Jeremiah 5:30

KJV

A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;

KJV (with Strong's)

A wonderful {H8047} and horrible thing {H8186} is committed {H1961} in the land {H776};

Complete Jewish Bible

A shocking and horrifying thing has happened in the land:

Berean Standard Bible

A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land.

American Standard Version

A wonderful and horrible thing is come to pass in the land:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:30 serves as a stark and chilling summary of the profound moral and spiritual decay that had permeated the land of Judah during the prophet Jeremiah's ministry. This concise declaration encapsulates a societal condition so astonishingly perverse and morally repugnant that it elicits both wonder (in the sense of shock or astonishment) and horror. It sets the stage for the subsequent revelation of the specific nature of this corruption, highlighting a widespread failure of leadership and a complicit populace, signaling the dire inevitability of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 5:30 is strategically placed within a chapter that functions as a comprehensive indictment against Judah and Jerusalem. Following God's desperate search for even one righteous person in [Jeremiah 5:1](/jeremiah/5-1 "Search for Righteousness"), the preceding verses detail the pervasive unfaithfulness, deceit, and injustice rampant among all strata of society, from the common people to the elite. The prophet exposes their refusal to repent, their hardened hearts, and their oppression of the vulnerable. Verse 30 acts as a climactic summation of this moral collapse, serving as a powerful bridge to [Jeremiah 5:31](/jeremiah/5-31 "Corrupt Leadership and Complacent People"), which explicitly identifies the "wonderful and horrible thing" as the collusion between false prophets, corrupt priests, and a people who actively embrace this deception. This structure emphasizes the gravity and widespread nature of the sin before detailing its specific manifestations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). This era was marked by political instability, shifting alliances with regional powers (Egypt and Babylon), and a deep spiritual apostasy despite Josiah's earlier reforms. Culturally, Judah was steeped in covenant traditions, yet had increasingly adopted pagan practices and social injustices, violating the very laws given by God. The "land" (H776, *ʼerets*) refers specifically to Judah, a land consecrated to Yahweh, making the moral corruption within it all the more egregious. The people's complacency and willingness to be led astray by false prophets and self-serving priests reflect a society that had lost its moral compass, preferring comfort and deception over the challenging truth of God's word, a situation that would ultimately lead to the Babylonian exile, as prophesied throughout the book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah").
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 5:30 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Profound Moral and Spiritual Decay**, illustrating how deeply sin had corrupted the nation's core, affecting both leadership and populace. The "wonderful and horrible thing" points to an unprecedented level of depravity. Secondly, it highlights the **Failure of Religious Leadership**, particularly prophets and priests, who were meant to guide the people in righteousness but instead became instruments of deception and self-enrichment, as elaborated in [Jeremiah 5:31](/jeremiah/5-31 "The Specific Nature of Judah's Corruption"). This failure is a recurring lament throughout the prophets (e.g., [Ezekiel 22:25-28](/zekiel/22-25-28 "Sins of Israel's Leaders")). Thirdly, the verse foreshadows the **Inevitable Divine Judgment**. Such widespread and deeply entrenched sin, especially in a covenant nation, necessitates God's righteous wrath and disciplinary action, a central message of Jeremiah's prophecies of exile and destruction, which are woven throughout chapters like [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "The Temple Sermon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wonderful (Hebrew, _shammâh'_):** From H8047, meaning "ruin; by implication, consternation; astonishment, desolate(-ion), waste, wonderful thing." In this context, "wonderful" is used ironically or paradoxically. It doesn't imply something admirable or beautiful, but rather something astonishing, extraordinary, or shocking in its sheer audacity and magnitude. It evokes a sense of amazement at the depth of depravity, a "wonder" that leads to consternation rather than delight. It speaks to the unprecedented nature of the spiritual and moral collapse.
* **horrible thing (Hebrew, _shaʻărûwrâh'_):** From H8186, meaning "something fearful; horrible thing." This word conveys a sense of something appalling, dreadful, or abominable, evoking a shudder or shiver of disgust. It emphasizes the repugnant, morally offensive, and terrifying nature of the acts being committed. The combination with "wonderful" (astonishing) intensifies the shock and revulsion at the state of affairs.
* **committed (Hebrew, _hâyâh'_):** From H1961, a primitive root meaning "to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary); ...accomplished, committed." This verb signifies that the "wonderful and horrible thing" is not merely a potential or isolated incident, but a concrete, established reality that has "come to pass" or "become" deeply ingrained "in the land." It emphasizes the active presence and pervasive nature of this abomination within Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A wonderful and horrible thing":** This phrase serves as a powerful, almost oxymoronic, descriptor of the prevailing moral condition. "Wonderful" (shammâh) points to the astonishing, shocking, or utterly unprecedented nature of the wickedness, while "horrible" (shaʻărûwrâh) emphasizes its dreadful, appalling, and morally repugnant character. Together, they convey a state of affairs so perverse and deeply entrenched that it defies normal comprehension and evokes profound revulsion.
* **"is committed":** The Hebrew verb (hâyâh) here indicates that this "thing" is not merely observed or present, but has actively "come to pass" or "become" a reality through the actions and choices of the people. It implies a deliberate, established pattern of behavior rather than an accidental occurrence, underscoring the culpability of those involved.
* **"in the land;":** This specifies the geographical and theological locus of the corruption. It is not an external threat but an internal rot, permeating the very fabric of Judah, the land consecrated by God. This emphasizes the covenantal betrayal and the widespread nature of the sin, affecting every corner of society.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:30 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Paradox** or **Oxymoron**, through the juxtaposition of "wonderful" (astonishing/awe-inspiring) and "horrible" (dreadful/appalling). This creates a jarring effect, highlighting the utterly unnatural and perverse nature of the sin that has become normalized. It's "wonderful" in the sense that it's astonishingly audacious and widespread, yet "horrible" in its moral implications and consequences. This pairing amplifies the shock and disgust the prophet intends to convey. Additionally, the verse uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme degree of moral decay; the situation is not just bad, but so extraordinarily evil that it beggars belief. The brevity and declarative nature of the statement also lend it the force of an **Aphorism** or a profound, condensed truth, making it memorable and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:30 encapsulates a profound theological truth about the consequences of sustained apostasy and moral corruption within a covenant community. It reveals God's deep anguish over His people's betrayal and the shocking extent to which they have abandoned His ways. The "wonderful and horrible thing" points to a societal sickness where truth is perverted, justice is denied, and spiritual leadership is compromised, leading to a state that is both astonishingly audacious in its sinfulness and utterly dreadful in its implications. This verse underscores the principle that widespread moral decay, especially when embraced by the people and their leaders, inevitably invites divine judgment as a necessary act of God's justice and holiness.

* [Isaiah 1:4](/isaiah/1-4 "A Sinful Nation")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Lack of Knowledge")
* [Ezekiel 22:23-31](/zekiel/22-23-31 "Sins of Jerusalem's Leaders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:30 serves as a timeless and sobering mirror for any society or faith community. It compels us to examine the moral and spiritual health of our own contexts, asking whether "wonderful and horrible things" are being committed in our midst, perhaps even with our complicity or complacency. This verse challenges us to confront the uncomfortable truth that spiritual decay often begins with a subtle erosion of truth and justice, leading to a state where what is abhorrent becomes astonishingly normalized. It calls for radical self-examination, discerning leadership, and courageous adherence to biblical truth, even when it is unpopular or inconvenient. We are reminded that true faithfulness requires not just individual piety, but also a commitment to righteousness within our communities and institutions, resisting the temptation to embrace comforting lies over challenging truths.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wonderful and horrible things" might be present in our society or even within our faith communities today that we have become desensitized to?**
* **How does the failure of leadership, as implied in this verse, challenge us to pray for and hold accountable those in positions of spiritual and societal influence?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals, be complicit in or complacent toward moral decay, preferring comfort or convenience over God's righteous standards?**
* **What steps can we take to cultivate discernment and courage to speak truth to power, even when it is unpopular?**

### FAQ
**What exactly is the "wonderful and horrible thing" mentioned in Jeremiah 5:30?**

Answer: While Jeremiah 5:30 states that "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land," the very next verse, [Jeremiah 5:31](/jeremiah/5-31 "The Specific Nature of Judah's Corruption"), explicitly defines it. It refers to the shocking reality that "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so." This reveals a profound moral corruption where religious leaders mislead the people for personal gain, and the people willingly embrace this deception, preferring pleasant lies to the challenging truth of God's word. It's "wonderful" (astonishing) because of its audacity and widespread nature, and "horrible" because of its moral repugnance and the dire consequences it portends.

**Does "wonderful" in this verse mean something good?**

Answer: No, in Jeremiah 5:30, the Hebrew word translated "wonderful" (H8047, *shammâh*) does not carry a positive connotation of beauty or goodness. Instead, it signifies something astonishing, astounding, or extraordinary in a negative sense, often related to desolation or consternation. It implies a sense of shock or amazement at the sheer magnitude and audacity of the evil being committed. The pairing with "horrible" (H8186, *shaʻărûwrâh*), which means appalling or dreadful, confirms its negative, ironic usage, highlighting the perverse and unprecedented nature of the moral decay in Judah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:30, with its lament over the "wonderful and horrible thing" committed in the land, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct prophecy but in the stark contrast between the pervasive sin of humanity and the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. The "horrible thing" of spiritual corruption, false leadership, and a people who "love to have it so" (as detailed in [Jeremiah 5:31](/jeremiah/5-31 "Corrupt Leadership and Complacent People")), underscores humanity's desperate need for a true prophet, a faithful priest, and a righteous King. Jesus embodies the antithesis of Judah's corruption; He is the **True Prophet** who speaks God's unadulterated truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), the **Great High Priest** who perfectly intercedes and offers the ultimate sacrifice for sin, unlike the self-serving priests of Jeremiah's day ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Jesus Our High Priest")), and the **Righteous King** who establishes a kingdom of justice and truth, not deception ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "The Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign")). The "horrible thing" of human sin, which culminated in the rejection and crucifixion of the Son of God, was paradoxically transformed into the "wonderful thing" of salvation through His atoning work, demonstrating God's astonishing love and justice. His sacrifice on the cross, though a "horrible" act of human depravity, became the "wonderful" means by which sin is overcome and reconciliation with God is made possible ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, Christ's coming addresses the very spiritual brokenness and moral corruption that Jeremiah lamented, offering redemption and true spiritual leadership to all who believe.

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 23:14

I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

Hosea 6:10

I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there [is] the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.

Isaiah 1:2

¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Jeremiah 2:12

Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.