Jeremiah 9:22

KJV

Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H1696}, Thus saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, Even the carcases {H5038} of men {H120} shall fall {H5307} as dung {H1828} upon the open {H6440} field {H7704}, and as the handful {H5995} after {H310} the harvestman {H7114}, and none shall gather {H622} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Say: "Here is what ADONAI says: 'The corpses of people are scattered like dung in an open field, like sheaves left behind by the reaper with no one to gather them.'"

Berean Standard Bible

Declare that this is what the LORD says: “The corpses of men will fall like dung upon the open field, like newly cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather it.”

American Standard Version

Speak, Thus saith Jehovah, The dead bodies of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman; and none shall gather them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 9:22 delivers a stark and graphic prophecy of divine judgment against Judah, depicting a catastrophic loss of life so severe that bodies will lie unburied and dishonored, scattered across the land like refuse. This chilling imagery underscores the absolute certainty and devastating consequences of God's wrath upon a people who persistently rejected His covenant and refused to repent, highlighting the profound indignity and desolation that awaits their unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 9:22 is situated within a broader section of lament and prophecy concerning Judah's impending destruction at the hands of the Babylonians. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 9:17-21) describe the call for professional mourners to lament the widespread death, emphasizing that "death has come up into our windows" (Jeremiah 9:21). This verse intensifies the imagery, moving from the *fact* of death to its *degrading aftermath*. It follows a powerful declaration about true wisdom not being found in human strength, riches, or wisdom, but in knowing the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24), providing a stark contrast between human pride and the divine judgment that humbles it. The verse serves as a grim fulfillment of the curses outlined in the covenant for disobedience, particularly those found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, from the reign of Josiah through the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). Judah was caught between the declining Assyrian Empire and the rising powers of Egypt and Babylon. Despite Jeremiah's fervent pleas for repentance and a return to the Lord, the people, including kings, priests, and false prophets, largely persisted in idolatry, social injustice, and spiritual apathy. The cultural significance of burial in the ancient Near East cannot be overstated; proper burial was a sacred duty and a mark of respect, ensuring the deceased's peace in the afterlife. To be left unburied, as depicted in this verse, was the ultimate curse, a profound dishonor, and a sign of utter abandonment by both man and God, often reserved for criminals or enemies. This was a common motif in prophetic warnings of judgment, as seen in [2 Kings 9:37](/2_kings/9-37 "2 Kings 9:37 - Jezebel's Unburied Corpse").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes pervasive in Jeremiah's prophecy. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, illustrating God's unwavering justice against persistent sin and rebellion. The graphic imagery underscores the severity of this judgment, emphasizing the **Consequences of Disobedience** to the covenant. It highlights the theme of **Desolation and Loss**, portraying a society utterly devastated by war and pestilence, where the sheer number of dead overwhelms any capacity for proper burial. Furthermore, it speaks to the **Indignity of Unbelief**, as those who rejected God's warnings are stripped of even the most basic human dignity in death. This aligns with the lament over Judah's spiritual sickness and the Lord's decision to bring calamity upon them, as described in [Jeremiah 6:19](/jeremiah/6-19 "Jeremiah 6:19 - Judah's Rejection of God's Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Carcases (Hebrew, _nᵉbêlâh'_):** From H5038, this term refers to a "flabby thing," specifically a corpse or carrion, often in a collective sense. It carries strong connotations of defilement and disgrace, particularly when unburied. In Jeremiah 9:22, its use emphasizes the utter degradation of the dead, reduced to mere refuse, devoid of honor or respect.
* **Men (Hebrew, _ʼâdâm'_):** From H120, this word denotes a human being, an individual or mankind in general. Its inclusion here specifies that the "carcases" are not animals but human beings, underscoring the tragic scale of human loss and the direct impact of divine judgment on the population of Judah.
* **Dung (Hebrew, _dômen'_):** From H1828, this term means manure, or dung. It is a highly visceral and repulsive image, signifying something utterly worthless, disgusting, and fit only for disposal. Its comparison to fallen bodies emphasizes the extreme indignity and complete lack of value or care for the deceased, highlighting the depth of their dishonor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak, Thus saith the LORD":** This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and certainty of the pronouncement. Jeremiah is commanded to speak God's direct word, leaving no doubt that this is a prophetic declaration from the sovereign Lord, not merely human speculation.
* **"Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field":** This is the central, horrifying image of the verse. It prophesies an overwhelming number of deaths, so vast that bodies will not be buried but will lie exposed and decaying on the ground, treated with the same contempt and worthlessness as animal waste. This signifies total societal collapse and profound dishonor.
* **"and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather [them]":** This vivid agricultural metaphor further emphasizes the scale of destruction and abandonment. Just as a harvestman might leave behind a few insignificant stalks or a small "handful" of grain, deemed not worth the effort to gather, so too will the dead bodies be left uncollected and unburied. This implies that the sheer number of casualties will be so immense that there will be no one left, or no capacity, to perform the customary rites of burial, highlighting the complete desolation and lack of human care.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 9:22 employs powerful **Simile** and **Imagery** to convey its message of impending doom. The comparison of human "carcases" to "dung upon the open field" is a stark and repulsive simile that immediately evokes a sense of extreme degradation, worthlessness, and defilement. This imagery is further reinforced by the second simile, "as the handful after the harvestman," which uses an agricultural context to illustrate the overwhelming quantity of the dead and their utter abandonment. This **Metaphorical Language** effectively communicates the scale of the disaster and the profound dishonor awaiting the unrepentant. The verse also utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the severity of the judgment, portraying a scene of such widespread death and neglect that it borders on the unimaginable, yet serves to underscore the absolute certainty and totality of God's wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 9:22 serves as a stark reminder of the biblical principle that persistent rebellion against God's covenant commands inevitably leads to severe consequences. It underscores God's holiness and justice, demonstrating that while He is merciful and patient, He is also righteous and will not tolerate unrepentant sin indefinitely. The complete dishonor and abandonment depicted for the dead reflect the ultimate spiritual abandonment that results from rejecting the Lord, where even the most basic human dignity is lost. This passage highlights the gravity of divine judgment, emphasizing that God's warnings are not idle threats but certain pronouncements of His will when His people turn away from Him.

* [Leviticus 26:30](/leviticus/26-30 "Leviticus 26:30 - God's Judgment on Idolatry")
* [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - The Curse of Unburied Bodies")
* [Psalm 79:3](/psalms/79-3 "Psalm 79:3 - The Unburied Dead in Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 9:22, though a somber prophecy of judgment, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It compels us to seriously consider the gravity of our relationship with God and the consequences of spiritual apathy or outright rebellion. This verse serves as a powerful call to heed God's warnings in Scripture, reminding us that His commands are not arbitrary but are for our ultimate good and flourishing. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any areas of idolatry—anything that takes precedence over our devotion to the Lord—or unrepentant sin. Understanding the severity of God's justice should not lead to fear, but to a deeper appreciation for His grace and mercy, prompting us to live lives of genuine repentance, humility, and obedience. It encourages us to cultivate a heart that truly knows the Lord, finding our ultimate security and wisdom not in worldly achievements, but in Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly or overtly resisting God's commands or warnings?**
* **How does the imagery of "carcases as dung" challenge my understanding of human dignity apart from God?**
* **What idols, whether obvious or hidden, might be preventing me from fully knowing and obeying the Lord?**
* **How can understanding God's justice deepen my appreciation for His mercy and grace in my own life?**

### FAQ
**Why is the imagery of unburied bodies so significant in this verse?**

Answer: The imagery of unburied bodies in Jeremiah 9:22 is profoundly significant because, in ancient Near Eastern culture, a proper burial was considered a sacred duty and a vital act of respect for the deceased. To be left unburied was the ultimate disgrace and a severe curse, signifying utter abandonment, dishonor, and the complete absence of human compassion. This fate was often reserved for criminals or those utterly rejected. By prophesying that bodies would lie like "dung upon the open field," the verse emphasizes the extreme indignity and complete desolation that would befall Judah as a consequence of their persistent rebellion against God. It highlights the depth of God's judgment and the stripping away of all human dignity when His covenant is broken, as also warned in [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Deuteronomy 28:26 - The Curse of Unburied Bodies").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 9:22 vividly portrays the consequences of sin and rebellion under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and resolution are found in Jesus Christ. The horrific image of bodies left ungathered and dishonored points to the profound spiritual death and separation from God that sin brings, a state from which humanity cannot rescue itself. Yet, the New Testament reveals a different "gathering" and a different "harvest." Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not to condemn the world, but to save it (cf. [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ gathered those who were scattered and spiritually dead, offering them new life and eternal dignity. He became the ultimate "dung" (cf. [Philippians 3:8](/philippians/3-8 "Philippians 3:8 - Paul Counts Everything as Loss for Christ")), taking on the shame and curse of sin, so that believers might be reconciled to God and receive an imperishable body (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42 "1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - The Resurrection Body")). The judgment depicted in Jeremiah, while real, foreshadows the greater spiritual judgment averted for those who trust in Christ, who ensures that His redeemed will never be abandoned but will be gathered into His eternal kingdom (cf. [Matthew 24:31](/matthew/24-31 "Matthew 24:31 - The Gathering of the Elect")).

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 8:2

And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

Jeremiah 25:33

And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

Psalms 83:10

[Which] perished at Endor: they became [as] dung for the earth.

Isaiah 5:25

Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases [were] torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

Jeremiah 16:4

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Zephaniah 1:17

And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.

Jeremiah 7:33

And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray [them] away.