Jeremiah 9:22

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].

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.

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.'"

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.”

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.

Jeremiah 9:22 delivers a chilling prophecy of divine judgment, painting a vivid and disturbing picture of the desolation awaiting the unrepentant kingdom of Judah. This verse underscores the severity of God's wrath against a people who had persistently rejected His warnings and turned away from His covenant.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Throughout his ministry, Jeremiah pleaded with the people to repent from their widespread idolatry, spiritual apostasy, and social injustices. However, Judah remained stubborn and refused to heed God's warnings, as highlighted in passages like Jeremiah 7:24. Jeremiah 9:22 is part of a larger lament and prophecy of doom, detailing the dire consequences of their unfaithfulness, including famine, pestilence, and war, culminating in a devastating loss of life and national dignity.

Key Themes

  • Severe Divine Judgment: The verse's graphic imagery of "carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field" conveys the horrific scale of death and the utter indignity awaiting the victims. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a proper burial was paramount, and to be left unburied was a profound curse and dishonor. This signifies God's complete rejection of their rebellion.
  • Total Desolation and Abandonment: The comparison to "the handful after the harvestman" illustrates the overwhelming number of dead bodies, so vast that they are simply left ungathered and unmourned. This imagery points to a complete breakdown of society, a population so decimated that there is no one left to perform even the most basic rites of burial, signifying utter abandonment.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: This pronouncement serves as a stark reminder that persistent disobedience and rejection of God's covenant have severe, tangible repercussions. It emphasizes God's justice and His unwavering commitment to His word, whether in blessing or in judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "carcases" (נְבֵלָה, nevelah) refers to a corpse, often an unburied one, carrying strong connotations of defilement and disgrace. The term "dung" (דָּמָן, domen) vividly portrays something utterly worthless and disgusting, emphasizing the extreme indignity and degradation inflicted upon those who fall. The phrase "handful after the harvestman" (אֶת־הָעֹמֶר אַחֲרֵי הַקּוֹצֵר, et ha'omer acharei hakotser) powerfully conveys the idea of an insignificant remnant or something completely overlooked and abandoned, reinforcing the vastness of the impending destruction and the lack of care for the dead. This echoes similar prophecies of judgment found elsewhere, such as Amos 4:10 and the curses detailed in Deuteronomy 28:26.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 9:22, while rooted in a specific historical context, offers timeless spiritual lessons for believers today:

  • Heed God's Warnings: The verse serves as a sobering reminder that God's warnings are serious and His justice is real. We are called to listen to and obey God's Word, recognizing that His commands are for our good and His warnings are not idle threats.
  • Examine Our Hearts: It prompts self-reflection on areas of our lives where we might be disobedient or spiritually apathetic. Just as Judah faced consequences for their idolatry, we must guard against anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts.
  • Understand Divine Justice: While God is incredibly merciful and gracious, He is also just and righteous. This verse reminds us that there are indeed consequences for persistent sin and rebellion, urging us towards repentance and a deeper commitment to walking in His ways.
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 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.

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