The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; [and] thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
The lion {H738} is come up {H5927} from his thicket {H5441}, and the destroyer {H7843} of the Gentiles {H1471} is on his way {H5265}; he is gone forth {H3318} from his place {H4725} to make {H7760} thy land {H776} desolate {H8047}; and thy cities {H5892} shall be laid waste {H5327}, without an inhabitant {H3427}.
A lion has risen from his lair, a destroyer of nations has set out, left his own place to ruin your land, to demolish and depopulate your cities."
A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited.
A lion is gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations; he is on his way, he is gone forth from his place, to make thy land desolate, that thy cities be laid waste, without inhabitant.
-
Jeremiah 5:6
Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, [and] a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased. -
Isaiah 1:7
Your country [is] desolate, your cities [are] burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and [it is] desolate, as overthrown by strangers. -
Ezekiel 26:7
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people. -
Ezekiel 26:10
By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. -
Jeremiah 2:15
The young lions roared upon him, [and] yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant. -
Isaiah 6:11
Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, -
Daniel 7:4
The first [was] like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Jeremiah 4:7 KJV delivers a stark and terrifying prophecy concerning the impending judgment upon the kingdom of Judah. Through vivid imagery, the prophet Jeremiah warns of the swift and brutal invasion that will decimate the land and its cities.
Context
This verse is situated within a series of urgent warnings and calls to repentance that characterize Jeremiah's early ministry. The prophet, often called the "weeping prophet," was commissioned by God to deliver a message of impending doom to a nation steeped in idolatry and moral corruption. Despite God's persistent pleas for His people to return to Him, Judah remained defiant. Chapter 4 specifically describes the signs and certainty of a devastating invasion from the North, which scholars widely identify as the Babylonian empire under King Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah 4:7 paints a chilling picture of the instrument of God's wrath, leaving no doubt about the severity of the coming judgment.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The term "lion" in Hebrew is 'aryeh (אריה), a common biblical metaphor for a powerful and destructive force, often used to describe enemies or judgment (e.g., Amos 3:8). The phrase "destroyer of the Gentiles" uses the Hebrew word mashḥit (משחית) for "destroyer," which implies a devastator or spoiler. The word "Gentiles" (goyim - גויים) here refers to nations in general, indicating the wide-ranging destructive power of this "lion" not only over Judah but potentially over other nations as well, underscoring the universal scope of this destructive force. This highlights that the Babylonian king was a formidable power over many peoples.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 4:7 serves as a sober reminder of the seriousness of unrepentant sin and the certainty of God's justice. While the immediate context was ancient Judah, the principle remains timeless:
- Heed Warnings: God often sends warnings before judgment. It is crucial to pay attention to these warnings, whether through scripture, circumstances, or conscience.
- Consequences of Disobedience: Persistent rebellion against God's commands has severe consequences. This verse powerfully illustrates the principle that what one sows, one will reap.
- God's Sovereignty: Even in the midst of devastation, God remains sovereign, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes, including judgment and ultimately, restoration for those who truly repent.
This verse encourages believers to live in obedience and humility, recognizing God's power to both bless and judge.