Jeremiah 4:30

And [when] thou [art] spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; [thy] lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.

And when thou art spoiled {H7703}, what wilt thou do {H6213}? Though thou clothest {H3847} thyself with crimson {H8144}, though thou deckest {H5710} thee with ornaments {H5716} of gold {H2091}, though thou rentest {H7167} thy face {H5869} with painting {H6320}, in vain {H7723} shalt thou make thyself fair {H3302}; thy lovers {H5689} will despise {H3988} thee, they will seek {H1245} thy life {H5315}.

And you, who are doomed to be plundered, what do you mean by putting on crimson, decking yourselves with jewels and gold, enlarging your eyes with eye make-up? You beautify yourself in vain - your lovers despise you, they seek your life!

And you, O devastated one, what will you do, though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with gold jewelry, though you enlarge your eyes with paint? You adorn yourself in vain; your lovers despise you; they want to take your life.

And thou, when thou art made desolate, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with scarlet, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou enlargest thine eyes with paint, in vain dost thou make thyself fair; thy lovers despise thee, they seek thy life.

Commentary

Jeremiah 4:30 delivers a stark and poignant message from the prophet Jeremiah to Judah, personified as a woman desperately trying to retain her allure in the face of impending doom. The verse highlights the futility of superficial efforts when deep spiritual and national decay has set in.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Jeremiah (chapters 4-6) where the prophet vividly describes the coming judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem due to their persistent idolatry and rebellion against God. Jeremiah's prophecies often use the imagery of a covenant relationship between God and Israel as a marriage, and Judah's unfaithfulness is depicted as spiritual adultery. The "spoil" refers to the imminent invasion and destruction by a northern enemy, primarily the Babylonians, which God would use as an instrument of His judgment. Judah, instead of repenting and returning to the Lord, sought alliances with foreign powers (her "lovers"), which ultimately proved treacherous.

Key Themes

  • The Futility of Superficiality: Judah's attempts to "clothe herself with crimson," "deck herself with ornaments of gold," and "rent her face with painting" symbolize a desperate, outward show of strength, wealth, or beauty. These efforts are declared "in vain," emphasizing that no amount of external adornment or worldly appeal can avert God's righteous judgment when the heart is unfaithful. This theme resonates with God's emphasis on the heart over outward appearance.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Adultery: The "lovers" represent the foreign nations (like Egypt or Assyria) with whom Judah sought alliances, turning away from her covenant relationship with God. This spiritual unfaithfulness is severely condemned throughout prophetic literature. Instead of providing protection, these "lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life," illustrating the betrayal and ultimate destruction that comes from relying on worldly powers instead of the Almighty God. This concept of spiritual harlotry and its consequences is a recurring motif.
  • Divine Judgment: The verse underscores the certainty and severity of God's judgment against a rebellious people. Despite Judah's desperate attempts to beautify herself or secure alliances, God's decree stands. The impending "spoiling" is a direct result of their sin and a demonstration of divine justice.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "though thou rentest thy face with painting" (KJV) is particularly vivid. The Hebrew verb for "rentest" (*qara'*) can mean to tear or rip, and while it doesn't imply physical tearing of the face, it strongly suggests an extreme or exaggerated application of eye paint (like kohl or antimony, common in ancient Near Eastern cultures to enlarge or highlight the eyes). This imagery conveys a desperate, almost grotesque attempt to appear alluring, highlighting the depth of Judah's spiritual desperation and artificiality.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 4:30 serves as a timeless warning against placing trust in superficial appearances, worldly possessions, or human alliances rather than in God. For individuals and nations today, it prompts reflection:

  • Authenticity vs. Appearance: Do we prioritize outward show and external validation over inner character and spiritual integrity? True strength and beauty come from a right relationship with God, not from what we wear, own, or how we present ourselves to the world. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
  • Where is Our Trust?: This verse challenges us to examine where our ultimate security lies. Are we relying on wealth, power, human connections, or our own abilities to navigate life's challenges? Or are we trusting in God, who is our only true refuge and strength? The "lovers" who betray Judah serve as a stark reminder that worldly supports can fail and even turn against us.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: The message of judgment for spiritual unfaithfulness remains relevant. When we turn away from God's ways and seek fulfillment or security elsewhere, there are inevitable consequences. Repentance and a return to God are always the path to true restoration and peace.

Ultimately, Jeremiah 4:30 calls for a deep introspection, urging us to abandon superficiality and misplaced trust, and instead, to seek genuine reconciliation and reliance upon the Lord.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 9:30 (6 votes)

    ¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard [of it]; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.

  • Lamentations 1:2 (5 votes)

    She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears [are] on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort [her]: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.

  • Lamentations 1:19 (5 votes)

    I called for my lovers, [but] they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.

  • Isaiah 10:3 (4 votes)

    And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation [which] shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

  • Ezekiel 23:9 (4 votes)

    Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.

  • Ezekiel 23:10 (4 votes)

    These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the sword: and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her.

  • Isaiah 20:6 (3 votes)

    And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such [is] our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?