I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place [was] a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, [and] by his fierce anger.
I beheld {H7200}, and, lo, the fruitful place {H3759} was a wilderness {H4057}, and all the cities {H5892} thereof were broken down {H5422} at the presence {H6440} of the LORD {H3068}, and by his fierce {H2740} anger {H639}.
I looked, and the fertile fields were a desert, all the land's cities were razed to the ground at the presence of ADONAI, before his burning anger.
I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert. All its cities were torn down before the LORD, before His fierce anger.
I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of Jehovah, and before his fierce anger.
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Psalms 107:34
A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. -
Isaiah 5:9
In mine ears [said] the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, [even] great and fair, without inhabitant. -
Isaiah 5:10
Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah. -
Deuteronomy 29:23
[And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: -
Deuteronomy 29:28
And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as [it is] this day. -
Micah 3:12
Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed [as] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. -
Psalms 76:7
¶ Thou, [even] thou, [art] to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
Jeremiah 4:26 describes a terrifying prophetic vision of widespread devastation, revealing the severe consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness to God. The prophet Jeremiah, speaking for the Lord, beholds a once-prosperous land transformed into a desolate wilderness, with all its cities ruined. This destruction is explicitly attributed to the "presence of the LORD" and "his fierce anger," emphasizing divine judgment as the direct cause.
Context
This verse is part of a larger prophetic lament and warning in Jeremiah, particularly in chapters 4-6, where the prophet graphically depicts the impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. After repeated calls for repentance that went unheeded, God announces that a devastating invasion (historically, by the Babylonians) will sweep through the land, laying it waste. Jeremiah 4:23-26 presents a vision of cosmic and societal undoing, where the land reverts to a state of primordial chaos, a stark reversal of creation, culminating in the desolation of human civilization. This vision serves as a dire warning of what happens when a nation persistently forsakes its covenant with God, as seen in the earlier description of Judah's spiritual idolatry in Jeremiah 2:13.
Key Themes
Divine Judgment and Wrath
The most prominent theme is the active and decisive nature of God's judgment. The destruction is not a random calamity but a direct act stemming from His "fierce anger." This anger is not capricious but a righteous response to generations of sin, idolatry, and rebellion against His laws. It underscores God's holiness and His commitment to justice, revealing His wrath against ungodliness and unrighteousness.
Consequences of Disobedience
Jeremiah 4:26 powerfully illustrates the devastating consequences of national disobedience and covenant-breaking. Judah had abandoned the Lord for foreign gods and unrighteous practices, leading to the fulfillment of the curses outlined in the covenant, such as those found in Deuteronomy 28:15ff. The transformation of a "fruitful place" into a "wilderness" is a vivid metaphor for how spiritual decay leads to physical and societal ruin.
Total Desolation
The imagery of a once-fertile land becoming a "wilderness" and "all the cities thereof were broken down" conveys a sense of complete and utter devastation. This is a picture of a land stripped bare, its former prosperity and habitation erased. It paints a grim picture of the extent of God's corrective discipline when His people remain unrepentant.
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "fierce anger" in Hebrew is charon 'aph (חֲרוֹן אַף), which literally means "burning of anger" or "heat of wrath." This term often describes an intense, consuming indignation, frequently depicted as nostrils flaring in fury. It emphasizes the profound depth and just nature of God's righteous indignation against sin, indicating that His judgment is not light or fleeting.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 4:26 serves as a timeless warning about the seriousness of sin and the inevitability of God's judgment when His calls for repentance are ignored. While the immediate context is ancient Judah, the principle remains: persistent rebellion against God's ways leads to dire consequences. For believers today, this verse is a sobering reminder to continually examine our hearts and lives, ensuring we are walking in obedience and reverence for God. It highlights the importance of spiritual health for individuals and nations, underscoring that true prosperity is found not in material wealth but in a right relationship with the Lord. It also reveals God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating that He is sovereign and just, ultimately bringing to pass His purposes.