Jeremiah 50:7

KJV

All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.

KJV (with Strong's)

All that found {H4672} them have devoured {H398} them: and their adversaries {H6862} said {H559}, We offend {H816} not, because they have sinned {H2398} against the LORD {H3068}, the habitation {H5116} of justice {H6664}, even the LORD {H3068}, the hope {H4723} of their fathers {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Everyone finding them ate them up. Their enemies said, 'We aren't guilty; for they sinned against ADONAI, the resting place of justice; yes, against ADONAI, their ancestors' hope.'

Berean Standard Bible

All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’

American Standard Version

All that found them have devoured them; and their adversaries said, We are not guilty, because they have sinned against Jehovah, the habitation of righteousness, even Jehovah, the hope of their fathers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:7 powerfully encapsulates the tragic reality of Judah's exile, vividly depicting their utter devastation by adversaries who, remarkably, justified their actions by asserting that Judah had sinned against the LORD. This profound verse simultaneously affirms the unchanging character of God, identifying Him as "the habitation of justice" and "the hope of their fathers," thereby highlighting His inherent righteousness and enduring covenant faithfulness even amidst the severe judgment brought upon His disobedient people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 50 initiates a lengthy prophetic oracle, the "Burden Against Babylon" (chapters 50-51), detailing God's impending and decisive judgment upon the very empire that had conquered Judah and taken its people into exile. Within this broader prophetic framework of future retribution against Babylon, Jeremiah 50:7 serves as a crucial theological retrospective. It provides the divine rationale and justification for Judah's devastating defeat and exile, looking back at the immediate consequences of their persistent unfaithfulness. By explaining *why* Judah suffered, the verse sets the stage for the subsequent promises of restoration for Israel and the pronouncements of judgment against their oppressors. It functions as a sobering reminder of the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") and reinforces the consistent prophetic message that rebellion against God inevitably leads to severe judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 50:7 is the Babylonian Exile, a traumatic period for Judah that began with the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BC. For generations, Judah had repeatedly violated the Mosaic covenant, engaging in widespread idolatry, social injustice, and spiritual apostasy despite numerous warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. In the ancient Near East, conquering nations typically attributed their military victories to the superiority of their own deities. However, Jeremiah 50:7 presents a remarkable theological inversion: Judah's pagan adversaries are depicted as acknowledging that their actions against Judah were permissible because Judah had offended *Yahweh*, the God of Israel. This reflects a profound divine orchestration of events, where God utilized even pagan empires as instruments of His righteous judgment against His disobedient people, a theme also powerfully articulated in [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5-7 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Instrument"). The phrases "habitation of justice" and "hope of their fathers" would have resonated deeply with a people whose national and spiritual identity was inextricably linked to their covenant with Yahweh and His historical acts of deliverance, particularly during the time of the patriarchs and the Exodus.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes present throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, revealing that God's judgment upon His people is not arbitrary but a righteous and necessary response to their persistent sin and covenant breaking. Their suffering is presented as a direct, divinely sanctioned consequence of their rebellion against the Holy One of Israel. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**, illustrating how turning away from God's covenant leads to profound vulnerability and devastation, as vividly captured in the phrase "All that found them have devoured them." This echoes the solemn covenant warnings found throughout the Pentateuch, especially in [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Thirdly, the verse powerfully affirms **God's Unchanging Character** despite His people's unfaithfulness. Even as instruments of His judgment, the adversaries acknowledge that Judah sinned against "the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers." This emphasizes that Yahweh remains the ultimate standard of righteousness and the faithful source of hope, even when His people are in despair. Finally, it touches upon **God's Sovereignty**, demonstrating His absolute control and ability to use any nation, even pagan ones, to achieve His righteous purposes and fulfill His divine plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **devoured (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** This primitive root signifies "to eat" in both literal and figurative senses. In Jeremiah 50:7, it is used metaphorically to describe the complete consumption, destruction, and overwhelming defeat of Judah by their enemies. It implies a thorough and devastating subjugation, leaving nothing intact, thereby conveying the totality of their suffering, loss, and the utter helplessness in the face of their oppressors.
* **sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** This fundamental Hebrew verb means "to miss" a mark, and by extension, "to sin." It encompasses a wide range of moral and spiritual failures, including transgression, offense, and guilt. In this context, it refers to Judah's profound and repeated covenant unfaithfulness against Yahweh, which is presented as the direct cause and divine justification for their calamitous circumstances and the subsequent judgment.
* **hope (Hebrew, _miqveh'_):** This noun denotes "something waited for," signifying confidence, expectation, or a collection (like a pool of water). In the context of Jeremiah 50:7, it refers to God as the ultimate object of Israel's unwavering trust and future expectation. Despite their present state of despair and judgment, the Lord remains the steadfast anchor of their hope, rooted in His historical faithfulness to their ancestors and His enduring covenant promises for future restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All that found them have devoured them":** This opening clause vividly portrays Judah's utter vulnerability and the complete devastation inflicted upon them by their enemies. The phrase "found them" suggests that Judah was exposed and defenseless, lacking any protection. "Devoured them" is a powerful and visceral metaphor for their total consumption, destruction, and subjugation, indicating that their oppressors left them utterly helpless and completely overwhelmed.
* **"and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD,"** This is a remarkable and theologically profound statement from the perspective of Judah's enemies. It reveals their chilling self-justification for their destructive actions, asserting that they were not committing an offense against God or universal moral law. Instead, they claimed Judah's suffering was a direct and deserved consequence of their own profound sin against Yahweh. This clause implicitly acknowledges God's sovereignty and righteousness in bringing judgment upon His people, even through pagan instruments.
* **"the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers."** This final clause offers a profound and multifaceted theological description of God. "The habitation of justice" portrays Yahweh not merely as possessing justice, but as being the very dwelling place, source, and embodiment of all righteousness and equity. He is the ultimate standard by which all justice is measured and from whom it originates. The emphatic repetition "even the LORD" underscores His unique, singular, and unchanging identity. "The hope of their fathers" connects the present suffering generation to the unwavering faith and promises given to their revered ancestors (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). Despite the current despair and judgment, God remains the faithful, immutable source of their ultimate confidence and future expectation, demonstrating His enduring covenant faithfulness even in the midst of His righteous wrath.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its complex and poignant message. **Metaphor** is prominently used in "All that found them have devoured them," where the act of "devouring" vividly depicts the complete and destructive conquest of Judah by their adversaries, transforming a physical act of consumption into a spiritual and national catastrophe of overwhelming subjugation. The phrase "the habitation of justice" is a striking example of both **Personification** and **Metaphor**, attributing a dwelling place to an abstract quality (justice), thereby emphasizing that God Himself is the very essence, source, and embodiment of all righteousness. Furthermore, the verse contains a profound **Paradox** and **Irony**: the enemies, though pagan and ostensibly ignorant of Yahweh, acknowledge that Judah sinned against "the LORD, the habitation of justice" and "the hope of their fathers." This highlights the ironic situation where God's own people have turned from their true source of hope and justice, leading to their downfall, while even their adversaries implicitly recognize God's righteous claim and authority. The **Repetition** of "the LORD... even the LORD" serves to emphasize the singular, unchanging, and sovereign identity of Yahweh, underscoring His consistent character despite the dire circumstances faced by His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:7 stands as a powerful testament to the intricate relationship between divine justice, human sin, and God's enduring character. It underscores the biblical truth that God is inherently righteous and will not tolerate unrepentant sin, even among His chosen people. The "devouring" of Judah serves as a stark reminder that covenant unfaithfulness carries severe consequences, demonstrating God's commitment to upholding His moral order and the terms of His covenant. Yet, in the midst of this profound judgment, the verse also offers a deep theological anchor: God remains "the habitation of justice" and "the hope of their fathers." This signifies that His character is immutable; He is not diminished by human sin, nor does He abandon His ultimate promises. Even when His people fail, His essence as the source of all righteousness and the foundation of all true hope remains steadfast, providing a basis for future restoration and a reminder that genuine, lasting hope is found only in Him, not in human strength, fleeting circumstances, or temporary alliances.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Lamentations 1:8](/lamentations/1-8 "Lamentations 1:8 - Jerusalem's Sin and Shame")
* [Psalm 130:7](/psalm/130-7 "Psalm 130:7 - Hope in the Lord's Steadfast Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:7 calls us to a profound introspection regarding the nature of sin and the unwavering character of God. It serves as a timeless warning that disobedience to God's righteous standards inevitably leads to vulnerability and painful consequences, both individually and collectively. Just as ancient Judah's unfaithfulness exposed them to the "devouring" actions of their adversaries, so too does our own sin create spiritual and practical vulnerabilities in our lives, potentially inviting difficult circumstances or allowing spiritual adversaries to gain ground. This verse compels us to take sin seriously, recognizing that it is not merely a breaking of rules but an offense against the very "habitation of justice." Yet, even in this sobering reality, the verse offers immense comfort and a steadfast anchor for our souls. God, who is just in His judgments, remains eternally "the hope of their fathers"—the unchanging, faithful source of all true hope, even when our circumstances seem bleak or our own failures are evident. Our hope must always be rooted in His immutable character and His covenant promises, not in our fleeting merits or the shifting sands of our experiences. This encourages us to turn to Him in genuine repentance, trusting in His restorative power and perfect justice, knowing that He is both the righteous Judge and the faithful Redeemer who always keeps His word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as "the habitation of justice" deepen your appreciation for His holiness and the gravity of sin in your own life?**
* **In what ways might our own disobedience or unfaithfulness make us vulnerable to spiritual or relational "devouring" in our lives today?**
* **How can you anchor your hope more firmly in God's unchanging character, even when facing difficult consequences or uncertain futures?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that God is the "hope of your fathers," connecting your present faith to the historical faithfulness of God across generations?**

### FAQ
**How could God allow pagan nations to "devour" His people?**

Answer: Jeremiah 50:7 clarifies that God did not simply "allow" it in a passive sense, but actively used the adversaries as instruments of His righteous judgment. The verse explicitly states the adversaries' justification: "because they have sinned against the LORD." This reveals God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, even those who do not acknowledge Him, to accomplish His divine purposes. When His chosen people repeatedly broke their covenant and turned to idolatry, God, as the "habitation of justice," brought about the consequences He had warned them about in the Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience")). Their suffering was a direct result of their rebellion, intended not for their annihilation, but to bring them to repentance and restore their relationship with Him.

**What does "the habitation of justice" mean?**

Answer: The phrase "the habitation of justice" (Hebrew: *nâveh tsedeq*) is a profound theological description of God. "Habitation" (*nâveh*) implies a dwelling place, a home, or a secure pasture, suggesting a place of settledness, security, and origin. "Justice" (*tsedeq*) refers to righteousness, equity, and moral rightness. Therefore, "the habitation of justice" means that God is not merely just, nor does He simply possess justice as an attribute; rather, He *is* the very source, essence, and dwelling place of all true righteousness. His intrinsic nature defines what justice is, and it flows perfectly and consistently from Him. He is the ultimate standard and embodiment of perfect righteousness, making Him the unchallengeable Judge of all the earth.

**How can God be the "hope of their fathers" when they are in exile and suffering?**

Answer: This presents a powerful paradox within the verse, highlighting God's unchanging character and His enduring covenant faithfulness. Even in the depths of their suffering and exile, God is affirmed as the "hope of their fathers." The "fathers" (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) received unconditional promises from God (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Despite Israel's current unfaithfulness and the resulting judgment, God remains the faithful One who made those promises. Their hope was not in their own righteousness or strength, but in God's steadfast love and His historical acts of deliverance. Even in judgment, the promise of future restoration and ultimate salvation remained anchored in God's character, providing a basis for future hope beyond their immediate despair, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - Plans for Hope and a Future").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 50:7, with its stark portrayal of Israel's vulnerability due to sin and God's unwavering identity as "the habitation of justice" and "the hope of their fathers," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Israel's failure to maintain their covenant relationship with God, which led to their "devouring" by adversaries, powerfully foreshadows humanity's universal inability to meet God's righteous standards. All have "sinned" (as highlighted by the Hebrew *châṭâʼ*), falling tragically short of God's glory and deserving of divine judgment (e.g., [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). However, in Christ, God's perfect justice and ultimate hope converge. Jesus is the very embodiment of "the habitation of justice," for He is God incarnate, perfectly righteous and without sin, fulfilling all the demands of God's holy law (e.g., [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). He did not "offend" but perfectly obeyed, offering Himself as the spotless Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world (e.g., [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Furthermore, Jesus is the ultimate "hope of their fathers," fulfilling the promises made to Abraham and establishing a new and better covenant (e.g., [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Superior Covenant")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He provides the means by which sinful humanity can be reconciled to the "habitation of justice" and inherit the eternal hope promised to the patriarchs (e.g., [Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")). In Him, the seemingly paradoxical tension of a just God judging sin while remaining the source of hope is gloriously resolved, as His justice is fully satisfied and His hope is eternally realized for 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 14:8

O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man [that] turneth aside to tarry for a night?

Jeremiah 2:3

Israel [was] holiness unto the LORD, [and] the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.

Zechariah 11:5

Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed [be] the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.

Jeremiah 40:2

And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.

Jeremiah 40:3

Now the LORD hath brought [it], and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

Jeremiah 31:23

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, [and] mountain of holiness.

Jeremiah 50:17

Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.