Jeremiah 33:5

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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:

Jeremiah 33:5 paints a grim picture of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege, revealing God's active role in the unfolding disaster. The verse describes the futility of Judah's defense against the Chaldeans, stating that the city's walls are destined to be filled not by defenders, but by the dead bodies of its inhabitants.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is spoken by the prophet Jeremiah during a pivotal and devastating period in Judah's history, specifically during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BC). The "Chaldeans" refers to the Babylonians, who were God's chosen instrument of judgment against Judah for their persistent idolatry and rebellion. While the surrounding verses in Jeremiah 33 offer profound promises of future restoration and healing, this particular verse serves as a stark reminder of the severe judgment that had to precede it, highlighting the depth of God's displeasure with His people's actions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The verse unequivocally states that it is God Himself who "slain in mine anger and in my fury." This emphasizes that the suffering is not merely a consequence of war, but a direct execution of divine justice. God's wrath is a righteous response to deep-seated sin, as also described in Romans 1:18.
  • Consequences of Wickedness: The destruction is directly attributed to "all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city." This underscores the principle that sin carries severe consequences, leading to the withdrawal of God's protective presence and favor.
  • God's Sovereignty in Adversity: Even in the midst of human conflict and suffering, God remains sovereign. The Babylonians are merely instruments in His hands, fulfilling His divine purpose to bring about judgment and ultimately, purification.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hid my face" is a significant idiom in Hebrew, hister panim (הִסְתִּיר פָּנִים). It signifies a deliberate withdrawal of God's presence, protection, and favor from His people. When God hides His face, it leaves them vulnerable to their enemies and the consequences of their sin, as seen in this verse. It contrasts sharply with seeking God's face, which implies seeking His favor and presence. The severity of their wickedness caused God to withdraw, exposing them to devastation.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 33:5 serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and His unwavering justice. It teaches us that:

  • Sin has serious consequences: Our actions, especially persistent rebellion against God, can lead to painful outcomes, including the withdrawal of His blessings and protection.
  • God is sovereign over all events: Even in times of great distress and conflict, God remains in control, working His purposes through human history.
  • Hope beyond judgment: While this verse details severe judgment, it is crucial to remember that it is part of a larger prophetic message in Jeremiah 33 that culminates in promises of restoration, healing, and an abundance of peace and truth. This shows that God's discipline often aims at ultimate restoration for those who turn back to Him.
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.

  • 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.

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