Jeremiah 6:11

KJV

Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with [him that is] full of days.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore I am full {H4392} of the fury {H2534} of the LORD {H3068}; I am weary {H3811} with holding in {H3557}: I will pour it out {H8210} upon the children {H5768} abroad {H2351}, and upon the assembly {H5475} of young men {H970} together {H3162}: for even the husband {H376} with the wife {H802} shall be taken {H3920}, the aged {H2205} with him that is full {H4390} of days {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why I am full of ADONAI's fury; I am weary of holding it back. "Pour it out on the children in the street and on the groups of young men gathered; for husbands and wives will be taken together, seniors as well as the very old.

Berean Standard Bible

But I am full of the LORD’s wrath; I am tired of holding it back. “Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the young men gathered together. For both husband and wife will be captured, the old and the very old alike.

American Standard Version

Therefore I am full of the wrath of Jehovah; I am weary with holding in: pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 6:11 vividly articulates the prophet's profound anguish and the divine burden of impending judgment upon Judah. It reveals the Lord's righteous indignation, which, after prolonged patience and restraint, has reached its breaking point and is now poised to be unleashed. The verse underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of this divine wrath, indicating that no segment of society—from the youngest to the oldest, across all social strata—will be exempt from the devastating consequences of the nation's unrepentant sin and rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 6 is a powerful and somber chapter that serves as a direct prophetic warning to Jerusalem and Judah concerning their imminent destruction by an invading enemy from the North, widely understood to be Babylon. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 6:1-8) describe the siege preparations and the terror that will descend upon the city, while verses 9-10 lament the people's spiritual deafness and their rejection of God's word. Jeremiah 6:11 flows directly from this lament, expressing the prophet's overwhelming sense of the divine fury that he can no longer contain, setting the stage for the detailed condemnation of the people's pervasive sinfulness (Jeremiah 6:12-15) and their refusal to walk in the "ancient paths" (Jeremiah 6:16). This verse serves as a pivotal declaration of the *why* behind the impending catastrophe, linking the nation's persistent iniquity to God's exhausted patience and inevitable judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah is set during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of the last five kings before the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). Judah was caught between the declining power of Assyria, the rising might of Babylon, and the lingering influence of Egypt. Spiritually, the nation was steeped in idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial religiosity, having largely abandoned the covenant relationship with Yahweh. Despite repeated warnings through prophets like Jeremiah, the people, including their leaders, priests, and false prophets, clung to a deceptive sense of security, believing Jerusalem and its Temple were inviolable. The phrase "children abroad" (H2351, _chûwts_) implies those outside the immediate confines of the home or city, perhaps playing in the streets or fields, emphasizing that judgment would reach even the most vulnerable and seemingly innocent in all public and private spheres. The mention of "husband with the wife" and "the aged with him that is full of days" highlights the complete breakdown of societal order and the indiscriminate nature of the coming calamity, affecting the very fabric of family and community, a common consequence of ancient warfare and divine judgment.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 6:11 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, portraying God's active and just response to persistent sin and covenant unfaithfulness. The "fury of the LORD" is not arbitrary but a righteous indignation against a people who have "rejected the word of the LORD" ([Jeremiah 6:19](/jeremiah/6-19 "Jeremiah 6:19 - Rejection of God's Word")). This verse also highlights **God's Long-Suffering and Exhausted Patience**, as the prophet's weariness in "holding in" reflects God's own protracted forbearance before unleashing judgment. This divine patience is a recurring motif, also seen in passages like [Nehemiah 9:30](/nehemiah/9-30 "Nehemiah 9:30 - God's Patience with Israel"). Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Universality and Inescapability of Judgment**, demonstrating that no demographic—young or old, male or female—will be immune from the consequences of collective sin, illustrating the complete societal devastation that awaits a nation that has forsaken its God. This echoes the comprehensive nature of judgment warned about in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** From H2534, this term denotes intense heat, figuratively representing anger, poison, or burning wrath. In this context, it signifies the Lord's profound and passionate indignation against Judah's unrepentant sin, indicating a righteous, consuming anger that has reached its boiling point. It is not a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated, justifiable response to pervasive rebellion.
* **weary (Hebrew, _lâʼâh'_):** From H3811, this word means "to tire" or "to be disgusted." Here, it conveys a profound sense of exhaustion from restraining oneself. When applied to God (through the prophet's expression), it anthropomorphically illustrates the immense and protracted patience God has exercised, having given countless warnings and opportunities for repentance before reaching the limit of His forbearance.
* **pour it out (Hebrew, _shâphak'_):** From H8210, this primitive root means "to spill forth" or "to gush out." It is often used for shedding blood or pouring out libations. In Jeremiah 6:11, it powerfully depicts the active, unrestrained release of divine judgment. The imagery suggests an overwhelming, unstoppable flood of wrath that will engulf the nation, leaving no one untouched.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD;":** The conjunction "Therefore" links this declaration to the preceding context of Judah's deep-seated sin and rejection of God's word. The prophet, acting as God's mouthpiece, embodies the divine emotion, declaring himself "full" of the Lord's "fury." This signifies that the prophet is overwhelmed by the intensity of God's righteous anger, which he is compelled to proclaim, or it can be understood as God Himself speaking through Jeremiah, expressing His own overflowing wrath.
* **"I am weary with holding in:":** This clause further emphasizes the divine patience that has been stretched to its absolute limit. The "weariness" (anthropomorphic language) indicates that God has long restrained His judgment, enduring the people's rebellion with immense long-suffering. However, the time for restraint has ended, and the pressure of unaddressed sin has become unbearable, necessitating a release of justice.
* **"I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together:":** This marks the decisive action of judgment. The "pouring out" signifies an unrestrained, comprehensive, and devastating release of divine wrath. The targets are specified to highlight the judgment's universal scope: "children abroad" (those in public spaces, the most vulnerable and seemingly innocent) and "assembly of young men" (the vibrant, strong, and future generation). This indicates that no age group or social segment will escape the impending calamity.
* **"for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.":** This final clause reinforces the absolute universality of the judgment. It specifies the destruction of the family unit ("husband with the wife") and the complete obliteration of all generations, from the "aged" (elders) to "him that is full of days" (the very old, those who have lived a complete life). The phrase "shall be taken" (H3920, _lâkad_) implies being caught, captured, or seized, emphasizing the inescapable nature of this divine reckoning that will dismantle society from its foundations.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 6:11 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its urgent and dire message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominent in the phrases "I am full of the fury of the LORD" and "I am weary with holding in." While spoken by the prophet, these expressions attribute human emotions and physical states (fullness, weariness, holding in) to God, making His righteous indignation and long-suffering relatable and intensely vivid. The act of God "pouring it out" is a potent **Metaphor**, transforming divine wrath into a tangible, overwhelming flood or liquid that cannot be contained, signifying its destructive and expansive power. Furthermore, the detailed enumeration of those affected—"children abroad," "assembly of young men," "husband with the wife," "the aged with him that is full of days"—is a form of **Merism** and **Hyperbole**. Merism, by listing opposite or representative parts (young/old, male/female), emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of the judgment, while hyperbole underscores that literally *everyone* will be impacted, leaving no one untouched by the coming devastation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 6:11 stands as a stark reminder of God's holy character, which encompasses both infinite patience and unwavering justice. It reveals that while God is "slow to anger" ([Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God is Slow to Anger")), His patience is not limitless. Persistent, unrepentant sin, especially covenant unfaithfulness, ultimately exhausts divine forbearance, leading to the inevitable outpouring of righteous wrath. This judgment is not capricious but a just consequence for a people who have deliberately turned away from their covenant obligations and rejected God's repeated warnings. The verse underscores the corporate nature of sin and judgment in the Old Testament, where the actions of the nation bring consequences that affect all its members, regardless of individual culpability, leading to societal breakdown and devastation.

* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed")
* [Psalm 7:11](/psalm/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Just Judge")
* [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "Nahum 1:3 - The Lord is Slow to Anger but Great in Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 6:11 serves as a profound call to introspection and repentance for individuals and communities today. It confronts us with the reality of God's holy character, reminding us that His immense patience should never be presumed upon or mistaken for indifference to sin. Instead, His long-suffering is an invitation to repentance, offering ample time to turn from wickedness before judgment is unleashed. For believers, this verse encourages a deeper reverence for God's holiness and a renewed commitment to living in obedience to His word, not out of fear, but out of love and a desire to honor Him. It also challenges us to consider the spiritual state of our own societies, prompting us to intercede for our communities and actively participate in sharing the transforming truth of the Gospel, which offers an escape from divine wrath and a path to reconciliation with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's "weariness with holding in" challenge my understanding of His patience and justice?**
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be taking God's long-suffering for granted today?**
* **What specific actions can I take to live in greater reverence for God's holiness and to intercede for the spiritual well-being of my society?**

### FAQ
**Does "fury of the LORD" mean God is like an angry human?**

Answer: No, the "fury of the LORD" (H2534, _chêmâh_) describes God's intense, righteous indignation against sin, not a capricious or uncontrolled human emotion. It is a holy wrath, a just and necessary response to rebellion against His perfect moral order and covenant faithfulness. Unlike human anger, God's wrath is always perfectly just, controlled, and purposeful, aimed at upholding His holiness and restoring righteousness. It is a demonstration of His character, which cannot tolerate evil indefinitely.

**Why would God "pour out" judgment on "children abroad" and "young men"? Does this mean innocent people suffer?**

Answer: In the Old Testament context, particularly concerning covenant nations like Judah, judgment often had a corporate dimension. When a nation as a whole persistently rebelled against God, the consequences affected all segments of society, from the youngest to the oldest. While individuals might have varying degrees of personal culpability, the breakdown of the covenant relationship and the pervasive sin of the community led to a societal collapse that spared no one. This universality of judgment (affecting "children," "young men," "husband with the wife," "the aged") highlights the comprehensive nature of the devastation and the complete unraveling of the social fabric when a nation collectively rejects God's ways, as detailed in the curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). It underscores the gravity of corporate sin and its far-reaching consequences.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 6:11, with its vivid portrayal of God's uncontainable wrath against sin, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "fury of the LORD" that was to be poured out upon Judah foreshadows the full measure of God's righteous judgment against all human sin. Yet, in a profound act of divine love, God did not spare humanity from this wrath, but He provided a substitute. On the cross, Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the recipient of this very wrath. The judgment that should have fallen upon us was "poured out" upon Him, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins"). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ absorbed the full measure of God's holy indignation, thereby offering a path of redemption and reconciliation for all who believe. The universality of judgment described in Jeremiah 6:11—affecting every age and social status—is met by the universal scope of Christ's salvation, which is offered freely to "whoever believes in him" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")), providing refuge from the very wrath that the prophet Jeremiah warned was coming. He is our ultimate shelter and the only means by which we can stand righteous before a holy God.

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 9:21

For death is come up into our windows, [and] is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, [and] the young men from the streets.

Jeremiah 20:9

Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But [his word] was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not [stay].

Job 32:18

For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

Job 32:19

Behold, my belly [is] as wine [which] hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

Micah 3:8

¶ But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.

Luke 17:34

I tell you, in that night there shall be two [men] in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

Acts 17:16

¶ Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.