Jeremiah 4:27

KJV

For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thus hath the LORD {H3068} said {H559}, The whole land {H776} shall be desolate {H8077}; yet will I not make {H6213} a full end {H3617}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For here is what ADONAI says: "The whole land will be desolate (although I will not destroy it completely).

Berean Standard Bible

For this is what the LORD says: “The whole land will be desolate, but I will not finish its destruction.

American Standard Version

For thus saith Jehovah, The whole land shall be a desolation; yet will I not make a full end.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 4:27 succinctly declares God's impending judgment upon the land of Judah, prophesying widespread desolation as a consequence of their persistent sin and rebellion. Yet, amidst this severe pronouncement of divine justice, the verse simultaneously reveals God's enduring covenant faithfulness and mercy, assuring that the impending destruction, though profound, will not result in a complete and utter annihilation of His people. This tension between judgment and preservation underscores the complex nature of God's dealings with His chosen nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 4:27 is nestled within a powerful prophetic oracle (Jeremiah 4:5-31) that details the coming invasion and the devastation it will bring upon Judah. The preceding verses, particularly [Jeremiah 4:23-26](/jeremiah/4-23 "Jeremiah 4:23-26 - Cosmic Desolation"), employ vivid, almost cosmic imagery, describing the land as returning to a state of "formless and void" (tohu va-bohu), reminiscent of the pre-creation chaos. Mountains tremble, the heavens are dark, and all human and animal life vanishes. This hyperbolic language emphasizes the utter catastrophe awaiting Judah, a reversal of creation itself, signifying the depth of God's wrath against their idolatry and covenant breaking. Verse 27 then serves as a crucial divine clarification, tempering the preceding apocalyptic vision by asserting a limit to the destruction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a turbulent period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). Judah, despite repeated warnings from prophets, had consistently turned away from the LORD, engaging in idolatry, social injustice, and political alliances that defied God's command to trust Him alone. The "land" (Hebrew: *ʼerets*) refers specifically to the territory of Judah, the promised land given to Israel. The impending desolation was not merely a natural disaster but a divinely orchestrated judgment, carried out by the Babylonians, whom God used as His instrument of wrath. This judgment was understood within the framework of the Mosaic Covenant, where blessings were promised for obedience and curses, including exile and desolation, for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. It highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's righteous response to sin and covenant unfaithfulness. The "desolation" is a direct consequence of Judah's rebellion, emphasizing that God's holiness demands justice. Simultaneously, it introduces or reinforces the theme of **God's Enduring Covenant Faithfulness and Mercy**. The crucial phrase "yet will I not make a full end" points to God's commitment to His promises to Abraham and David, ensuring that a remnant would survive and that the nation would not be utterly annihilated, a promise echoed in passages like [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - The Remnant") and [Romans 9:29](/romans/9-29 "Romans 9:29 - God's Preservation of a Remnant"). This tension between judgment and preservation is central to understanding God's redemptive plan throughout salvation history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. The declaration "thus hath the LORD said" underscores the divine authority and certainty of the prophecy.
* **land (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. In this context, *ʼerets* specifically refers to the land of Judah, the promised inheritance of Israel, which is now facing the consequences of its inhabitants' sin.
* **desolate (Hebrew, _shᵉmâmâh'_):** or שִׁמָמָה; feminine of שָׁמֵם; devastation; figuratively, astonishment; (laid, [idiom] most) desolate(-ion), waste. This term vividly describes the state of utter ruin, emptiness, and waste that will befall the land due to divine judgment. It evokes a sense of shock and horror at the extent of the destruction.
* **full end (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** from כָּלָה; a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction; altogether, (be, utterly) consume(-d), consummation(-ption), was determined, (full, utter) end, riddance. This word signifies complete annihilation, total cessation, or utter destruction. The negation "not make a full end" is crucial, indicating a divine limit to the judgment, preserving a future for the nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thus hath the LORD said":** This opening phrase establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the prophecy. It is not Jeremiah's opinion but a direct, unalterable declaration from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel.
* **"The whole land shall be desolate":** This clause pronounces the severe judgment. The "whole land" signifies the comprehensive nature of the devastation, affecting every part of Judah. "Desolate" (Hebrew: *shᵉmâmâh*) implies ruin, waste, and emptiness, a direct consequence of the nation's persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry. It speaks to the physical destruction and depopulation that will occur.
* **"yet will I not make a full end":** This crucial contrasting clause introduces a profound note of divine mercy and covenant faithfulness. Despite the severity of the desolation, God promises that He will not utterly destroy His people. The Hebrew term for "full end" (*kâlâh*) denotes complete annihilation. This negation signifies that God's judgment, though painful and corrective, is not final and irreversible. It implies the preservation of a remnant and the ultimate possibility of restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 4:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Juxtaposition** is central, contrasting the severe judgment ("The whole land shall be desolate") with the profound mercy ("yet will I not make a full end"). This creates a powerful tension that highlights God's justice alongside His enduring faithfulness. The phrase "the whole land shall be desolate" is an example of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the widespread and catastrophic nature of the impending judgment, though not necessarily implying literal, absolute emptiness. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **Divine Oracle**, a direct pronouncement from God, lending it ultimate authority and certainty. The use of "the LORD" (Yahweh) is a form of **Theonym**, specifically invoking the covenant name of God, underscoring His personal involvement and commitment to His people, even in judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 4:27 encapsulates a fundamental tension in biblical theology: the balance between God's righteous judgment against sin and His unwavering covenant faithfulness. While sin inevitably brings severe consequences, God's character is such that His wrath is always tempered by His redemptive purposes. The promise of "not making a full end" is a recurring motif throughout the prophetic literature, signifying God's commitment to His promises to Abraham and David, ensuring the preservation of a remnant through whom His redemptive plan for humanity would ultimately unfold. This verse reminds us that even in the darkest moments of divine discipline, there is always a glimmer of hope rooted in God's unchanging nature and His ultimate desire for reconciliation and restoration.

* [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - God Preserves a Remnant")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Mercies Endure")
* [Romans 11:1-5](/romans/11-1 "Romans 11:1-5 - God Has Not Rejected Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 4:27 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. Firstly, it serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of sin and the certainty of divine consequences. God is not indifferent to disobedience; His holiness demands justice. This should prompt sincere self-examination and a commitment to living in obedience to His Word. Secondly, and perhaps more powerfully, the verse offers immense comfort and hope. Even in the face of severe trials, personal failures, or societal decay, God's promise that He "will not make a full end" assures us of His enduring mercy and faithfulness. His discipline, though painful, is always redemptive, designed to purify and draw us closer to Him, not to utterly destroy. This truth encourages perseverance, trust in God's character, and a hopeful outlook, knowing that His ultimate plan for His people is always one of restoration and grace, even when the path involves desolation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah 4:27 challenge my understanding of God's justice and mercy?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing "desolation" due to disobedience, and how can I respond with repentance and faith in God's restorative power?**
* **How does the promise of "not making a full end" provide hope and encouragement in times of personal or collective hardship?**

### FAQ
**What does "desolate" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 4:27, "desolate" (Hebrew: *shᵉmâmâh*) refers to the state of utter ruin, emptiness, and waste that will befall the land of Judah. It signifies the physical destruction, depopulation, and agricultural collapse caused by the impending Babylonian invasion, which God uses as an instrument of His judgment. This desolation is a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, as warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:49-52](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-52 - Consequences of Disobedience").

**Why would God promise not to make a "full end" if He is bringing such severe judgment?**

Answer: The promise "yet will I not make a full end" reveals God's profound mercy and unwavering covenant faithfulness, even amidst severe judgment. While His justice demands consequences for sin, His ultimate purpose is not annihilation but purification and restoration. This promise aligns with God's earlier covenants with Abraham and David, ensuring the preservation of a remnant through whom His redemptive plan would continue. It demonstrates that God's discipline is corrective, not purely destructive, always leaving open the possibility for repentance and future hope, a theme seen throughout the prophets (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - Plans for Hope and a Future")).

**Does this verse apply to modern-day nations or individuals?**

Answer: While Jeremiah 4:27 was specifically addressed to ancient Judah, its underlying theological principles are timeless and applicable. It teaches that God is sovereign over nations, that sin has consequences, and that God's justice is real. However, it also powerfully conveys God's enduring mercy and faithfulness, promising that He does not utterly abandon those who are His, even in discipline. For individuals, it reminds us that while our choices have consequences, God's grace and redemptive purposes prevail, offering hope and restoration even after profound failures, as long as there is repentance and faith, echoing the New Testament call to reconciliation found in [2 Corinthians 5:17-19](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17-19 - Reconciliation in Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 4:27, with its tension between desolation and preservation, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The "desolation" prophesied for Judah, a consequence of sin, points to the universal reality of humanity's fallen state and the spiritual death that sin brings, a condition from which only Christ can deliver us. Yet, God's promise "not to make a full end" foreshadows His ultimate redemptive plan, which culminates in Jesus. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus bore the "full end" of God's wrath against sin, so that those who believe in Him might not perish but have eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). He is the faithful remnant, the true Israel, through whom God's covenant promises are perfectly fulfilled. The preservation of a remnant in Jeremiah prefigures the new covenant community, the church, gathered from all nations, established by Christ's blood ([Ephesians 2:13-16](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13-16 - Peace Through Christ")). In Christ, the desolation of sin is overcome by the life-giving power of the Spirit ([Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1-2 - Life in the Spirit")), and the promise of a future, not of a "full end," is guaranteed through His resurrection and the hope of His return, when all things will be made new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - New Creation")).

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 46:28

Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I [am] with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.

Jeremiah 5:18

Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.

Jeremiah 5:10

¶ Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they [are] not the LORD'S.

Jeremiah 30:11

For I [am] with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.

Ezekiel 11:13

And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?

Romans 9:27

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

Romans 9:29

And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.