sin deepen my appreciation for His holiness and perfect justice?**
* **Even in the face of difficult and painful circumstances, how can I recognize and trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and His redemptive purposes at work?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "Chaldeans" and why were they fighting against Jerusalem?**

Answer: The "Chaldeans" refer to the Neo-Babylonian Empire, a powerful Mesopotamian kingdom that rose to prominence in the 7th century BC. Under the formidable leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar, they became God's chosen instrument of judgment against the rebellious kingdom of Judah. They were fighting against Jerusalem as part of a series of punitive campaigns designed to subjugate Judah and punish its kings for their repeated rebellion against Babylonian vassalage. More profoundly, their campaign was a divine judgment for Judah's persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and obstinate rejection of God's prophetic warnings. The siege described in [Jeremiah 33:5](/jeremiah/33-5 "Jeremiah 33:5 - The Futility of Resistance") was the final, devastating one that led to Jerusalem's destruction and the Babylonian exile.

**What does it mean for God to "hide His face" from the city?**

Answer: The idiom "to hide one's face" (Hebrew: _hister panim_) is a powerful and significant biblical expression signifying a deliberate withdrawal of presence, favor, protection, and blessing. When God "hid His face" from Jerusalem, it meant He removed His divine shield and covenant protection, leaving the city utterly vulnerable to its enemies and the full, devastating consequences of its sin. This was not an act of indifference or abandonment, but a judicial act of judgment, a severe and intentional response to the deep-seated "wickedness" of the people. It stands in stark contrast to the act of seeking God's face, which implies seeking His favor, intimate presence, and guidance, as beautifully expressed in [Psalm 27:8](/psalm/27-8 "Psalm 27:8 - Seeking God's Face").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 33:5, with its stark depiction of divine judgment against sin and the resulting devastation, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "anger" and "fury" of God, justly poured out on Jerusalem for its "wickedness," vividly reveal the profound depth of humanity's sin and the unyielding righteousness of God's response to it. Yet, the New Testament proclaims that this very wrath, which humanity justly deserved, was fully absorbed and eternally satisfied in Christ. On the cross, Jesus became the ultimate recipient of God's righteous judgment, bearing the "dead bodies of men" figuratively, as He took upon Himself the full weight and consequence of human sin. He was "slain" not for His own wickedness, but as the perfect, spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), thereby allowing God's face to be turned back toward humanity in boundless grace, mercy, and reconciliation. Through His sacrificial death, Christ opened a new and living way for all who believe to draw near to God, no longer under the shadow of a hidden face, but invited into His glorious, reconciled presence (cf. [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ's Blood")). The judgment against sin, so powerfully portrayed in Jeremiah 33:5, was perfectly executed in Christ, paving the way for the ultimate restoration, "healing and peace" promised later in Jeremiah 33, which is now offered to all who believe in Him (cf. [Romans 5:9-10](/romans/5-9-10 "Romans 5:9-10 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")).

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

Isaiah 8:17

And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

Jeremiah 21:10

For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

Jeremiah 32:5

And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

Jeremiah 21:4

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that [are] in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and [against] the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.

Jeremiah 21:7

And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

Isaiah 64:7

And [there is] none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

Micah 3:4

Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.