Jeremiah 30:5

For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; We have heard {H8085} a voice {H6963} of trembling {H2731}, of fear {H6343}, and not of peace {H7965}.

Here is what ADONAI says: "We have heard a cry of terror, of fear and not of peace.

Yes, this is what the LORD says: “A cry of panic is heard— a cry of terror, not of peace.

For thus saith Jehovah: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.

Commentary

Jeremiah 30:5, part of what is often called the "Book of Consolation" (Jeremiah 30-33), starkly introduces the severe distress that would precede God's promised restoration for Israel and Judah. The prophet Jeremiah delivers a direct message from the LORD, describing a pervasive atmosphere of terror and absence of well-being.

Context

This verse sets the stage for the intense suffering and judgment that the people of Israel and Judah would face, primarily referring to the impending Babylonian exile. Jeremiah prophesied during a turbulent period leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. While chapters 30-33 are filled with glorious promises of future hope, restoration, and a new covenant, they first confront the reality of the immediate consequences of the nation's rebellion against God. The "voice of trembling" anticipates the profound anguish and dread that would grip the people during this period of divine discipline, often referred to as the "time of Jacob's trouble" mentioned later in this chapter.

Key Themes

  • Profound Distress and Fear: The repetition of "trembling" and "fear" emphasizes a widespread, overwhelming sense of panic and dread that would consume the people. It's a national cry of anguish.
  • Absence of True Peace: The phrase "and not of peace" is crucial. The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, signifies far more than just the absence of conflict; it denotes wholeness, well-being, security, prosperity, and completeness. Its absence here indicates a complete breakdown of all these elements, signifying a state of utter desolation and divine judgment.
  • Divine Declaration: "Thus saith the LORD" underscores that this is not merely a human observation but a direct, authoritative pronouncement from God Himself, confirming the certainty and severity of the impending crisis.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse are particularly evocative. Kharadah (trembling) conveys deep agitation and terror, while pachad (fear) refers to dread or panic. The contrast is stark with shalom, the absence of which is truly devastating. The fact that the people would experience the antithesis of shalom highlights the depth of their suffering and the severity of God's disciplinary hand. This is not just temporary discomfort but a fundamental disruption of all well-being.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 30:5 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of straying from God's ways. Disobedience and rebellion can lead to profound distress, fear, and a loss of true peace. While this verse describes a historical judgment, it also speaks to universal spiritual truths: when humanity turns away from its Creator, genuine peace often eludes it. However, within the broader context of Jeremiah's message, this period of intense fear and lack of peace is not the end of the story. It often precedes God's ultimate restoration and the fulfillment of His promises. For believers today, it encourages a reliance on God for true peace (John 14:27) even amidst global or personal turmoil, knowing that He has plans for hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

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Cross-References

  • Luke 19:41 (3 votes)

    ¶ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

  • Luke 19:44 (3 votes)

    And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

  • Isaiah 5:30 (3 votes)

    And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if [one] look unto the land, behold darkness [and] sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

  • Amos 8:10 (3 votes)

    And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only [son], and the end thereof as a bitter day.

  • Zephaniah 1:10 (3 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, [that there shall be] the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.

  • Zephaniah 1:11 (3 votes)

    Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

  • Jeremiah 8:19 (2 votes)

    Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: [Is] not the LORD in Zion? [is] not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, [and] with strange vanities?