Jeremiah 7:20

KJV

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Behold, mine anger {H639} and my fury {H2534} shall be poured out {H5413} upon this place {H4725}, upon man {H120}, and upon beast {H929}, and upon the trees {H6086} of the field {H7704}, and upon the fruit {H6529} of the ground {H127}; and it shall burn {H1197}, and shall not be quenched {H3518}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: "My anger and fury will be poured out on this place, on men, animals, trees in the fields and produce growing from the ground; and it will burn without being quenched."

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place, on man and beast, on the trees of the field and the produce of the land, and it will burn and not be extinguished.

American Standard Version

Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, mine anger and my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:20 serves as a profound and terrifying prophetic declaration from the Lord GOD, announcing a comprehensive and inescapable divine judgment upon the unfaithful people of Judah and the land of Jerusalem. This verse vividly portrays the intensity of God's righteous anger and consuming fury, which is depicted as being "poured out" with overwhelming force. The scope of this judgment is all-encompassing, affecting not only humanity but also the animal kingdom, the vegetation, and the very ground itself. The declaration that this judgment "shall burn, and shall not be quenched" underscores its irreversible, devastating, and final nature, a direct and just consequence of the nation's persistent idolatry, moral corruption, and flagrant breach of their covenant with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:20 stands as a climactic and chilling pronouncement within Jeremiah's "Temple Sermon," a pivotal address delivered at the very gates of the Lord's house, as introduced in [Jeremiah 7:1](/jeremiah/7-1 "Jeremiah 7:1 - The Temple Sermon's Setting"). The preceding verses meticulously dismantle the people's misplaced confidence in the physical Temple, exposing their hollow chant, "The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these" ([Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Reliance on the Temple")). Jeremiah systematically details their pervasive moral and spiritual decay, cataloging a litany of covenant violations including theft, murder, adultery, perjury, and rampant idolatry ([Jeremiah 7:9](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9 - Catalogue of Judah's Sins")). The prophet warns that God will abandon His dwelling in Jerusalem, just as He had previously forsaken His sanctuary at Shiloh due to Israel's wickedness ([Jeremiah 7:12-14](/jeremiah/7-12-14 "Jeremiah 7:12-14 - The Warning from Shiloh")). Consequently, verse 20 functions as the severe and inevitable conclusion to this indictment, articulating the full, unmitigated extent of the judgment that awaits a people who have consistently spurned God's gracious calls to repentance and genuine obedience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah 7:20 is firmly situated in the late 7th century BCE, during the turbulent reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BCE) in Judah. This period was marked by a tragic regression into idolatry and social injustice, undoing many of the reforms initiated by Jehoiakim's father, King Josiah. Despite Josiah's earnest efforts to restore covenant faithfulness, the people had quickly reverted to syncretistic worship, integrating foreign deities and practices, even within the sacred precincts of the Jerusalem Temple. Culturally, there was a widespread and deeply entrenched belief that the mere presence of the Temple in Jerusalem, as God's chosen dwelling place, rendered the city and its inhabitants inviolable from divine judgment. Jeremiah vehemently challenges this dangerous presumption. The comprehensive nature of the judgment described in the verse—affecting "man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground"—resonates with ancient Near Eastern understandings of divine wrath, where the desolation of a land's fertility and well-being was a direct and visible sign of divine disfavor, often actualized through military invasion, siege, and subsequent ecological devastation.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon and God's Judgment") is the critical distinction between **superficial ritualism and genuine covenant faithfulness**. The people's reliance on the physical Temple and outward religious acts, devoid of inward transformation, is exposed as a dangerous delusion. This leads directly to the theme of **divine judgment and its comprehensive, inescapable scope**. God's "anger" and "fury" are not capricious emotions but a righteous, just, and necessary response to persistent covenant infidelity and profound moral corruption. The judgment encompasses every facet of life and creation, underscoring the pervasive nature of sin's impact. The powerful declaration that the burning "shall not be quenched" introduces the theme of **irreversible consequence** and the **unstoppable, consuming nature of divine wrath** once it is unleashed. This imagery of unquenchable fire is a recurring motif throughout prophetic literature, signifying a judgment that fully accomplishes its destructive purpose, as seen in other warnings of impending doom (e.g., [Isaiah 1:31](/isaiah/1-31 "Isaiah 1:31 - The Unquenchable Fire of Judgment") and [Isaiah 66:24](/isaiah/66-24 "Isaiah 66:24 - Eternal Judgment")). Ultimately, the passage powerfully underscores the severe repercussions of **covenant breach** and the urgent call for genuine repentance and a return to authentic obedience to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **anger (Hebrew, _ʼaph'_):** From H639, this term literally refers to the "nose" or "nostril," but idiomatically signifies the "face" and, more profoundly, "ire" or "wrath." This metaphorical extension arises from the visible physical manifestations of intense emotion, such as rapid breathing or flaring nostrils. In this context, _ʼaph_ denotes God's righteous indignation, a powerful and consuming displeasure that is a just and holy response to the profound sin and rebellion of His people.
* **poured out (Hebrew, _nâthak'_):** From H5413, this primitive root means "to flow forth" or "to liquify." It is often used to describe a forceful, abundant, and unrestrained discharge, akin to liquid being violently emptied from a vessel. Here, its use vividly portrays the full, unreserved, and overwhelming release of God's wrath, indicating that His judgment will be complete, without mitigation, and utterly devastating in its impact.
* **quenched (Hebrew, _kâbâh'_):** From H3518, this root signifies "to expire" or "to extinguish," typically applied to fire or light. The emphatic declaration that the burning "shall not be quenched" underscores the absolute, unstoppable, and irreversible nature of God's judgment once it has commenced. It conveys that this divine act of justice will not be mitigated, diverted, or put out by any human effort until its destructive and purificatory purpose is fully and finally accomplished.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This authoritative preamble establishes the divine origin and unassailable certainty of the pronouncement. It is not Jeremiah's personal opinion or a human conjecture, but a direct, solemn, and binding declaration from Yahweh (H3069, _Yᵉhôvih_), the sovereign covenant Lord (H136, _ʼĂdônây_), spoken through His prophet. This phrase underscores the gravity and inevitability of the message that follows.
* **"Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place,":** This clause immediately declares the specific target and the intense nature of God's wrath. "This place" (H4725, _mâqôwm_) unequivocally refers to Jerusalem and the land of Judah, the very epicenter of the people's covenant violations. The pairing of "anger" (H639, _ʼaph_) and "fury" (H2534, _chêmâh_) intensifies the description of God's righteous indignation, emphasizing its depth, vehemence, and consuming power, likened to a liquid violently discharged.
* **"upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground;":** This expands the scope of the impending judgment to be utterly comprehensive and all-encompassing. It signifies a total desolation that will spare nothing and no one—neither human life (H120, _ʼâdâm_), nor the animal kingdom (H929, _bᵉhêmâh_), nor the very agricultural productivity (H6529, _pᵉrîy_) of the land (H127, _ʼădâmâh_), including its natural vegetation (H6086, _ʻêts_) and cultivated fields (H7704, _sâdeh_). This sweeping destruction underscores the pervasive nature of the sin that provoked such a universal catastrophe, impacting the entire created order.
* **"and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.":** This final clause describes both the nature and the permanence of the divine judgment. The imagery of "burning" (H1197, _bâʻar_) signifies consuming, purifying, and utterly destructive power, akin to a raging wildfire. The emphatic declaration that it "shall not be quenched" (H3518, _kâbâh_) highlights the irreversible, unstoppable, and complete character of this divine act. Once initiated, this judgment will run its full course, achieving its devastating purpose without any possibility of being put out, mitigated, or averted by human intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:20 masterfully employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the dire gravity and comprehensive nature of God's message. The most prominent is **Imagery**, particularly the vivid and dual imagery of liquid and fire. God's "anger and fury" are powerfully **personified** as a substance that can be "poured out," creating a visceral mental picture of an overwhelming, unstoppable deluge of divine wrath. This liquid imagery then seamlessly transitions into the potent **metaphor** of fire ("it shall burn"), which is further intensified by the declaration that it "shall not be quenched." This **hyperbolic** extension of the judgment to encompass "man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground" serves to underscore the absolute, total, and inescapable nature of the impending desolation, leaving no aspect of life or land untouched. The deliberate repetition of the preposition "upon" (anaphora) in the exhaustive list of targets ("upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees... and upon the fruit...") creates a rhythmic emphasis, reinforcing the comprehensive and inescapable reach of the divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:20 profoundly illustrates the foundational biblical truth of God's absolute holiness and unwavering justice. It reveals that divine wrath is not an arbitrary outburst but a righteous, necessary, and just response to persistent, unrepentant sin and flagrant covenant unfaithfulness. The passage powerfully underscores the principle that outward religious observance, ritualistic adherence, or reliance on sacred symbols (like the Temple) without genuine inward transformation and obedient living is not only futile but an affront to God, leading inevitably to severe consequences. The comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting humanity, animals, and the very land itself, signifies that sin has cosmic implications, disrupting not only the human-divine relationship but also the harmony of the created order, reflecting the profound brokenness of the covenant. This passage serves as a stark and timeless reminder that while God is infinitely merciful and patient, His justice will ultimately prevail, and His warnings are to be received with the utmost seriousness and humility.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 5:25](/isaiah/5-25 "Isaiah 5:25 - God's Unrelenting Anger")
* [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - True Worship vs. Empty Ritual")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:20 stands as a timeless and deeply sobering reminder that God is indeed holy and just, and that His boundless patience with unrepentant sin does have a limit. For believers today, this passage compels a profound and honest examination of our own hearts, our spiritual practices, and our walk with God. It serves as a powerful challenge to any tendency to presume upon God's grace, to rely on external religious acts, or to find a false sense of security in church affiliation or denominational identity, without genuine repentance, a transformed life, and a heart truly devoted to Christ. True worship, as this passage implicitly defines it, involves far more than mere ritual or attendance; it demands a life lived in humble obedience to God's commands, characterized by justice, righteousness, and unwavering faithfulness. We are called to take God's warnings seriously, understanding that while He is indeed rich in mercy and slow to anger, He is also righteous in judgment. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep, authentic, and vibrant relationship with God, one marked by humility, active obedience, and a sincere desire to honor His covenant, rather than mistaking religious activity for true, life-altering devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be relying on external religious practices or a "false sense of security" rather than cultivating genuine, inward transformation and heartfelt obedience to God?**
* **How does the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting all creation in this verse, deepen my understanding of the profound seriousness and far-reaching consequences of sin?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to align my life more fully with God's justice and righteousness, moving beyond mere ritual to authentic devotion?**

### FAQ
**Why is God's anger described as so severe and comprehensive in this verse?**

Answer: God's anger in [Jeremiah 7:20](/jeremiah/7-20 "Jeremiah 7:20 - God's Comprehensive Judgment") is depicted as severe and comprehensive because it is a righteous and just response to the severe and comprehensive rebellion of His covenant people. The Israelites, particularly those in Judah, had repeatedly and flagrantly broken their covenant with God, engaging in widespread idolatry, social injustice, and profound immorality, even within the sacred precincts of the Temple itself (as meticulously detailed in [Jeremiah 7:9-10](/jeremiah/7-9-10 "Jeremiah 7:9-10 - Judah's Sins and Presumption")). Their sin was not isolated or superficial but permeated every aspect of their society and had, in a sense, defiled the very land. Therefore, God's judgment is portrayed as all-encompassing—affecting "man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground"—to demonstrate that the consequences of their unfaithfulness would impact every sphere of their existence, leading to total desolation. This comprehensive judgment powerfully underscores the holiness of God and the profound gravity of covenant disobedience.

**What does it mean that God's judgment "shall not be quenched"?**

Answer: The phrase "shall not be quenched" emphasizes the unstoppable, irreversible, and complete nature of the divine judgment once it is unleashed. It signifies that the fire of God's wrath, once kindled, will burn until it has fully accomplished its destructive and purifying purpose, consuming everything it is poured out upon. This is not a temporary or partial judgment that can be easily mitigated or extinguished by human effort, false repentance, or superficial rituals. Instead, it speaks to a final and decisive act of God's justice that will run its full course, bringing about the promised desolation without any possibility of being put out or averted until its objective is fully realized. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic warnings of unquenchable fire, signifying a judgment that is both thorough and enduring in its consequences, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 66:24](/isaiah/66-24 "Isaiah 66:24 - Unquenchable Fire and Worms") and [Ezekiel 20:47-48](/ezekiel/20-47-48 "Ezekiel 20:47-48 - The Unquenchable Fire in the South").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:20, with its vivid and terrifying portrayal of unquenchable divine wrath poured out upon a rebellious people and their defiled land, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in two crucial ways. First, for all who believe, Jesus Christ is the one who, in His perfect obedience and sacrificial atonement, bore the full, unmitigated outpouring of God's righteous anger against sin. On the cross, the "fury" and "wrath" that humanity justly deserved were "poured out" upon the sinless [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), thereby allowing all who trust in Him to escape the consuming fire of eternal judgment. Through His atoning sacrifice, the holy justice of God was fully satisfied, and the "burning" wrath for sin was effectively "quenched" for all who are "in Christ," ushering in a new covenant of grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God (as powerfully articulated in [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood") and [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Second, for those who persistently reject Christ and His saving work, the imagery of unquenchable fire points to the terrifying reality of the eternal consequences of unrepentant sin. Jesus Himself spoke repeatedly of an "unquenchable fire" prepared for the devil and his angels, which will be the ultimate and eternal destiny of all who refuse to believe and obey the Gospel ([Matthew 3:12](/matthew/3-12 "Matthew 3:12 - Unquenchable Fire of Judgment") and [Matthew 25:41](/matthew/25-41 "Matthew 25:41 - Eternal Fire for the Unrighteous")). Thus, Jeremiah's prophecy not only foreshadows the horrific reality of God's just judgment for those outside of Christ but also gloriously anticipates the wrath-absorbing, life-giving work of Christ for all who are found in Him.

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 42:18

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

Isaiah 42:25

Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid [it] not to heart.

Jeremiah 17:27

But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

Lamentations 2:3

He hath cut off in [his] fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, [which] devoureth round about.

Lamentations 2:5

The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

Lamentations 4:11

The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

Ezekiel 22:22

As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.