Jeremiah 52:6

And in the fourth month, in the ninth [day] of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.

And in the fourth {H7243} month {H2320}, in the ninth {H8672} day of the month {H2320}, the famine {H7458} was sore {H2388} in the city {H5892}, so that there was no bread {H3899} for the people {H5971} of the land {H776}.

On the ninth day of the fourth month, when the famine in the city was so severe that there was no food for the people of the land,

By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food.

In the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.

Context

Jeremiah 52:6 describes a critical moment during the final stages of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, which began in the ninth year of King Zedekiah's reign. This chapter serves as an appendix to the book of Jeremiah, largely paralleling the account found in 2 Kings 25. The verse highlights the dire conditions within the city after a prolonged encirclement by Nebuchadnezzar's forces. The city, once the proud capital of Judah, was suffering intensely, leading to the eventual breach of its walls and the destruction of the Temple.

Key Themes

  • Severe Famine: The verse explicitly details the horrific extent of the food shortage, emphasizing that "there was no bread for the people of the land." This was a common and devastating consequence of ancient sieges, intended to break the will of the besieged.
  • Divine Judgment: The famine and subsequent fall of Jerusalem were understood by the prophets, including Jeremiah, as God's righteous judgment on Judah for its persistent idolatry, disobedience, and failure to heed His warnings through His messengers. This catastrophic event was a fulfillment of prophecies spoken for generations.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The suffering depicted vividly illustrates the severe consequences of rejecting God's covenant and turning away from His laws. The people were experiencing the direct results of their actions and choices.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "the famine was sore" translates from the Hebrew word חָזַק (chazaq), which means "to be strong, firm, or severe." When applied to the famine (רָעָב, ra'av), it indicates an extremely intense and unbearable hunger, rather than just a mild shortage. This emphasizes the absolute desperation and lack of sustenance, painting a grim picture of the city's inhabitants.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 52:6, while depicting a specific historical tragedy, carries timeless lessons:

  • The Gravity of Consequences: This verse serves as a stark reminder that actions have consequences. Disobedience to God's revealed will can lead to severe and painful outcomes, both individually and corporately.
  • Heeding Warnings: The famine was not a sudden event but the culmination of a long siege, preceded by decades of prophetic warnings. It underscores the importance of listening to and responding to God's voice and truth, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
  • Resilience and Hope in Despair: Even in the midst of such profound suffering and judgment, the Bible consistently points to God's ultimate faithfulness and the hope of restoration for those who repent and turn to Him. While this verse highlights the depth of despair, the broader narrative of Jeremiah, and the subsequent books, points to God's redemptive plan for His people (see Jeremiah 29:11).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 39:2

    [And] in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth [day] of the month, the city was broken up.

  • Isaiah 3:1

    ¶ For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

  • 2 Kings 25:3

    And on the ninth [day] of the [fourth] month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.

  • Jeremiah 38:9

    My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for [there is] no more bread in the city.

  • Jeremiah 25:10

    Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

  • Lamentations 4:4

    The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, [and] no man breaketh [it] unto them.

  • Lamentations 4:6

    For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

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