Jeremiah

Jeremiah front

Introduction to Jeremiah

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of Jeremiah

1. Yahweh calls Jeremiah to be a prophet (1:1–19)
2. Yahweh will judge and punish Judah (2:1–29:32)
   • Judah called to repent of spiritual adultery (2:1–6:30)
   • Judah judged for its false religion (7:1–10:16)
   • Jeremiah stands between Yahweh and his people (11:1–20:19)
   • Jeremiah confronts his people (21:1–29:32)
3. Yahweh promises to restore Judah (30:1–33:26)
   • Yahweh will bring the people of Judah back to their land (30:1–24)
   • Yahweh will create a new covenant with them (31:1–40)
   • The people will come back (32:1–44)
   • Kings descended from David will rule again (33:1–26)
4. Jeremiah suffers (34:1–45:5)
   • Before Yahweh punishes Judah (34:1–36:32)
   • While Yahweh punishes Judah (37:1–39:18)
   • After Yahweh punishes Judah (40:1–45:5)
5. Yahweh will judge and punish the nations (46:1–51:64)
   • Egypt (46:1–28)
   • Philistia (47:1–28)
   • Moab (48:1–47)
   • Ammon (49:1–6)
   • Edom (49:7–22)
   • Damascus (49:23–27)
   • Kedar (49:28–33)
   • Elam (49:34–39)
   • Babylonia (50:1–51:64)
6. Jerusalem captured and destroyed (52:1–34)

What is the Book of Jeremiah about?

The Book of Jeremiah gives the prophesies of a priest named Jeremiah. It also tells how Jeremiah suffered in different ways while he prophesied.

Jeremiah began prophesying about 626 B.C. After the death of King Josiah, many groups of people in Israel opposed Jeremiah. Some of these people wanted to depend on Egypt to protect the nation. Others were idol worshipers. They hated Jeremiah for denouncing their gods. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry)

During the reign of King Jehoiakim, Jeremiah prophesied about the temple of Yahweh. King Jehoiakim received some of these prophecies in writing and burned the document. The next king, Zedekiah, put Jeremiah in prison when he told the king to surrender to Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia invaded Judah in 597 B.C. He conquered Jerusalem in 587 B.C. He offered Jeremiah housing and money if Jeremiah would go to Babylon. But Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem to help the few Jews left there.

Shortly after that, Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had chosen to be governor over Judah, was murdered. Some Jewish rebels captured Jeremiah and took him to Egypt. Those rebels went to Egypt to be protected there rather than to live under Nebuchadnezzar’s rule. Jeremiah may have died soon after being taken to Egypt. But while in Egypt he prophesied that the Babylonians would invade and conquer Egypt.

How should the title of this book be translated?

The traditional title of this book is “The Book of Jeremiah” or just “Jeremiah.” Translators may also call it the “The Book about Jeremiah” or “What the Prophet Jeremiah Said.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Who wrote the Book of Jeremiah?

Jeremiah was a priest and a prophet living in Judah. He spoke the prophesies in the Book of Jeremiah. A friend named Baruch wrote down many of the prophecies as Jeremiah spoke them to him.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

What is the new covenant that is presented in the Book of Jeremiah?

Jeremiah introduced a “new covenant” between Yahweh and Israel (chapter 31). Yahweh would “write this covenant on the hearts” of the people. This means that the covenant would be a part of the people instead of just written on stone or paper. The people would obey the new covenant with all their heart. (See: covenant)

What relationship do Jeremiah’s prophecies have to the other nations besides Israel?

Much of the Old Testament before this time is only about the nation of Israel. But Jeremiah also spoke of how Yahweh would judge other nations of the world. Yahweh would also punish the other nations for their wicked deeds. (See: judge, judgment and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

Are the events in the Book of Jeremiah told in the order that they actually happened?

Many of the events in the Book of Jeremiah are not told in the order that they actually happened. Instead, the various prophecies appear to be arranged by topic.

Why does the Book of Jeremiah refer to this prophet as “he” or “him”?

Many times in the book, the author refers to Jeremiah as “Jeremiah” or “he.” This is unusual if Jeremiah wrote the book. The reason this occurs is perhaps because Baruch, Jeremiah’s secretary, wrote down some parts of the book. Translators should keep the words “Jeremiah” and “he.”

Jeremiah 1

Jeremiah 1 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 1:4–10.

Special concepts in this chapter

Jeremiah appointed as prophet

God chose Jeremiah to be his prophet and although many powerful people would be against him, God promised to protect him. This chapter emphasizes that Jeremiah was chosen by God to be his prophet. (See: appoint, appointed, prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and chosen, choose, chosen people, Chosen One, elect and promise, promised)

Northern kingdom

This was not a reference to the northern kingdom of Israel; it had already been conquered. It was a reference to a kingdom located north of Judah, that is, to Babylon. The Babylonian armies would attack Judah and conquer it.

Opposition

The people were supposed to listen to God’s prophet. When he prophesied, they should have repented. Instead, they persecuted Jeremiah. (See: repent, repentance)

Jeremiah 1:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests (0)

Alternate translation: “Jeremiah son of Hilkiah. Jeremiah was one of the priests”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hilkiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anathoth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a town.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land of Benjamin (0)

Alternate translation: “the land that belongs to the tribe of Benjamin”

Jeremiah 1:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word of Yahweh came to him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to announce that God gave messages to him. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave messages to him” or “Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh (0)

This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “in the days of” is an idiom that refers to the time when a king reigned. Alternate translation: “when Josiah son of Amon was king of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the thirteenth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

The word “thirteenth” is the ordinal form of “13.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Amon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his reign (0)

Alternate translation: “Josiah’s reign”

Jeremiah 1:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the eleventh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

The word “eleventh” is the ordinal form of “11.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It also came (0)

Alternate translation: “The word of Yahweh also came”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “in the days of” is an idiom that refers to the time when a king reigned. Alternate translation: “when Johoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the fifth month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of July and the first part of August on Western calendars. (See also: Ordinal Numbers)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: of Zedekiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This refers to the rule of Zedekiah. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “of the reign of Zedekiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when the people of Jerusalem were taken away as prisoners (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. It can be stated clearly that they were taken to Babylon. Alternate translation: “when the army of Babylon took the people of Jerusalem away as prisoners” or “when the army of Babylon took the people of Jerusalem as prisoners to Babylon” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 1:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word of Yahweh came to me, saying (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave me a message. He said” or “Yahweh spoke this message to me”

Jeremiah 1:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: formed you (0)

Alternate translation: “shaped you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: before you came out from the womb (0)

This can also be expressed without referring to the womb. Alternate translation: “before you were born”

Jeremiah 1:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ah, Lord Yahweh (0)

Here “Ah” shows Jeremiah’s fear of doing what God has said.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I do not know how to speak (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

Jeremiah may have been exaggerating to show his fear of speaking in public. Alternate translation: “I do not know how to speak in public” or “I do not know how to make announcements to people”

Jeremiah 1:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not be afraid of them (0)

Alternate translation: “Do not be afraid of the people I will send you to speak to”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)

The word “this” refers to what Yahweh just said in verses 7 and 8.

Jeremiah 1:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then Yahweh reached out with his hand, touched my mouth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) this is a metaphor representing Yahweh giving Jeremiah special authority to speak. Alternate translation: “Then it was as though Yahweh touched my mouth” or (2) Jeremiah was seeing a vision and Yahweh actually did this as a symbolic act of giving Jeremiah authority to speak. Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh touched my mouth with his hand” (See also: Symbolic Action)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have placed my word in your mouth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This phrase represents giving Jeremiah his message. Alternate translation: “I have given you my message for you to speak to the people” or “I have enabled you to tell the people my message”

Jeremiah 1:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am appointing you … to uproot and break down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant (0)

Jeremiah would do these things to various nations by saying that they would happen.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to uproot and break down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant (0)

He would uproot, break down, destroy and overthrow some nations, and he would build and plant other nations.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to uproot (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Jeremiah destroying the nations by what he says as if the nations were plants and he were to pull them up out of the ground.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to destroy and overthrow (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

Jeremiah uses these words, which mean almost the same thing, to show that this will certainly happen.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to build and plant (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Jeremiah causing nations to become strong as if they were a building and he would build them, and as if they were plants and he would plant them.

Jeremiah 1:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “What (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave me a message. He said, ‘What” or “Yahweh spoke this message to me: ‘What”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I see an almond branch (0)

Yahweh shows Jeremiah a spiritual vision.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an almond branch (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

An almond tree is a kind of nut tree.

Jeremiah 1:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am watching over my word to carry it out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents guaranteeing that he will do what he has said. Alternate translation: “I am remembering my word to carry it out” or “I guarantee that I will do what I have said”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for I am watching over my word (0)

The Hebrew words for “almond” and “watch over” sound almost the same. God wants Jeremiah to remember that God will make his word succeed.

Jeremiah 1:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word of Yahweh came to me a second time, saying (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “The word of Yahweh came to” is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4, and make any changes as needed. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave me a message a second time. He said” or “Yahweh spoke this second message to me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: tipping away from the north (0)

This means that it was tipping toward the south, where Jeremiah was in Judah.

Jeremiah 1:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues speaking to Jeremiah about the disaster that would come from the north.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: everyone (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

This generalization refers to the kings of the northern kingdoms. Alternate translation: “every king” or “all of the northern kings”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) this represents ruling over Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “will rule at the gates of Jerusalem” or (2) this represents judging Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “will judge Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: against all the walls that surround it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Setting their thrones “against all the walls that surround it” represents commanding their armies to destroy the walls surrounding Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “and they will command their armies to destroy the walls surrounding Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: against all the cities of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Setting their thrones “against all the cities of Judah” represents commanding their armies to destroy all the cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 1:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will pronounce sentence against them (0)

Alternate translation: “I will announce how I will punish them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will pronounce sentence against them (0)

Alternate translation: “I will pronounce sentence against the people of Judah”

Jeremiah 1:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Behold! (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being strong like these things represents being confident and unchanging in saying what God had told him to say. Alternate translation: “I have made you strong against the whole land like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls”

Jeremiah 1:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will fight against you (0)

This refers to the people of Judah.

Jeremiah 2

Jeremiah 2 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 2:1–31.

The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 2:1–3:5. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and INVALID bible/kt/reveal)

Special concepts in this chapter

The people refuse to learn

The people worshiped other gods, particularly the fertility gods of Baal and Ashtoreth. Even when the nation was punished, the people did not learn. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

Israel is compared to a female camel or a wild donkey for being unstable and lustful. (See: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 2:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave me a message. He said,” or “Yahweh spoke this message to me:”

Jeremiah 2:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem (0)

Alternate translation: “Go and speak where the people in Jerusalem can hear you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have called to mind on your behalf (0)

Alternate translation: “I remember about you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the covenant faithfulness in your youthfulness, your love (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The abstract nouns “faithfulness,” “youthfulness” and “love” can be expressed with the adjectives “faithful” and “young,” and the verb “love.” Alternate translation: “how, when you were young, you were faithful to our covenant, and how you loved me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when we were engaged (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of his relationship with the people of Israel as though they had been engaged to be married. Alternate translation: “when we first agreed that we would marry each other”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land that was not sown (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “the land where no one had sown seed” or “the land where no food was growing”

Jeremiah 2:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the firstfruits of his harvest (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Israel as if they were an offering dedicated to God. Alternate translation: “like the firstfruits of his harvest”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All who ate from the firstfruits were held guilty (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of those who attacked Israel as if they were eating the offering that was set apart for God. Alternate translation: “All who attacked Israel were held guilty like people who ate from the first fruits of his harvest”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: disaster came upon them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The phrase “came upon them” is a metaphor for happened to them. Alternate translation: “Disasters happened to them” or “I made terrible things happen to them”

Jeremiah 2:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: house of Jacob, all you clans of the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Jacob and Israel were two names for one man, and these two phrases refer to the same group of people. Alternate translation: “all you descendants of Jacob”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: house of Jacob (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Jacob’s descendants. Alternate translation: “descendants of Jacob”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Israel’s descendants, who had become the nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelites” or “the Israelite people group”

Jeremiah 2:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What did your fathers find wrong with me, that they went far from following me? That they went after useless idols and became useless themselves? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses these questions to say that since he has done no wrong, his people should not have rejected him and worshiped idols. Alternate translation: “I did nothing wrong to your forefathers, so they should not have gone far from following me, and they should not have gone after useless idols. By doing that they themselves have become useless!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they went far from following me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents rejecting God and refusing to be loyal to him. Alternate translation: “they rejected me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they went after useless idols (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents choosing to be loyal to idols and worship them. Alternate translation: “they worshiped useless idols”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: useless idols (0)

idols that people can use for nothing good. The translation should not make people think that there are some idols that are useful.

Jeremiah 2:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Where is Yahweh, who brought us … Egypt? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question would have been used to show the people’s need of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “We need Yahweh. He is the one who brought us … Egypt.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Where is Yahweh, who led us … lives? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question would have been used to show the people’s need of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “We need Yahweh. He is the one who led us … lives.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a land of drought and deep darkness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

A “land of drought” is a land that does not have enough water. Here “deep darkness” is a metaphor for danger. Alternate translation: “a dangerous land where there is not enough water”

Jeremiah 2:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you defiled my land, you made my inheritance an abomination! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “you sinned and made the land I gave you disgusting to me!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you defiled my land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “defiled” represents making the land unacceptable to God. They did this by sinning against him there when they worshiped idols. Alternate translation: “by sinning, you made my land no good”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you made my inheritance an abomination (0)

Alternate translation: “you made my inheritance disgusting by your sin” or “by sinning, you made my inheritance repulsive”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my inheritance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God is speaking of the land he gave to Israel as if he had given it to them as an inheritance. Alternate translation: “the land I gave you” or “the land I gave you as an inheritance”

Jeremiah 2:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Where is Yahweh? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question would have shown that they wanted to obey Yahweh. Alternate translation: “We need to obey Yahweh!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: did not care about me (0)

Alternate translation: “were not committed to me” or “rejected me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The shepherds transgressed against me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The leaders are spoken of as if they were shepherds and the people who followed them were sheep. Alternate translation: “Their leaders sinned against me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: walked after unprofitable things (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “walked after” represents obeying or worshiping. Alternate translation: “obeyed unprofitable things” or “worshiped unprofitable things”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: unprofitable things (0)

Unprofitable things are things that cannot help a person. Here it refers to idols.

Jeremiah 2:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your sons’ sons (0)

Alternate translation: “your future generations”

Jeremiah 2:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cross over to the coasts of Kittim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Kittim was an island west of Israel. Today it is called Cyprus. It represented all the lands far to the west of Israel. Alternate translation: “go west across the ocean to Kittim”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Send messengers out to Kedar (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Kedar is the name of a land far to the east of Israel. Alternate translation: “Send messengers far east to the land of Kedar”

Jeremiah 2:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Has a nation exchanged gods … gods? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to tell the people of Israel that other nations continue to worship their own gods. They do not change and worship other gods. Alternate translation: “You will see that no nation has ever exchanged gods … gods.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But my people have exchanged their glory for what cannot help them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Here God speaks as though he were not speaking directly to his people. Alternate translation: “But you, my people, have exchanged me, your glorious God, for what cannot help you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their glory (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This expression refers to God himself, who is glorious. Alternate translation: “their glorious God” or “me, your glorious God”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for what cannot help (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here false gods are spoken of in terms of what they cannot do. Alternate translation: “for false gods, which cannot help” or “for gods who cannot help”

Jeremiah 2:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have abandoned the springs of living waters (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of himself as if he were springs of living waters. Alternate translation: “have abandoned me, their springs of living waters” or “have abandoned me, who is like springs of living water”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have dug out cisterns for themselves (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of false gods as if they were cisterns that people dig in order to get water. Alternate translation: “have gone to false gods, which are like cisterns they have dug for themselves”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cisterns (0)

deep holes for storing water

Jeremiah 2:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is Israel a slave? Was he born in his master’s home? So why has he become plunder? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Though Yahweh was speaking to the people of Israel, he used the third person as though he were talking to someone else about Israel. Alternate translation: “Israel, are you a slave? Were you born at home? So why have you become plunder?”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is Israel a slave? Was he born in his master’s home? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses these questions to tell why Israel should not have become plunder. Alternate translation: “Israel is not a slave. Israel was not born at home.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Was he born in his master’s home (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “born in his master’s home” is metonym for being born into slavery. Alternate translation: “Was he born a slave”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So why has he become plunder? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to indicate that Israel should not have become plunder. Alternate translation: “So he should not have become plunder.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So why has he become plunder (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “become plunder” represents being attacked and taken as captives to another country. Alternate translation: “So why has Israel been taken away as captives” or “So why have Israel’s enemies taken Israel away as captives”

Jeremiah 2:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Young lions roared against him. They made a lot of noise (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Israel’s enemies attacking Israel as if the enemies were lions roaring and attacking Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: made his land a horror (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents destroying the land in such a way that people will feel horror when they see it. Alternate translation: “destroyed Israel’s land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Young lions roared (0)

A roar is a loud sound that a wild animal makes when it attacks.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: His cities are destroyed without any inhabitants (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “They have destroyed Israel’s cities and now no one lives in them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: inhabitants (0)

people who live in a certain place

Jeremiah 2:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Memphis and Tahpanhes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of two cities in Egypt.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will shave your skull (0)

The Egyptians shaved the head of their slaves to mark them as slaves.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will shave your skull (0)

Some versions interpret the Hebrew text as “have cracked your skull.”

Jeremiah 2:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Did you not do this to yourselves when you abandoned Yahweh your God, while he was leading you along the way? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to remind Israel that it is their own fault that their enemies attacked them. Alternate translation: “You caused this yourselves by abandoning Yahweh your God while he was leading you along the way.”

Jeremiah 2:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So now, why take the road to Egypt and drink the waters of Shihor? Why take the road to Assyria and drink the waters of the Euphrates River? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses these questions to remind his people that it does not do any good to ask Egypt and Assyria to help them. Alternate translation: “It does not help you to go to Egypt and drink from the waters of the Shihor River, or to go to Assyria and drink from the waters of the Euphrates River.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: why take the road to Egypt and drink the waters of Shihor … Why take the road to Assyria and drink the waters of the Euphrates River (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

These are a metaphor for asking the Egyptian and Assyrian armies to help them. Alternate translation: “why ask the Egyptians to help you … Why ask the Assyrians to help you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Shihor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a stream associated with Egypt. It may have been a branch of the Nile River. Some versions call it the Nile. Alternate translation: “the Shihor Stream” or “the Shihor River” or “the Nile River”

Jeremiah 2:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Your wickedness rebukes you, and your faithlessness punishes you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Both of these phrases mean that their punishment is the result of their wicked behavior. Alternate translation: “Because you have been wicked and unfaithful, I will punish you” (See also: Parallelism)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it is wicked and bitter (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

Here the word “bitter” describes “wicked.” Alternate translation: “it is bitterly wicked” or “it is extremely wicked”

Jeremiah 2:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For I broke your yoke that you had in ancient days; I tore your fetters off you. Still you said, ‘I will not serve!’ (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “broke your yoke” and “tore your fetters off you” are metaphors for setting them free from slavery. The people of Israel had been slaves in Egypt. Alternate translation: “Long ago I released you from slavery, but still you refused to worship me!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fetters (0)

chains used to restrain a person or an animal

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: since you bowed down on every high hill and beneath every leafy tree, you adulterer (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “adulterer” is a metaphor for someone who is unfaithful to God. Alternate translation: “You bowed down to idols and worshiped them instead of me, like an adulterous wife who is unfaithful to her husband”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: beneath (0)

below

Jeremiah 2:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I planted you as a choice vine, completely from pure seed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of making his people into a great nation in Canaan as if they were the seed of a grapevine that he had planted. Alternate translation: “I, Yahweh, started you with a very good beginning, like a farmer who uses excellent seed to plant the best kind of vine”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a choice vine (0)

Alternate translation: “a vine of very good quality”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: completely from pure seed (0)

Here “pure seed” is the best seed that has not been mixed with seed that is not good. Alternate translation: “that grew from excellent seed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How then have you have changed yourself into a corrupt, worthless vine? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to rebuke his people for changing and becoming like a corrupt worthless vine. Alternate translation: “But you have changed yourself into a corrupt, worthless vine!”

Jeremiah 2:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How can you say, ‘I … have not walked after the Baals’? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to rebuke his people for saying that they have not worshiped the Baals. Alternate translation: “You lie when you say, ‘I … have not walked after the Baals.’

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: walked after (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This is a metaphor for serving or worshiping.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you are a swift female camel running here and there (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Israel worshiping other gods as if they were like a female camel running in different directions looking for a male camel to mate with. Alternate translation: “You are like a swift female camel running back and forth looking for a male camel to mate with”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: swift (0)

able to run quickly

Jeremiah 2:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Israel worshiping other gods as if they were a wild female donkey running to find male donkeys. Alternate translation: “You are like a young female donkey that lives in the desert. When she wants to mate she is out of control and constantly sniffs the breeze to find a mate”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in her heat (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This phrase is an idiom referring to the time when a female donkey wants to mate with male donkeys. Alternate translation: “when she wants to mate”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Who can restrain her lust? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question is used to emphasize that no one can control a female donkey when she is wants to mate with a male donkey. Alternate translation: “No one can turn her around when she wants to mate.”

Jeremiah 2:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You must restrain your feet from becoming bare and your throat from being thirsty! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Israel wanting to worship other gods as if they were running around in the desert looking for those gods. Alternate translation: “I have told you to stop running here and there chasing after false gods, because all that it does is wear out your sandals and make you very thirsty”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It is hopeless (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

“There is no hope for us to restrain ourselves.” This implies that they cannot stop themselves from running after other gods. Alternate translation: “We cannot stop ourselves”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: No, I love strangers and go after them! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “strangers” represents foreign gods, and “go after them” represents worshiping them. Alternate translation: “We must follow after foreign gods and worship them!’”

Jeremiah 2:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Israel’s descendants. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 2:4. Alternate translation: “the Israelites” or “the Israelite people group”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when he is found (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when someone finds him” or “when people know that he has stolen things” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they, their kings, their princes, and their priests and prophets (0)

This list shows that everyone belonging to Israel will be ashamed.

Jeremiah 2:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: These are the ones who say to the tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to the stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “tree” and “stone” represent idols carved from wood and stone. These words emphasize that the idol was made of ordinary things and is not worthy of worship. Alternate translation: “These people are the ones who say to a carved piece of wood, ‘You are my father,’ and to a carved stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their back faces me and not their faces (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“their backs are toward me; their faces are not toward me.” This represents them rejecting God. Alternate translation: “they have turned away from me” or “they have turned their backs toward me and not their faces” or “they have completely rejected me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Arise and save us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It can be made clear that they say this to Yahweh. “Yahweh, come and save us”

Jeremiah 2:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yet where are the gods that you made for yourselves? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

With this question God implies that people should ask the gods they worship to help them. He uses this irony to show that he is angry that they worship other gods. Alternate translation: “You should ask the gods you made to help you.” or “You do not ask the gods you made to help you.” (See also: Irony)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let them arise if they wish to save you in your time of troubles (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

God implies that false gods should help the people who worship them. He knows that false gods cannot help people. When he said this he was using irony to show that he was angry that his people worshiped false gods. Alternate translation: “You do not ask them because know you that they cannot save you in your time of troubles”

Jeremiah 2:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destructive lion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of the people of Israel killing the prophets as if their sword were a lion that ate the prophets. Alternate translation: “You have killed the prophets brutally with your sword like a destructive lion”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: destructive (0)

capable of causing a very large amount of damage

Jeremiah 2:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You who belong to this generation! Pay attention to my word, the word of Yahweh (0)

The phrase “this generation” refers to the people who lived when Jeremiah lived. Alternate translation: “You who live today, pay attention to what I, Yahweh, say to you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Have I been a wilderness to Israel? Or a land of deep darkness? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “a wilderness” and “a land of deep darkness” are metaphors for danger. God uses this question to rebuke the Israelites for behaving as though he had been dangerous. Alternate translation: “You act as though I have been like a wilderness or a land of deep darkness to you” (See also: Rhetorical Question)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why would my people say, ‘Let us wander around, we will not go to you anymore’? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to rebuke his people for saying this. Alternate translation: “You my people say ‘We can go where we want to go and not worship Yahweh anymore.’”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wander (0)

move around or go to different places usually without any particular purpose or direction

Jeremiah 2:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Will a virgin forget her jewelry, a bride her veils (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The words “will” and “forget” are understood to be part of the second phrase also. Alternate translation: “Will a virgin forget her jewelry, and will a bride forget her veils”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Will a virgin forget her jewelry, a bride her veils? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to introduce the idea of remembering things that are important to someone. Alternate translation: “You know that a virgin would never forget to put on her jewelry, and a bride would never forget to put on her veils.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: days without number (0)

Alternate translation: “a very long time”

Jeremiah 2:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How well you make your way to look for love (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

God appears to be praising his people for looking for love, but this is irony. He was showing that he was angry with them for being unfaithful to him.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to look for love (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of his people worshiping other gods as if they were a woman who is unfaithful to her husband and is looking for other men to love her.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have even taught your ways to wicked women (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

God speaks of how unfaithful his people are to him as though they were even teaching prostitutes how to be unfaithful to their husbands and find other men to be their lovers.

Jeremiah 2:34

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The blood that was the life of innocent, poor people has been found on your clothes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Blood on their clothes was evidence that they had killed people. Alternate translation: “The blood of innocent, poor people on your clothes shows that you are guilty of killing them” or “You are guilty of killing poor and innocent people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The blood that was the life (0)

Alternate translation: “The blood that represents the life”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: These people were not discovered in acts of burglary (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If they found people in an act of burglary, this might have been an excuse for killing them. But the people that they murdered were innocent. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You did not discover these people stealing things” or “But you killed them even though they were not even stealing anything”

Jeremiah 2:35

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: surely his anger has turned away from me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here anger is spoken of as if it were a person that could turn away from Israel. Its turning represents Yahweh’s stopping be angry with Israel. Alternate translation: “surely Yahweh has stopped being angry with me”

Jeremiah 2:36

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why do you treat so very lightly this change in your ways? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh is scolding the Israelites because they changed from one kingdom to another for help but did not rely on God for help. (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: lightly (0)

without care or concern

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will also be disappointed by Egypt (0)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Egypt will also disappoint you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will also be disappointed by Egypt (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The people of Israel will be sad because the army of Egypt will not be able protect them. Alternate translation: “You will be disappointed when Egypt does not protect you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: just as you were by Assyria (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The word “disappointed” is understood from the previous phrase. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “just as you were disappointed by Assyria” or “just as Assyria disappointed you”

Jeremiah 2:37

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will also go out from there (0)

Alternate translation: “You will go out from Egypt”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: with your hands on your head (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

This is a symbol of shame.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so you will not be helped by them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “so they will not help you”

Jeremiah 3

Jeremiah 3 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 3:1–5, 12–17, 19–25.

The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 2:1–3:5. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit. The same is true for 3:19–4:3. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and INVALID bible/kt/reveal)

Special concepts in this chapter

Judah told to repent

If Judah repents, God will bring the people back from the captivity into which he is going to send them. In this book, “Israel” serves as another name Judah because the northern kingdom of Israel no longer exists. The people group formed by these ten tribes had been scattered among the other nations by the Assyrians, who had conquered them. (See: repent, repentance)

Adultery

Judah’s unfaithlessness to God is often pictured as adultery. This is a common image in Scripture. When Judah does not worship God, their nation is spoken of as if it were a woman unfaithful to her husband. (See: adultery, adulterous, adulterer, adulteress)

Jeremiah 3:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will he return to her again? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to remind the people that a man would never return to his wife if another man marries her. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “he would not return to her again.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Would that land not be greatly polluted? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to remind the people that a married man would not return to his wife if she married another man, because he knows that the land would become ceremonially unclean. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “He knows that if he did, the land would be greatly polluted.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: greatly polluted (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This is a metaphor for being terribly unacceptable to God. Alternate translation: “completely unacceptable to God”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have lived as a prostitute who has many lovers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

God speaks of Israel worshiping many idols as being like a woman having sex with many men. Alternate translation: “You have given your love and trust to idols the way a prostitute gives her body to men who are not her husband”

Jeremiah 3:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Lift up your eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “your eyes” represents looking at something. Alternate translation: “Look up”

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Israel worshiping idols as if they were a woman who had sex with many different men. He uses this question to tell the Israelites that he knows that they have worshiped idols everywhere. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is no place where you have not had illicit sex!” or “As a whore sleeps with many men, you have worshiped your idols everywhere!” (See also: Rhetorical Question)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: By the roadsides you sat waiting for your lovers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of his people being eager to worship any idol as being like a prostitute waiting by the road for any man to come along. Alternate translation: “Like a prostitutes waiting at the roadside for her lovers, you were eager to worship any idol you learned about”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: as an Arab in the wilderness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

God speaks of his people being eager to worship any idol as being like someone in the wilderness waiting for anyone to come along so he could rob them. Alternate translation: “like an Arab in the wilderness waiting for people he might rob”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an Arab in the wilderness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

An Arab is a person from Arabia. Some Arabs lived as nomads in the desert and would rob others who came near them. Alternate translation: “a nomad in the wilderness” or “a robber in the wilderness” (See also: Translate Unknowns)

Jeremiah 3:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So the showers have been withheld (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “So I withheld the showers from you” or “So I prevented the rains from falling”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have the forehead of a prostitute (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The arrogance showing on a person’s face is spoken of as if the face itself were arrogant. Alternate translation: “But the expression on your face shows that you arrogant, like the face of a prostitute”

Jeremiah 3:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Have you not” in verse 4 ends here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Will he … to the end?’ (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Have you not” in verse 4 ends here. God uses this question to rebuke his people for calling out to him and saying these things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have just called out to me: ‘My father … youth! Will he … to the end?’”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Will he always be angry? Will he always keep his wrath to the end? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

These questions express the people’s hope that God will not be angry with them forever. They can be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “Surely he will not always be angry. Surely he will not always keep his wrath to the end.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look! (0)

Alternate translation: “pay attention” or “listen”

Jeremiah 3:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do you see what faithless Israel has done? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to draw Jeremiah’s attention to Israel’s faithlessness. It can be translated as a command or a statement. Alternate translation: “See how faithless Israel is to me.” or “You see how faithless Israel is to me.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: She has gone up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people of Israel are spoken of as if Israel were a woman. Alternate translation: “Israel’s people have gone up” or “They have gone up”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: every high hill and under every leafy tree (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The tops of hills and under shade trees were common places for people to worship idols. The word “every” is used as a generalization to show that the people were worshiping idols in many different places.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: she has acted like a prostitute (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

God speaks as of Israel worshiping idols as if she were a woman having sex with many men. Alternate translation:

Jeremiah 3:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her faithless sister Judah saw (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Israel and Judah as if they were sisters. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah, who also did not obey me, saw”

Jeremiah 3:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bill of divorce (0)

Something that a man writes to certify that he has divorced his wife.

Jeremiah 3:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Her prostitution was nothing to her (0)

Here prostitution being “nothing” represents Judah not caring about it. Alternate translation: “She did not care about her prostitution” or “She was not ashamed of her prostitution”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: she defiled the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “defiled” represents making the land unacceptable to God. They did this by sinning against him there when they worshiped idols. Alternate translation: “she made my land no good”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: she committed adultery with stones and trees (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “stones” and “trees” represent the stone and wood material that was used to create idols. The people’s idol worship is spoken of as if they were committing adultery. (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 3:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Faithless Israel has been more righteous than faithless Judah! (0)

By calling Israel “more righteous” than Judah, God emphasizes that Judah is very guilty. Alternate translation: “Israel has been unfaithful to me, but Judah is even more guilty than Israel”

Jeremiah 3:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Go and proclaim these words to the north (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the north represents the people of Israel who had been taken north to Assyria. Alternate translation: “Go and proclaim these words to the people of Israel”

Jeremiah 3:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Acknowledge your iniquity (0)

“Admit how you have sinned.” God was speaking to Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have shared your ways with strangers under every leafy tree! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “strangers” refers to foreign gods. God speaks of Israel worshiping foreign gods as if Israel were a woman who was having sex with strangers.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: under every leafy tree (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

People would worship idols under trees. The word “every” is a generalization used to show that the people of Israel worshiped many gods under many different trees.

Jeremiah 3:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am your husband (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of Israel belonging to him as if he were Israel’s husband. Alternate translation: “you belong to me as a wife belongs to her husband”

Jeremiah 3:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will give you shepherds … they will shepherd you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here God speaks of leaders as if they were shepherds and the people they led were sheep. Alternate translation: “I will give you leaders … they will lead you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: shepherds after my heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “heart” represents Yahweh’s desire or will. The phrase “after my heart” is an idiom that describes people who do God’s will. Alternate translation: “shepherds who do my will” or “shepherds who do what I want” (See also: Idiom)

Jeremiah 3:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will increase and bear fruit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “you” refers to the people of Israel. The phrase “bear fruit” is a metaphor for having many descendants. Alternate translation: “you will increase greatly in number” (See also: Doublet)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This matter will no longer come up in their hearts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “come up in their hearts” represents thinking about it. Alternate translation: “They will no longer think of this matter”

Jeremiah 3:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is Yahweh’s throne (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Yahweh’s throne” represents the place from where Yahweh rules. Alternate translation: “This is from where Yahweh rules”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will no longer walk in the stubbornness of their wicked hearts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of people’s actions as if the people were walking along a path. Here the word “hearts” represents their minds or wills. Alternate translation: “They will no longer stubbornly do the wicked things that they want to do” (See also: Metonymy)

Jeremiah 3:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “walk with” represents being united. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah will be united with the people of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Judah, which included the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. Alternate translation: “Judah” or “the kingdom of Judah” or “the people of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “the kingdom of Israel” or “the people of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land that I gave your ancestors as an inheritance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of giving them the land to possess forever as if it were an inheritance. Alternate translation: “the land that I gave to your ancestors so that it would belong to their descendants forever”

Jeremiah 3:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: As for me (0)

the word “me” refers to Yahweh

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How I want to treat you as my son … nation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations

This is an exclamation that expresses God’s desire. Alternate translation: “I want so much to treat you as my son … nation”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an inheritance more beautiful (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of the land he wanted to give to Israel as if it were an inheritance.

Jeremiah 3:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “kingdom of Israel” or “people of Israel”

Jeremiah 3:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A voice is heard (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People hear a noise”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel (0)

Alternate translation: “the people of Israel crying and begging loudly”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have forgotten Yahweh their God (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “have forgotten” represents neglecting or ignoring. Alternate translation: “They have ignored Yahweh their God”

Jeremiah 3:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: heal you of treachery (0)

Alternate translation: “heal you so you will stop being unfaithful to me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Behold (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important”

Jeremiah 3:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Surely lies come from the hills (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “the hills” represent the people’s worship of false gods on the hills. The people now realize that those false gods could not guide and help them. Alternate translation: “The false gods that we worshiped on the hills could not guide us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a confusing noise from the mountains (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

People made a lot of noise on the hills and mountains when they worshiped false gods. Alternate translation: “We made a confusing noise on the mountains while we worshiped them, but they did not help us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: surely Yahweh our God is the salvation of Israel (0)

Alternate translation: “surely Yahweh our God is the savior of Israel” or “surely Yahweh our God is the only one who can save Israel”

Jeremiah 3:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their flocks and cattle, their sons and daughters (0)

This is a list of animals and people that the people of Israel had killed and offered to the idols.

Jeremiah 3:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let us lie down in shame. May our shame cover us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These phrases share similar meanings and emphasize that the people are fully aware of their shameful behavior. Alternate translation: “Let us be completely humiliated”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: May our shame cover us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being fully aware of their shame is spoken of as if shame were covering them like a blanket or a garment.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the time of our youthfulness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) “the time of our youthfulness” refers to when each person was young. Alternate translation: “from when we were young” or (2) “the time of our youthfulness” is a metaphor that refers to when Israel was first becoming a nation. Alternate translation: “from when we were first becoming a nation”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have not listened to the voice of Yahweh our God (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “listened” represents obeying, and “the voice of Yahweh” represents what Yahweh has said. Alternate translation: “have not obeyed what Yahweh our God has said”

Jeremiah 4

Jeremiah 4 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 4:1–9.

The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 3:19–4:3. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and INVALID bible/kt/reveal)

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s punishment

This chapter prophecies Yahweh’s punishment on Judah. This should bring Judah to repentance, but it does not. It is also intended to make the nations fear the power of Yahweh and make them desire to worship him. (See: repent, repentance and fear, afraid, frighten)

Jeremiah 4:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: then it should be to me that you return (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This could mean: (1) this is a command that emphasizes who they should return to. Alternate translation: “then come back to me” or “then worship me” (2) this is a repetition of the first phrase, which expresses a condition. Alternate translation: “if you will come back to me” or “if you will start worshiping me again” (See also: Idiom)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If you remove your detestable things from before me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “detestable things” refers to idols, which God hates. Alternate translation: “If you remove your disgusting idols from my presence”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do not wander from me again (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “wander” is a metaphor for being unfaithful. Alternate translation: “if you remain faithful to me”

Jeremiah 4:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the nations will bless themselves in him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “the nations” is a metonym for people of other nations. The word “him” refers to Yahweh. Since Yahweh is speaking, it can also be translated as “me.” Alternate translation: “people of other nations will bless themselves in me” (See also: First, Second or Third Person)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in him they will glory (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

The word “him” refers to Yahweh. Since Yahweh is speaking, “him” can also be translated as “me.” Alternate translation: “they will boast in me” or “they will praise me”

Jeremiah 4:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Plow your own ground, and do not sow among thorns (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh tells the people to prepare their lives like a farmer prepares the ground for planting.

Jeremiah 4:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, and remove the foreskins of your heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh describes the people’s devotion to him in terms of the physical sign of covenant. Alternate translation: “Dedicate yourselves completely to Yahweh”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Circumcise yourselves … remove the foreskins of your heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize the command.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my fury will break out like fire, and burn with no one to quench it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Yahweh speaks of becoming extremely angry as if his anger were fire. Alternate translation: “my anger will burn like a fire and no one will be able to stop it” or “I will be extremely angry, and no one will be able to stop me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fury (0)

Alternate translation: “great anger”

Jeremiah 4:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Report in Judah and let it be heard in Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These phrases mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize the command.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let it be heard in Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “cause the people in Jerusalem to hear it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Blow the trumpet in the land (0)

The trumpet would warn the people that their enemies were coming to attack them.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let us go to the fortified cities (0)

They would go to the fortified cities for protection from their enemies.

Jeremiah 4:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: disaster … a great collapse (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These words mean basically the same thing. The phrase “a great collapse” defines what the “disaster” will be.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for I am bringing disaster from the north and a great collapse (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents God sending an army from the north to cause disaster and destruction in Judah. Alternate translation: “for I will cause an army from the north to come and destroy you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the north (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This represents an enemy army that would come from the north.

Jeremiah 4:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A lion is coming (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of a powerful army as if it were a fierce lion. Alternate translation: “A powerful and merciless army approaches”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: thicket (0)

a set of bushes that grew closely together

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: someone who will destroy nations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “someone” represents a king and his army.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: is setting out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom refers to starting to move. Alternate translation: “is starting to march”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to bring horror to your land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This represents destroying the land, which would cause people who see it to be horrified. Alternate translation: “to destroy your land”

Jeremiah 4:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wrap yourself in sackcloth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

People would wear sackcloth to show that they were very sad. In this context it would be to show that they were very sorry for the bad things they had done. Alternate translation: “put on the clothes that show you are mourning”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wail (0)

cry loudly

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For the force of Yahweh’s anger has not turned away from us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Anger is spoken of as if it were a living thing that could turn away from people. Here “Yahweh’s anger has not turned away from us” means that Yahweh is still very angry with the people. Alternate translation: “For Yahweh is still very angry with us”

Jeremiah 4:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the hearts of the king and his officials will die (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hearts” represent courage. Also “the hearts … will die” represents losing courage and being afraid. Alternate translation: “the king and his officials will stop being courageous” or “the king and his officials will be terrified” (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 4:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sword is striking against their life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here enemies being ready to kill people is spoken of as if the sword was a person striking at people. Alternate translation: “our enemies are ready to slaughter us with their swords”

Jeremiah 4:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it will be said (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will say”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: burning wind from the plains (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here a “burning wind” represents a fierce and merciless enemy.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will make its way (0)

Alternate translation: “will travel” or “will rush”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the daughter of my people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh shows his love for his people by speaking of them as a daughter. Alternate translation: “my people, who are like a daughter to me” or “my dear people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It will not winnow or cleanse them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “winnow” and “cleanse” refer to blowing away the useless skins from grain. Only a light wind was needed for that. Alternate translation: “It will not be a light wind for blowing the chaff away from the grain”

Jeremiah 4:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A wind far stronger than that (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

far stronger than the “burning wind” of verse 11. The wind is a metaphor for a fierce and merciless enemy.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will come at my command (0)

Alternate translation: “will come when I command it to come”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: at my command (0)

This expression in Hebrew is interpreted by some modern versions as “for me” or “from me.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pass sentence against them (0)

Alternate translation: “announce their punishment”

Jeremiah 4:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his chariots are like a storm (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The enemies’ chariots are spoken of as if they were like a storm. Storms can be noisy, destructive, and fast-moving. Alternate translation: “the roar of their chariots coming is like a fierce storm”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Woe to us (0)

Alternate translation: “This is terrible”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for we will be devastated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for they will devastate us” or “for they will destroy us all”

Jeremiah 4:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Cleanse your heart from wickedness, Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This is a warning to the people living in Jerusalem to repent. “Cleanse your heart” is a metaphor for removing evil from their lives. Alternate translation: “People of Jerusalem, stop being evil” or “People of Jerusalem, stop living wickedly”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How long will your deepest thoughts be about how to sin? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question is used to rebuke the people for always planning how to sin. Alternate translation: “Your deepest thoughts are about how to sin!” or “You are always thinking about how to sin!”

Jeremiah 4:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Dan (0)

This probably refers to the region of Dan, which was west of Jerusalem.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the coming disaster is heard from the mountains of Ephraim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people hear about the disaster that is coming from Ephraim”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from Dan … mountains of Ephraim (0)

By hearing that the enemies had gotten to Dan and Ephraim, people in Jerusalem would understand that the enemies were getting closer to them.

Jeremiah 4:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: besiegers are coming (0)

Besiegers are soldiers who surround a city in order to keep the people in the city from being able to get supplies of food and water.

Jeremiah 4:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will be like the watchmen of a cultivated field against her all around (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Carefully guarding a city to keep people from going in and out is spoken of as if they are carefully watching a field to keep people from stealing from it. Alternate translation: “they will guard Jerusalem carefully like watchmen who carefully guard a cultivated field”

Jeremiah 4:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your conduct and your deeds have done these things to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here “conduct” and “deeds” are spoken of as if they are people that could do things. These abstract nouns can be expressed with the phrase “what you have done.” Alternate translation: “These things are happening to you because of what you have done” (See also: Abstract Nouns)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It will strike your very heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “heart” probably refers to the emotions, and “strike your very heart” probably refers to causing them to suffer terribly. Alternate translation: “It will be as if it strikes your very heart” or “It will cause you to suffer terrible anguish”

Jeremiah 4:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My heart! My heart! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “heart” represents painful emotions, such as grief and fear. The phrase is repeated to express the intensity of the pain.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am in anguish in my heart (0)

The speaker feels severe emotional pain that causes severe physical pain.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My heart is turbulent within me (0)

“My heart is beating wildly.” Here “heart” refers to the body part. It is turbulent because it is beating much stronger and faster than normal.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: turbulent (0)

full of confusion, violence, or disorder; not stable or steady

Jeremiah 4:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Suddenly my tents are destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Enemies have suddenly destroyed my tents”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my curtains in a moment (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The words “are destroyed” are understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “my curtains are destroyed in a moment”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my curtains (0)

Curtains are cloths that are hung to separate the rooms in the tents.

Jeremiah 4:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How long will I see the standard? Will I hear the sound of the horn? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses these questions to show his distress about seeing the battle flag and hearing the sound of the horn for such a long time. He wishes that the battle would end soon. It can be stated as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Oh, how I wish that the battle would end, and the flag would be lowered, and the sound of the army’s horn would stop”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the standard (0)

Alternate translation: “the battle flag”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sound of the horn (0)

Someone would blow the horn as a signal for battle.

Jeremiah 4:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For the foolishness of my people … do not know to do good. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It can be stated clearly that Yahweh says this. This is probably his reply to Jeremiah, telling why the battle is still happening. Alternate translation: “Yahweh replied, ‘It is because of the foolishness of my people … do not know to do good.’”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: idiotic people (0)

Alternate translation: “stupid people”

Jeremiah 4:23

General Information:

Jeremiah describes a vision that God gave him about things that would happen later.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Behold (0)

The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: formless and empty (0)

This vision is a prophecy of what the land of Israel would be like after the people were all taken into captivity.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: there was no light for the heavens (0)

Alternate translation: “there were no lights in the sky”

Jeremiah 4:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the cities had been pulled down (0)

Alternate translation: “all the cities had been destroyed” or “all the cities were a heap of ruins”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: before Yahweh, before the fury of his wrath (0)

This indicates that all these things would happen because Yahweh was so angry with the people of Judah.

Jeremiah 4:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All the land will become a devastation (0)

Alternate translation: “All the land of Judah will be devastated” or “all the land of Judah will be ruined”

Jeremiah 4:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land will mourn, and the heavens above will darken (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Jeremiah emphasizes Yahweh’s judgment by saying that the earth itself expresses great sorrow.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will not hold back (0)

Alternate translation: “I will not change my mind”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will not turn from carrying them out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “turn” represents deciding not to do what he said he would do. Alternate translation: “I will not change my mind about doing what I said I would do” or “I will not refuse to do what I planned to do”

Jeremiah 4:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Every city (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “city” represents the people living in the city. Alternate translation: “The people of every city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cavalry (0)

a group of soldiers riding horses

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will run into the forests (0)

They will run away to the forests for safety.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The cities will be abandoned, for there will be no one to inhabit them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two clauses have similar meanings. The second one strengthens the thought in the first. Alternate translation: “The cities will be empty. There will be no one left to live in them”

Jeremiah 4:30

General Information:

Yahweh speaks of the people of Judah as if they were a prostitute because they were unfaithful to him by worshiping other gods.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues speaking to Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now that you have been devastated, what will you do? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question is used to tell the people of Judah that there is nothing they can do to help themselves. Alternate translation: “Now that your enemies have devastated you, there is nothing you can do to find help.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you dress in scarlet … gold jewelry … eyes … with paint (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

God speaks of the people of Judah as if they were a prostitute making herself look beautiful in order to attract men to her. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Like a prostitute you dress in scarlet … good jewelry … eyes … with paint”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you dress in scarlet (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “scarlet” represents expensive, red clothing. Alternate translation: “you wear expensive red clothing”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: adorn yourself with gold jewelry (0)

Alternate translation: “you put on gold jewelry”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: men who lusted for you now reject you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of the nations that Judah had depended on for wealth and business as if they were men who lusted after Judah. Those nations would reject Judah when they see God’s judgment.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are trying to take away your life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “trying to take your life away” represents trying to kill the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “They are trying to kill you”

Jeremiah 4:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: distress as in the birth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This simile is used to show how greatly distressed Judah will be. Alternate translation: “severe distress as in the pain and suffering a woman has while giving birth”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the daughter of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God shows his love for the people of Jerusalem by speaking of them as a daughter. Alternate translation: “my dear daughter, Zion”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Woe to me (0)

Alternate translation: “I am in great danger”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am fainting (0)

Alternate translation: “I am becoming weak”

Jeremiah 5

Jeremiah 5 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 5:1–31.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Hyperbole

It is possible that Yahweh is using the word “a” (meaning “even one”) as hyperbole when he states, “If you can find a man or anyone who is acting justly and trying to act faithfully, then I will forgive Jerusalem.” The purpose of this is to show how evil Jerusalem had become. (See: Hyperbole, just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification, faith and forgive, forgiven, forgiveness, pardon, pardoned and evil, wicked, unpleasant)

Rhetorical questions

Yahweh asks several rhetorical questions in this chapter. This is intended to show Jeremiah the justness of his actions. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Jeremiah 5:1

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

General Information:

Jeremiah often wrote prophecy in the form of poetry. Hebrew poetry uses different kinds of parallelism. (See also: Parallelism)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Rush about through the streets (0)

Alternate translation: “Go quickly through the streets”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then look and think about this (0)

Alternate translation: “look and find out”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: city squares (0)

broad and open places in a city where people can gather

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who is acting justly (0)

Alternate translation: “who does what is just”

Jeremiah 5:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Although they say (0)

The word “they” refers to the people of Jerusalem.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: As Yahweh lives (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

“as surely as Yahweh is alive.” The people use this expression to show that what they say next is certainly true. This is a way of making a solemn promise. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 4:2. Alternate translation: “I solemnly swear”

Jeremiah 5:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do your eyes not look for faithfulness? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses this question to emphasize that what Yahweh really wants is faithfulness. Alternate translation: “you look for faithfulness.” or “you want people to be faithful.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You struck the people, but they do not feel pain. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God punished his people in various ways. Here it is spoken of as if he hit them. Alternate translation: “You punish the people, but they do not pay attention”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they still refuse to receive discipline (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “to receive discipline” represents learning from discipline to do what is right. Alternate translation: “they still refuse to learn their lesson”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They make their faces harder than rock (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Hard faces represents the expression on their faces that shows that they are stubborn. Alternate translation: “They are extremely stubborn”

Jeremiah 5:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So I said (0)

Jeremiah is speaking.

Jeremiah 5:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But they all broke their yoke together; they all tore apart the chains that bound them to God. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The yoke and chains represent the law which bind God and his people.

Jeremiah 5:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So a lion … A wolf … A lurking panther … torn apart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

One possible meaning is that these are metaphors for enemy armies who will attack Judah. Alternate translation: “Like a lion from the thicket, a wolf from the Arabah, and a lurking panther, enemy armies will come against their cities, attack them, and destroy them. Anyone who goes outside his city will be killed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: thicket (0)

a set of bushes that grew closely together.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wolf (0)

a large wild dangerous dog

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: lurking (0)

watching for an opportunity to attack

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: panther (0)

a large wild dangerous cat

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For their transgressions increase (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word transgressions, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “sin.” Alternate translation: “For they sin much”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their acts of faithlessness are unlimited (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The abstract nouns in “acts of faithlessness” can be translated as “the faithless things they do.” Alternate translation: “The faithless things they do are many” or “They do many faithless things”

Jeremiah 5:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why should I pardon these people? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that he has no reason to pardon these people. Alternate translation: “Because of the things that they do, I cannot pardon these people.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: these people (0)

the people of Jerusalem

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Your sons (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Yahweh is speaking to Jerusalem as though she were a woman who had children. Jerusalem’s “sons” represent the people of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “The people of Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I fed them fully (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Providing all they needed is spoken of as feeding them. Alternate translation: “I gave them everything they needed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they committed adultery and walked in great numbers to the houses of prostitutes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This may be a metaphor for being unfaithful to God and worshiping idols, but idol worship also included prostitution. Alternate translation: “they were unfaithful to me and went in large numbers to the houses of prostitutes”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: walked in great numbers to the houses of prostitutes (0)

Alternate translation: “went in large groups to the houses of prostitutes” or “large groups of them went to the houses of prostitutes”

Jeremiah 5:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They were horses in heat … neighed to his neighbor’s wife (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Because the God speaks of them as if they were horses that wanted to mate with other horses. Alternate translation: “They were like horses in heat … neighed to his neighbor’s wife”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in heat (0)

ready to mate

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: mate (0)

when animals breed to reproduce

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Each man neighed to his neighbor’s wife (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Male horses neigh loudly to female horses when they want to mate with them. Alternate translation: “Like horses who mate with more than one horse, these men wanted to sleep with other men’s wives”

Jeremiah 5:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So should I not punish them … and should I not avenge myself on a nation that is like this? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that the things that they are doing are so bad that he will no have mercy but will punish them. Alternate translation: “Because they do these things, I will punish them … I will certainly get revenge for myself against them.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

Jeremiah 5:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to speak. Here he speaks to the enemies of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Go up onto her vineyards’ terraces (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

In verses 10–13 Yahweh speaks to Israel’s enemies. This can be made clear in the quotation. Alternate translation: “You enemies of Israel, go up onto her vineyards’ terraces”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Go up onto her vineyards’ terraces and destroy (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of Israel and Judah as if they were a vineyard and the people there were vines. Alternate translation: “Go up into Israel and Judah, which are like a vineyard to me, and destroy them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do not bring complete destruction to them (0)

Alternate translation: “do not completely destroy them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Trim their vines, since those vines do not come from Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “their” refers to the vineyards. Yahweh speaks of the people of Israel and Judah as if they were vines. Alternate translation: “like farmers who trim the vines of a vineyard, you must remove many of the people of Israel and Judah, because they do not belong to Yahweh”

Jeremiah 5:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For the houses of Israel and Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for a person’s descendants. In this case it refers to the people of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Alternate translation: “For the people of Israel and Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

Jeremiah 5:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They have spoken falsely about Yahweh and they said (0)

Alternate translation: “They have spoken falsely about Yahweh by saying”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no harm will come upon us, and we will not see sword or famine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two sentences say the same thing, the second is more specific than the first.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no harm will come upon us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “come upon us” means “happen to us.” Alternate translation: “No harm will happen to us” or “no one will harm us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: we will not see sword or famine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “see” is a metaphor for experience, and “sword” is a metonym for war. Alternate translation: “we will not experience war or famine” (See also: Metonymy)

Jeremiah 5:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The prophets will become wind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “prophets” is a metonym that represents what the prophets say, and “wind” is a metaphor for something that does not do anything. Alternate translation: “The prophets words are just noisy wind” or “The prophets make noise like the wind, but what they prophesy will not happen” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word is not in them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Here “the word” refers to God’s message. Alternate translation: “God’s message is not in them” or “the messages that they speak are not from God”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so let what they say be done to them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It can be stated clearly what kinds of things the prophets were talking about. Alternate translation: “so let the harm that the prophets talk about come to them” or “since the prophets say that bad things will happen to us, let those bad things happen to the prophets”

Jeremiah 5:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Because you (0)

The word “you” refers to the people of Israel and Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have said this (0)

See what the people said in Jeremiah 5:12.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: see (0)

Alternate translation: “look” or “listen” or “pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to place my word in your mouth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “place my word in your mouth” represents causing Jeremiah to speak God’s message. Alternate translation: “I will cause you to speak my message”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For it will consume them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“For my message will consume them.” Yahweh’s message was about how he would punish his people, so he speaks as if his message would destroy them as a fire destroys wood. Alternate translation: “For when you speak my message, it will destroy the people of Israel as fire destroys wood”

Jeremiah 5:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: against you (0)

“to attack you.” The word “you” refers to the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it is a lasting nation, an ancient nation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize how long the nation has existed. This refers to the nation from far away that Yahweh will bring against Israel. Alternate translation: “it is a very old and enduring nation”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a lasting nation (0)

Alternate translation: “an enduring nation” or “a very strong nation”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It is a nation whose language you do not know, nor will you understand what they say (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that the Israelites do not know the language of those people. It may imply that the Israelites have not had much contact with them. Alternate translation: “It is a nation whose language you will not understand at all”

Jeremiah 5:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Its quiver … They are all soldiers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Its quiver” represents the enemy nation’s army, and the arrows in the quiver represent the soldiers in the army.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: quiver (0)

a container for holding arrows

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Its quiver is like an open tomb (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

An open tomb is one that is prepared to have many dead bodies put in it. The enemy army will kill many people. Alternate translation: “That nation’s army will use their arrows and kill many people” or “Because of the arrows of its army, many people will die and be buried”

Jeremiah 5:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So your harvest will be consumed, your sons and daughters also, and your food (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) their harvest and their food that was for their sons and daughters would be consumed. Alternate translation: “So your harvest and your food for your sons and daughters will be consumed” or (2) their harvest, sons and daughters, and food would all be consumed. The idea of the sons and daughters being “consumed” would be a metaphor for killed. Alternate translation: “So your harvest and your food will be consumed, and your sons and daughters will be killed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So your harvest will be consumed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “So the army of that nation will eat the food that you expected to harvest”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your sons and daughters also, and your food (0)

This could mean: (1) the enemies would eat the food that the sons and daughters should eat, or (2) the enemies will destroy the sons and daughters and eat the food.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will eat (0)

The word “They” refers to the army of that nation.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will beat down with a sword your fortified cities (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The sword is a synecdoche for all of the different weapons that people use in war. Alternate translation: “They will use their weapons to conquer your strong cities that you trusted to protect you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your fortified cities (0)

Fortified cities had a wall around them to protect the people inside from their enemies outside.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that you trusted in (0)

Alternate translation: “that you thought were strong enough to keep you safe”

Jeremiah 5:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel and Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do not intend to destroy (0)

Alternate translation: “will not destroy”

Jeremiah 5:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: done all these things to us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The phrase “these things” refers to sending armies to attack them. Alternate translation: “done all these things to harm us” or “sent foreign armies to attack us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Just as you … served foreign gods in your land, so you must also serve strangers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “served foreign gods” represents worshiping foreign gods. God would punish them for serving foreign gods by making them serve foreign people. Alternate translation: “Because you … worshiped foreign gods in your land, you will have to serve foreigners”

Jeremiah 5:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to speak to the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Report this (0)

Alternate translation: “Tell this”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Jacob (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Jacob’s descendants. Translate “house of Jacob” as in Jeremiah 2:4. Alternate translation: “descendants of Jacob”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let it be heard in Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be expressed in active from. Alternate translation: “Let those in Judah hear it” or “announce it in Judah”

Jeremiah 5:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who have no understanding (0)

Alternate translation: “who do not understand” or “who understand nothing”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you cannot see (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “cannot see” is a metonym for not understanding. Alternate translation: “you do not understand”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you cannot hear (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “cannot hear” represents not understanding. “Alternate translation: “you do not understand”

Jeremiah 5:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do you not fear me … face? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that the people are extremely foolish because they do not fear Yahweh. Alternate translation: “It is foolish that you do not fear me … face!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: or tremble before my face (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The trembling would be because of fear. Alternate translation: “or shake with fear because of me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have placed a border of sand against the sea (0)

Alternate translation: “I placed the sand as the border for the sea”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an ongoing decree that it does not violate (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of the ocean not going past the border of sand as if the border were a law, and as if the ocean were a person who obeys the law. Alternate translation: “an everlasting limit that it cannot cross”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: rises and falls (0)

Alternate translation: “moves back and forth”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it does not violate it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“the ocean does not violate my decree.” God speaks of ocean not going past the border of sand as if the border were a law, and as if the ocean were a person who obeys the law. Alternate translation: “it does not succeed in going past the border”

Jeremiah 5:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It turns away in rebellion and goes away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “it” refers to the people. Here “goes away” represents disobeying God. Alternate translation: “They rebel and disobey me”

Jeremiah 5:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they do not say in their hearts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “their hearts” represent their thoughts, and “say” represents thinking. Alternate translation: “they do not think”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: keeping the fixed weeks of the harvest for us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Here “keeping the fixed weeks of the harvest” represents making sure that those weeks happen at the right time. Alternate translation: “making sure for us that the weeks of harvest happen when they are supposed to”

Jeremiah 5:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Your iniquities (0)

The word “Your” refers to the descendants of Jacob and the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: these things (0)

This refers to the rains and the harvests.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Your sins have stopped good from coming to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Good things “coming” represents good things happening. “Because of your sins, good things have stopped happening to you”

Jeremiah 5:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For wicked men are found with my people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “For I have found wicked men among my people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They watch as someone crouches to capture birds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

God speaks of wicked people wanting to harm someone as if they were waiting to capture birds. Alternate translation: “Like someone hiding and waiting to capture birds”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they set a trap and catch people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of wicked people intentionally harming others as if they were setting a trap. Alternate translation: “They set things up so that they can take advantage of people”

Jeremiah 5:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of deceit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Here “deceit” represents the things that were taken by deceit. Alternate translation: Like a cage full of birds that a hunter has caught, wicked people’s houses are full of things that they have taken by deceiving people (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they grow large and become rich (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “large” represents powerful. Alternate translation: “these wicked people become powerful and rich”

Jeremiah 5:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they shine with well-being (0)

This could mean: (1) their skin shines because of the healthy food they eat, or (2) their body is smooth because of the muscle and fat between their bones and skin. It indicates that they eat well.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They crossed over all bounds of wickedness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Doing all kinds of wicked things is spoken of as if there were a boundary separating some wicked things from things that are even more wicked. Alternate translation: “They do all kinds of wicked things” or “They even do the most wicked things”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They do not plead the cause of the people, or the cause of the orphan (0)

Alternate translation: “They do not plead with the rulers to give the people and the orphans what they need” or “They do not plead with the rulers to give justice to the people and the orphans”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have not given justice to the needy (0)

Alternate translation: “they have not helped the needy by doing what is just for them”

Jeremiah 5:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Should I not punish … a nation like this? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that the things that they are doing are so bad that he will no have mercy but will punish them. See how you translated a similar sentence in Jeremiah 5:9. Alternate translation: “So I will punish them, this is Yahweh’s declaration. I will certainly get revenge for myself against them.”

Jeremiah 5:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Atrocities and horrors have occurred (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This can be stated more actively. Alternate translation: “People do terrible and horrible things”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Here “the land” refers to the land of Israel.’ Alternate translation: “in the land of Israel”

Jeremiah 5:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The prophets prophesy with deceit, and the priests rule with their own power (0)

These are the atrocities and horrors that are spoken of in verse 30.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The prophets prophesy with deceit (0)

Alternate translation: “The prophets prophesy lies” or “The prophets tell lies when they prophesy”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: but what will happen in the end? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

“but what will you do at the end of all of this?” Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that the people will regret being wicked when he punishes them for it. Alternate translation: “but in the end I will punish you and you will be regret your wicked behavior” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 6

Jeremiah 6 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 6:1–30.

Special concepts in this chapter

Gods and battle

In the ancient Near East, it was commonly believed that a nation’s gods were responsible for military victory. It may have been believed that a god would not defend an evil city. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry and evil, wicked, unpleasant)

Jeremiah 6:1

General Information:

Yahweh is speaking.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Find safety … by leaving Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “Find safety” represents doing what they can in order to be safe. Alternate translation: “Be safe … by leaving Jerusalem” or “Leave Jerusalem … so that you can be safe”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: people of Benjamin (0)

This is who Yahweh was speaking to.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Blow a trumpet in Tekoa (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

A trumpet is used as a warning that people will be attacked. Alternate translation: “Blow a trumpet in Tekoa to warn the people that they will be attacked”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Tekoa (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a town about 18 kilometers south of Jerusalem. The name means “a horn for blowing.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Raise up over Beth Hakkerem a signal (0)

This could mean: (1) the signal is smoke from a fire. Alternate translation: “Light a fire to send up smoke at Beth Hakkerem to warn people about the enemy coming” or (2) the signal is a flag. Alternate translation: “Raise up a flag over the town of Beth Hakkerem to warn people about the enemy coming”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Beth Hakkerem (0)

the name of a town about 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem. The name means “the place of the vineyard.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wickedness is appearing from the north (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “wickedness” represents disaster and the people who will cause it. Alternate translation: “enemies will come from the north and cause disaster to happen to you” or “enemies coming from the north will destroy you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a great crushing is coming (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

How the crushing will come can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Enemies will come and crush you” or “Enemies will come and destroy you”

Jeremiah 6:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The daughter of Zion, the beautiful and delicate woman (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Zion is another name for Jerusalem. Yahweh speaks of Jerusalem as though it were a woman. He speaks of it as a daughter to show his love for Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “My dear Zion, which is like a beautiful and delicate woman” or “My dear Zion”

Jeremiah 6:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The shepherds and their flocks will go to them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Kings were often spoken of as shepherds of their people. Alternate translation: “The kings and their soldiers will go to them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will set up tents against her all around (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The phrase “against her” means “in order to attack Zion.” Alternate translation: “they will set up tents all around Zion in order to attack it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: each man will shepherd (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of kings leading their armies to destroy the land, as if they were shepherds leading their sheep to eat grass. Alternate translation: “like a shepherd each king will lead his army” or “each king will lead his army”

Jeremiah 6:4

General Information:

A king from the attacking army is speaking to the men under his control.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Dedicate yourselves (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It can be stated clearly that the kings say this. Alternate translation: “The kings say to their armies, ‘Dedicate yourselves”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Dedicate yourselves to the gods for the battle (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The attacking army tries to ensure that their gods will help them during the war by performing ceremonies and making sacrifices to them. Alternate translation: “Prepare for war by purifying yourselves and sacrificing to the gods”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Arise, let us attack (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

To arise or stand up is a metaphor for no longer watching and thinking and instead beginning to act. Alternate translation: “Let us stop thinking and begin to attack”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let us attack at noon (0)

Alternate translation: “Let us attack Jerusalem at noon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: are falling (0)

Alternate translation: “are stretching out” or “are getting longer”

Jeremiah 6:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: at night (0)

Alternate translation: “during the night even though it is dark”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her fortresses (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

People often spoke of cities as if they were women. Her the word “her” refers to Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the strong buildings of Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 6:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Cut her trees (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

God says this to the army that will attack Jerusalem. The word “her” refers to Jerusalem; cities were often spoken of as if they were women. Alternate translation: “Cut down the trees outside of Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: heap up siegeworks against Jerusalem (0)

Siegeworks are either high mounds of dirt or high ramps made of wood that the enemies build outside the city wall in order go on top of the wall and attack the people inside the city.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because it is filled with oppression (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “it is filled with oppression” represents people there always oppressing people. Alternate translation: “because its people are always oppressing each other”

Jeremiah 6:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: As a well pours out fresh water, so this city keeps producing wickedness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Here “this city keeps producing wickedness” represents people in the city continuing to do wicked things.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Violence and disorder are heard within her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I hear violence and disorder in her”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sickness and wounds are continually before my face (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

These things being “before” God’s face represents him seeing them. Alternate translation: “I constantly see sickness and wounds”

Jeremiah 6:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Accept discipline, Jerusalem … make you into a ruin, an uninhabited land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here God speaks to the people of Jerusalem as if he were speaking to the city itself. Alternate translation: “Accept discipline, you people of Jerusalem … make your land into a ruin, an uninhabited land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Accept discipline (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

“Accept discipline” here is a metaphor for learning from discipline. Alternate translation: “Learn from your discipline” or “When I punish you, learn to do what is right”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an uninhabited land (0)

Alternate translation: “a land that has no people living in it”

Jeremiah 6:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will certainly glean those who are left in Israel like a vineyard (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the enemy attacking those who remain as if the enemy were to pick grapes that remain in a vineyard after others have harvested it. Alternate translation: “After destroying Israel, they will certainly come back to attack the people who are still alive”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will certainly (0)

The word “They” refers to the enemy that Yahweh sends to destroy Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Reach out again with your hand to pick grapes from the vines (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh commands the enemy to attack those who remain in Israel as if the enemy were pick to grapes that remain in a vineyard after others have harvested it. Alternate translation: “Come back and attack the people of Israel who remain” or “Like people who reach out again to pick grapes from vines that they have already harvested, come back and attack the people who remain”

Jeremiah 6:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: To whom should I declare and warn so they will listen (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that none of the people of Israel would listen to him even after they survived the attack of their enemies. Alternate translation: “There is no one left for me to speak to and warn who might listen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

Alternate translation: “You can see it yourself”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their ears are uncircumcised (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents their stubborn unwillingness to listen to God. Alternate translation: “Their ears are closed” or “They refuse to listen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their ears (0)

The word “Their” refer to the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word of Yahweh has come to them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to announce that God gave messages to them. He did this through his prophets. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has sent messages to them” or “Yahweh has spoken to them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they do not want it (0)

Alternate translation: “they do not want to listen to the word of Yahweh”

Jeremiah 6:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But I am filled with Yahweh’s fury (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Jeremiah is speaking. He feels the same anger that Yahweh feels, and he speaks of being extremely angry as if he were filled with anger. Alternate translation: “I am completely angry as Yahweh is”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am tired of holding it in (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of not showing Yahweh’s anger as if he were holding the anger inside himself. Alternate translation: “I am tired from not expressing this anger” or “I am tired of not doing anything about this anger”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pour it out on the children in the streets and on the groups of young men (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of punishing the people of Israel as if his anger were a liquid that he wanted Jeremiah to pour out on them. Alternate translation: “In anger punish the children in the streets and the groups of young men”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For every man will be taken away with his wife (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Because enemies will capture every man with his wife”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: every old person heavy with years (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The words “will be taken” are understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “every old person heavy with years will be taken” or “they will take every old person heavy with years”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: every old person heavy with years (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “heavy with years” is an idiom that means “very old.” It reinforces the phrase “old person.” Alternate translation: “every very old person”

Jeremiah 6:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their houses will be turned over to others (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Their houses will become the possession of other people” or “There people will take their houses”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: both their fields and their wives together (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The phrase “will be turned over to others” is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “and their fields and their women will also be turned over to others”

Jeremiah 6:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that from the least to the greatest, all of them are greedy (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

The phrase “from the least to the greatest” shows that all the people of Israel are included in the phrase “all of them,” regardless of how important they are. Alternate translation: “all of them, including the least powerful, the most powerful, and every one else, are greedy”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the least (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

This refers to the least powerful and least important people. Alternate translation: “the least powerful people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the greatest (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

This refers to the most powerful and most important people. Alternate translation: “the greatest people” or “the most powerful people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of them (0)

Alternate translation: “all of the people of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: are greedy for dishonest gain (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word gain, you can express the same idea with the phrases “get more money” or “get more things.” Alternate translation: “want to get more money by lying to people” or “strongly desire to get more things and will even trick people in order to get them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of them practice deceit (0)

Alternate translation: “all of them deceive people” or “all of them are liars”

Jeremiah 6:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They have healed the wounds of my people lightly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) the wounds represent the problems the people have as a result of their sin. Alternate translation: “They act as though my people’s problems are not serious, like small wounds” or (2) the wounds represent the people’s sin. Alternate translation: “They acts as though my people’s sins are not serious, like small wounds”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They have healed the wounds … lightly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “lightly” represents treating the wounds as if they were not serious, as if they were not difficult.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ‘Peace, Peace,’ when there is no peace (0)

Alternate translation: “‘All is well, All is well,’ but it is not well”

Jeremiah 6:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Were they ashamed when they practiced abominations? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to show his anger that the people were not ashamed of their sins. Alternate translation: “They committed terrible sins, and they were not ashamed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they did not know how to blush (0)

When a person is ashamed, his face normally turns red. Alternate translation: “their faces did not even turn red”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will fall among the fallen (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

Here “fall” represents being killed. Alternate translation: “they will be killed along with the others who are killed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will be brought down when they are punished (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “will be brought down” represents being destroyed. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will destroy them when I punish them” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 6:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh says this (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It can be stated clearly who Yahweh says this to. Alternate translation: “Yahweh says this to the people of Israel” or “Yahweh says this to his people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Stand at the road crossing … We will not go (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The roads and pathways refer to ways that people live their lives. Yahweh wants the people of Israel to ask what is the good way to live their lives and for them to live that way.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the road crossing (0)

This refers to the place where two roads meet.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ask for the ancient pathways (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The ancient pathways represent their ancestors’s behavior, how their ancestors lived long ago. Alternate translation: “ask about the pathways that your ancestors walked on” or “ask about how your ancestors behaved”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Where is this good way (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) “this good way” represents the good way to live. Alternate translation: “What is the good way to live” or (2) “this good way” represents the way to live that results in blessings. Alternate translation: “Where is the way to what is good” or “What is the way to live that results in blessing”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then go on it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“Then walk on that path.” Going on that path represents living that way. Alternate translation: “Then live that way”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: We will not go (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This represents not living that way. Alternate translation: “We will not live that way”

Jeremiah 6:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I appointed for you watchmen to listen for the trumpet (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of his prophets as if they were watchmen who were sent to warn the people of danger.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: appointed for you (0)

The word “you” refers to the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to listen for the trumpet (0)

“to listen to the sound of the trumpet.” Yahweh speaks of his warning messages to his prophets as if the messages were a trumpet being blown to warn people about the danger that would come. The prophets were to listen to the warning and tell the people about it.

Jeremiah 6:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Therefore, nations, listen! See, you witnesses, what will happen to them. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

These two sentences are telling the people of other nations to witness what Yahweh will do to the rebellious people of Judah. Alternate translation: “Therefore, you people of other nations, listen! You witnesses, see what will happen to my people” (See also: Apostrophe)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Therefore, nations, listen! (0)

Alternate translation: “Therefore, nations, listen to what I am about to say!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you witnesses (0)

Alternate translation: “you who are witnesses”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will happen to them (0)

The word “them” refers to the people of Israel.

Jeremiah 6:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hear, earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Jeremiah is speaking to the people of nations far away from him as if they could hear him. He is speaking as if to the earth itself. Alternate translation: “Listen, everyone who lives on the earth”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to bring disaster to this people (0)

Alternate translation: “soon I will punish these people severely”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the fruit of their thoughts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the word “fruit” represents results or consequences. Alternate translation: “the consequences of their thoughts”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They paid no attention to my word or law, but they instead rejected it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Here “paid no attention to my word” refers to not listening to what God said, and “rejected it” refers to refusing to obey God’s law. Alternate translation: “They did not listen to what I said. Instead they disobeyed my law”

Jeremiah 6:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What does this frankincense going up from Sheba mean to me? Or these sweet smells from a distant land? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses these questions to rebuke the people. Alternate translation: “Frankincense from Sheba and sweet smelling cane from a distant land mean nothing to me.” or “I do not want your burnt offerings of frankincense from Sheba or sweet smelling cane from a distant land.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: these sweet smells (0)

People would burn sweet smelling cane as an offering to God.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: are not acceptable to me (0)

Alternate translation: “do not please me” or “do not make me happy”

Jeremiah 6:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See, I (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to place a stumbling block against this people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“I am about to put obstacles in front of this people.” Yahweh speaks of the troubles that he will make happen to the people of Israel as if they were a blocks that people stumble over.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Inhabitants and their neighbors (0)

Alternate translation: “Neighbors and their friends”

Jeremiah 6:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a people is coming (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Their purpose can be made clear. Alternate translation: “a people is coming to attack you” or “an army is coming”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a great nation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “nation” represents the army of the nation. Alternate translation: “the army of a great nation”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: is being stirred up from the farthest parts of the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being “stirred up” represents preparing to do something. Alternate translation: “is being prepared to come from a distant land”

Jeremiah 6:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will pick up bows and spears (0)

Alternate translation: “The soldiers will carry bows and spears”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their sound is like the sea roar (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The loud noise that the soldiers make is compared to the loud noise of the ocean. Alternate translation: “The sound that they make is very loud, like the sound of the ocean”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are riding on horses, set out in order as men for battle (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The phrase “set out in order” means that they have organized themselves and are riding in rows. The phrase “as men for battle” indicates that they are ready to fight. Alternate translation: “they are riding on horses in their assigned rows, and they are ready to fight against you”

Jeremiah 6:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: We have heard (0)

The word “We” probably refers to Jeremiah and the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: our hands fall limp in distress (0)

Alternate translation: “our hands are weak because we are anxious”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anguish seizes us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Feeling great anguish is spoken of as if the anguish grabs them. Alternate translation: “We feel terrible anguish”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: as a woman giving birth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The anguish that they feel because the enemy coming to attack them is compared to the anguish that a woman feels when she is about to give birth to a baby. Alternate translation: “like a woman who is about to give birth”

Jeremiah 6:25

General Information:

Jeremiah speaks to the people of Jerusalem. Some versions interpret this as Yahweh speaking to the people of Jerusalem.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for the swords of the enemy and terror are all around (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The phrase “swords of the enemy” represents the enemy with their swords ready to attack. Here, terror refers to things that cause people to be frightened. “For the enemy is everywhere with their swords and everyone else is terrified” (See also: Abstract Nouns)

Jeremiah 6:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Daughter of my people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah shows Yahweh’s love for his people by speaking to them as a daughter. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 4:11. Alternate translation: “My people, you who are like a daughter to me” or “My dear people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: put on sackcloth and roll in ashes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

People do these things to show that they are extremely sad. Alternate translation: “Show how sad you are by wearing sackcloth and rolling in ashes”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for the destroyer will suddenly come upon us (0)

Alternate translation: “because the enemy army will suddenly come to attack us”

Jeremiah 6:27

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

General Information:

Yahweh is speaking to Jeremiah. God speaks of the people of Israel being very sinful as if they were silver that was full of impurities. God speaks of punishing Israel to make them stop sinning as if he were boiling silver and lead in a hot fire in order to remove the impurities from the silver.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: one who tests my people like one would test metal (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Yahweh compares Jeremiah testing his people to a person who tests metal to see how good it is.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their ways (0)

Alternate translation: “their behavior” or “how they live”

Jeremiah 6:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who go about slandering others (0)

Alternate translation: “and constantly slander other people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All of them are bronze and iron (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Bronze and iron are hard metals. Yahweh speaks of the people being stubborn as if they were hard like bronze and iron. Alternate translation: “All of them are hard like bronze and iron” or “All of them are stubborn, as hard as bronze and iron”

Jeremiah 6:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The bellows are scorched by the fire that is burning them; the lead is consumed in the flames (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

God speaks of punishing his people as if they were silver and he was boiling the silver in a very hot fire. These phrases emphasize that the one boiling the metal was working very hard.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The bellows are scorched by the fire that is burning them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The fire is so hot that it burns the bellows. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This very hot fire represents God’s judgment. Alternate translation: “The fire is so hot that it scorches the bellows” or “The punishment is so severe that it is like a fire that even burns the bellows” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The bellows are scorched (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

Bellows are a tool used to blow large amounts of air into a burning fire to make the fire hotter.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the lead is consumed in the flames (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The silver has so many impurities in it that the lead is used up before it can remove them all. This represents the people of Israel being so full of sin, that they continue to sin even after God punishes them. Alternate translation: “the silver is so full of impurities, that the lead that is used to remove them is used up” or “they are like silver that is so full of impurities that the lead cannot remove them all” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The refining continues among them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “You will continue to refine them” or “You will continue to try to purify them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because the evil is not removed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

God speaks of Israel continuing to be evil as if they were silver and the impurities remained in the silver. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “because the evil remains” or “the impurities remain”

Jeremiah 6:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will be called rejected silver, for (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People will say about the people of Israel, ‘They are rejected silver,’ for”

Jeremiah 7

Jeremiah 7 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations prefer to set apart quotations. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of 7:29–34, which is an extended quotation, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.

Special concepts in this chapter

Justice in society

Jeremiah commanded the people of Jerusalem to live justly. Without justice, they did not truly have faith in Yahweh. Without this faith in Yahweh, the temple and its rituals were useless. (See: just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification and faith and temple, house, house of God)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“Do not pray for this people”

Yahweh wanted the people to repent. This statement, and the others that follow, may be taken in another way. They are intended to show that it is too late for the people, and their punishment will come regardless of their response. (See: repent, repentance)

Jeremiah 7:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all you of Judah (0)

Alternate translation: “all you people of Judah”

Jeremiah 7:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Make your ways and practices good, and I will let you continue (0)

Alternate translation: “If you improve your ways and your practices, then I will let you continue”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in this place (0)

This means in the land of Judah, not in the temple.

Jeremiah 7:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not entrust yourself to deceitful words and say (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns

The reflexive pronoun “yourself” emphasizes the personal risk to the Israelites. Alternate translation: “Do not trust in deceitful words to protect you, saying”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Temple of Yahweh! Temple of Yahweh! Temple of Yahweh! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It is implied that, since the temple belongs to Yahweh and represents his presence, he will protect it and the people of Judah will be safe. Possible meanings for why Temple of Yahweh is repeated three times are (1) it was repeated for emphasis or (2) it was repeated as part of a temple liturgy. Alternate translation: “This is the temple of Yahweh so it is absolutely certain that no one will destroy it and we are safe.”

Jeremiah 7:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: make your ways and practices good (0)

“improve your ways and practices.” See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:3.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: completely execute justice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word justice, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “judge.” Alternate translation: “judge rightly”

Jeremiah 7:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do not exploit the one (0)

Alternate translation: “treat fairly the foreigner”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: orphan (0)

child whose parents have died

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pour out innocent blood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here pouring out innocent blood represents killing those not deserving death. Alternate translation: “kill innocent people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: walk after other gods (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here walking after is a metonym for following after with the intent to serve and obey. Alternate translation: “serve other gods”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in this place (0)

Here “this place” refers to the land of Judah.

Jeremiah 7:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will let you stay (0)

Alternate translation: “will let you continue to live”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from ancient times and forever (0)

“from ancient times and continually.” This means Yahweh gave the land to the people of Judah to be their permanent possession.

Jeremiah 7:8

General Information:

The word “you” in these verses refers to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Behold! (0)

The word “Behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the information that follows.

Jeremiah 7:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do you steal, kill, and commit adultery? Do you swear … and walk after other gods whom you have not known? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

These questions expect a positive answer to make the point that God knows the sins they are committing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You steal, kill, and commit adultery. You swear … and walk after other gods whom you have not known.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: swear deceitfully (0)

Alternate translation: “lie even in your oaths”

Jeremiah 7:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then do you come and stand … so you can do all of these abominations? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question expects a positive answer to make the point that God knows the hypocrisy of their words and actions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Then you come and stand … so you could do all of these abominations.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: house that is called by my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a metonym for Yahweh’s temple. It can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “house that belongs to me” or “temple where you worship me” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 7:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is this house, which carries my name, a den of bandits in your eyes? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question expects a positive answer to make the point that God knows what they think about Yahweh’s temple. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “This house, which carries my name, is a den of bandits in your eyes!” or “You act as though you think this house, which is called by my name, should be a place where bandits can go to hide!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this house, which carries my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Yahweh’s temple is spoken of as if it was carrying the name of Yahweh. This has a similar meaning to “this house that is called by my name” in the previous verse.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bandits (0)

violent people who steal and destroy

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But behold, I have seen it (0)

Alternate translation: “But I certainly have seen what you are doing”

Jeremiah 7:12

General Information:

The words “you” and “your” in these verses refer to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my place that was in Shiloh, where I allowed my name to stay there in the beginning (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “where I allowed my name to stay” is an idiom that means this was a place where Yahweh was worshiped. Alternate translation: “the place in Shiloh where I first allowed my people to worship me”

Jeremiah 7:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: time and time again (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This hendiadys is also an idiom that means something is done many times. Alternate translation: “repeatedly” or “persistently” (See also: Idiom)

Jeremiah 7:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this house that is called by my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a metonym for Yahweh’s temple. It can be expressed in active form. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:10. Alternate translation: “this house that belongs to me” or “this temple where you worship me” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 7:16

General Information:

Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about the people of Judah. In these verses, “this people” refers to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do not pray for this people, and do not lift up a lamenting wail or say a prayer on their behalf, and do not petition me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These four clauses each mean about the same thing and are repeated for emphasis.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: lift up a lamenting wail (0)

Alternate translation: “cry out with sadness”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on their behalf (0)

Alternate translation: “for their benefit” or “for them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: petition me (0)

Alternate translation: “plead with me”

Jeremiah 7:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question expects a positive answer and is asked to bring these things to Jeremiah’s attention. They can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “Look at what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem!”

Jeremiah 7:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: kindling the fire (0)

Alternate translation: “starting the fire”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: kneading dough (0)

mixing dough by hand

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: dough (0)

a thick mixture of flour and liquid used for baking

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the queen of the heavens (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This was the name of a false god. Alternate translation: “the false god known as ‘the queen of the heavens’”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will provoke me (0)

Alternate translation: “will anger me”

Jeremiah 7:19

General Information:

In these verses, “they” and “themselves” refer to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to speak to Jeremiah about the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: is it not themselves whom they are provoking, so that shame is on them? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question expects a positive answer. It can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “they are provoking themselves, so that shame is on them!” or “they are troubling and bringing shame on themselves!” (See also: Reflexive Pronouns)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: shame is on them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word shame, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “shamed.” Alternate translation: “they are shamed”

Jeremiah 7:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This word is used here to draw someone’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my anger and wrath will gush out onto this place (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of his anger as if it were something that could be poured out. Alternate translation: “I will punish this place”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: anger and wrath (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These words mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of Yahweh’s anger.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: gush out (0)

Alternate translation: “pour out”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It will burn and never be extinguished (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of his anger as if it were a fire that could not be put out. Alternate translation: “No one will be able to stop my anger”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: never be extinguished (0)

Alternate translation: “never stop burning”

Jeremiah 7:21

General Information:

In these verses, “you” and “your” refer to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and the meat from them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

This is an ironic statement emphasizing that none of their sacrifices were acceptable to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “Go ahead and eat the burnt offerings along with your sacrifices and meat from them”

Jeremiah 7:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Listen to my voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here listening to Yahweh’s voice means to both hear his words and obey what he says. Alternate translation: “Hear and obey what I say”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: walk in all the ways that I am commanding you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of obeying his commands as if one were walking in them, like person would walk along a road. Alternate translation: “do everything that I am commanding you”

Jeremiah 7:24

General Information:

The words “you” and “your” in these verses refer to the people of Judah. “They” refers to the ancestors of the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they did not listen or pay attention (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These phrases mean about the same thing and are repeated for emphasis.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by their own stubborn plans of their wicked hearts (0)

Alternate translation: “according to their own plans because they were wicked and stubborn”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they went backwards, not forward (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This is a metaphor. This could mean: (1) they refused to pay attention to Yahweh, instead of eagerly obeying him. Alternate translation: “they went away from me instead of drawing closer to me” or (2) they got worse and worse instead of improving. Alternate translation: “they got worse instead of better”

Jeremiah 7:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I persisted in sending them (0)

Alternate translation: “I sent them again and again” or “I repeatedly sent them”

Jeremiah 7:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they hardened their necks (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom that means they were stubborn. Alternate translation: “they became stubborn” or “they resisted me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They were more wicked (0)

Alternate translation: “Each generation was more wicked”

Jeremiah 7:27

General Information:

The words “them” and “they” in these verses refer to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So proclaim all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. Proclaim these things to them, but they will not answer you. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two sentences say the same thing, The second emphasizes the message of the first. Alternate translation: “Tell them my message, but they will not listen to you or answer you.”

Jeremiah 7:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the voice of Yahweh its God (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “the voice of Yahweh” represents what Yahweh has said. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:25. Alternate translation: “what Yahweh its God has said”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Truth is destroyed and cut off from their mouths (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

Yahweh speaks of truth as if it was something the people could destroy and stop saying. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The people destroy truth and cut it off from their mouths” or “The people tell only lies” (See also: Idiom)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Truth is destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word truth, you can express the same idea with an adjective such as “truthful.” Alternate translation: “What is truthful is destroyed”

Jeremiah 7:29

General Information:

The word “your” in these verses refers to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Cut off your hair and shave yourself, and throw away your hair (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

This would be done as a sign of mourning. (See also: Reflexive Pronouns)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: rejected and abandoned (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two words have similar meanings and are repeated for emphasis.

Jeremiah 7:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sons of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This refers to the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “people of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their detestable things (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “detestable things” refers to idols, which God hates. Alternate translation: “their disgusting idols”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: house that is called by my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a metonym for Yahweh’s temple. It can be expressed in active form. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:10. Alternate translation: “house that belongs to me” or “temple where they worship me” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 7:31

General Information:

The words “they” and “their” in these verses refer to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to describe the evil things that the people of Judah had done.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the high place of Topheth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a place where the people of Israel sacrificed their children to a false god by burning them with fire.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the Valley of Ben Hinnom (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a valley south of the city of Jerusalem, where people sacrificed to false gods.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: nor did it enter my mind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “mind” refers to Yahweh’s thoughts. Alternate translation: “nor did I ever think about it”

Jeremiah 7:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So see (0)

The word “see” here adds emphasis to what follows. Alternate translation: “Indeed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: days are coming … when it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming.” Alternate translation: “in the future … it” or “there will be a time … when it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it will no longer be called (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will no longer call it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will bury bodies (0)

Alternate translation: “they will bury dead people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no room left (0)

Alternate translation: “no place remaining”

Jeremiah 7:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to speak of his judgment on the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The corpses (0)

Alternate translation: “The dead bodies”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this people (0)

Alternate translation: “the people of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the birds of the skies (0)

See how you translated “the birds of the heavens” in Jeremiah 4:25.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the beasts of the earth (0)

Alternate translation: “the wild animals of the land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to frighten them away (0)

Alternate translation: “to scare them away”

Jeremiah 7:34

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will put an end to (0)

Alternate translation: “I will remove from”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sound of joy and the sound of gladness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean almost the same thing and are repeated for emphasis.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a metonym for what happens at marriage ceremonies. Alternate translation: “and people celebrating marriage”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will become a desolation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word desolation, you can express the same idea with an adjective such as “desolate.” Alternate translation: “will become desolate”

Jeremiah 8

Jeremiah 8 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 8:5–22.

The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 8:5–9:12. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and INVALID bible/kt/reveal)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Hyperbole

The author frequently uses hyperbole in this chapter to describe the complete destruction of Jerusalem. (See: Hyperbole)

Jeremiah 8:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to speak of his judgment on the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will bring (0)

This word “they” here refers to the enemies of the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: its officials (0)

Alternate translation: “its princes” or “its rulers”

Jeremiah 8:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will spread them out (0)

The word “them” refers to the bones of the people listed in the previous verse.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that they have followed and served, that they have walked after and sought, and that they have worshiped (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

The word “they” here refers to the people of Judah. These three phrases mean about the same thing and are repeated for emphasis.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: walked after (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This is a metaphor for serving or worshiping. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 2:23.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The bones will not be gathered or buried again (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “No one will gather their bones or bury them again”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on the surface of the earth (0)

Alternate translation: “all over the ground”

Jeremiah 8:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: where I have driven them (0)

The word “them” refers to the people of Judah.

Jeremiah 8:4

General Information:

The words “them” and “they” in these verses refer to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to speak of his judgment on the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So say to them (0)

Yahweh is telling Jeremiah what to say to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Does anyone fall and not get up? Does anyone get lost and not try to return? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

These questions make the point that the way that the people of Judah were acting did not make sense. They can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that when someone falls, he gets back up, and when someone gets lost, he tries to find his way back.”

Jeremiah 8:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why has this people, Jerusalem, turned away in permanent faithlessness? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh is saying that the way the people of Judah are acting does not make sense. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “It does not make sense that this people, Jerusalem, has turned away in permanent faithlessness.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The word “Jerusalem” here is a synecdoche for all the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: hold on to treachery (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

What the people of Judah were doing is spoken of as if they were clinging to treachery and would not let it go.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They hold on to treachery (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

Here, treachery is spoken of as if it were a physical object that a person could hold on to. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word treachery, you can express the same idea with the verb “deceive.” Holding on to something is a metaphor for loving. Alternate translation: “They refuse to turn away from what deceives them” or “They love the people who deceive them” (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 8:6

General Information:

The words “they” and “them” in these verses refer to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: paid attention and listened (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two things mean about the same thing and are repeated for emphasis.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: did not speak right (0)

Alternate translation: “did not say what is right”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for his wickedness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wickedness, you can express the same idea with an adjective such as “wicked.” Alternate translation: “for being wicked”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What have I done? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have done a terrible thing.” (See also: Rhetorical Question)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: go where they wish (0)

Alternate translation: “go their own way”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: like a stallion rushing toward battle (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The eagerness of the people to follow their own evil way is compared to the eagerness of a war horse running toward a battle.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: stallion (0)

adult male horse

Jeremiah 8:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Even the stork in heaven knows the right times; and the doves, swifts, and cranes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The implied information is that these types of birds know the right times to migrate, which means to fly from one place to another at different times of the year for feeding or breeding.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: stork … doves, swifts, and cranes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

All of these are different types of birds that migrate.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They go on their migrations at the right time, but my people do not know Yahweh’s decrees (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The implied information is that the people should have naturally known Yahweh’s decrees.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They go on their migrations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word migrations, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “migrate.” Alternate translation: “They migrate” or “They fly from one region to another”

Jeremiah 8:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How can you say, “We are wise, for the law of Yahweh is with us”? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh asks this question to make the people of Judah think about what they were saying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You think that you are wise because you have the law of Yahweh with you.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How can you say (0)

The “you” here refers to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Indeed, see! (0)

These words tell the hearer to pay close attention to what follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The deceitful pen of the scribes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The pen represents the words that the scribes write. Alternate translation: “The false things that the scribes write”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has created deceit (0)

Alternate translation: “has given you false ideas”

Jeremiah 8:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The wise men will be ashamed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

This is irony because the wise men are normally honored for their wisdom. Alternate translation: “Those men who think they are wise will feel ashamed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: dismayed (0)

terrified or shattered

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Behold! (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so what use is their wisdom? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question expects a negative answer and is intended to make the hearers think about how little what they consider wisdom is really worth when they reject Yahweh’s word. Alternate translation: “so what they think is wise does not do them any good.”

Jeremiah 8:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because from the least to the greatest, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain! From the prophet to the priest, all of them practice deceit (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:13.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because from the least to the greatest, all of them are greedy (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

The phrase “from the least to the greatest” shows that all the people of Judah are included in the phrase “all of them,” regardless of how important they are. Alternate translation: “because all of them, including the least powerful, the most powerful, and everyone else, are greedy”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the least (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

This refers to the least powerful and least important people. Alternate translation: “the least powerful people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the greatest (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

This refers to the most powerful and most important people. Alternate translation: “the greatest people” or “the most powerful people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of them (0)

Alternate translation: “all of the people of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: are greedy for dishonest gain (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word gain, you can express the same idea with the phrases “get more money” or “get more things.” Alternate translation: “want to get more money by lying to people” or “strongly desire to get more things and will even trick people in order to get them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of them practice deceit (0)

Alternate translation: “all of them deceive people” or “all of them are liars”

Jeremiah 8:11

General Information:

The words “they,” “their” and “them” in these verses refer to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues giving Jeremiah his message to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They healed the wounds of my people lightly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) the wounds represent the problems the people have as a result of their sin. Alternate translation: “They act as though my people’s problems are not serious, like small wounds” or (2) the wounds represent the people’s sin. Alternate translation: “They act as though my people’s sins are not serious, like small wounds”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They healed the wounds … lightly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “lightly” represents treating the wounds as if they were not serious, as if they were not difficult.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: “Peace, Peace,” when there was no peace (0)

Alternate translation: “‘All is well, All is well,’ but it was not well”

Jeremiah 8:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Were they ashamed when they practiced abominations? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

God uses this question to show his anger that the people were not ashamed of their sins. Alternate translation: “They committed terrible sins, and they were not ashamed.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they did not know how to blush (0)

“their faces did not even turn red.” When a person is ashamed, his face normally turns red.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will fall among the fallen (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “fall” represents being killed. Alternate translation: “they will be killed along with the others who are killed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will be brought down when they are punished (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “will be brought down” represents being destroyed. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will destroy them when I punish them” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 8:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the leaf will wither (0)

Alternate translation: “the leaf will dry up”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: what I have given to them will pass away (0)

The meaning of the original text is uncertain here.

Jeremiah 8:14

General Information:

The words “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues his message by telling us what the people of Judah will say at the time of their punishment.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why are we sitting here? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This question is asked to motivate action. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We should not stay here.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Come together; let us go to the fortified cities (0)

The “fortified cities” were cities with high walls and strong defenses. See how you translated the similar phrases in Jeremiah 4:5.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: we will become silent there in death (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “become silent” means to die. Alternate translation: “let us die there” or “let us wait for our enemies to kill us there”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For Yahweh our God will silence us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “silence” is a metaphor for condemning to death. Alternate translation: “because Yahweh our God has condemned us to die”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He will make us drink poison (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom for Yahweh’s judgment on his people.

Jeremiah 8:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: but there will be nothing good (0)

Alternate translation: “but nothing good will happen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: but see (0)

Alternate translation: “but understand”

Jeremiah 8:16

General Information:

The words “his” and “they” in these verses refer to the enemies of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues his message about the punishment coming to Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The snorting of his stallions is heard from Dan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “The people of Dan hear the snorting of his stallions”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: snorting (0)

a loud sound that a horse makes with its nose

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: stallions (0)

adult male horses

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The whole earth shakes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

This is an exaggeration that is a metaphor for the people of Judah trembling with fear. Alternate translation: “All the people of the land shake with fear” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: at the sound of the neighing of his strong horses (0)

Alternate translation: “when they hear the sound of the enemy’s strong horses”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: neighing (0)

a sound that a horse makes

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will come and consume (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the word “consume” means to eat up. It is an idiom for how the enemies come and destroy the land and its inhabitants. Alternate translation: “they will come and destroy”

Jeremiah 8:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For see (0)

Alternate translation: “Now pay attention”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: vipers that you cannot charm (0)

To charm means to sing or make music in order to control snakes.

Jeremiah 8:18

General Information:

Jeremiah and Yahweh have a conversation about the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My sorrow has no end (0)

The word “my” refers to Jeremiah. The original text is unclear and is interpreted here in different ways by modern versions.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has no end (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

These words are an exaggeration that express the great extent of Jeremiah’s sorrow. Alternate translation: “is very great”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my heart is sick (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “heart” represents Jeremiah, emphasizing his feelings and emotions. Alternate translation: “I feel sick deep down inside me”

Jeremiah 8:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Behold! (0)

This alerts the reader to pay attention to what follows. “Pay attention!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the daughter of my people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah is speaking about the people of Judah in a way that shows his affection for them, as if for a daughter. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 4:11. Alternate translation: “my dear people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from a land far away (0)

This could mean: (1) From exile. Alternate translation: “from exile in a distant land” or (2) From throughout the land of Judah. Alternate translation: “throughout our land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is Yahweh not in Zion? Is her king no longer there? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two questions are similar in meaning. They imply that the people of Judah are wondering why Yahweh is not saving them. Alternate translation: “Why does Yahweh not save us if he is the king in Zion?” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Rhetorical Question)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why then do they provoke me to anger with their carved figures and their worthless foreign idols? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The word “me” refers to Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “If they want me to save them, then they must not offend me with their carved figures.”

Jeremiah 8:20

General Information:

The word “we” refers to the people of Judah. The words “I” and “my” refer to Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Jeremiah continues talking about the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The harvest has passed on (0)

Alternate translation: “Harvest time is over”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But we have not been saved (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

Jeremiah tells what the people of Judah are saying. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “But Yahweh has not saved us”

Jeremiah 8:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am hurt because of the hurt of the daughter of my people. I mourn at the horrible things that have happened to her; I am dismayed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These statements express the same idea in more than one way for emphasis.

Jeremiah 8:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is there no medicine in Gilead? Is there no healer there? Why will the healing of the daughter of my people not happen? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

These questions are asked to make the point that the people of Judah have not been saved. Alternate translation: “There is medicine in Gilead, and there are healers there, so tell me why the healing of my dear people will not happen.”

Jeremiah 9

Jeremiah 9 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 9:1–12, 17–24.

The prophecy revealed to Jeremiah is recorded in 8:5–9:12. Despite covering more than one chapter, this should be seen as one unit. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and INVALID bible/kt/reveal)

Special concepts in this chapter

Funeral

This chapter pictures Jerusalem as having a funeral with its typical songs. This is an image used to describe their destruction. It is a time of great sadness.

Jeremiah 9:1

General Information:

Yahweh and Jeremiah continue talking about the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If only my head could produce water, and my eyes be a fountain of tears (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

This is Jeremiah speaking. These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize how much Jeremiah is weeping. Alternate translation: “I wish I could make more tears” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: day and night (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

By mentioning both “day” and “night” this phrase means all the time. Alternate translation: “all the time” or “continually”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the daughter of my people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh shows his love for his people by speaking of them as a daughter. Here Jeremiah uses this same phrase for the people that Yahweh uses. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 4:11. Alternate translation: “my people, who are like Yahweh’s daughter” or “my dear people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who have been killed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom the enemy has killed”

Jeremiah 9:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If only someone would give me (0)

“I wish someone would give me.” This is still Jeremiah speaking.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a place for travelers in the wilderness to stay (0)

This refers to a building for people traveling in the wilderness, where they can stop and sleep overnight.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: abandon my people (0)

Alternate translation: “leave my people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a band of traitors (0)

Alternate translation: “a group of people who betray other people”

Jeremiah 9:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh declares (0)

See how you translated “this is Yahweh’s declaration” in Jeremiah 1:8.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They tread on their bows of lies with their tongues (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Telling lies is spoken of as being done by the tongues of the wicked. Also, since a spoken lie cannot be taken back, telling lies is spoken of as if it were shooting arrows. Men who use bows must step on their bows in order to fasten the bowstrings, so liars are referred to here as if they were stringing their bows using their tongues. Alternate translation: “Their lies are like arrows that they shoot with the tongues”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: but it is not because of any faithfulness of theirs that they grow strong on the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

“They do not grow strong on the earth because they are faithful to Yahweh, as they are wicked” and “This means that the people are not faithful to Yahweh, but rather are wicked and have gained their power through wickedness”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They go from one wicked act to another (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Committing one evil action after another is spoken of as if the evildoers were going from one action to another. Alternate translation: “They keep doing evil things”

Jeremiah 9:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Each of you (0)

The word “you” refers to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: be on guard against your neighbor and do not trust in any brother (0)

Alternate translation: “be careful not to trust your fellow Israelites, and do not even trust your own brother”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: every neighbor walks in slander (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “walking” is an idiom for living. Alternate translation: “every neighbor slanders one another” or “every neighbor is a slanderer”

Jeremiah 9:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Each man mocks his neighbor and does not speak the truth (0)

Alternate translation: “All of the people mock each other, and they do not tell the truth”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their tongues teach deceitful things (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here people are represented by their “tongues” to emphasize their speech. Alternate translation: “They teach deceitful things”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They are exhausted from committing iniquity (0)

Alternate translation: “They are tired from committing so much sin”

Jeremiah 9:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Your dwelling is in the midst of deception (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of living among people who are liars as living in the middle of deception. Alternate translation: “Your dwelling is among the dwellings of liars” or “You dwell in the midst of liars”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in their deceit (0)

Alternate translation: “By telling all of these lies”

Jeremiah 9:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to refine them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of testing the people and dealing with their evil ways, as if they were metal that he were melting in a crucible to remove its impurities.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for what else can I do, because of what my people have done? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to state that this is how he needs to deal with his people because of what they have done. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “for this is how I must deal with my people because of what they have done.”

Jeremiah 9:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their tongues are sharpened arrows (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of people’s tongues as if they were sharpened arrows because of how the people hurt others by what they say. Here their speech is represented by their “tongues.” Alternate translation: “Their words are like sharpened arrows that hurt other people” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: With their mouths they proclaim peace with their neighbors (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here people’s speech is represented by their “mouths.” Alternate translation: “They speak, saying that they want peace with their neighbors”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: but with their hearts they lie in wait for them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here a people’s desires are represented by their “hearts.” This speaks of them wanting to hurt their neighbors as if they were an animal crouching and waiting to attack its prey. Alternate translation: “but what they really want is to destroy their neighbors” (See also: Metonymy)

Jeremiah 9:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Should I not punish them because of these things … should I not avenge myself on a nation that is like this? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that the things that they are doing are so bad that he will not have mercy and stop himself from punishing them. See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 5:9. Alternate translation: “Because they do these things, I will punish them … I will certainly get revenge for myself against them.”

Jeremiah 9:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will sing a song of mourning … a funeral song will be sung for the meadows (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Yahweh is mourning for the land of Israel as if it were a person who died. (See also: Personification)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a funeral song will be sung (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will sing a funeral song”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the meadows (0)

Alternate translation: “the fields of grass that the livestock eats”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For they are burned (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Because someone has burned the meadows and pastures”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will not hear the sound of any cattle (0)

Alternate translation: “Nobody will hear the sound of cattle there”

Jeremiah 9:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a hideout for jackals (0)

“a place for jackals to hide.” Jackals are fierce wild dogs.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: places without inhabitants (0)

Alternate translation: “places where no people live”

Jeremiah 9:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What man is wise enough to understand this? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that only a very wise person will understand the things he has said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Only people who are very wise can understand these things.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: To whom has the mouth of Yahweh spoken, and he will declare it? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that only the people he has spoken to can declare these things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Only those who have been taught by Yahweh can explain these things to others.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the mouth of Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here Yahweh’s speech is represented by his “mouth.” Alternate translation: “Yahweh”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why has the land perished and been destroyed … pass through? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that only a wise person could explain why the land has been destroyed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Only a wise person could explain why the land has perished and been destroyed … pass through.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has the land perished and been destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Both “perished” and “been ruined” describe the land being ruined. Alternate translation: “is the land ruined” (See also: Doublet)

Jeremiah 9:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It is because (0)

Alternate translation: “These things will happen because”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have abandoned my law (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the people not obeying his law as if it were something that they had walked away from. Alternate translation: “they have rejected my law”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they do not listen to my voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Yahweh’s “voice” represents what he says. Alternate translation: “they do not pay attention to the things I tell them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: or walk by it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “walk” is an metaphor for “live.” Alternate translation: “or live the way I tell them to live”

Jeremiah 9:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have walked by their stubborn hearts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the people’s “stubborn hearts” represent their stubborn desires and stubborn will. Also, here “walked” represents living. Alternate translation: “they have been stubborn and lived the way they want to live” (See also: Idiom)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have followed the Baals (0)

Alternate translation: “have worshiped the Baals”

Jeremiah 9:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wormwood (0)

a plant that tastes bitter

Jeremiah 9:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then I will scatter them among the nations (0)

Alternate translation: “Then I will force them to leave here and live in many different countries”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: neither they nor their ancestors (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The understood verb may be supplied. Alternate translation: “that neither they nor their ancestors have known”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will send out a sword after them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “sword” refers to an enemy army. Alternate translation: “I will send an army of soldiers to fight against them”

Jeremiah 9:17

General Information:

Yahweh tells the people of Judah to mourn for the coming destruction of the land.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Summon funeral singers; let them come … Send out for women skilled at lamenting; let them come (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases have the same meaning. They emphasize that they are to call funeral singers to come. Alternate translation: “Get women who are trained in mourning and bring those women here”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Summon funeral singers (0)

Alternate translation: “Call women who are professional singers at funerals”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Send out for women skilled at lamenting (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The phrase “send out for” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Send people out to get women who are skilled at mourning”

Jeremiah 9:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let them hurry and sing a mournful song … and our eyelids flow with water (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive

Here Yahweh says what the people of Judah will say when the destruction comes. The words “us” and “our” refer to the people of Judah and does not include Yahweh. This may be written instead as a command from Yahweh to the people. Alternate translation: “Tell them to hurry and sing a song to mourn for you, so your eyes may run with tears and your eyelids flow with water”

Jeremiah 9:19

General Information:

Here Yahweh is saying what the people of Judah will say when he destroys the land.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For the sound of wailing is heard in Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This refers to the people of Zion wailing loudly and can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The people of Zion are crying loudly, saying”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: We are greatly ashamed, for we have abandoned the land since they tore down our houses (0)

Alternate translation: “Our shame is great, because enemies destroyed our houses and we had to leave the land of Israel”

Jeremiah 9:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: hear Yahweh’s word; pay attention to the messages that come from his mouth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize the command to listen to what Yahweh says. In the second phrase Yahweh’s “mouth” is a metonym for himself. Alternate translation: “listen to what Yahweh says. Pay attention to his words” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: each neighbor woman a funeral song (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The understood verb may be supplied. Alternate translation: “teach each neighbor woman a funeral song”

Jeremiah 9:21

General Information:

Here Yahweh is saying what the people of Judah will say when he destroys the land.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For death has come through our windows … young men in the city squares (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The people of Judah will compare death to a person who can climb in windows to attack the people inside and attacks people in the palaces, streets, and city squares.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: palaces (0)

fancy houses where kings live. Death will come to rich and poor alike.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: city squares (0)

marketplaces

Jeremiah 9:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the corpses of men will fall like dung … like grain stalks after the reapers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize the large number dead bodies. Alternate translation: “dead bodies will fall all over the place”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: corpses of men will fall like dung in the fields (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This describes the great number of people who will die, by comparing their bodies to dung that falls in the fields. Alternate translation: “dead bodies will drop everywhere like animal dung falls all over the fields”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: like grain stalks after the reapers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This describes the great number of people who will die, by comparing their bodies to cut stalks of grain. Alternate translation: “like stalks of grain fall everywhere after the farmers cut them down”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: there will be no one to gather them (0)

Alternate translation: “there will be nobody to gather the dead bodies”

Jeremiah 9:23

General Information:

These are the words of Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not let the wise man take pride in his wisdom (0)

Alternate translation: “A wise man should not be proud because he is wise”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: or the warrior in his might (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The understood verb may be supplied. Alternate translation: “or let the warrior take pride in his might”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not let the wealthy man take pride in his riches (0)

Alternate translation: “A rich man should not be proud because he is rich”

Jeremiah 9:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has insight and knows me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

“understands who I am and knows me.” Both of these phrases have similar meanings. They emphasize people knowing who Yahweh is and understanding who he is.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For it is in these that I take pleasure (0)

The word “these” refers to covenant loyalty, justice, and righteousness.

Jeremiah 9:25

General Information:

These are the words of Yahweh.

Jeremiah 9:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the people who cut the hair on their heads very short (0)

This probably refers to people who cut their hair short in order to honor a pagan god. Some modern versions interpret this Hebrew expression as “all the people who live on the edge of the wilderness.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For all these nations are uncircumcised (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “nations” refers to the people who live in these places. Foreigners being uncircumcised was a sign that they were not in Yahweh’s covenant. Alternate translation: “For the people of these nations did not enter into a covenant with Yahweh through circumcision” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the house of Israel has an uncircumcised heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The “heart” represents a person’s will and desires. An “uncircumcised heart” represents the character of a person that does not follow Yahweh and his laws. Also, the “house” of Israel refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “all the people of Israel are only circumcised on the outside and have not changed their hearts” (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 10

Jeremiah 10 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines in 10:1–25 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are a long quotation.

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s power

This chapter contrasts the great power of Yahweh with the powerlessness of any other false god. It is intended to question why the Jews would worship any other god. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry)

Jeremiah 10:1

General Information:

Yahweh has just reminded the people of Judah, as well as Egypt, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all people, that they will be punished.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hear the word (0)

Alternate translation: “Hear the message”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “house” of Israel represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “people of Israel”

Jeremiah 10:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not learn the ways of the nations (0)

Alternate translation: “Do not act like the other nations act”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: dismayed (0)

worried or upset

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by the signs in the heavens (0)

Alternate translation: “by strange things in the sky”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for the nations are dismayed by these (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

Here “the nations” refer to the people who live in them. This can be written in active form. Alternate translation: “for the people of the nations are afraid of the strange things they see in the sky” (See also: Metonymy)

Jeremiah 10:3

General Information:

Yahweh has just reminded them not to learn the ways of the nations nor be worried by things that happen in the sky.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: craftsman (0)

a man skilled in his work

Jeremiah 10:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What they make with their hands is like scarecrows (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

A scarecrow is a man-like figure made to scare birds and prevent them from eating the crops. Here Yahweh compares the idols to scarecrows because they are not capable of doing anything.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cucumber (0)

a vegetable that is usually long, with green skin and white flesh that contains much water

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have to be carried (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people have to carry them”

Jeremiah 10:6

General Information:

Jeremiah has just been talking about idol worship.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your name is great in power (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Yahweh’s “name” refers to himself and his reputation. Alternate translation: “you are very powerful”

Jeremiah 10:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Who does not fear you, king of the nations? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that everyone should fear Yahweh. Here he refers to Yahweh as “king of the nations.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Everyone should fear you, king of the nations.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: what you deserve (0)

Alternate translation: “what you have earned”

Jeremiah 10:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They are all the same, they are brutish and stupid, disciples (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “brutish” and “stupid” mean basically the same thing and emphasize how foolish the people are for worshiping idols. Alternate translation: “They are all very stupid, they are disciples”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: disciples of idols that are nothing but wood (0)

Alternate translation: “they try to learn from an idol which is only a piece of wood”

Jeremiah 10:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Tarshish … Uphaz (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

places where silver and gold are mined

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: gold from Uphaz made by artificers, the hands of refiners (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Also, the refiners are represented here by their “hands” because they do their work with their hands. Alternate translation: “gold from Uphaz that skilled craftsmen and refiners have made” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: artificers (0)

Alternate translation: “skilled craftsmen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: refiners (0)

people who heat gold to remove from it anything that is not gold

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their clothes are blue and purple cloth (0)

Alternate translation: “The people dress the idols in blue and purple cloth”

Jeremiah 10:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The earth quakes at his anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This speaks of the earth shaking as an emotional response to Yahweh’s anger, when actually Yahweh causes the earth to quake. Alternate translation: “The earth quakes when he is angry”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: quakes (0)

Alternate translation: “shakes”

Jeremiah 10:11

General Information:

God is speaking to Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will speak to them like this (0)

The word “you” refers to the Israelites and the word “them” refers to the people of the other nations.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will perish from the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the idols disappearing and losing their significance as if they were dying. This emphasizes their lack of power. Alternate translation: “will disappear from the earth”

Jeremiah 10:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: stretched out the heavens (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of Yahweh creating the sky as if it were a large sheet that he stretched out. Alternate translation: “created the heavens” or “created the sky”

Jeremiah 10:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: His voice makes the roar of waters in the heavens (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Yahweh is represented by his “voice” to emphasize his speech. The phrase “the roar of waters” refers to loud storms. Alternate translation: “His voice causes the storms in the sky”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he brings up the mists from the ends of the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means that he causes the mists to evaporate and form clouds. The phrase “the ends of the earth” refers to all of the earth. Alternate translation: “he causes clouds to form over every part of the earth”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sends out wind from his storehouse (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of Yahweh causing the wind to blow as if the wind were kept in a storehouse and brought out when he desires.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: storehouse (0)

a building where things are kept

Jeremiah 10:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has become ignorant (0)

Alternate translation: “is lacking knowledge” or “does not know”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Every metalworker is put to shame by his idols (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Every metalworker’s idols put him to shame” or “As for every metalworker, his idols shame him”

Jeremiah 10:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will perish at the time of their punishment (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This speaks of the final destruction of the idols. Alternate translation: “there will be a time when God will destroy them”

Jeremiah 10:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the portion of Jacob (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Jacob” represents the people of Israel. God being their “portion” is an idiom that means that they worship him. Alternate translation: “the portion of Israel” or “whom the people of Israel worship” (See also: Idiom)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the molder of all things (0)

Alternate translation: “the creator of all things” or “the one who created all things”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Israel is the tribe of his inheritance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of Israel belonging to Yahweh as if it were something that Yahweh gained through inheritance. Alternate translation: “The tribe of Israel belongs to him”

Jeremiah 10:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gather your bundle (0)

Alternate translation: “Gather your belongings”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who have been living under the siege (0)

Alternate translation: “whose city has been surrounded by your enemies’ army” or “who have been living in your city while an enemy army surrounds it”

Jeremiah 10:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to throw the inhabitants of the land out this time (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh speaks of causing the people to leave the land as if they were objects that he were throwing out of a container. Alternate translation: “I will cause the people living in the land to leave that land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: inhabitants of the land (0)

Alternate translation: “people who live in the land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: distress (0)

great pain or suffering

Jeremiah 10:19

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

General Information:

Jeremiah is speaking as if he were the whole tribe of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Woe to me! Because of my broken bones, my wound is infected (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of the peoples’ distress as if they were physically wounded by broken bones and infection. Alternate translation: “Woe to us! It is as though we have broken bones and an infected wound”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: but I must bear it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here Jeremiah represents the whole tribe of Israel. Alternate translation: “but we must bear it”

Jeremiah 10:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My tent is devastated, and all of my tent cords are cut in two (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Jeremiah speaks of the enemy having destroyed their city as if their tent had been destroyed. Alternate translation: “It is as though our great tent is destroyed; the ropes that held it up have been cut” or “The enemy has completely destroyed our city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My tent is devastated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “My enemy has devastated my tent” or “Our enemy has destroyed our tent”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They have taken my children away from me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here Jeremiah represents the whole tribe of Israel. Alternate translation: “Our enemies have taken our children away from us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so they no longer exist (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The children no longer existing is a metaphor for the parents never seeing them again. Alternate translation: “and it is like they no longer exist” or “and they will never return again”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: There is no longer anyone to spread out my tent or to raise up my tent curtains (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Jeremiah speaks of them not having descendants to rebuild their city as if their city were a tent that needs to be rebuilt. Alternate translation: “There is no one to rebuild our city”

Jeremiah 10:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For the shepherds are stupid … all their flock has been scattered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the leaders of Israel are spoken of as if they were shepherds and the people of Israel are spoken of as if they were flocks of sheep. Alternate translation: “For the shepherds of our people are stupid … all the people of their flock have been scattered”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all their flock has been scattered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and their enemies have scattered all their flock”

Jeremiah 10:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See! It is coming, a great earthquake is coming (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the marching enemy armies are spoken of as if they were an earthquake. Alternate translation: “Look! The enemy army is coming, they sound like a great earthquake as they are marching”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: jackals (0)

a type of fierce wild dog

Jeremiah 10:23

General Information:

Jeremiah prays for the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that the way of a man does not come from himself. No person walking directs his own steps (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean the same thing. This means that no one has control over the various things that will happen to him during his life. Alternate translation: “that no person controls what will happen to him; no one is able to direct the events that he will experience” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 10:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pour your fury on the nations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “the nations” refer to the people who live in them. Alternate translation: “In your fury, punish the nations” or “In your anger, punish the nations of the people” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that do not call on your name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “that do not worship you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For they have devoured Jacob and consumed him so as to completely destroy him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These three phrases have the same meaning. Jeremiah repeats this idea three times to emphasize the utter destruction of Israel. This speaks of the enemy armies attacking the people of Israel as if the armies were a fierce animal attacking and devouring its prey. Alternate translation: “For they have fiercely attacked the people of Israel and consumed them so as to completely destroy them” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: demolish his habitation (0)

Alternate translation: “demolish their homes”

Jeremiah 11

Jeremiah 11 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 11:15–17, 20.

Special concepts in this chapter

The covenant

The covenant Yahweh made with Moses is prominent in this chapter. Because the people disobeyed this covenant, God will not help them. (See: covenant)

Jeremiah 11:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the inhabitants of Jerusalem (0)

Alternate translation: “the people who live in Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 11:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Cursed is anyone (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will curse anyone”

Jeremiah 11:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the land of Egypt, from the furnace for smelting iron (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the horrible circumstances and oppression the Israelites were living in Egypt by comparing them to a smelting furnace. Alternate translation: “of Egypt. What happened to them in Egypt was terrible; it was as though they were living in a hot furnace”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: smelting (0)

heating iron to liquid form

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Listen to my voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “voice” here is a metonym for what the speaker says with the voice, and “listen” is a metonym for “obey.” Alternate translation: “Obey what I say”

Jeremiah 11:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land flowing with milk and honey (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“the land where milk and honey flow.” God spoke of the land being good for animals and plants as if the milk and honey from those animals and plants were flowing through the land. Alternate translation: “the land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops” (See also: Metonymy)

Jeremiah 11:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the words of this covenant (0)

Alternate translation: “the terms of this covenant”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: carry them out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “obey them”

Jeremiah 11:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: solemn (0)

serious and important

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Listen to my voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “voice” here is a metonym for what the speaker says with the voice, and “listen” is a metonym for “obey.” Alternate translation: “Obey what I say”

Jeremiah 11:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Each person has been walking in the stubbornness of his wicked heart. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “walking” is an idiom for the way a person lives. Alternate translation: “Each person has refused to change and has been living by his own wicked desires” or “Each person has refused to change and continues to do the evil things that they want to do”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So I brought all the curses in this covenant that I commanded to come against them (0)

Alternate translation: “So I punished them with all the curses that I described in this covenant that I had commanded them to obey”

Jeremiah 11:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A conspiracy has been discovered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “There is a conspiracy”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: conspiracy (0)

a secret plan to do something that is harmful or illegal

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the inhabitants of Jerusalem (0)

Alternate translation: “the people who live in Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 11:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They have turned to the iniquities of their earliest ancestors (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The phrase “turned to” is an idiom that means to start doing something. Alternate translation: “They have returned to committing the same iniquities as their earliest ancestors committed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: walked after (0)

Alternate translation: “followed after”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “The kingdom of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Judah, which included the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Judah” or “the kingdom of Judah”

Jeremiah 11:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This word is used here to draw someone’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

Jeremiah 11:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “cities of Judah” represents the people who live in them. Alternate translation: “The people who live in the cities of Judah and in Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: but they will certainly not be saved by them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “but their gods will certainly not save them”

Jeremiah 11:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to equal (0)

Alternate translation: “to as many as”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her streets (0)

Alternate translation: “the streets in Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 11:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You must not wail (0)

Alternate translation: “You must not make a loud cry of sadness”

Jeremiah 11:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why is my beloved one, the one who has had so many wicked intentions, in my house? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that the people Judah no longer have a right to be in his temple. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “My beloved one, the one who has had so many wicked intentions, should not be in my house.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: is my beloved one, the one who has had (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people of Judah are spoken of as if they were a single woman greatly beloved. Alternate translation: “are the people whom I love, those who have had” or “are the people of Judah whom I love, who have had”

Jeremiah 11:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: In the past Yahweh called you a leafy olive tree (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

In the Old Testament people were often compared to trees or plants. Those who were prosperous and healthy were spoken of as leafy, fruitful tree. Alternate translation: “In the past Yahweh said that you were like a leafy olive tree”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will light a fire on it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This expression continues the metaphor of the tree. The fire stands for the destruction of the people.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that will sound like the roar of a storm (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This compares the sound of the raging fire to the sound of a severe storm.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: its branches will be broken (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “it will break off your branches”

Jeremiah 11:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the one who planted you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of Yahweh placing the people of Israel and Judah in the places where they live as if they were a tree that Yahweh had planted. Alternate translation: “who planted you like a farmer plants a tree” or “the one who placed you to live in the land of Israel and Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has decreed disaster against you (0)

Alternate translation: “has decreed that disaster will come upon you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “the kingdom of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Judah, which included the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Judah” or “the kingdom of Judah”

Jeremiah 11:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh made me know these things, so I know them (0)

“You have revealed things to me and so I know them.” The refers to Yahweh revealing to Jeremiah that his enemies were planning to kill him.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: made me see their deeds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The refers to Yahweh revealing to Jeremiah that his enemies were planning to kill him. This is spoken of here as if Jeremiah has already see their actions. Alternate translation: “have revealed to me their evil plans”

Jeremiah 11:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I was like a gentle lamb being led to a butcher (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of Jeremiah being unaware of his enemies’ plans to kill him by comparing him to a lamb who is being led to be slaughtered.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: being led to a butcher (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that my enemies were leading to a butcher”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let us destroy the tree with its fruit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Jeremiah’s enemies speak of killing him as if he were a fruit tree that they were planning to destroy.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let us cut him off from the land of the living (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “cut him off” means to destroy him. Also, “the living” refers to living people. Alternate translation: “Let us kill him so he is no longer in the land of those who are alive” or “Let us destroy him so that he is no longer among the world of living people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his name will be no longer remembered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will no longer remember his name”

Jeremiah 11:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the heart and the mind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The heart is a metonym for what a person feels and desires and “the mind” is a metonym for what a person thinks and decides. Alternate translation: “a person’s feelings and thoughts”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will witness your vengeance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “vengeance” here can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “I will watch you take revenge”

Jeremiah 11:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anathoth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a special city where priests live.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: seeking your life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This phrase represents wanting or trying to kill someone. Alternate translation: “wanting to kill you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They say (0)

“They say to me.” The men are speaking to Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will die by our hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the men refer to their “hand” to emphasize that they plan to kill him themselves. Alternate translation: “we ourselves will kill you”

Jeremiah 11:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This word is used here to draw someone’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: vigorous young men (0)

men at the strongest time of their lives

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will die by the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “sword” represents battle. Alternate translation: “will die in battle”

Jeremiah 11:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: None of them will be left (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will leave none of them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a year of their punishment (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “year” here is a idiom that describes a specific period of time that Yahweh decides. Alternate translation: “in the time of their punishment” or “for the time of their punishment is coming”

Jeremiah 12

Jeremiah 12 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 12:1–13.

Special concepts in this chapter

Jeremiah complains that evil men prosper

Jeremiah complains that evil men prosper. He questions Yahweh’s justice. Yahweh’s response: if Jeremiah is upset by the people of Anathoth, how will he face enemies in Jerusalem? (See: evil, wicked, unpleasant and just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification)

Yahweh’s grace to the other nations

Yahweh gives a gracious offer to the Gentile nations. If the other nations who have been against Judah leave their idols and worship God, then God will allow them to return to their lands. (See: grace, gracious)

Jeremiah 12:1

General Information:

Jeremiah speaks to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the wicked (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

This refers to wicked people. Alternate translation: “wicked people” or “those who are wicked”

Jeremiah 12:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You planted them and they took root. They continue to produce fruit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Jeremiah speaks of the wicked as if they were fruit trees. Alternate translation: “They are like fruit trees that you planted, that you allow to prosper and to produce lots of fruit”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You are near to them in their mouths, but far away from their hearts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “mouths” represents what a person says. And, “hearts” represents what a person thinks or feels. Alternate translation: “They always say good things about you, but they do not love or respect you”

Jeremiah 12:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “heart” represents a person’s thoughts and true feelings. Alternate translation: “my thoughts” or “my inner feelings”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Take them away like sheep to the slaughter (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Jeremiah asks Yahweh to prepare to punish the wicked as if they were sheep to be taken away to be slaughtered. Alternate translation: “Take the wicked people away, like sheep for slaughter” or “Prepare to punish those wicked people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the day of slaughter (0)

Alternate translation: “the day they will be destroyed”

Jeremiah 12:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How long will the land go on drying up … because of the wickedness of its inhabitants? (0)

Their land is dry and rain has not come as punishment for the peoples’ wickedness.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wither (0)

dry up

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The animals and the birds have been taken away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The animals and the birds are gone” or “The animals and the birds have all died”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: God will not see what happens to us (0)

This could mean: (1) The people are saying that God does not know what things will happen to them in their future or (2) God is unaware of their sin. Alternate translation: “God does not see the sinful things that we do”

Jeremiah 12:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: how can you compete against horses? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question implies that he would not be able to run with horses. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “you will never compete well against horses.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the safe countryside (0)

This refers to the open countryside, where it is easy to travel quickly, in contrast to the overgrown thickets along the Jordan River, where it is difficult to move.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: how will you do in the thickets along the Jordan? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question implies that he would not be able to run through the thickets along the Jordan. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “you will surely not be able to run in the thickets along the Jordan.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: thickets (0)

many bushes or small trees growing close together

Jeremiah 12:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: denounced (0)

to have accused someone publicly

Jeremiah 12:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have abandoned my house; I have forsaken my inheritance. I have given my beloved into the hands of her enemies. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These three sentences have similar meanings. The first and second one strengthens the thought in the third.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have abandoned my house; I have forsaken my inheritance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The two phrases are metaphors in which Yahweh speaks of his people as if they were his “house” and his “inheritance.” Alternate translation: “I have abandoned my Israelite people, the people whom I chose to belong to me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: into the hands of her enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hands” represents control. Alternate translation: “to be conquered by her enemies” or “over to the control of her enemies”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: of her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here Yahweh refers to his people as a female by using a feminine pronoun. Alternate translation: “of their”

Jeremiah 12:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: she sets herself against me with her own voice (0)

This continues to speaks of Yahweh’s people as a lion. This speaks of the people showing they are against him as if they were roaring at him. Alternate translation: “it is like she roars at me to defy me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: she sets herself … with her … hate her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here Yahweh refers to his people as a female by using feminine pronouns. Alternate translation: “they set themselves … with their … hate them”

Jeremiah 12:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Has not my prized possession become a speckled bird, that other birds of prey go against her all around? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that his people are surrounded by their enemies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “My prized possession has become a speckled bird and other birds of prey go against her all around.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Has not my prized possession (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Here Yahweh speaks of his people as his “prized possession.” Alternate translation: “Have not my people, who are my prized possession”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: become a speckled bird, that other birds of prey go against her all around (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh speaks of his people being in danger and surrounded by their enemies as if they were a speckled bird surrounded by birds of prey. Alternate translation: “become like a speckled bird, and her enemies are like birds of prey attacking her on all sides”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a speckled bird (0)

“a strange looking bird.” This refers to a bird that was often picked on and eaten by other birds.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: birds of prey (0)

birds that attack and eat animals

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Go and gather all the wild beasts and bring them to devour her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Yahweh speaks here in the form of a command to strengthen what he says. This command is not directed to a specific person and may be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “Let all the wild beasts in the fields come and eat her”

Jeremiah 12:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh speaks of his land and his people being destroyed by armies as if they were a vineyard that shepherds had destroyed. Alternate translation: “My people and my land are like a vineyard that many shepherds have destroyed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Many shepherds have destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “shepherds” refers to their sheep. Alternate translation: “Many shepherds have allowed their sheep to destroy”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They have stomped all over (0)

Alternate translation: “They have crushed under their feet”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my portion of land (0)

Alternate translation: “the ground I planted” or “my field”

Jeremiah 12:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All the land has been made desolate (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “All the land is desolate”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: takes it to heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “cares” or “pays any attention”

Jeremiah 12:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Destroyers have come (0)

Alternate translation: “Destroying armies have come”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bare places in the wilderness (0)

Alternate translation: “places in the wilderness where nothing grows”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for Yahweh’s sword is devouring (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh speaks of the armies that he is using to punish his people as being his “sword.” Alternate translation: “for the armies are my sword that I am using to punish you”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from one end of the land to the other (0)

This refers to the whole land that belongs to his people.

Jeremiah 12:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They have sown wheat but harvest thornbushes (0)

Alternate translation: “They have sown wheat, but there is nothing to harvest but thornbushes”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They have (0)

Alternate translation: “My people have”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: thornbushes (0)

a large plant that is covered in sharp points

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: exhausted (0)

unable to do more, without any more strength

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So be ashamed of your gain because of Yahweh’s anger (0)

“So be ashamed of your tiny harvest because Yahweh is angry with you.” Here the word “gain” does not mean a large amount of something, but refers to a small amount.

Jeremiah 12:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: strike at the possession (0)

Alternate translation: “have been trying to take away the land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: made my people Israel inherit (0)

Alternate translation: “gave my people Israel as an inheritance”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This word is used here to draw someone’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to uproot them from their own ground (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of forcing the people to leave their land as if they were plants that he was pulling out of the ground. See how you translated this concept in Jeremiah 1:10. Alternate translation: “to make them leave their own land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will pull up the house of Judah from among them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh speaks of causing the people of Judah to leave the lands of the other nations as if they were plants that he was pulling out of the ground. Alternate translation: “I will cause the house of Judah to leave their lands as well”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pull up (0)

Alternate translation: “uproot”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Judah, which included the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Judah” or “the kingdom of Judah”

Jeremiah 12:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I uproot those nations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God speaks of forcing the people to leave their land as if they were plants that he was pulling out of the ground. Alternate translation: “I make those nations leave their lands and move to different places”

Jeremiah 12:16

General Information:

God’s word about Judah’s neighbors.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It will come about that (0)

Alternate translation: “It will happen that”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will be built up in the midst of my people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the people becoming prosperous as if they were a building that was being built. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will build them up in the midst of my people” or “I will make them wealthy and they will live among my people” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: midst (0)

middle

Jeremiah 13

Jeremiah 13 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 13:15–27.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Symbolism

The action of hiding the undergarment was intended to be a symbolic event. It was supposed to get the Jews’ attention and be a lesson for them to learn. Jeremiah performed the action, but it was not the action itself that was important. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 13:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: linen (0)

a type of very fine cloth

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: undergarment (0)

clothing that people wear under their clothes; underwear

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: waist (0)

the middle part of the body, usually the narrowest, between the hips and chest

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do not put it in water first (0)

Alternate translation: “do not wash it or get it wet”

Jeremiah 13:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh came to me a second time, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “the word of Yahweh came to” is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4, and make any changes as needed. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave me a message a second time. He said” or “Yahweh spoke this second message to me:”

Jeremiah 13:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: rock crevice (0)

a space between rocks or a crack in a rock, big enough to put something into it

Jeremiah 13:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “the word of Yahweh came to” is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave me a message. He said” or “Yahweh spoke this message to me:”

Jeremiah 13:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: of Judah and Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Judah and Jerusalem refer to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “of the people of Judah and Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 13:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to listen to my word (0)

Alternate translation: “to obey what I say”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who walk in the hardness of their heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “who are stubborn and only do the things they desire”

Jeremiah 13:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: clings to … cling to me (0)

Alternate translation: “sticks to … stick to me” or “stays close to … stay close to me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the house of … all the house of (0)

Alternate translation: “all the people of … all the people of”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “the kingdom of Israel” or “the people of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Judah, which included the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Judah” or “the kingdom of Judah” or “the people of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

Jeremiah 13:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Every jar will be filled with wine … every jar will be filled with wine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Every wineskin should be full of wine … every wineskin should be full of wine” or “Every wine jar should be full of wine … every wine jar should be full of wine”

Jeremiah 13:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This word is used here to draw someone’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fill with drunkenness every inhabitant of this land (0)

Alternate translation: “cause all the people of this land to be drunk”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the kings who sit on David’s throne (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the throne that the king of Judah sits on is represented as “David’s throne.” Alternate translation: “the kings who sit on Judah’s throne” or “the kings of the nation of Judah”

Jeremiah 13:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: smash each man against the other, fathers and children together (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations

Here the words “each man” refer to both men and women. Alternate translation: “Then I will cause the people to fight with each other, even parents and children will fight one another”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fathers and children together (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The understood information may be supplied. Alternate translation: “I will smash fathers and children together”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will not pity (0)

Alternate translation: “I will not feel sorry for”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will not spare them from destruction (0)

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “will allow them to be destroyed”

Jeremiah 13:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: arrogant (0)

falsely believing oneself to be important

Jeremiah 13:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he brings darkness (0)

Here trouble and despair are spoken of as if they were “darkness.” Alternate translation: “he brings trouble and despair” or “he cause great troubles to come”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: before he causes your feet to stumble (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here a person is referred to by his “feet” to emphasize that he is walking. Alternate translation: “before he causes you to trip and fall as you walk”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: twilight (0)

early morning or evening when it is partially dark, when the sun is beginning to rise or when the sun is almost set

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For you are hoping for light, but he will turn the place into a deep darkness, into a dark cloud (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of goodness and blessings as “light” and of trouble and despair as “darkness.” Alternate translation: “For you were hoping for light and blessings, but Yahweh will give you darkness and great despair--you will feel like you are surrounded by a dark cloud”

Jeremiah 13:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for Yahweh’s flock has been taken captive (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for enemies have captured Yahweh’s flock”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for Yahweh’s flock has been taken captive (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh’s people as Yahweh’s “flock” because he cares for them like a shepherd cares for his sheep. This event has not happened yet, but it is written here as if it already has. This can be written in future tense. Alternate translation: “for you who are Yahweh’s flock, your enemies will soon capture you” (See also: Predictive Past)

Jeremiah 13:18

General Information:

Yahweh is continuing to talk to Jeremiah. He is telling Jeremiah what to say to the king of Judah and the king’s mother.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: queen mother (0)

the mother of the king

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for your splendid crowns have fallen from your heads (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

A king and queen mother wear crowns to represent their royal positions as the king and queen mother. Also, this event has not happened yet, but it is written here as if it already has. This can be written in future tense. Alternate translation: “for you will no longer be the king and queen mother, for your crowns, your pride and glory, will fall off” (See also: Predictive Past)

Jeremiah 13:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The cities in the Negev will be shut up, with no one to open them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means that the cities will be surrounded by their enemies, who will not allow anyone to go in or come out of the cities. Alternate translation: “The cities in the Negev will be shut up, and no one will be able to go into them or come out of them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The cities in the Negev will be shut up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Your enemies will shut the cities in the Negev up”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All Judah will be taken captive, completely taken captive (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Judah” represents the people who live there. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemies will take all of the people of Judah captive into exile” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 13:20

General Information:

Yahweh is talking to the people of Jerusalem.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Lift up your eyes and look at the ones coming from the north (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here the word “look” is an idiom that means to pay attention and be aware of what is happening. Also, “Lift up your eyes” represents looking at something. Alternate translation: “Pay attention and be aware of the ones coming from the north” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the ones coming from the north (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This refers an enemy army that will come from the north. Alternate translation: “the enemy army coming from the north” or “the enemy army marching from the north”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Where is the flock he gave to you, the flock that was so beautiful to you? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question is asked to emphasize that the people of Judah will be captured by the enemy armies. This question is asked as if the people of Judah had already been captured even though this has not yet happened. The question can be written as a statement and in future tense. Alternate translation: “I gave you the people of Judah to care for, like a beautiful flock of sheep, but the enemy army will capture them.” (See also: Predictive Past)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the flock (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the people of Judah as a “flock” of sheep to emphasize that the leaders of Judah were supposed to care for them and look after them.

Jeremiah 13:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What will you say when God sets over you those you had trained to be your special allies? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question is used to emphasize that the people who Judah’s leaders thought they were at peace with will conquer them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “The people you thought were your friends will conquer you and rule over you.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Are these not the beginnings of the labor pains that will seize you just like a woman in childbirth? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to tell the people that their capture is just the beginning of the suffering they will go through. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “These things that you will suffer are like the beginning of the labor pains of a woman in childbirth.”

Jeremiah 13:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that your skirts are raised up and you have been violated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

This means that the enemy soldiers will rape the Judean women. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that the enemy soldiers will lift up the skirts of your women and rape them” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 13:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Can the people of Cush change their skin color, or a leopard change its spots? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question is used to state an example of something that is impossible. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Also, the understood verb “can” maybe be supplied in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “The people of Cush cannot change their skin color and a leopard cannot change its spots.” (See also: Ellipsis)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If so, then you yourself, although accustomed to wickedness, would be able to do good (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

This statement is ironic because the examples about the Cushite and the leopard are impossible situations. This states that if those impossible things could happen then they could do good. Alternate translation: “Just like these things are impossible, so it is also impossible for you who always do evil to do good”

Jeremiah 13:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will scatter them like chaff that perishes in the desert wind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

“I will scatter them like chaff that is blown away by the wind.” Yahweh is saying He will scatter His people throughout the world just as chaff is scattered by the wind.

Jeremiah 13:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I myself will strip your skirts off you, and your private parts will be seen. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This means that Yahweh will make them feel ashamed. It does not in any way mean that he will rape them. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “It is as though I myself will strip your skirts off of you so that everyone will see your private parts and you will be ashamed” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 13:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: neighing (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This is the sound of a male horse desiring a female horse. Alternate translation: “lusting”

Jeremiah 14

Jeremiah 14 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 14:1–10, 17–22.

Special concepts in this chapter

False prophets

The false prophets promised there would not be any war or drought. They gave people a false sense of hope, when they needed to repent. Because of this, Yahweh sent a drought and said that the false prophets would die of drought and war. This showed that these were not true prophets of Yahweh. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess, promise, promised and hope, hoped and repent, repentance)

Jeremiah 14:1

General Information:

Yahweh, through the prophet Jeremiah, has just talked about the adultery of the people.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah” or “This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah”

Jeremiah 14:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let Judah mourn (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Judah” represents the people who live there. Alternate translation: “Let the people of Judah mourn”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let her gates fall apart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the word “gates,” which keep enemies out of cities and where people conduct business and government, is a synecdoche for Judah’s cities, and Judah’s cities are a metonym for the people who live in them. Alternate translation: “let her cities fall apart” or “let the people in her cities become unable to defend themselves” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fall apart (0)

Alternate translation: “fall into pieces”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their cries for Jerusalem are going up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “going up” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “They are calling out loudly in prayer for Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 14:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their mighty ones (0)

Alternate translation: “The rich people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ashamed and dishonored (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

Both of these words have similar meaning and together emphasize that the servants were ashamed that they were unable to get water.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they cover their heads (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

In biblical times, people would wear a headcovering to show that they were ashamed.

Jeremiah 14:4

General Information:

Yahweh, through the prophet Jeremiah, has continued to tell the people about the drought.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The plowmen are ashamed and cover their heads (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

In biblical times, people would wear a headcovering to show that they were ashamed.

Jeremiah 14:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the doe leaves her young in the fields and abandons them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrase have the same meaning and emphasize that the doe leaves her young deer because she cannot provide for them. A doe is a female deer. Alternate translation: “the deer leaves her young in the field”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for there is no grass (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means that there is no grass for the deer to eat. Alternate translation: “for there is no grass for them to eat”

Jeremiah 14:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they pant in the wind like jackals (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This speaks of the donkeys panting because they are thirsty by saying that they pant like jackals. Jackals are fiece wild dog which pant a lot. Alternate translation: “they pant in the wind like thirsty jackals”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their eyes fail to work, for there is no vegetation (0)

Alternate translation: “They become blind because there is no grass to eat”

Jeremiah 14:7

General Information:

Yahweh, through the prophet Jeremiah, has just told the people about the drought.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: our iniquities testify against us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here their “iniquities” are spoken of as if they were people who testified against them about their wrong doing. Alternate translation: “our iniquities give evidence of our wrongdoing”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for the sake of your name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Yahweh’s “name” refers to his reputation. Alternate translation: “for the sake of your reputation” or “in order that everyone can see that you are very great and keep your promises”

Jeremiah 14:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hope of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This is another name for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “You are the hope of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: why will you be like a stranger in the land, like a foreign wanderer who stretches out and spends just one night? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

The people are asking if Yahweh is unconcerned with his people and unable to help them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “you should not be like a stranger in the land, like a foreign wanderer who stretches out and spends just one night.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: why will you be like a stranger in the land, like a foreign wanderer … just one night (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This question speaks of the possibility of Yahweh being unconcerned with helping his people as if he were a stranger just travelling though a place unconcerned with those living there.

Jeremiah 14:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why are you like someone who is astounded, or like a warrior who has no power to rescue? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This speaks of the possibility of Yahweh being unable to help his people as if he were a confused warrior who was unable to rescue anyone. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You do nothing to help us, like someone who is astounded or like a warrior who has no power to rescue us.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: astounded (0)

unable to understand or to think clearly

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your name is called over us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This speaks of the people being Yahweh’s people by saying that his name is over them. Alternate translation: “we bear your name” or “we are your people” (See also: Idiom)

Jeremiah 14:10

General Information:

Jeremiah has been praying and asking Yahweh not to leave them alone.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they love to wander (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“they love to wander away from me.” This speaks of people being unfaithful to Yahweh and not obey him as if they had wandered from the place where he is.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have not held back their feet (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the people are referred to by their “feet” to emphasize their walking away from Yahweh. Alternate translation: “have not kept themselves”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: calls to mind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “remembers” or “recalls”

Jeremiah 14:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on behalf of (0)

Alternate translation: “to assist” or “to help”

Jeremiah 14:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wailing (0)

loudly crying because of sorrow

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will put an end to them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “I will cause them to die”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here war is represented by the “sword” which was the common weapon used in battle. Alternate translation: “by war” or “by battle”

Jeremiah 14:13

General Information:

Yahweh has just told Jeremiah not to pray for the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will not see the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents war, and to “see” represents experiencing. Alternate translation: “You will not experience any war”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will give you true security (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “security” is spoken of as if it were an object that someone could give to another person. Alternate translation: “I will allow you to live securely” or “I will allow you to live peacefully”

Jeremiah 14:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: prophesy deceit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “deceit” can be expressed as an adjective. Alternate translation: “prophesy deceitfully”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This phrase refers to speaking with Yahweh’s power and authority or as his representative.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I did not send them out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means that Yahweh did not send them out with messages to give to the people. Alternate translation: “I did not send them to prophesy to other people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: coming from their own minds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “minds” are spoken of as if they were a place instead of the ability to think of ideas. Alternate translation: “that they think up themselves”

Jeremiah 14:15

General Information:

Jeremiah has just been talking to Yahweh about the things the false prophets have been prophesying.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This phrase refers to speaking with Yahweh’s power and authority or as his representative. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 14:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: there will be no sword … perish by sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “there will be no war … perish by war”

Jeremiah 14:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: famine and sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “famine and war”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then the people to whom they prophesied will be thrown out in the streets of Jerusalem because of famine and sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This means that whole families will die and people will throw their bodies into the streets instead of burying them. Alternate translation: “Then the people to whom they prophesied will die by famine and sword and people will throw their bodies into the streets of Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their wives, their sons, or their daughters (0)

This describes who is referred to by the word “them,” that is, everyone who died by famine and sword.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will pour out their wickedness on them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh speaks of punishing the people in accordance to their wicknedness as if their own wickedness were a liquid that he would pour upon them. Alternate translation: “I will punish them like they deserve to be punished”

Jeremiah 14:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: night and day (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

Here two opposite times of the day are given to mean all the time. Alternate translation: “all the time, both night and day”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: incurable wound (0)

a cut or break in skin that cannot be cured

Jeremiah 14:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who were killed by the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Also, here the “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “who died by the sword” or “who died in war” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: there are the diseases that are caused by famine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “diseases” represent the people who have these diseases because of their starvation. Alternate translation: “there are the ones who are sick because of famine”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wander (0)

move around without purpose

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they do not know (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It may be helpful to state what they do not know. Alternate translation: “they do not know what they are doing”

Jeremiah 14:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for a time of healing (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The understood information may be supplied. Alternate translation: “we hoped for a time of healing”

Jeremiah 14:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: We admit, Yahweh, our offenses, the iniquity of our ancestors (0)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh, we admit our wicked offenses and our ancestors’ iniquity”

Jeremiah 14:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For the sake of your name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Yahweh’s “name” refers to his reputation. Alternate translation: “For the sake of your reputation” or “In order that everyone can see that you are very great and keep your promises”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your glorious throne (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Yahweh’s “throne” is represented by Zion, that is Jerusalem. His “throne” also represents the place where he rules as king. Alternate translation: “do disgrace Zion where you glorious throne is” or “do not disgrace Zion, where you rule as king”

Jeremiah 14:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: can the skies themselves send down showers (0)

Alternate translation: “Can the skies decide when they make the rain to fall?”

Jeremiah 15

Jeremiah 15 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 15:2, 5–21.

Special concepts in this chapter

Do not pray for the people

God told Jeremiah not to pray for the people because God was punishing them. This was meant to be an illustration for Jeremiah. Jeremiah was not to pray because the punishment was already determined. Yahweh also explains that even the great Moses could not help the sinful Jews. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Yahweh uses Gentile nations

Yahweh is going to use the Gentile nations to punish Judah. This would have been very offensive to the Jews. They would have also been surprised to learn that Yahweh was using the Gentile nations to punish his people. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 15:1

General Information:

Jeremiah has just been praying to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: were standing in front of me, I would still not be in favor of this people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This implies that they are pleading for Yahweh to spare the people. Alternate translation: “were standing in front of me pleading for these people, I would still not be in favor of them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Send them out from before me, for them to go away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Yahweh repeats this idea of sending away his people to add emphasis to it.

Jeremiah 15:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Those who are for (0)

Alternate translation: “Those whom I have appointed to go to”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: should go to death (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of dying as if death were a place that people can go to. Alternate translation: “should die”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those who are for the sword should go to the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “sword” represents war. To be “for the sword” means that God has appointed them to die in war. Alternate translation: “those whom I have appointed to die in war should go to die in war” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Those who are for famine should go to famine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This means that Yahweh has appointed these to die because of famine, and these words speak of dying by famine as if “famine” were a place that people can go to. Alternate translation: “Those whom I have appointed to die by famine should go and die by famine”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: should go to captivity (0)

Alternate translation: “should go into captivity”

Jeremiah 15:3

General Information:

Yahweh has just told them he will send some of them to death, some to die by the sword, some to die by famine, and some to be captives.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “sword” refers to the enemy soldiers. Alternate translation: “the enemy soldiers”

Jeremiah 15:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will make of them (0)

Here the word “them” refers to the people of Judah, not to the four groups listed in the previous verse.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because of what Manasseh … did in Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Manasseh was a very wicked king who did many evil things in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “because of the wicked things that Manasseh … did in Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 15:5

General Information:

Yahweh has just told them he will assign them to four groups to kill them—the sword, dogs, birds, and beasts.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For who will have compassion for you, Jerusalem? Who will grieve for you? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one should mourn for Jerusalem. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one should have compassion on you, Jerusalem. No one should mourn for your destruction.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for you, Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Jerusalem” refers to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “for you people who live in Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 15:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have forsaken me … you have gone back from me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the people have, indeed, forsaken Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: gone back from me (0)

Alternate translation: “left me” or “gone away from me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will strike you with my hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” represents power. Alternate translation: “I will use my power to strike you”

Jeremiah 15:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So I will winnow them with a pitchfork at the gates of the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh speaks of scattering the people and causing them to leave Jersalem as if they were winnowed chaff being blown away on the wind.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pitchfork (0)

a farm tool with a long handle and sharp metal prongs, used especially for lifting and tossing grain in the air for winnowing

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will bereave them (0)

Alternate translation: “I will cause their children to die” or “I will let their enemies kill their children”

Jeremiah 15:8

General Information:

Yahweh has just told them no one will care about them and that he will destroy his people since they would not turn from their wicked ways.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: widows (0)

women whose husbands have died

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: more than the sands of the seashore (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

“than the grains of sand on the seashore.” This comparison is an exaggeration used to emphasize an uncountable number. Alternate translation: “more than you can count”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Against the mothers of young men I will send the destroyer at noonday (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This means that Yahweh will send an enemy army to kill young men, which will cause their mothers great sorrow. Alternate translation: “At noonday I will send an enemy army to destroy young men and cause their mothers to weep”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fall on them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “happen to them”

Jeremiah 15:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: She will be ashamed and embarrassed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “ashamed” and “embarrassed” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of shame. Alternate translation: “She will be completely ashamed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will waste away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “will grow faint”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Her sun will set while it is still day (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of a woman becoming sorrowful because her children have died, as if her life were a day in which the sun had set early and turned to darkness. Here the darkness represents her sorrow. Alternate translation: “Because of her sorrow, it will be as though the sun has set and her day has turned to darkness”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will give those who remain to the sword in the presence of their enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “sword” represents the enemy soldiers. “I will allow the enemy soldiers to kill those of her children that remain alive”.

Jeremiah 15:10

General Information:

In these verse, Jeremiah speaks to Yahweh about his suffering, and Yahweh answers him.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Woe to me, my mother (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Jeremiah pretends to speak to his mother as a way to emphasize how sad he is.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a man of controversy and argument (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “controversy” and “argument” mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize how much Jeremiah is arguing. Alternate translation: “a man with whom everyone argues all the time”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have not lent, nor has anyone lent to me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This refers to lending money to people. Often lending money causes people to fight with one another. Alternate translation: “I have not lent money to anyone, nor has anyone lent money to me” or “I have not made anyone angry by lending or borrow money and then quarreling about it”

Jeremiah 15:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Will I not rescue you for good? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The implicit answer to this rhetorical question is “yes.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I will certainly rescue you for good!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your enemies (0)

Those are the enemies of Jeremiah who disagreed with his prophecies.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the time of calamity and distress (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

Here the words “calamity” and “distress” mean basically the same thing. They emphasize the amount or intensity of the calamity. Alternate translation: “in the time of great calamity”

Jeremiah 15:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Can one smash iron? Especially iron from the north that is mixed with bronze? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

In these questions Yahweh speaks of the strength of Judah’s enemies as if they were iron mixed with bronze. These rhetorical questions can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can smash iron, especially if it is as strong as the iron from the north that is mixed with bronze.”

Jeremiah 15:13

General Information:

In these verse, Yahweh speaks to the nation of Israel as if it were one person.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wealth and treasures (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “wealth” and “treasures” mean the same thing and refer to anything that people consider to be valuable.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: plunder (0)

things that you steal from a city after conquering it

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all your sins committed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be written in active form. Alternate translation: “all of the sins you have committed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: within all your borders (0)

Alternate translation: “throughout your country”

Jeremiah 15:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a land that you do not know (0)

Alternate translation: “to a land that is strange to you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for a fire will ignite, kindled in my wrath against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The wrath of God is spoken of as if it were a destructive fire. Alternate translation: “I will destroy you because I am very angry with you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for a fire will ignite, kindled in my wrath against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh speaks of his wrath as if it were a fire. Alternate translation: “for my wrath is like a fire that I will kindle against you” or “for I will come against you in my wrath, and my wrath will be like a burning fire”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: kindled (0)

to light a fire

Jeremiah 15:15

General Information:

Jeremiah speaks to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You are patient, but do not allow them to take me away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Jeremiah is asking Yahweh not to be patient with the sins of his enemies. The phrase “take me away” refers to him being killed. Alternate translation: “Please do not continue to be patient with them and allow them to kill me” (See also: Euphemism)

Jeremiah 15:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Your words have been found (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I have heard your message”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I consumed them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of listening and understanding Yahweh’s message as if it were food that he ate. Alternate translation: “I understood your message”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the delight of my heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the “heart” represents a person emotions and feelings. Alternate translation: “what I love most”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I bear your name (0)

Alternate translation: “people know that I serve you”

Jeremiah 15:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I did not sit in the circle of (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “I did not spend time with”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: of your powerful hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh’s “powerful hand” refers to his control and influence over Jeremiah. Alternate translation: “you powerfully influence me” or “you are the one who controls what I do”

Jeremiah 15:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why is my pain ongoing and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses this rhetorical question to emphasize his pain. He speaks of his pain as if it were a physical wound. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “My pain is ongoing, it is like a wound that will not heal.” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: refusing to be healed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This speaks of Jeremiah’s wound as if it were a person that refuses to be healed. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that will not heal” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Will you be like deceitful waters to me, waters that dry up? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that he feels like he cannot depend on Yahweh. He speaks of this as if Yahweh were a stream that dries up. Alternate translation: “It feels like you are undependable to me, like a stream I go to for a drink only to find it dried up.” (See also: Simile)

Jeremiah 15:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will be like my mouth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Jeremiah is compared to the mouth of Yahweh because he will be used to speak Yahweh’s message. Alternate translation: “you will speak for me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you yourself (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns

The pronoun, “yourself”, is used here to emphasis the command was specifically for Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 15:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will wage war against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of the people fighting with Jeremiah as if he were an army that they waged war against. Alternate translation: “they will fight against you” or “they will oppose you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: save and rescue (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “save” and “rescue” mean the same thing and emphasize the safety that God promises.

Jeremiah 15:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: rescue you from … and redeem you from (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These phrases have similar meanings and are used together to emphasize the safety that God provides.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the hand of the wicked … the hand of the tyrant (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” represents control. Alternate translation: “the control of the wicked … the control of the tyrant”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the wicked (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

This refers to wicked people. Alternate translation: “wicked people” or “those who are wicked”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: tyrant (0)

a ruler who demands absolute obedience and is not friendly for the people under his rule

Jeremiah 16

Jeremiah 16 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 16:19–21. This poem also continues in chapter 17, and these should be seen as one section.

Special concepts in this chapter

Coming punishment

The punishment that is prophesied in this chapter will happen quickly. The author gives many illustrations which describe how quickly this punishment will come. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Israel restored

God will bring his people back from captivity. Even though the punishment of Judah will be great, Yahweh promised a future restoration. (See: promise, promised and restore, restoration)

Jeremiah 16:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will die diseased deaths (0)

Alternate translation: “They will die from deadly diseases”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will not be mourned or buried (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “No one will mourn for them or bury them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will be like dung on the ground (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The sons and daughters born in the land are compared to dung on the ground to emphasize that they will be disgusting and that no one will bury them. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 8:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will come to an end by sword and famine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

The phrase “come to an end” is a mild way to say that they will die. The word “sword” represents an army whose soldiers fight with swords. The phrase represents dying in battle. Alternate translation: “they will die in battle or from famine” (See also: Metonymy)

Jeremiah 16:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, ‘Do (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated it in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave me a message. He said, ‘Do” or “Yahweh spoke this message to me: ‘Do”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: where there is mourning (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “mourning” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “where people are mourning”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have taken away my peace from this people … and my steadfast love and mercy (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of no longer acting towards the people with peace, steadfast love, and mercy as if these were items that he has taken away from them. Alternate translation: “I will no longer act towards them with peace … or with steadfast love and mercy”

Jeremiah 16:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Both the great and the small will (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

This refers to all kinds of people and uses size to refer to how important they are. Alternate translation: “Both the important and the unimportant” or “Many people, regardless of how important they are, will”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will not be buried (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “No one will bury them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no one will … cut themselves or shave their heads for them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

Cutting oneself and shaving one’s head were symbolic actions that expressed strong grief, especially when a loved one died.

Jeremiah 16:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: No one must share any food in mourning to comfort them because of the deaths … none must give a comforting cup to his father or his mother (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two clauses have a similar meaning. God said basically the same thing twice for emphasis. It was customary to take food or wine to people whose relative had died. Yahweh has removed all comfort from the people because of their sin.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: none must give a comforting cup (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “cup” represents the drink that the cup holds. Alternate translation: “none must give a comforting drink”

Jeremiah 16:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a banquet house (0)

Alternate translation: “a house where people are feasting”

Jeremiah 16:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: before your eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

Here the word “your” is plural and refers to the people of Israel. The idiom means that Yahweh will do this where they can see. Alternate translation: “in front of you” or “where you can see” (See also: Idiom)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in your days (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom means during their lifetime. Alternate translation: “during your lifetime”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:34.

Jeremiah 16:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: worshiped and bowed down to them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

The words “bowed down to” mean basically the same thing as “worshiped” and describe the posture that people used in worship. God said essentially the same thing twice for emphasis.

Jeremiah 16:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ancestors, for see, each person (0)

Alternate translation: “ancestors. Look at these people and you will see that each person”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: walking by the stubbornness of his wicked heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of a person’s actions as if the person were walking along a path. Alternate translation: “stubbornly doing the wicked things that he wants to do” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who listens to me (0)

Alternate translation: “who does what I tell him to do”

Jeremiah 16:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: throw you from this land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of forcefully removing the people from the land as if he were throwing them from the land. Alternate translation: “force you to leave this land and go”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by day and night (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

The mention of both “day” and “night” means all the time. Alternate translation: “all the time” or “continually”

Jeremiah 16:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: behold (0)

The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when it will no longer be said (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when people will no longer say”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: As Yahweh lives (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

“As surely as Yahweh is alive.” The people use this expression to show that what they say next is certainly true. This is a way of making a solemn promise. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 4:2. Alternate translation: “I solemnly swear”

Jeremiah 16:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will send for many fishermen … so they will fish the people out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of enemy armies who will attack and kill the people as if they were fishermen who are catching fish.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will send for many hunters so they will hunt for them among (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of enemy armies who will attack and kill the people as if they were hunters who are hunting animals.

Jeremiah 16:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my eye is on all their ways (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the word “eye” represents Yahweh who sees all that they do. Alternate translation: “I am watching everything they do”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they cannot be hidden from before me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

Here the word “they” may refer either to the people or to their actions. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they cannot hide from me” or “they cannot hide their ways from me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their iniquity cannot be concealed from before my eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the word “eyes” represents Yahweh who sees. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “They cannot conceal their iniquity from me” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 16:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for their polluting of my land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of causing the land to be unacceptable to him as if the people had polluted the land. Alternate translation: “because they have polluted my land”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for their filling my inheritance with their disgusting idols (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “to fill” means that they have placed many idols in the land. Alternate translation: “because they have filled my inheritance with their disgusting idols” or “because their disgusting idols are everywhere in my inheritance”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my inheritance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the land as if it were his inheritance that he has claimed as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “the land that is my inheritance”

Jeremiah 16:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh, you are my stronghold (0)

Here Jeremiah begins speaking to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my stronghold and my refuge, my place of safety (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh as a place where enemies cannot attack him. He repeats the same idea three times.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The nations will go to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “nations” represents the people from the nations. Alternate translation: “The people from the nations will go to you”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the ends of the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom that means the farthest places on the earth. Alternate translation: “the farthest places on the earth”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: our ancestors inherited deceit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “deceit” refers to false gods. Alternate translation: “our ancestors inherited nothing but false gods”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They are empty; there is no profit in them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Here the words “They” and “them” refer to the false gods that the ancestors taught them to believe in. The two phrases mean basically the same thing, with the second explaining how they “are empty.”

Jeremiah 16:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do people make gods for themselves? But they are not gods (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The people ask this rhetorical question to emphasize that people cannot make gods for themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “People cannot make gods for themselves. The things that they make are not gods”

Jeremiah 16:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Therefore see (0)

“Therefore, indeed.” Here Yahweh begins speaking. The word “see” adds emphasis to what follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will cause them to know (0)

Here the word “them” refers to the people from the nations. Yahweh repeats this phrase for emphasis.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my hand and my power (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” refers to power and authority. The two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize Yahweh’s great power. Alternate translation: “my great power” (See also: Doublet)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will know that Yahweh is my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “name” refers to Yahweh’s entire person. Alternate translation: “they will know that I am Yahweh, the true God”

Jeremiah 17

Jeremiah 17 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 17:1–18. This poem is a continuation of 16:19–21, and these should be seen as one section.

Special concepts in this chapter

Trusting God or humans

Trust is an important part of this chapter. Those who trust in human wisdom will not prosper. Those who trust in God will have all of their needs met. (See: trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness and wise, wisdom)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Simile

The person who depends on the power of other people is compared to a bush in the desert which always has to struggle for life. But the person who trusts in God is like a tree growing by a stream and has all his needs supplied. (See: Simile)

Jeremiah 17:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The sin of Judah is written … on the horns of your altars (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of Judah’s sins being so great that they cannot stop committing them as if someone had engraved their sin permanently.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The sin of Judah is written (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

Here the word “Judah” represents the people of Judah. This may be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone has written the sin of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It is engraved (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This may be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone has engraved it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: engraved on the tablet of their hearts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The sinful habits of the people are spoken of as if their sins had been engraved on their own hearts. The word “hearts” refers to the whole person: their thoughts, emotions, and actions. Alternate translation: “engraved in their very beings”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on the horns of your altars (0)

The word “horns” refers to the projections on the corners of the altars.

Jeremiah 17:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your wealth and all your treasures (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “wealth” and “treasures” mean the same thing and refer to anything that they consider valuable.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: plunder (0)

This refers to things that people steal or take by force.

Jeremiah 17:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will lose the inheritance that I gave to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the land as if it were an inheritance that he had given to the people of Judah as a permanent possession. Alternate translation: “You will lose the land that I have given to you as an inheritance”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have ignited a fire in my wrath, which will burn forever (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the fierceness of his anger as if his anger were a fire that burns those with whom he is angry. Alternate translation: “you have made me so angry that my anger will be like a fire that will burn forever”

Jeremiah 17:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The person who trusts in mankind is accursed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will curse any person who trusts in mankind”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he makes flesh his strength (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “flesh” represents humans. Alternate translation: “he depends on mere humans for strength”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: turns his heart away from Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “heart” refers to the thoughts and emotions. Alternate translation: “turns his devotion away from Yahweh”

Jeremiah 17:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: like a small bush (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The person who trusts in man instead of Yahweh will be like a plant that struggles to survive in an infertile land.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the wilderness, barren land without inhabitants (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The phrase “barren land without inhabitants” describes and means basically the same thing as “wilderness.” Alternate translation: “the barren wilderness where no person lives”

Jeremiah 17:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will be like a tree planted by water (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The person who trusts in Yahweh will always prosper, just like a tree does when it is planted by a river. It is not affected when there is no rain. Alternate translation: “he will be like a tree that someone has planted by water”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It will not fear the heat when it comes … It is not anxious in a year of drought (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Yahweh speaks of a tree that draws its water from a stream being unaffected by heat and drought as if the tree were unafraid of these things. Alternate translation: “The heat will not affect it when it comes … No harm is caused to it in a year of drought”

Jeremiah 17:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The heart is more deceitful (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “heart” refers to the minds and thoughts of people. Alternate translation: “The human mind is more deceitful”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who can understand it? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The speaker uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one can understand the human heart. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “no one can understand it.”

Jeremiah 17:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who tests the hearts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hearts” represents the emotions. Alternate translation: “who tests the emotions”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: according to his ways (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here a person’s behavior is spoken of as if it were the paths along which he walks. Alternate translation: “according to how he lives”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the fruit of his deeds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the results of a person’s actions are spoken of as if they were fruit. Alternate translation: “what he has done”

Jeremiah 17:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A partridge hatches an egg … become rich unjustly (0)

This analogy of a bird that hatches another bird’s eggs is meant to illustrate a rich man who makes his money by robbing others.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when half his days are over (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here the word “days” stands for someone’s entire life. Alternate translation: “when he has lived only half of his life”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those riches will abandon him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The riches are spoken of as if they were servants who would abandon their owner. Alternate translation: “he will lose his wealth”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the end (0)

Alternate translation: “at the end of his life”

Jeremiah 17:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The place of our temple is a glorious throne (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of the temple being a “glorious throne” because it is there that Yahweh dwells and rules.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The place of our temple (0)

This refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 17:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All who abandon you (0)

Here the word “you” refers to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those in the land who turn away from you will be written in the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you will write in the dust those in the land who turn away from you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will be written in the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) this is a metaphor in which Yahweh speaks of people dying and being forgotten as if someone writes their names in the dust, and those names quickly disappear. Alternate translation: “will disappear like names that someone writes in the dust” or (2) the word “earth” is a metonym for the place of the dead. The phrase is a metaphor in which Yahweh speaks of people going to the place of the dead as if someone enrolled their names in the records of those who have died. Alternate translation: “will join those in the place of the dead”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh, the fountain of living waters (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh being the source of life as if he were a fountain of living waters. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, who is like a fountain of living waters”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the fountain of living waters (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of fresh, running water as if it were living water. Alternate translation: “the fountain of fresh, running water”

Jeremiah 17:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will be healed … I will be rescued (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you really will have healed me … you really will have rescued me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For you are my song of praise (0)

This could mean: (1) “For you are the one whom I praise” or (2) “For you are the reason I sing praise.”

Jeremiah 17:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are saying to me (0)

Here the word “me” refers to Jeremiah and the word “they” to his enemies.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Where is the word of Yahweh? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The people use this question to ridicule Jeremiah because the things that he said had not yet happened. It can also be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “Where are the things that Yahweh told you would happen?” or “The things that Yahweh told you would happen have not happened.” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let it come (0)

Alternate translation: “Let what Yahweh has said happen”

Jeremiah 17:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I did not run from being a shepherd following you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of leading and caring for the people as if he were a shepherd caring for sheep. He speaks of his abandoning that work as if he were running away from it.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I did not long for (0)

Alternate translation: “I did not desire”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the proclamations that came from my lips (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the word “lips” represents Jeremiah who spoke. Alternate translation: “the proclamations that I spoke”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They were made (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I made them”

Jeremiah 17:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You are my refuge (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh as a place where enemies cannot attack him.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on the day of calamity (0)

Alternate translation: “in times of calamity”

Jeremiah 17:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: May my pursuers be ashamed, but do not let me be ashamed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Bring shame on my pursuers, but do not bring shame on me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: May they be dismayed, but do not let me be dismayed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

This phrase means basically the same thing as the previous one and adds emphasis to Jeremiah’s prayer. Alternate translation: “Make them very afraid, but do not make me afraid”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: shatter them with a double share of destruction (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh destroying his enemies as if they were objects that Yahweh would shatter. The idiom “a double share” means to give twice as much. Alternate translation: “shatter them with complete destruction” or “destroy them twice as much” (See also: Idiom)

Jeremiah 17:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: then in all the other gates of Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “then go and stand in all the other gates of Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 17:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for the sake of your lives (0)

Alternate translation: “to protect your lives”

Jeremiah 17:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They did not listen or pay attention (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the people refused to listen. Alternate translation: “They refused to listen” or “They refused to obey”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: stiffened their neck (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of the people being stubborn as if they had made their necks stiff and unmovable. Alternate translation: “became stubborn”

Jeremiah 17:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those who sit on David’s throne (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the throne that the king of Judah sits on is represented as “David’s throne.” See how you translated this in Jeremiah 13:13. Alternate translation: “those who sit on Judah’s throne” or “the kings of the nation of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this city will be inhabited forever (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will inhabit this city forever”

Jeremiah 17:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will light a fire in its gates (0)

Alternate translation: “I will set the gates of Jerusalem on fire”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it cannot be put out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people cannot put it out”

Jeremiah 18

Jeremiah 18 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 18:13–17, 19–23.

Special concepts in this chapter

Attacking Jeremiah

Things were so bad in Judah, they even attacked Jeremiah. To attack Yahweh’s prophet was to attack Yahweh himself. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Simile

Like a potter can change what he is making from one type of pot to another, God can change his plans and not punish people if they repent. The image of God as a potter and mankind as clay is an important one in Scripture. (See: repent, repentance and Simile)

Jeremiah 18:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the potter’s house (0)

“the workshop of the potter.” A potter is someone who makes pots from clay.

Jeremiah 18:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: behold! (0)

The word “behold” alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on the potter’s wheel (0)

The potter’s wheel is a small table that spins. A potter uses it to make pots.

Jeremiah 18:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the pot he was making from the clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The word “spoiled” means that something about the pot made the potter unhappy. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the pot that the potter was making with his hands was not good”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: was making (0)

Alternate translation: “was forming” or “was shaping”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he returned the clay and formed it into another pot (0)

He stopped making the pot, crushed the clay back into a lump, and then used that lump of clay to make another pot.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that was pleasing in his eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “eyes” represents sight and sight represents one’s opinion. Alternate translation: “that he thought was good”

Jeremiah 18:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Should I not be able to act like this potter with you, house of Israel? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

With this question, Yahweh emphasizes his authority to do as he pleases with Israel. Alternate translation: “I am allowed to act toward you, house of Israel, like the potter acts toward the clay.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “kingdom of Israel” or “people of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Behold (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Like clay in a potter’s hand—that is how you are in my hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Yahweh compares his being able to remake Israel as he see fit to the way that the potter is able to remake a lump of clay as he sees fit.

Jeremiah 18:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: tear it down, or destroy it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two expressions basically mean the same thing.

Jeremiah 18:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: relent from (0)

Alternate translation: “withhold” or “not bring”

Jeremiah 18:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: build it up or plant it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean basically the same thing.

Jeremiah 18:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: if it does evil in my eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “it” refers to a nation or kingdom, which is a metonym for the people in that nation or kingdom. The word “eyes” represents seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “if the people of that nation do things that I consider to be evil” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: not listening to my voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “voice” represents the words that Yahweh speaks. Here, “not listening” is an idiom that means that they do not obey. Alternate translation: “not obeying what I say” (See also: Idiom)

Jeremiah 18:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This tells the reader to pay special attention to what follows. Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to form disaster against you. I am about to devise a plan against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of planning disaster as if disaster were an object that he forms, like the potter would form clay. The second sentence repeats the same idea as the first using different words. Alternate translation: “I am about to devise a plan to bring disaster against you” (See also: Parallelism)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: devise a plan (0)

Alternate translation: “make a plan”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his wicked way (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of a person’s lifestyle as if it were a “way” or path along which the person walks. Alternate translation: “his wicked way of living”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so your ways and your practices will bring good to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “ways” and “practices” both refer to a person’s actions and general lifestyle. Alternate translation: “so your actions will result in good happening to you”

Jeremiah 18:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But they will say (0)

The word “they” refers to the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is no use (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here, this idiom could mean: (1) the people do not care about what Jeremiah will say to them. Alternate translation: “We do not care what you say” or (2) The people do not think that anything good will come of what Jeremiah tells them to do. Alternate translation: “What you are saying will not work”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: what his evil, stubborn heart desires (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “heart” represents the person’s mind or will. Alternate translation: “what his evil, stubborn mind desires” or “whatever evil things that we stubbornly want to do”

Jeremiah 18:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ask the nations, who has ever heard of such a thing as this? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Here the word “nations” represents the people in the nations. Yahweh asks this question to scold the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “Ask the nations if any of them have ever heard of such a thing as this.” or “Nowhere on earth has anyone ever heard of such a thing like this.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The virgin Israel has committed a horrible act (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

It was common to refer to nations as if they were women. Yahweh speaks of Israel being pure and faithful towards him as if she were a virgin and of Israel being unfaithful to him as if she had “committed a horrible act.” Alternate translation: “Israel, who is like a virgin, has done something horrible” (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 18:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Does the snow in Lebanon ever leave the rocky hills on its sides? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that the snow on the mountains never melts. Alternate translation: “The snow in Lebanon never leaves the rocky hills on its sides.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the rocky hills on its sides (0)

Alternate translation: “the sides of the rocky hills”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Are the mountain streams coming from far away ever destroyed, those cold streams? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that the mountain streams never cease to flow. He speaks of the streams drying up as if they were destroyed. Alternate translation: “Those cold mountain streams that come from far away never cease to flow.” (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 18:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: been made to stumble in their paths (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of a person’s lifestyle as if it were a path along which he walks, and of living unfaithfully to him as if the person stumbled along the path. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “this caused them to stumble in their paths” or “it is like they stumbled while walking on a path” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have left the ancient paths to walk lesser paths (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of a person’s lifestyle as if it were a path along which he walks. Here, “the ancient paths” represents the way that Yahweh had told their ancestors to live and “lesser paths” represents living unfaithfully to Yahweh.

Jeremiah 18:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will become a horror (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “horror” may be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “will become something that horrifies people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an object of everlasting hissing (0)

The word “hissing” refers to a sound that shows strong disapproval and can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “an object at which people will always hiss”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: passes by her (0)

Here the word “her” refers to “Their land.”

Jeremiah 18:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will scatter them before their enemies like an eastern wind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of causing the people to flee before their enemies as if he were an eastern wind that scatters dust and debris. Alternate translation: “I will be like an eastern wind and scatter them before their enemies” or “I will scatter them before their enemies like an eastern wind scatters dust and debris”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will scatter them (0)

Here the word “them” refers to “my people.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will show them my back, and not my face (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

“I will turn my back toward them, and not my face.” Turning one’s back towards someone is a symbolic action that represents rejection and turning one’s face towards someone is a symbolic action that represents favor. Alternate translation: “I will reject them and not act favorably towards them”

Jeremiah 18:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let us make plots against Jeremiah (0)

Alternate translation: “let us make plans to harm Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the law will never perish from the priests, or advice from the wise men, or words from the prophets (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The words “will never perish” can be supplied to each of these phrases. This can also be expressed in positive terms. Alternate translation: “the law will never perish from the priests, and advice will never perish from the wise men, and words will never perish from the prophets” or “the priests will always have the law, the wise men will always give advice, and the prophets will always speak”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: words from the prophets (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Here “words” represents messages that the prophets speak from Yahweh. Alternate translation: “words of Yahweh from the prophets”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: attack him with our words (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people speak of speaking harmful words against Jeremiah as if their words were weapons with which they attack him. Alternate translation: “say things that will harm him”

Jeremiah 18:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pay attention to me (0)

Here Jeremiah begins speaking to Yahweh.

Jeremiah 18:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Will disaster from them really be my reward for being good to them? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah asks this question to emphasize that good actions should not be repaid with bad things. Alternate translation: “Disaster from them should not be my reward for being good to them.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have dug a pit for me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of his enemies planning to kill him as if they had dug a pit in which to trap him.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to cause your fury to turn away from them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “fury” represents the punishment that Yahweh intended to inflict upon them.

Jeremiah 18:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: give their children over to famine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “give over” means to place a person in the power of another person. Jeremiah speaks of “famine” as if it were a person who could have power over others. Alternate translation: “cause their children to die from famine” (See also: Personification)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: give them to the hands of those who use the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hands” represents power. Alternate translation: “cause those who use the sword to have power over them” or “cause them to die in battle”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let their women become bereaved and widows (0)

“let the children and husbands of their women die.” The word “bereaved” refers to a woman whose children have all died.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their men be killed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their young men killed by the sword in battle (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “let people kill their young men with swords in battle” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 18:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let a distressed shout be heard (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The phrase “a distressed shout” can be translated with a verbal phrase. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Let people hear a distressed shout” or “Let people hear others shout in distress”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden traps for my feet (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases share similar meanings. Jeremiah speaks of his enemies planning to kill him as if they had dug a pit for him to fall into and set traps in which to capture him. (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have dug a pit (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 18:20.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have hidden traps for my feet (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the word “feet” represents Jeremiah. Alternate translation: “have hidden traps for me” or “have hidden traps for me to step on”

Jeremiah 18:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not wipe their sins away from you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh forgiving his enemies’ sins as if someone had written their sins down and Yahweh would erase them. This phrase means the same thing as the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “Do not pardon their sins”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let them be overthrown before you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “let people overthrow them in your presence”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the time of your wrath (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “wrath” can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: “when you are still angry with them”

Jeremiah 19

Jeremiah 19 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

People horrified

The destruction of Jerusalem will be so complete that it will leave dead bodies everywhere and horrify people who see it.

Jeremiah 19:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Valley of Ben Hinnom (0)

This is the name of a valley south of the city of Jerusalem, where people sacrificed to false gods. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:31.

Jeremiah 19:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “ears … will tingle” is an idiom that means everyone will be shocked by what they hear. Alternate translation: “it will shock everyone who hears of it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will tingle (0)

This could mean: (1) “will ring” or (2) “will quiver.”

Jeremiah 19:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have abandoned me (0)

Here the word “they” refers to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: filled this place with innocent blood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “innocent blood” represents the murder of innocent people. Alternate translation: “murdered many innocent people in this place”

Jeremiah 19:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: nor did it enter my mind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “mind” refers to Yahweh’s thoughts. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:31. Alternate translation: “nor did I ever think about it”

Jeremiah 19:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: see (0)

Alternate translation: “look” or “listen” or “pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this place will no longer be called (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will no longer call this place”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Topheth … the Valley of Ben Hinnom … the Valley of Slaughter (0)

See how you translated the names of these places in Jeremiah 7:31.

Jeremiah 19:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will make them to fall by the sword before their enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “to fall by the sword” means to die in battle. Alternate translation: “I will enable their enemies to kill them with swords”.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will make them (0)

The word “them” refers to the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by the hand of the ones seeking their lives (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase.

Jeremiah 19:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the object of hissing (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “hissing” refers to a sound that shows strong disapproval and can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “an object at which people hiss”

Jeremiah 19:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will make them eat (0)

Alternate translation: “I will make the people who live in Jerusalem eat”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the siege (0)

Alternate translation: “because of the siege”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: and in the anguish brought on them by their enemies and the ones seeking their lives (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “because their enemies and those who are seeking their lives have brought anguish upon them”

Jeremiah 19:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the sight of the men who went with you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word sight, you can express the same idea with the verb “watching.” Alternate translation: “while the men who went with you are watching”

Jeremiah 19:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it could not be repaired again (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one can repair it again”

Jeremiah 19:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: of the kings of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The words “the houses” may be supplied here. Alternate translation: “the houses of the kings of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the unclean people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

People who are not acceptable for God’s purposes are spoken of as if they were physically unclean.

Jeremiah 19:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: stiffened their neck and refused to listen (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases both speak of the people being stubborn. In the first phrase, Yahweh speaks of the people being stubborn as if they had made their necks stiff. Alternate translation: “stubbornly refused to listen”

Jeremiah 20

Jeremiah 20 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 20:7–18.

Special concepts in this chapter

Pashhur

This chapter prophesied punishment against a specific leader named Pashhur. He was in charge of protecting the temple and had Jeremiah beaten and arrested. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and temple, house, house of God)

Jeremiah’s reaction

Jeremiah’s reaction contrasts with the reaction of the Jews in general. Although Jeremiah was not happy with Yahweh’s actions, he still trusted in Yahweh. On the other hand, the Jews were not happy with the prophecies Yahweh gave to Jeremiah, so they beat the prophet. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)

Jeremiah 20:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pashhur … Immer (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are names of men.

Jeremiah 20:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pashhur beat Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This could mean: (1) that Pashhur himself beat Jeremiah or (2) that Pashhur ordered other men to beat Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: stocks (0)

Stocks are a wooden frame with holes in it that people use to lock up a prisoner’s hands, feet, and head.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Upper Gate of Benjamin (0)

This gate is different from the gate in the city wall that shared the same name.

Jeremiah 20:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It happened (0)

This phrase is used here to mark where the action starts. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you are Magor Missabib (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This name means “terror on every side” or “surrounded by terror.”

Jeremiah 20:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look, (0)

This word adds emphasis to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will fall by the sword of their enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “fall by the sword” means that they will die in battle. Alternate translation: “their enemies will kill them with swords”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your eyes will see it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the word “eyes” represents Pashhur. Alternate translation: “you will see it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will give all of Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” refers to power. Alternate translation: “I will enable the king of Babylon to conquer all of Judah”

Jeremiah 20:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will give him (0)

Here the word “him” refers to the king of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the wealth … all of its riches, all of its precious items and all the treasures (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Yahweh repeats the same basic idea four times for emphasis. Babylon will take away all the wealth of Israel, including the king’s possessions.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will place these things in the hand of your enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Placing things in people’s hands represents giving thing to the people or allowing the people to take the things. Alternate translation: “I will give these things to your enemies” or “I will allow your enemies to take possession of these things”

Jeremiah 20:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You and all of your loved ones to whom you prophesied deceitful things will be buried there (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “There, people will bury you and all of your loved ones to whom you prophesied deceitful things”

Jeremiah 20:7

General Information:

Jeremiah speaks to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh, you deceived me, and I was deceived (0)

Some modern versions interpret these Hebrew expressions as “Yahweh, you persuaded me, and I was indeed persuaded.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I was deceived (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you deceived me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the way others mock him.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: laughingstock (0)

This is a person whom others laugh at and make fun of.

Jeremiah 20:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: called out and proclaimed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that he proclaimed Yahweh’s message boldly. Alternate translation: “openly proclaimed” or “proclaimed loudly”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh’s word has become for me reproach and mocking every day (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “word” refers to the message of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “people reproach and mock me every day because I proclaim Yahweh’s message”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for me reproach and mocking (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “reproach” and “mocking” mean basically the same thing and emphasize that people have ridiculed Jeremiah for proclaiming Yahweh’s message. Alternate translation: “a reason for people to ridicule me”

Jeremiah 20:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will not speak any longer in his name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This could mean: (1) “I will never mention Yahweh or say anything about him” or (2) the word “name” represents authority. Alternate translation: “I will no longer speak as his messenger”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it is like a fire in my heart, held within my bones (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the words “heart” and “bones” represent Jeremiah’s innermost being. Alternate translation: “Yahweh’s word is like a fire that burns deep within me”

Jeremiah 20:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Report! We must report it (0)

Jeremiah’s enemies say these words.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: watch to see if I will fall (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of his enemies waiting for him to do something wrong for which they might accuse him as if they were watching for him to fall down.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Perhaps he can be tricked … take our revenge on him (0)

Jeremiah’s enemies say these words.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Perhaps he can be tricked (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Perhaps we can trick him”

Jeremiah 20:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh is with me like a powerful warrior (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Jeremiah compares Yahweh helping him and defending him against his enemies to a powerful warrior.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so the ones pursuing me will stagger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of his enemies trying to harm him as if they were chasing after him and of their failing to harm him as if they were to stagger.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will be greatly ashamed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will bring great shame upon them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it will never be forgotten (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will never forget it”

Jeremiah 20:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: see the mind and the heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “mind” is a metonym for what a person thinks and decides, and the word “heart” is a metonym for what a person feels and desires. Alternate translation: “know every person’s thoughts and feelings”

Jeremiah 20:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those who are oppressed from the hand of evildoers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” represents power. Alternate translation: “those whom evildoers oppress with their power”

Jeremiah 20:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let the day when I was born be cursed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Curse the day I was born” or “Let people curse the day when I was born”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not let the day that my mother bore me be blessed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Do not bless the day that my mother bore me” or “Do not let people bless the day that my mother bore me”

Jeremiah 20:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let the man who informed my father be cursed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Curse the man who informed my father” or “Let people curse the man who informed my father”

Jeremiah 20:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that man (0)

This refers to the man who informed Jeremiah’s father of Jeremiah’s birth.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the cities that Yahweh overthrew (0)

This refers to Sodom and Gomorrah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he did not have compassion (0)

Here the word “he” refers to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let him hear a cry for help (0)

Here the word “him” refers to “that man.”

Jeremiah 20:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: making my mother to be my tomb (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of his dying while his mother was still pregnant with him as if his mother’s womb were his tomb.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a womb that was pregnant forever (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of his pregnant mother never giving birth to the baby in her womb as if she had been pregnant forever.

Jeremiah 20:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why is it that I came out from the womb to see troubles and agony … shame? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses this rhetorical question to complain that there was no good reason for him to be born. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “There was no reason for me to be born only to see troubles and agony … shame.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to see troubles and agony (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “troubles” and “agony” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the amount and severity of suffering. Alternate translation: “to experience so much suffering”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my days are filled with shame (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here the word “days” represents all the days of Jeremiah’s life. Alternate translation: “my life is filled with shame”

Jeremiah 21

Jeremiah 21 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 21:12–14.

Special concepts in this chapter

Jerusalem doomed

God will fight against Jerusalem and will use the nation of Babylon to fight his battle. If the Jews wanted to live, they needed to surrender to Babylon. Most of the Jews would have rather died than to surrender to Babylon. Usually, fighting against a Gentile nation was a sign of trust in Yahweh’s power. In this instance, it was a sign of trust in Yahweh to surrender. (See: sign, proof, reminder and trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)

Jeremiah 21:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:1, and make any changes as needed. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message to Jeremiah” or “Yahweh spoke a message to Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pashhur (0)

This is not the same Pashhur that was mentioned in Jeremiah 20:1.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pashhur … Malkijah … Maaseiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: and they said (0)

Alternate translation: “Pashhur and Zephaniah said to Jeremiah”

Jeremiah 21:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Seek advice from Yahweh on our behalf … making war on us (0)

This was a polite, but urgent request. Alternate translation: “Please speak to Yahweh for us … attacking us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: as in times past (0)

Alternate translation: “as he did in the past”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will make him withdraw from us (0)

Alternate translation: “will make him go away”

Jeremiah 21:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This tells the hearer to pay special attention to what follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: turn back (0)

This could mean: (1) to make useless or (2) to send back into the city.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the instruments of war that are in your hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This could mean: (1) the instruments of war refers to the soldiers who carry them and “hand” represents control. Alternate translation: “the soldiers that you command” or (2) the instruments of war are literal weapons and “your hand” represent both the king and his soldiers. Alternate translation: “the weapons that you and your soldiers carry” (See also: Synecdoche)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Chaldeans (0)

This term here is another name for the Babylonians.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: closing you in (0)

Alternate translation: “coming close to you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will gather them (0)

This could mean: (1) Yahweh will allow the Babylonians to enter the city or (2) Yahweh will cause the Israelites to bring their weapons back into the center of the city.

Jeremiah 21:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then I myself (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns

This is emphatic and stresses that Yahweh is the one who will do this.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: with a raised hand and a strong arm (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Both of these phrases are idiomatic expressions that refer to great power. Alternate translation: “with very great power”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: with wrath, fury, and great anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These words all mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize the great intensity of his anger. Alternate translation: “with extremely great anger”

Jeremiah 21:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: inhabitants of this city (0)

Alternate translation: “those who live in Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 21:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here this refers to the battle in which swords are used. Alternate translation: “the war”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: into the hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” refers to the power of their enemies over them. Alternate translation: “into the power”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon … their enemies … those seeking their life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

All of these phrases refer to Nebuchadnezzar and his army.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: seeking their life (0)

Alternate translation: “wanting to kill them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: with the edge of the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This could mean: (1) this is a metonym for death in battle. Alternate translation: “in battle” or (2) they will be killed by literal swords.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He will not pity them, spare them, or have compassion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These three phrases have the same meaning and emphasize that Nebuchadnezzar will deal severely with them. Alternate translation: “He will not show them any mercy or compassion at all”

Jeremiah 21:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this people (0)

Alternate translation: “the people of Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to place before you the way of life and the way of death (0)

Yahweh is offering the people of Jerusalem a choice that will determine whether they live or die.

Jeremiah 21:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by the sword, famine, and plague (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Death by the sword refers to death in battle. Alternate translation: “in battle and by famine and plague”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: falling on his knees before (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

This symbolic act represents surrender. Alternate translation: “surrendering to”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: closed in against you (0)

Alternate translation: “attacked you from all sides”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He will escape with his life (0)

The one who surrenders to the Babylonians will escape with his life, even though he will lose all his possessions.

Jeremiah 21:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have set my face against this city (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom means he “firmly decided.” Alternate translation: “I have made up my mind to oppose this city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have set my face against (0)

Alternate translation: “am staring angrily at”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It has been given (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I have given it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: into the hand of the king (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” represents the power of the king to destroy the city. Alternate translation: “into the power of the king”

Jeremiah 21:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Concerning the house of the king of Judah, listen to the word of Yahweh (0)

This may serve as a title for 21:12 - 23:8. Alternate translation: “Listen to what Yahweh says about the king of Judah, his family, and his servants”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of the king of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to king and his family. Alternate translation: “the king of Judah and his family”

Jeremiah 21:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: House of David (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This refers to the same people as “the house of the king of Judah.” All of the kings of Judah were descendants of David. Alternate translation: “Descendants of David”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Bring about justice in the morning (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word justice, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “Always treat the people whom you rule over fairly”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the hand of the oppressor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” refers to power. Alternate translation: “the power of the one who oppresses them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my fury will go out like fire and burn (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here Yahweh’s punishment is spoken of as if it was a fire that would burn up those who did evil. Alternate translation: “I will punish and destroy you in my anger quickly and completely”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: there is no one who can quench it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah continues the simile of Yahweh’s punishment as a fire that was so hot that no one could put it out with water.

Jeremiah 21:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This alerts whoever is hearing to pay special attention to what follows. Alternate translation: “Pay attention”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: inhabitant of the valley (0)

This could mean: (1) this may refer to Jerusalem, which was located above a valley, because “inhabitant” is singular and feminine, as is Jerusalem or (2) this is directed to another city or group of people. Most versions leave the original form rather than specifying the city.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am against (0)

Alternate translation: “I oppose” or “I am going to punish”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Who will come down to attack us? & Who will enter our houses? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

These questions are used to state their confidence that they can resist attack. Alternate translation: “No one will attack us! … No one will enter our houses!”

Jeremiah 21:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have assigned the fruit of your practices to come against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The result of their evil deeds is spoken of as fruit which grew from those practices. Alternate translation: “I will punish you as you deserve because of the things you have done”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the thickets (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) this is a metaphor for the columns of wood that supported the palace or (2) these are literal patches of brush.

Jeremiah 22

Jeremiah 22 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 22:6–10, 13–28, 28–30.

Special concepts in this chapter

Luxury and oppression

Because the king lived in luxury and oppressed the poor, God was sending him and his mother into captivity unless he repented. The king lacked justice. (See: INVALID bible/other/oppress and repent, repentance and just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification)

Jeremiah 22:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of the king of Judah (0)

“the palace of the king of Judah.” The word “house” has a range of possible meanings. In this case it refers to the royal palace where the king lived.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: proclaim this word (0)

Alternate translation: “proclaim this message”

Jeremiah 22:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your people who come through these gates (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

These gates are the gates of the king’s palace. Alternate translation: “your people who come to visit the king”

Jeremiah 22:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Perform justice and righteousness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The abstract nouns “justice” and “righteousness can be stated as actions. Alternate translation: “Act fairly and justly”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: anyone who has been robbed—rescue him from the hand of the oppressor (0)

Alternate translation: “rescue anyone who has been robbed from the hand of the oppressor”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the hand of the oppressor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “the hand” refers to power or control. Alternate translation: “the power of the oppressor” or “the one who would harm him”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not mistreat (0)

Alternate translation: “Do not treat badly”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: orphan (0)

a child who does not have parents

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in this place (0)

This could mean: (1) Jerusalem or (2) the whole country of Judah. This does not imply that it is good to murder people in other places.

Jeremiah 22:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: kings sitting on David’s throne (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The metonym “throne” refers to kingly authority like David had. Alternate translation: “kings, ruling like David before them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the gates of this house (0)

This refers to the gates to the courtyard of the palace.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: riding in a chariot and on horses (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This phrase is a metonym that describes the kings as powerful and wealthy.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he, his servants, and his people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

This sentence lists all who will be powerful and wealthy. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “he, his servants, and his people will ride into the palace on chariots and horses”

Jeremiah 22:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: if you do not listen to (0)

Alternate translation: “if you refuse to pay attention to” or “if you do not obey”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this royal house (0)

This phrase here appears to refer specifically to the royal palace.

Jeremiah 22:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of the king of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This could mean: (1) this refers to the royal palace where the king lived or (2) “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house, who were the royal line of the kings of Judah. Alternate translation: “the royal dynasty of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You are like Gilead, or like the summit of Lebanon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This could mean: (1) “You are as beautiful as Gilead or the summit of Lebanon” or (2) “You give me as much pleasure as Gilead or the summit of Lebanon.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: turn you into a wilderness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

What was formerly beautiful is said to become bare and deserted. Alternate translation: “cause you to become empty like the desert”

Jeremiah 22:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have designated destroyers to come against you (0)

Alternate translation: “I have chosen an army to attack you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the best of your cedars (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) the beams of the palace or (2) the leading men of the royal family.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fall into the fire (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) a literal fire that will burn the palace beams or (2) the destruction of the royal family is spoken of as if they were burned in a fire.

Jeremiah 22:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then many nations will pass by this city (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “nations” refers to the people from those nations that pass by. Alternate translation: “Then many people from various nations will pass by this city”

Jeremiah 22:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bowed down to other gods and worshiped them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean the same thing. The phrase “bowed down” describes the posture that people used in worship. Alternate translation: “they worshiped other gods”

Jeremiah 22:10

General Information:

Yahweh has shifted from addressing the King of Judah and is now speaking to a general audience.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the one who is dead (0)

This is singular, and refers to King Josiah who had been killed.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: him who is about to go away (0)

This refers to King Jehoahaz who was taken into exile in Egypt.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: never return and see his native land (0)

Alternate translation: “never come back and see the land of Israel again” or “never see his homeland again”

Jeremiah 22:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehoahaz (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The name in Hebrew is “Shallum,” but he is better known as Jehoahaz.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who served as king instead of Josiah his father (0)

Alternate translation: “who became king when his father, Josiah, died”

Jeremiah 22:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: him who builds … his upper rooms … who makes … for him … he does not give (0)

The words “him” and “his” and “who” and “he” refer to King Jehoahaz (verse 11).

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: builds his house by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The abstract nouns “unrighteousness” and “injustice” have similar meanings, are repeated for emphasis, and can be stated as actions. Alternate translation: “unjustly forced men to build his house and his upper rooms”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his house (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Jehoahaz (verse 11) and his family.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: him his wages (0)

This refers to any of the neighbors of King Jehoahaz (verse 11) whom the king forces to work.

Jeremiah 22:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he says … he cuts … he panels … he paints (0)

These refer to King Jehoahaz (verse 11).

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a large house with spacious upper rooms … large windows … cedar … red (0)

These characteristics all describe a very expensive house.

Jeremiah 22:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is this what makes you a good king, that you wanted to have boards of cedar? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh asks this rhetorical question to rebuke Jehoiakim for his expensive palace. Alternate translation: “Having a cedar palace does not make you a good king.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Did not your father also eat and drink, yet do … righteousness? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh asks this rhetorical question to remind Jehoiakim about the example of his father, King Josiah. Alternate translation: “Your father King Josiah enjoyed his life, yet did … righteousness.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do justice and righteousness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

These abstract nouns have similar meanings, are repeated for emphasis and can be stated as actions. Alternate translation: “act justly and fairly”

Jeremiah 22:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It was good then (0)

Alternate translation: “Things went well for him”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is this not what it means to know me? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh asks this rhetorical question to rebuke Jehoiakim for not following the example of his father, King Josiah. Alternate translation: “This is what it means to know me.”

Jeremiah 22:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: there is nothing in your eyes and heart except worry … crushing of others (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “eyes” is a metonym for seeing and “heart” is a metonym for thinking. Alternate translation: “you never look for or think about anything except … crushing of others” or “you only look for and think about ways to cheat others and pour out innocent blood, and to oppress and crush others”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: unjust profit (0)

This is getting money by cheating or by using unfair means.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: crushing of others (0)

Alternate translation: “doing violence to others in order to get money”

Jeremiah 22:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will not lament for him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

In verse 18, Yahweh stops speaking directly to Jehoiakim and begins to speak to other people. Here “lament” refers to grieving at Jehoiakim’s death. Alternate translation: “They will not lament for Jehoiakim when he dies”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Woe, my brother! & Woe, my sister! & Woe, master! & Woe, majesty! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Yahweh uses the word “Woe” several times for emphasis. He addresses the various people who would normally show great sadness when someone dies.

Jeremiah 22:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He will be buried with a donkey’s burial, dragged away and thrown out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The burial of Jehoiakim is spoken of as being the same as the manner in which people would bury a donkey.Alternate translation: “They will bury his dead body the way they would bury a dead donkey; they will drag it away and throw it out”

Jeremiah 22:20

General Information:

It appears that Yahweh is here speaking to the people of Jerusalem, telling them that they will be destroyed.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Lift your voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom refers to shouting. In this case, they are crying out in grief. Alternate translation: “Cry out”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Abarim mountains (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

a mountain range that was southeast of Jerusalem

Jeremiah 22:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I spoke to you when you were safe (0)

Alternate translation: “I spoke to you when you were doing well”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This was your custom (0)

Alternate translation: “This was your way of life”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have not listened to my voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Listening is a metonym for obeying. Alternate translation: “you have not obeyed me”

Jeremiah 22:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The wind will shepherd away all your shepherds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This is a wordplay—Yahweh uses the idea of “shepherd” in two different ways. Here “shepherds” is a metaphor for the leaders of Jerusalem, and the wind “leads” them away. The wind represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I will take your leaders away as if the wind had blown them away”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: go into captivity (0)

Alternate translation: “become captives” or “go into exile”

Jeremiah 22:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You who live in ‘Lebanon,’ who is nestled in cedar buildings (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the royal palace as “Lebanon” and “cedar buildings” because it was constructed with a lot of cedar. Alternate translation: “You who live in a palace made from the cedars of Lebanon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You who live (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

This “You” is singular and refers to the king.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: how you will be pitied (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The meaning of the Hebrew is not clear. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) “they will greatly pity you” or (2) “you will groan greatly.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when the labor pains come upon you, pain like that of a woman in labor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The pain that the king will feel when his enemies defeat him will be as intense as the pain a woman feels in childbirth. Alternate translation: “when you experience pain as intense as the pain of a woman in childbirth”

Jeremiah 22:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: even if you … were the signet on my right hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

Yahweh speaks to Jehoiachin as if it were possible for him to be the ring on Yahweh’s hand.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the signet on my right hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

A signet ring was used by a king to place his seal of authority on documents. The signet ring therefore represents authority to rule. The right hand also represents authority to rule. Alternate translation: “the signet ring on my right hand that represented my authority to be king”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I would tear you off (0)

Alternate translation: “I would tear you off from my hand” or “I would quickly pull you off of my hand”

Jeremiah 22:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have given you to the hand of the ones seeking your life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I have made it possible for the ones seeking your life to capture you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to the hand of (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the metonym “hand” represents power and control.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: seeking your life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This phrase represents wanting or trying to kill someone. See how this phrase is translated in Jeremiah 11:21. Alternate translation: “trying to kill you”

Jeremiah 22:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this land to which they will want to return (0)

This refers to the land of Judah.

Jeremiah 22:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is this a despised and shattered vessel? & did not know? (0)

It is not clear who is speaking in verse 28.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is this a despised and shattered vessel? Is this man Jehoiachin a pot that pleases no one? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jehoiachin is spoken of as a pot that was completely worthless and not liked by anyone. The questions emphasize that he has no value or friends. Alternate translation: “Jehoiachin is as useless as a broken vessel and no one is happy with him.” (See also: Rhetorical Question)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why have they thrown him and his descendants out, and have poured them out into a land that they did not know? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rhetorical question explains what will happen to the worthless Jehoiachin. Alternate translation: “Therefore the enemy will remove Jehoiachin and his family from the land and take them to a foreign land.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have poured them out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jehoiachin and his descendants are spoke of as if they had been poured out in another country like garbage from a vessel.

Jeremiah 22:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Land, Land, Land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Yahweh speaks his message to all the people of the land by calling out to the land where they live. The title is repeated to call attention to the message.

Jeremiah 22:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He will be childless (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Jehoiachin has several sons. This phrase, then, means it is as if he was childless. His children will not succeed him as king. Alternate translation: “It will be as if he did not have any children”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sit on David’s throne (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Sitting on a throne is a metonym for ruling as king. Alternate translation: “become king”

Jeremiah 23

Jeremiah 23 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 23:5–6, 9–24.

Special concepts in this chapter

Prophesying lies

The false prophets had encouraged people to continue sinning by saying everything will be alright. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Wordplay

In Hebrew, the word for “message” can also mean “burden.” In translations that are using footnotes, you may want to explain the wordplay in a footnote. In translations that are not using footnotes or which will primarily be distributed in an oral form, you may need a sentence like “What message has the Lord burdened you with now?” or “You (plural) call God’s message a heavy burden on you.”

Jeremiah 23:1

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

General Information:

In verses 1–4, Yahweh refers to Israel as his pasture, the people of Israel as his sheep, and the leaders of Israel as the shepherds. Shepherds have a duty to protect the sheep, but the leaders were not doing that.

Jeremiah 23:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have scattered my flock and have driven them away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases have similar meanings. The second one strengthens the thought in the first.

Jeremiah 23:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to a grazing place (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh refers to the land of Israel as if it were good pasture for his people. Alternate translation: “to good pasture”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will be fruitful and increase (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The word “increase” explains how they will be “fruitful.” Alternate translation: “they will increase greatly in number”

Jeremiah 23:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will raise up (0)

Alternate translation: “I will appoint”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will no longer fear or be shattered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “be shattered” mean that someone has caused them to be afraid and mean basically the same thing as “fear.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: None of them (0)

Alternate translation: “None of my people”

Jeremiah 23:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This word alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will raise up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom means he will appoint a successor.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a righteous branch (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This future king descended from David is spoken of as if he were a branch grown on a tree. Alternate translation: “a righteous descendant”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a righteous branch (0)

Some modern versions translate this as “a legitimate successor to the throne.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cause justice and righteousness in the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The abstract nouns “justice” and “righteousness” can be stated as actions. Alternate translation: “cause people to act justly and rightly”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “land” refers to the people who live in the land. Alternate translation: “for all the people in the nation”

Jeremiah 23:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Judah will be rescued (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Judah” refers to the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah will be rescued”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Judah will be rescued (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “He will rescue Judah from their enemies”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Israel will live in security (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Israel” refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel will live in security”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will be called (0)

this refers to the king

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh is our righteousness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word righteousness, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, the one who does what is right for us”

Jeremiah 23:7

General Information:

This verse is very similar to Jeremiah 16:14, although not exactly the same. Compare how you translated that verse.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: see (0)

The word “see” here alerts the reader to pay attention to the important information that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: As Yahweh lives (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

“as surely as Yahweh is alive.” The people use this expression to show that what they say next is certainly true. This is a way of making a solemn promise. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 4:2. Alternate translation: “I solemnly swear”

Jeremiah 23:8

General Information:

This verse is very similar to Jeremiah 16:15, although not exactly the same. Compare how you translated that verse.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who brought up and who led back (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean the same thing and can be combined. Alternate translation: “who brought back”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “the kingdom of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the northern land and all the lands where they had been driven (0)

This refers to the way the northern ten tribes of Israel were captured and spread out among the surrounding countries.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then they will live in their own land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This refers to Israel, from where they were scattered. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “Then they will live in their own land again”

Jeremiah 23:9

General Information:

In verses 9–32 Jeremiah delivers Yahweh’s message to the false prophets and the priests. Jeremiah is speaking in verse 9, but it is not clear if verse 10 are the words of Jeremiah or of Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Regarding the prophets, my heart is broken in me, and all of my bones tremble (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The prophet speaks of his heart being broken and his bones trembling because he is afraid of the judgment that will result from the lies of the false prophets. Alternate translation: “I have great fear for what will happen because of the false prophets”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my heart is broken in me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom refers to deep sadness. Alternate translation: “I am very sad”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of my bones tremble (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here trembling is associated with fear. Alternate translation: “I am very afraid”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have become like a drunk man, like a man whom wine has overpowered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

People who are drunk are not able to control themselves. Likewise, Jeremiah has lost control of himself out of fear of Yahweh’s punishment. Alternate translation: “I am like a drunk man; I cannot control myself”

Jeremiah 23:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land is full of adulterers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The land is spoken of as if it were a container and the adulterers were objects that filled the container completely. That is, everyone in the land is an adulterer, which in turn is an exaggeration for very many people being adulterers.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: adulterers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This word here probably has two senses. It has the literal meaning that the men in the nation had committed adultery against their own wives, and it also has the figurative meaning that they had abandoned Yahweh in order to worship idols.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land is dried up (0)

Some modern versions interpret this Hebrew phrase as “the land mourns.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: These prophets’ paths are wicked (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The wicked actions of the false prophets are spoken of as if they were walking on an evil path. Alternate translation: “These prophets are doing things that are wicked”

Jeremiah 23:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Jeremiah continues to deliver Yahweh’s message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the prophets and the priests are polluted (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The prophets and priests are defiled by sin in the same way that water can be polluted by filth. Alternate translation: “the prophets and the priests are sinful”

Jeremiah 23:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their way will be like a slippery place in the darkness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The danger of their actions is spoken of as if they were about to fall off the slippery edge of a cliff in the dark and injure themselves. Alternate translation: “there actions are unstable and dangerous, like walking on a slippery place in the darkness”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will send disaster against them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of disaster as an enemy that he will send to attack the priests and false prophets. Alternate translation: “I will cause them to experience disaster”

Jeremiah 23:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Jeremiah continues to deliver Yahweh’s message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: led my people Israel astray (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The deception of the people by the false prophets is spoken of as leading them down the wrong path. Alternate translation: “deceived my people, the Israelites”

Jeremiah 23:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They commit adultery (0)

This could mean: (1) they were literally unfaithful to their wives or (2) their worship of other gods is spoken of as spiritual adultery.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: walk in deceit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom means they lived a life of deceit. Alternate translation: “live in dishonesty”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They strengthen the hands of evildoers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “hands” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “They strengthen those who do evil” or “They encourage people who do evil”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no one turns back from his evildoing (0)

This can be state in positive form. Alternate translation: “everyone continues in their sin”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All of them have become like Sodom … like Gomorrah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Sodom and Gomorrah were cities that were so wicked that God destroyed them with fire from heaven. Alternate translation: “They all became as evil as Sodom … as wicked as Gomorrah”

Jeremiah 23:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

The word “look” here alerts the reader to pay attention to the important information that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to make them eat wormwood and drink poisonous water (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Wormwood is a plant that is very bitter and unpleasant to eat. This phrase describes the punishment that Yahweh was going to bring about on the evil prophets. In the same way wormwood was bitter and the water was poisonous, so would Yaweh’s judgment be on the evil prophets.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to (0)

Alternate translation: “I will soon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pollution has gone out from the prophets (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the evil teaching of the priests and false prophets is spoken of as if it were something filthy that ruined the land. Alternate translation: “evil has come from the prophets”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pollution (0)

dirty and unsafe things that spoil the air, water, or land where they are found

Jeremiah 23:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Jeremiah continues to deliver Yahweh’s message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They have deluded you! (0)

Alternate translation: “The prophets have caused you to believe something that is not true!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: visions from their own minds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “minds” refers to the thoughts of the false prophets. Alternate translation: “visions that they imagined”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: not from Yahweh’s mouth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “mouth” refers to what Yahweh said. Alternate translation: “not what Yahweh said”

Jeremiah 23:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They are constantly saying (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The word “constantly” is an exaggeration to emphasize that this is what they normally say.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: everyone walking in the stubbornness of his own heart says (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “heart” refers to their desires. To follow those desires is spoken of as walking in them. Alternate translation: “everyone stubbornly does whatever they desire to do”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Disaster will not come upon you (0)

Alternate translation: “Nothing bad will happen to you”

Jeremiah 23:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yet who has stood in Yahweh’s council meeting? Who sees and hears his word? Who pays attention to his word and listens? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

These questions are used to rebuke the priests and false prophets for not obeying Yahweh. Alternate translation: “No one advises Yahweh. No one understands what Yahweh says. No one obeys Yahweh’s commands.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pays attention to his word and listens (0)

These two phrases mean the same thing. They can be combined in one phrase. Alternate translation: “obeys his word at all”

Jeremiah 23:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Jeremiah continues to deliver Yahweh’s message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: there is a storm coming from Yahweh … His fury is going out … a tempest is whirling about (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

These three phrases all refer to a great storm that is a metaphor for Yahweh’s anger. This can be stated as a simile. Alternate translation: “Yahweh’s anger is coming like a great storm, going out with fury and whirling like a tempest”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a tempest (0)

a violent windstorm

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It is whirling around the heads of the wicked (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh’s anger is spoken of as if it were a windstorm whirling around the wicked. Alternate translation: “It is coming upon the wicked like a windstorm”

Jeremiah 23:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh’s wrath will not return until it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Yahweh’s wrath is spoken of as if it were alive and could act on its own. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will not stop being angry until he”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: carried out and brought into being his heart’s intentions (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “heart’s intentions” refers to the things that Yahweh wanted to happen. Alternate translation: “completed and accomplished all the punishment that he had planned”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the final days (0)

Alternate translation: “the future”

Jeremiah 23:21

General Information:

Yahweh is the speaker in verses 21–40.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Jeremiah continues to deliver Yahweh’s message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they have still prophesied (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It is understood that they are prophesying falsely. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “they have prophesied falsely anyway”

Jeremiah 23:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: if they had stood in my council meeting (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

Yahweh states what would have happened if the priests and false prophets had participated in Yahweh’s council meeting in heaven. This hypothetical situation is impossible. Alternate translation: “if they had truly listened to me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my council meeting (0)

In ancient times, God was thought to hold meetings with the angels in heaven. Yahweh is referring to this kind of meeting, which humans could not attend. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 23:18.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to turn from (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom means they would stop doing these things.

Jeremiah 23:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to deliver his message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9 and completes in Jeremiah 23:40.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Am I only a God nearby … and not also a God far away? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to rebuke the priests and false prophets for thinking that he did not rule everywhere. Alternate translation: “I am not only a God who is here in Jerusalem … but I am everywhere!”

Jeremiah 23:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Can anyone hide in a secret place so I cannot see him? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to rebuke the priests and false prophets for thinking that he did not see the evil that they were doing. Alternate translation: “No one can hide in a secret place so I cannot see him.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do I not fill the heavens and the earth? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that he is everywhere in heaven and on earth. Alternate translation: “I am everywhere, both in the heavens and on the earth.”

Jeremiah 23:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to deliver his message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9 and completes in Jeremiah 23:40.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: prophesying deceit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “deceit” can be expressed as an adjective or an adverb. Alternate translation: “prophesying deceit things” or “prophesying deceitfully”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This phrase refers to speaking with Yahweh’s power and authority or as his representative. See how you translated this phrase in Jeremiah 14:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I had a dream! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

They meant that this dream was from God. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “I had a dream from Yahweh”

Jeremiah 23:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How long will this go on, prophets who prophesy lies from their minds, and who prophesy from the deceit in their hearts? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh asks this question to emphasize that this is something that should not continue. Alternate translation: “This should not continue, prophets declaring lies which they themselves have made up.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: prophesy lies from their minds … prophesy from the deceit in their hearts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that the false prophets made up their prophesies. Alternate translation: “prophesy things that come only from their own minds”

Jeremiah 23:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: forget my name … forgot my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “name” refers to the whole being of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “forget me … forgot me” or “forget who I am … forgot who I am”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in favor of Baal’s name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Baal’s name” refers to the god Baal. Alternate translation: “leading my people to worship Baal instead of me”

Jeremiah 23:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to deliver his message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9 and completes in Jeremiah 23:40.

Jeremiah 23:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is not my word like fire? & and like a hammer that shatters a rock into pieces? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses these questions to emphasize that his word is much more powerful than the words of mere men. Alternate translation: “My word is powerful like fire … and powerful like a hammer that shatters a rock into pieces.”

Jeremiah 23:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am against (0)

Alternate translation: “I am opposed to”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: steals words from another person (0)

This implies that the false prophets are thieves. They are so evil that they take each other’s messages without permission rather than make up their own false messages.

Jeremiah 23:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to deliver his message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9 and completes in Jeremiah 23:40.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This alerts the reader to pay special attention to what follows. Alternate translation: “Pay attention”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who use their tongues (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “tongues” is a metonym for the ability to speak.

Jeremiah 23:33

General Information:

In verses 33–40 there is a wordplay with the word “burden.” Sometimes it means “a message” and other times it means “a heavy load to carry.” This wordplay should be retained if possible.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to deliver his message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9 and completes in Jeremiah 23:40.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: asks you … you will say (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

These two instances of “you” are singular and refer to Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What is the burden of Yahweh? (0)

Here “burden” means a message or prophecy from Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You are the burden … cast you off (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

These two instances of “you” are plural and refer to the false prophets and the priests.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You are the burden (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “burden” means a heavy load. This is a metaphor that means they annoy Yahweh and he no longer wants to put up with them. Alternate translation: “You are a burden that I am tired of carrying”

Jeremiah 23:34

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is the burden of Yahweh (0)

Here “burden” means a message or prophecy from Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his house (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “house” is a metonym for the family that lives inside it. Alternate translation: “his family”

Jeremiah 23:35

General Information:

In verses 33–40 there is a wordplay with the word “burden.” Sometimes it means “a message” and other times it means “a heavy load to carry.” This wordplay should be retained if possible.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues to deliver his message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9 and completes in Jeremiah 23:40.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You continue to say & ‘What did Yahweh declare?’ (0)

It may be helpful to reorder this sentence. Alternate translation: “Each person continues to ask his neighbor and his brother, ‘What did Yahweh answer?’ and ‘What did Yahweh declare?’”

Jeremiah 23:36

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But you must no longer talk about the ‘burden of Yahweh,’ for the burden is every man’s own word, and (0)

This could mean: (1) both instances of “burden” mean “message.” Alternate translation: “You must no longer call your visions the ‘burden of Yahweh’ because they are really only every man’s own words, and” or (2) the first ‘burden’ means “message” and the second means “heavy load.” Alternate translation: “You must no longer talk about the ‘message of Yahweh’ because the words that each of you speak are what is a ‘heavy load.’ In this way”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have perverted the words … our God (0)

To “pervert” something is to twist or distort it. Alternate translation: “you have changed the message of the living God, Yahweh of hosts, our God, to say what you want it to say and not what God said”

Jeremiah 23:37

General Information:

In verses 33–40 there is a wordplay with the word “burden.” Sometimes it means “a message” and other times it means “a heavy load to carry.” This wordplay should be retained if possible.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh completes his message about the false prophets and priests that he began in Jeremiah 23:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is what you will say (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

Here “you” is singular and refers to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 23:38

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But if you say … Because you have said … when I sent to you … You will not say (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

All of these instances of “you” are plural and refer to the priests and false prophets.

Jeremiah 23:39

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: therefore, behold (0)

“therefore, pay attention.” This alerts the reader to pay special attention to what follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to pick you up and throw you away from me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of sending these priests and false prophets into exile as if they were an object that he was going to throw far away. Alternate translation: “I am about to drive you away from me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pick you up … throw you … I gave you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

All of these instances of “you” are plural and refer to the priests and false prophets.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the city that I gave you (0)

This refers to Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 23:40

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: insult on you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

This instance of “you” is plural and refers to the priests and false prophets.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will put everlasting shame and insult on you that will not be forgotten (0)

“I will cover you with shame that will last forever and insult that you will never forget” or “I will cause people to make fun of you forever. People will never forget that you were disgraced.” Yahweh speaks of the humiliation of the priests and false prophets as if he would put shame and insult on them like clothing.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that will not be forgotten (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that will last forever”

Jeremiah 24

Jeremiah 24 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The exiles are blessed and the others punished

God will bless the people who were taken away into Babylon but punish the people left in the land because they still did not repent and turn to him. (See: bless, blessed, blessing and repent, repentance)

Jeremiah 24:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: me (0)

All instances of this pronoun refer to Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Behold (0)

The word “Behold” here shows that Jeremiah saw something interesting.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This vision happened … them to Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

This part of the story is used to provide historical information to show when the events of the happened.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: craftsmen (0)

people skilled at building things

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: metalworkers (0)

people skilled at creating things out of metal

Jeremiah 24:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they could not be eaten (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

These can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one could eat them”

Jeremiah 24:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they cannot be eaten (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

These can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one could eat them … no one can eat them”

Jeremiah 24:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated it in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave me a message. He said,” or “Yahweh spoke this message to me:”

Jeremiah 24:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will look on the exiles of Judah for their benefit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “look on” is an idiom that means Yahweh will take care of them. Alternate translation: “I will take good care of the exiles of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: just like these good figs (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The good figs represent those Judean exiles sent to the land of Chaldea.

Jeremiah 24:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will set my eyes on them for good (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “set my eyes” means he will see them. Seeing them is a metonym for caring for them. Alternate translation: “I will bless them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will build them up, and not tear them down. I will plant them, and not uproot them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two metaphors have similar meanings. The second one strengthens the thought in the first. Alternate translation: “I will help them to prosper in Chaldea”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will build them up, and not tear them down (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speak of the exiles as a building which Yahweh will build and not tear down. Alternate translation: “I will help them flourish in the land, and not ruin them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will plant them, and not uproot them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speak of the exiles as plants which Yahweh will plant in good soil and not pull out. Alternate translation: “I will establish them in the land, and not remove them”

Jeremiah 24:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will turn them into a frightening thing, a disaster … a disgrace and a subject for proverbs, taunts, and curses (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These phrases mean the same thing and emphasize how thoroughly Yahweh will judge the people of Jerusalem. They will become something that will frighten other people when they see it. (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 24:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will send out sword, famine, and plague against them (0)

Alternate translation: “I will kill them with war, famine and sicknesses”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will send out sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” refers to war or enemy armies. Alternate translation: “I will send enemy armies” or “I will send out war”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are destroyed from the land (0)

Alternate translation: “none of them remain in the land”

Jeremiah 25

Jeremiah 25 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 25:30–38.

Special concepts in this chapter

Seventy years

Babylon will rule over Judah for seventy years. Because Yahweh is just, he will soon punish Babylon for their evil actions. (See: just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification and evil, wicked, unpleasant)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Idiom

Jeremiah uses the idiom of drinking the cup of wine of God’s punishment to say that Babylon will destroy all the surrounding nations and then be destroyed. (See: Idiom)

Jeremiah 25:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is the word that came to Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

It is implied that the word that came to Jeremiah was from Yahweh. This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 7:1. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah” or “This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the fourth … the first (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

Jeremiah 25:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Amon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is a man’s name.

Jeremiah 25:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let each man turn from his wicked way and the corruption of his practices (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of people who stop committing an action as if those people were turning away from that action.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his wicked way and the corruption of his practices (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms “wicked way” and “corruption of his practices” mean the same thing and refer to every sinful thing that they do.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the corruption of his practices (0)

Alternate translation: “his corrupt practices”

Jeremiah 25:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do not walk after other gods (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of a person being devoted to a god as if the person were walking behind the god. Alternate translation: “do not become devoted to other gods”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do not provoke him with the work of your hands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The word “him” refers to Yahweh. Here, the phrase the work of your hands could mean: (1) it is a reference to the idols that the people have made with their hands. Alternate translation: “do not provoke Yahweh with the idols that you have made” or (2) It is an idiom that refers to the actions of a person, with the word “hands” being a synecdoche that represents the person who does those actions. Alternate translation: “do not provoke Yahweh by the things that you do” (See also: Synecdoche and Idiom)

Jeremiah 25:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have provoked me with the work of your hands to do harm to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 25:6. Here, the phrase the work of your hands could mean: (1) it is a reference to the idols that the people have made with their hands. Alternate translation: “you have provoked me to harm you because of the idols that you have made with your hands” or (2) It is an idiom that refers to the actions of a person, with the word “hands” being a synecdoche that represents the person who does those actions. Alternate translation: “you have provoked me to harm you because of the things that you do” (See also: Synecdoche and Idiom)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to do harm to you (0)

Alternate translation: “so that I do harm to you”

Jeremiah 25:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

Jeremiah 25:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: see (0)

Alternate translation: “look” or “listen” or “pay attention to what i am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bring them against this land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom to “bring … against this land” means that they will attack the people who live in the land. Alternate translation: “bring them to attack this land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will set them apart for destruction (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “set … apart for destruction” means to destroy something completely. Alternate translation: “I will destroy them completely”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will turn them into a horror (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “horror” may be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “I will turn them into something that horrifies people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an object for hissing (0)

The word “hissing” refers to a sound that shows strong disapproval and can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “an object at which people will hiss”

Jeremiah 25:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: millstones (0)

These are two large, round stones used to grind grain.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sound of joy and sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:34.

Jeremiah 25:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of this land will become a desolation and a horror (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The words “desolation” and “horror” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “I will cause this land to be desolate and something that horrifies people”

Jeremiah 25:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when seventy years have been completed (0)

Alternate translation: “after seventy years” or “after seventy years have passed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an unending desolation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The noun “desolation” can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “desolate forever”

Jeremiah 25:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: everything written in this book (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “everything that Jeremiah has written in this book” or “everything that one has written in this book”

Jeremiah 25:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will repay them for their deeds and the works of their hands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of punishing the people of the nations for what they have done as if he were paying them back.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their deeds and the works of their hands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: “everything that they have done”

Jeremiah 25:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Take this cup of the wine of fury (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of his extreme anger as if it were wine that fills a cup. Alternate translation: “Take this cup of wine that represents my fury”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: make all the nations … drink it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “nations” represents the people of the nations. Yahweh speaks of people experiencing his fury as if they were to drink the wine that is in the cup. Alternate translation: “make all the people of the nations … drink the wine” (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 25:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will drink and then stagger about and rant madly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the people being terrified about his fury as if they were drunk from drinking the wine from the cup.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: before the sword that I am sending out among them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “because of the wars that I am causing to happen among them”

Jeremiah 25:17

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This passage continues the metaphor of Yahweh’s extreme anger as wine that he causes the people of the nations to drink from a cup.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I made all the nations … drink it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “nations” represents the people of the nations. Alternate translation: “I made all the people of the nations … drink the wine from the cup”

Jeremiah 25:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: something terrifying (0)

The adjective “terrifying” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “something that terrifies people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an object for hissing and cursing (0)

The word “hissing” refers to a sound that shows strong disapproval. Both “hissing” and “cursing” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “an object at which people hiss and which they curse”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are at this present day (0)

Here, this phrase could mean: (1) refers to the time when the book of Jeremiah was written and some time after Jeremiah had proclaimed this prophecy or (2) means that the things about which Jeremiah prophesies here have already started to happen.

Jeremiah 25:19

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This passage continues the metaphor of Yahweh’s extreme anger as wine that he causes the people of the nations to drink from a cup.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Other nations also had to drink it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “nations” represents the people of the nations. Alternate translation: “People from other nations also had to drink the wine from the cup”

Jeremiah 25:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: people of mixed heritage (0)

This could mean: (1) people whose ancestors were from different people groups or (2) foreigners who lived in Egypt.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Uz (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a place.

Jeremiah 25:22

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This passage continues the metaphor of Yahweh’s extreme anger as wine that he causes the people of the nations to drink from a cup.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sea (0)

This is a reference to the Mediterranean Sea.

Jeremiah 25:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Dedan, Tema, and Buz (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of places.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the ones who cut the hair on the sides of their heads (0)

This probably refers to people who cut their hair short in order to honor a pagan god. Some modern versions interpret this Hebrew expression as “all the people who live on the edge of the wilderness.” See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 9:26.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they also had to drink it (0)

Alternate translation: “they also had to drink the wine from the cup”

Jeremiah 25:24

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This passage continues the metaphor of Yahweh’s extreme anger as wine that he causes the people of the nations to drink from a cup.

Jeremiah 25:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Zimri (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a place.

Jeremiah 25:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: everyone with his brother (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom that means every person, one after another. Alternate translation: “one after another”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of them had to drink the cup from Yahweh’s hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “the cup” is a metonym for the wine that it contains. Alternate translation: “all of these people had to drink the wine from the cup in Yahweh’s hand”

Jeremiah 25:27

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This passage continues the metaphor of Yahweh’s extreme anger as wine that he causes the people of the nations to drink from a cup.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: before the sword that I am sending among you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “before the wars that I am causing to happen among you”

Jeremiah 25:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the city that is called by my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This refers to Jerusalem and can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the city that I have called by my name” or “Jerusalem, which I have called by my name”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: and should you yourselves be free from punishment? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh asks this question to rebuke the people and to emphasize that he will certainly punish them. Alternate translation: “so do not think that you yourselves will be free from punishment.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am calling a sword against all the inhabitants of the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “I am declaring war against all the inhabitants of the land”

Jeremiah 25:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh will roar (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh shouting very loudly as if he were roaring like a lion.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the heights (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This phrase is a metonym for heaven. Alternate translation: “from heaven”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will roar mightily against his fold (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh as if he were a lion and his people were a flock of sheep. The people will be helpless when Yahweh comes to punish them, as sheep are helpless when a lion attacks.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those who tread the grapes (0)

This refers to people who crush grapes in a winepress with their feet in order to make wine.

Jeremiah 25:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to the ends of the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom that means the farthest places on the earth. Alternate translation: “to the farthest places on the earth” or “to everywhere on earth”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on all flesh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “flesh” represents humanity. Alternate translation: “on all mankind” or “on all people”

Jeremiah 25:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: disaster is going out from nation to nation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Yahweh speaks of great disasters happening in each nation as if “disaster” were a person who goes from nation to nation. Alternate translation: “great disasters are going to happen in one nation after another”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a great storm is beginning from the farthest parts of the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, this metaphor could mean: (1) Yahweh speaks of Babylonian army and the destruction that it will cause as if it were a great storm or (2) Yahweh speaks of his great anger as if it were a great storm that causes much destruction.

Jeremiah 25:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those killed by Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “those whom Yahweh killed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will on that day extend from one end of the earth to the other (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

By mentioning both ends of the earth, this phrase represents everywhere in between those ends. Alternate translation: “will on that day cover the entire earth”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will not be mourned, gathered, or buried (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one will mourn them, gather them, or bury them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will be like dung on the ground (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The bodies are compared to dung on the ground to emphasize that they will be disgusting and that no one will bury them. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 16:4.

Jeremiah 25:34

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: shepherds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the leaders of Israel as if they were shepherds who are responsible for protecting and caring for the people, who, implicitly, are spoken of as if they are the sheep.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Roll about in the dust (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

This is a sign of sorrow, mourning or distress.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you leaders of the flock (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This phrase also refers to the leaders of Israel who are responsible to care for the people, who are spoken of as if they were a flock of sheep. Alternate translation: “you leaders of the people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for the days of your slaughter have come (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

Usually it is the sheep that are slaughtered, but here Yahweh says that he will slaughter the shepherds. Alternate translation: “for the time has come for me to slaughter you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will be scattered when you fall like fine pottery (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the leaders of Israel being destroyed as if they are pieces of pottery that shatter when they fall to the ground. Alternate translation: “you will fall like fine pottery and your shattered pieces will scatter on the ground”

Jeremiah 25:36

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh is destroying their pastures (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the nation in which the leaders think that they live peacefully as if it were the “pastures” in which they care for the sheep

Jeremiah 25:37

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So the peaceful pastures will be devastated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh continues to speak of the leaders of Israel as if they were shepherds. Here he speaks of the nation as the “pastures” in which they think they live peacefully.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the peaceful pastures will be devastated because of Yahweh’s fierce anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be put into active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will devastate the peaceful pastures because of he extremely angry”

Jeremiah 25:38

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Like a young lion, he has left his den (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh punishing his people in his extreme wrath is spoken of as if Yahweh were a lion who leaves his den in search of prey.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their land will become a horror (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The word “horror” may be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “their land will become something that horrifies people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the oppressor’s anger (0)

This refers to the anger of Israel’s enemies.

Jeremiah 26

Jeremiah 26 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The people want to kill Jeremiah

The people wanted to kill Jeremiah but other people intervened and said that they should listen to Jeremiah and repent. They represent the remnant of the faithful Jews. (See: repent, repentance and remnant and faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy)

Jeremiah 26:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this word came from Yahweh, saying (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 18:1, and make any changes as needed. Alternate translation: “This message came from Yahweh. He said” or “Yahweh spoke this message”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this word came from Yahweh, saying (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It can be stated clearly who Yahweh gave this message to. Alternate translation: “this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah”

Jeremiah 26:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cities of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “cities” is a metonym for the people who live in the city. Alternate translation: “people from the cities of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not cut short any word! (0)

Alternate translation: “Do not leave anything out from what I have told you!”

Jeremiah 26:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: each man will turn from his wicked ways (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of a person’s lifestyle as if it were a “way” or path along which the person walks. Alternate translation: “each man will stop his wicked way of living”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so I will relent concerning the disaster (0)

This is conditional destruction. If Judah repents, God will not destroy but heal them.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the wickedness of their practices (0)

Alternate translation: “the wicked way that they live” or “the wicked things that they do”

Jeremiah 26:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: then I will make this house like Shiloh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Yahweh had destroyed a place of worship at Shiloh, and he was threatening to destroy this place of worship.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will turn this city into a curse (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

What Yahweh would turn the city into is a metonym for what people would use the city for. Alternate translation: “I will make this city so that people will ask me to destroy others the way I have destroyed this city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the sight of all the nations on earth (0)

Alternate translation: “so that all the nations on earth can see me do it”

Jeremiah 26:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh’s house (0)

the temple

Jeremiah 26:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the people seized him and said, “You will certainly die! (0)

This could mean: (1) The people chose to believe the lie of false peace and did not want to be confronted with the truth, or (2) the people believed the other prophets proclaiming peace and saw Jeremiah as a false prophet who should be stoned for leading the people astray.

Jeremiah 26:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why have you prophesied … inhabitant? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This rebuke can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not have prophesied … inhabitant.”

Jeremiah 26:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the New Gate (0)

the name of the gate through which people went into the temple

Jeremiah 26:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you heard with your own ears (0)

Alternate translation: “you heard”

Jeremiah 26:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this house and this city (0)

Alternate translation: “the people who worship in Yahweh’s temple and those who live in the city of Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 26:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your ways … your practices (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean almost the same thing. Alternate translation: “the things you do”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: listen to the voice of Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The voice is a synecdoche for the person, and the same word can be translated “listen” or “obey.” Alternate translation: “obey Yahweh”

Jeremiah 26:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do to me what is good and right in your eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “good” and “right” mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “Do to me whatever you think is the right thing to do”

Jeremiah 26:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you are bringing innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and its inhabitants (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Blood is a metonym for violent death, and to bring blood on someone is to make them guilty of violent death. Alternate translation: “you are making yourselves and this city and its inhabitants guilty of the violent death of an innocent person”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this city and its inhabitants (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These are two ways of speaking of the same people, perhaps first as a group and then as individuals. The city is a metonym for the people in the city. Alternate translation: “all the people in the city and every one of the people who live here”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for your ears (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The ear is a metonym for what the ear hears. Alternate translation: “for you to hear”

Jeremiah 26:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the name of Yahweh our God (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The person’s name is a metonym for his authority. Alternate translation: “with the authority of Yahweh our God”

Jeremiah 26:18

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

General Information:

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Morashite (0)

a person from the town or region of Moresheth

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Zion will become a plowed field … and the hill of the temple will become a thicket (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“Zion” and “the hill of the temple” refer to the same place. When a farmer plows a field, he turns over all the dirt and uproots all the plants that are growing there. A thicket is so full of bushes that no one can use it for anything. These two metaphors cannot be literally true at the same time, but they emphasize that Yahweh will allow the invaders to completely destroy the temple area.

Jeremiah 26:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Did Hezekiah … put him to death? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The speakers are trying to get the hearers to agree with what they are saying. Alternate translation: “You know very well that Hezekiah … did not put him to death.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The land is a metonym for the people who live there. Alternate translation: “all the people of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Did he not fear Yahweh and appease the face of Yahweh … them? (0)

The speakers are trying to get the hearers to agree with what they are saying. Alternate translation: “You know very well that he feared Yahweh and appeased the face of Yahweh so that Yahweh … them.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: appease the face of Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The face is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “cause Yahweh to be less angry”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So will we do greater evil against our own lives? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The speakers are trying to get the hearers to agree with what they are saying. The word “lives” is a metonym for the people. Alternate translation: “If we kill Jeremiah, we will do greater evil against our own lives.” or “We do not want to do worse things to ourselves.”

Jeremiah 26:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Jeremiah stops telling about his own life and begins telling about what happened to another prophet.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Meanwhile there was (0)

Alternate translation: “While what I was just telling you about was happening, there was”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: prophesied against this city and this land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The words “city” and “land” are metonyms for the people who live there. Alternate translation: “prophesied that bad things would happen to the people who lived in this city and this land”

Jeremiah 26:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: heard his word (0)

Alternate translation: “heard what he said”

Jeremiah 26:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

This is the end of the story of Uriah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Elnathan … Akbor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

men’s names

Jeremiah 26:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: corpse (0)

dead body

Jeremiah 26:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the hand of Ahikam … was with Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The hand is a metonym for the power that the hand exercises. Ahikam was not a soldier, so he probably was able to talk to people and change their minds. Alternate translation: “Ahikam … was able to help Jeremiah” or “Ahikam … was able to keep the people from harming Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ahikam … Shaphan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

men’s names

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he was not given into the hand of the people to be put to death (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The hand is a metonym for the power that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “Ahikam did not allow the people to have the power to put Jeremiah to death”

Jeremiah 27

Jeremiah 27 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The nations should serve Babylon

Jeremiah told the king of Judah, and all the surrounding nations, to serve the Babylonians and live in their land. If they refused, Babylon would take them as captives to another land.

Jeremiah 27:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fetters (0)

things that keep a person from moving freely

Jeremiah 27:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then send them out (0)

This seems to mean that Jeremiah was to send a set of fetters and yoke to each king listed. But some versions of the Bible translate this as “Then send out messages.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Send them by the hand of those kings’ ambassadors who … Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The hand is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “Have those kings’ ambassadors, who … Judah, take them”

Jeremiah 27:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Give commands to them for their masters (0)

Jeremiah was instructed to give a set of chains and yoke to each ambassador and a message for each king regarding the chains and yoke.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

Jeremiah 27:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I give it to anyone who is right in my eyes (0)

Another possible meaning is “I give it to anyone I want to.”

Jeremiah 27:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I … am giving all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar … servant (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The hand is a metonym for the power that the hand exercises, and the word “lands” is a metonym for the people who live in those lands. Alternate translation: “I … am putting the people who live in all these lands under the power of Nebuchadnezzar … servant”

Jeremiah 27:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the time for his land comes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

You may need to make explicit the nature of the time. Alternate translation: “the time for me to destroy his land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: subdue him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “him” refers to Nebuchadnezzar who represents the kingdom of Babylon. Alternate translation: “will defeat Babylon”

Jeremiah 27:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that does not put its neck under the yoke of the king (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being the king’s slave is spoken of as being an animal on to the shoulders of which the king puts a yoke so it can do heavy work. Alternate translation: “and whose people do not willingly become slaves of the king”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have destroyed it by his hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The hand here could be a metonym for Nebuchadnezzar’s power, or it could be a metonym for Nebuchadnezzar’s armies. Alternate translation: “I have used Nebuchadnezzar’s power to destroy it” or “I have enabled Nebuchadnezzar’s armies to destroy i”

Jeremiah 27:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: soothsayers (0)

people who say what will happen in the future

Jeremiah 27:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the nation that places its neck under the yoke of the king (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being the king’s slave is spoken of as being an animal onto the shoulders of which the king puts a yoke so it can do heavy work. See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 27:8. Alternate translation: “the nation whose people willingly becomes slaves of the king”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the nation that places (0)

The nation here is a metonym for the people of that nation. Alternate translation: “the nation of people who place”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cultivate (0)

This means to prepare and use land to grow food crops

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: make their homes in it (0)

Alternate translation: “make their homes in their own land”

Jeremiah 27:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Place your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon (0)

Being the king’s slave is spoken of as being an animal onto the shoulders of which the king puts a yoke so it can do heavy work. See how similar words were translated in Jeremiah 27:8.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Place your necks (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

The word “your” refers to Zedekiah and the people of Judah and so is plural.

Jeremiah 27:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why will you die … king of Babylon? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses this question to warn the king that his actions will lead to his death. Alternate translation: “For if you do not do this, you will surely die … king.”

Jeremiah 27:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not listen to the words (0)

Yahweh is warning the people about all the false prophets that he did not send and that are lying to them.

Jeremiah 27:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are prophesying deceit in my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The phrase “in my name” represents speaking with Yahweh’s power and authority or as his representative. Here these prophets claim that they received their message from Yahweh, but they had not. Alternate translation: “they say they are speaking for me when they prophesy, but they are deceiving you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will drive you out (0)

Alternate translation: “I will force you to leave your home country”

Jeremiah 27:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The objects belonging to Yahweh’s house are being returned from Babylon now! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “People are bringing back all the gold items that they took from Yahweh’s temple!”

Jeremiah 27:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why should this city become a ruin? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to warn the people. Alternate translation: “You can keep this city from becoming a ruin if you do what Yahweh wants you to do.”

Jeremiah 27:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If they are prophets, and if the word of Yahweh has truly come to them, let them beg (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

This is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh knows is not true. Alternate translation: “If they were prophets, and if the word of Yahweh had truly come to them, they would beg” or “Because they are not prophets and the word of Yahweh has not truly come to them, they will not beg”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: if the word of Yahweh has truly come to them (0)

The phrase “word of Yahweh” refers to messages from God. Alternate translation: “if Yahweh has truly given them messages” or “if Yahweh truly spoke messages to them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh … beg Yahweh of hosts not (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh is speaking of himself in third person. Alternate translation: “my word … be me, Yahweh of hosts, not”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of the king of Judah (0)

The word “house” has a range of possible meanings. In this case it refers to the royal palace where the king lived. Alternate translation: “the palace of the king of Judah”

Jeremiah 27:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the pillars, the large basin known as “The Sea” and its base (0)

These were objects that were in the temple. “The Sea” was a large bronze bowl.

Jeremiah 27:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehoiachin (0)

The Hebrew text has “Jeconiah,” which is a variation of the name “Jehoiachin.” Many modern versions have “Jehoiachin” in order to make it clear that the same king is being referred to.

Jeremiah 27:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of the king of Judah (0)

The word “house” has a range of possible meanings. In this case it refers to the royal palace there the king lived. Alternate translation: “the palace of the king of Judah”

Jeremiah 27:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will be brought to Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “People will bring them to Babylon” or “I will bring them to Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will bring them up (0)

The reader should understand that Yahweh will have people carry them up.

Jeremiah 28

Jeremiah 28 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

False prophecies continue

A false prophet prophesied that the captives would return from Babylon with all the temple vessels. Jeremiah told the false prophet that he would die that year for prophesying lies, and he did die. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and temple, house, house of God)

Jeremiah 28:1

General Information:

Hananiah claims to speak for God.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the fourth year and the fifth month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the dry season. It is during the last part of July and the first part of August on Western calendars.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Azzur (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

Jeremiah 28:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have broken the yoke imposed by the king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Hananaiah speaks of the people being in slavery as if they were oxen on which the Babylonians had put yokes to make them do heavy work. Alternate translation: “I have made it so you are no longer slaves of the king of Babylon” or “I have set you free from slavery to the king of Babylon”

Jeremiah 28:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehoiachin (0)

The Hebrew text has “Jeconiah,” which is a variation of the name “Jehoiachin.” Many modern versions have “Jehoiachin” in order to make it clear that the same king is being referred to.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who were sent (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “whom I sent”

Jeremiah 28:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: May Yahweh confirm the words that you prophesied (0)

Alternate translation: “May Yahweh prove you have prophesied truly”

Jeremiah 28:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The prophets who existed before me and you from long ago (0)

Alternate translation: “The prophets who lived long ago before you and I”

Jeremiah 28:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: then it will be known that he is indeed a prophet sent out by Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “then you will know that he is indeed a true prophet and that Yahweh has sent him out”

Jeremiah 28:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Just like this (0)

Alternate translation: “Just as Hananiah has taken the yoke off Jeremiah’s neck”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will break from off the neck of every nation the yoke imposed by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Hananaiah speaks of the people being in slavery as if they were oxen on which the Babylonians had put yokes to make them do heavy work. Alternate translation: “I will make it so all nations are no longer slaves of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon” or “I will set every nation free from slavery to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: every nation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “nation” is a metonym for the people of that nation. Alternate translation: “the people of every nation”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the yoke imposed by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the yoke that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has imposed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: imposed (0)

put on people

Jeremiah 28:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You broke a yoke of wood, but I will make instead a yoke of iron (0)

Alternate translation: “You broke a weak yoke, but I will replace it with a yoke that you cannot break”

Jeremiah 28:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have placed a yoke of iron on the neck of all of these nations to serve Nebuchadnezzar (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of making nations to be slaves of Nebuchadnezzar as if he were putting yokes on oxen to make them do heavy work. Alternate translation: “I have made all of these nations slaves, and they will have to serve Nebuchadnezzar”

Jeremiah 28:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you proclaimed rebellion against Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

It is not clear why Yahweh speaks of himself by name. Alternate translation: “you urged people to rebel against me”

Jeremiah 28:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: In the seventh month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars.

Jeremiah 29

Jeremiah 29 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Two letters

Jeremiah sent a letter to Babylon telling the exiles to prepare for a long stay. A false prophet in Babylon wrote back to the chief priest telling him to punish Jeremiah. Even though Jeremiah had prophesied the exile, the Jews still did not believe him. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief)

Jeremiah 29:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sent out from Jerusalem (0)

Alternate translation: “proclaimed from Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: remaining elders (0)

Alternate translation: “elders who were still alive”

Jeremiah 29:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehoiachin (0)

The Hebrew text has “Jeconiah,” which is a variation of the name “Jehoiachin.” Many modern versions have “Jehoiachin” in order to make it clear that the same king is being referred to.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the queen mother (0)

the king’s mother

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: high officials (0)

Alternate translation: “very important officials”

Jeremiah 29:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by the hand of Elasah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Jeremiah gave the scroll to Elasah so that Elasah could take it to Babylon. The reader should understand that Elasah probably put the scroll in a container to keep it safe as he traveled.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Elasah … Shapan … Gemariah … Hilkiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

Jeremiah 29:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this to all the captives (0)

When people wrote letters in that society, they would write their name first, then the name of the person to whom they were writing, and then the main part of the letter. Yahweh speaks of himself by name as if he were writing the letter himself.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

Jeremiah 29:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their fruit (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Yahweh is telling them they will be there for a long time.

Jeremiah 29:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands (0)

Parents commonly arranged their children’s marriages.

Jeremiah 29:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Seek the peace of the city (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The peace of the city is a metonym for the people living in peace. Alternate translation: “Do everything you can so the people of the city live in peace”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the city … its behalf … it is at peace (0)

These words refer to the city of Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you yourselves are having (0)

Another possible meaning is “you are encouraging the prophets to have for you.”

Jeremiah 29:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are prophesying deceitfully … I did not send them (0)

This could mean: (1) these words refer to the prophets and diviners, not to the dreams or (2) “they are prophesying deceitfully” refers to the dreams, and “I did not send them” refers to the prophets and diviners.

Jeremiah 29:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you (0)

the captive Israelites

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: seventy years (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

“70 years”

Jeremiah 29:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will call to me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Praying is spoken of as calling out with a loud voice.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will listen to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This implies that Yahweh will give them what they want.

Jeremiah 29:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will seek me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Wanting to know what Yahweh requires is spoken of as trying to find where Yahweh is. Alternate translation: “you will want to do what I require you to do”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will seek me with all your heart (0)

Alternate translation: “you will be completely sincere when you seek me”

Jeremiah 29:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will bring back your fortunes (0)

Alternate translation: “I will cause things to go well for you again” or “I will cause you to live well again”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I caused you to be exiled (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I sent you into exile” or “I sent you to be exiles”

Jeremiah 29:15

General Information:

Jeremiah speaks to the captive Israelites.

Jeremiah 29:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the king who sits on the throne of David (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Sitting on the throne is a metonym for ruling as king. Alternate translation: “the king who rules the Israelites as David did”

Jeremiah 29:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This alerts the reader to pay attention to what follows. Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to send sword, famine, and disease on them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “sword” is a metonym for war. Alternate translation: “I am going to punish them by having them die in war, from hunger, and from illness”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For I will make them like rotten figs that are too bad to be eaten (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Rotten figs are useless because they cannot be eaten, and Yahweh sees no use for the people of Israel.

Jeremiah 29:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues speaking about what will happen to Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a horror, an object of curses and hissing, and a shameful thing (0)

These words all share similar meanings and describe how the people of other nations will react when they see what Yahweh has done to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: hissing (0)

the sound people make when they disapprove of something

Jeremiah 29:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So you yourselves listen (0)

Yahweh is now about to issue a command and wants them to pay attention. Alternate translation: “But as for you, listen carefully”

Jeremiah 29:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kolaiah … Maaseiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who prophesy falsely to you in my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “name” is a metonym for the person. Alternate translation: “liars who tell you that they are speaking my words to you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to put them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” is a metonym for the power that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “I will allow Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to conquer them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: before your eyes (0)

Alternate translation: “where you can see him do it”

Jeremiah 29:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a curse will be spoken about these persons by all the captives of Judah in Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the captives of Judah in Babylon will say a curse about these persons”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: roasted (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

This word usually refers to cooking food over an open fire or in a pan, not to burning completely. This could mean: (1) this is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “burned to death” or (2) the king’s men attached them to poles over the fire close enough that the fire would slowly kill them but far enough away that it would not totally consume their bodies.

Jeremiah 29:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Shemaiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is a man’s name.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nehelamite (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a people group.

Jeremiah 29:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in your own name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “name” refers to a person’s authority and reputation. Alternate translation: “based on your own authority and reputation”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Maaseiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is a man’s name.

Jeremiah 29:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehoiada (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is a man’s name.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: stocks (0)

a wooden frame that holds the feet, hands, or head of a person whom someone is punishing

Jeremiah 29:27

General Information:

This finishes the letter by Shemaiah that he sent out to the people in Jerusalem.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth … against you? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Shemaiah uses a rhetorical question to scold the people of Jerusalem for not rebuking Jeremiah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I want you to rebuke Jeremiah of Anathoth … against you.”

Jeremiah 29:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he has sent to us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

You may need to make explicit what it was that Jeremiah sent. Alternate translation: “he has sent a message to us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Build houses and live in them, and plant gardens and eat their fruit (0)

See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 29:5.

Jeremiah 29:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet (0)

“so that Jeremiah the prophet could hear him read it.” See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 2:2.

Jeremiah 29:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Shemaiah the Nehelamite (0)

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 29:24.

Jeremiah 29:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the good (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

This can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: “the good things”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he has proclaimed rebellion against Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

It is not clear why Yahweh speaks of himself by name. Alternate translation: “he has urged people to rebel against me”

Jeremiah 30

Jeremiah 30 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 3:5–24.

Special concepts in this chapter

God promises restoration

Despite the prophesied punishment in this chapter, Yahweh promises to restore Judah. In addition to this, he also declares that he will ultimately restore Israel. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess, promise, promised and restore, restoration)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

The author uses the term “Israel” in two different ways. He uses it in reference to the nation of Israel. He also uses it in reference to the people who used to inhabit the northern kingdom of Israel, namely the people group of Israel.

Jeremiah 30:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4, and make any changes as needed. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah. He said” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:”

Jeremiah 30:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For look (0)

“For listen carefully.” This phrase brings attention to what Yahweh is going to say next.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: days are coming … when I will restore the fortunes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming.” See how you translated this metaphor in Jeremiah 7:32. Alternate translation: “in the future … I will restore the fortunes” or “there will be a time … when I will restore the fortunes”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah (0)

“I will cause things to go well for my people, Israel and Judah, again” or “I will cause my people, Israel and Judah, to live well again.” See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 29:14.

Jeremiah 30:4

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

Jeremiah often wrote prophecy in the form of poetry.

Jeremiah 30:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: We have heard (0)

This could mean: (1) that these are the words of Yahweh referring to himself as “we.” Alternate translation: “I have heard” or (2) that these are the words of the people of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “You people of Jerusalem say, ‘We have heard”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a trembling voice of dread and not of peace (0)

This could mean: (1) “people cry out in dread because there is no peace” or (2) “you cry out in dread because there is no peace.”

Jeremiah 30:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ask and see if a man bears a child (0)

Alternate translation: “You know that no man has ever given birth to a child”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why do I see every young man with his hand on his loins like a woman bearing a child? Why have all their faces become pale? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

A woman about to give birth is in great pain and unable to do anything. The young men are so frightened that their bodies hurt, and they are unable to fight. Alternate translation: “The young men are holding their bellies like a woman giving birth; they all look sick because they are so afraid.”

Jeremiah 30:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for Jacob, but he will be rescued from it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The name Jacob is a metonym for the man’s descendants. Alternate translation: “for the descendants of Jacob, but I will rescue them from it”

Jeremiah 30:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will break the yoke off your neck, and I will shatter your chains (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being a slave is spoken of as wearing a yoke like an animal and wearing chains like a prisoner.

Jeremiah 30:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will worship Yahweh their God … their king … over them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh continues speaking about the descendants of Jacob. Alternate translation: “you will worship Yahweh your God … your king … over you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: David their king (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a metonym for one of David’s descendants. Alternate translation: “a man descended from their King David”

Jeremiah 30:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my servant Jacob … Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

“Jacob” and “Israel” are the two names of the ancestor of the Israelites, and these names are metonyms for the Israelites. Alternate translation: “descendants of Jacob … you Israelite people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: do not be dismayed (0)

Alternate translation: “do not be discouraged”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For see, I am (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen carefully while I tell you why: I am”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the land of captivity (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word captivity, you can express the same idea with the noun “captive.” Alternate translation: “from the place where they were captives”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jacob will return … he will be secure (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Jacob’s name is a metonym for his descendants. Alternate translation: “Jacob will return to his own land … he will be secure” or “The descendants of Jacob will return … they will be secure”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: secure (0)

Alternate translation: “safe”

Jeremiah 30:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: where I have scattered you (0)

Alternate translation: “where I have sent you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But I will certainly not put an end to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

“But I will not completely destroy you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will certainly not leave you unpunished (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “will certainly punish you”

Jeremiah 30:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Your injury is incurable; your wound is infected (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This means that Yahweh has punished them so severely that there is no one who can help them.

Jeremiah 30:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: There is no one to plead your case (0)

Alternate translation: “There is no one who asks me to show you mercy”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no one to plead your case … no remedy for your wound (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh has punished them so severely that there is no one who can help them.

Jeremiah 30:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All of your lovers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh describes the people of Israel as an unfaithful wife who takes lovers other than her husband. Here “lovers” refers to other nations. The Israelites allied with them and worshiped their gods instead of relying on Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will not look for you (0)

Alternate translation: “They no longer want to be your friends”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh has treated his people like he would treat his enemy.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the discipline of a cruel master (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh has treated his people like a cruel master would treat a rebellious slave.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your innumerable sins (0)

Alternate translation: “your sins, which are too many to count”

Jeremiah 30:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why do you call for help for your injury? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh asks a question here to make the people think about why they are asking him for help now. Alternate translation: “You are calling for help for your injury because you have disobeyed me.” or “Do not call for help for your injury.”

Jeremiah 30:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So everyone who consumes you will be consumed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Destroying the nation is spoken of as consuming or eating it. Alternate translation: “So those who destroy you, their enemies will destroy them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have plundered … plunder (0)

To plunder is to steal from peaceful people using violence, and plunder is what people steal.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: despoiling … spoil (0)

To despoil here is to take items from an enemy one has defeated, and the items one takes are the spoil.

Jeremiah 30:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: healing … wounds (0)

See how you translated these words in Jeremiah 30:12.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they called you: Outcast (0)

An outcast is a person whom other people do not accept or allow to associate with them. Alternate translation: “they called you: Rejected” or “they said, ‘Nobody wants you’”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: No one cares for this Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The place name “Zion” is a metonym for the people who live in Zion. Alternate translation: “No one cares about the people of Zion”

Jeremiah 30:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to bring back the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his homes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The places where people live are metonyms for the people who live in those places. Alternate translation: “I am about bring back the fortunes of the descendants of Jacob, and I will have compassion on them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to bring back the fortunes of Jacob’s tents (0)

“I will cause things to go well for the people in Jacob’s tents again” or “I will cause the people in Jacob’s tents to live well again.” See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 29:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then a city will be built on the heap of ruins (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. You may need to make explicit that the city they will build will be Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “Then they will rebuild Jerusalem on its ruins”

Jeremiah 30:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then a song of praise and a sound of merriment will go out from them (0)

Alternate translation: “Then they will sing songs of praise and joy”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for I will increase them and not diminish them (0)

Alternate translation: “I will cause them to increase in number, not to become fewer”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so they will not be humbled (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that no one will humble them”

Jeremiah 30:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their assembly will be established before me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will establish them as a people before me”

Jeremiah 30:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See, the tempest of Yahweh, his fury, has gone out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of God’s anger and punishment as if it were a storm. This emphasizes his power and ability to destroy wicked people.

Jeremiah 30:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his heart’s intentions (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word intentions, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “intends.” Alternate translation: “what he intends to do”

Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 31:1–6, 8–22, 35–37.

The ULT sets 31:29 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because it is an important quotation.

This chapter begins with a transition from the previous chapter. “At that time” is a reference to the day of restoration mentioned in Jeremiah 30:24. (See: restore, restoration)

Special concepts in this chapter

The new covenant

This chapter is an important teaching regarding the new covenant. God will make a new covenant that will bring forgiveness of sins and a desire to obey God. Scholars disagree about whether this new covenant has begun. (See: covenant and forgive, forgiven, forgiveness, pardon, pardoned and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Israel

In this chapter, Jeremiah uses the term “Israel” in reference to the nation of Israel as a whole. He also uses it in reference to the northern kingdom of Israel and their people group.

Jeremiah 31:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The people who have survived the sword have found favor in the wilderness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “found favor” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “While the people who have survived the sword have been in the wilderness, I have had grace on them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who have survived the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “sword” is a metonym for war. Alternate translation: “who have survived the war”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wilderness; I will go out to give rest to Israel (0)

Another possible meaning is “wilderness, where Israel went out to find rest.”

Jeremiah 31:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh appeared to me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Jeremiah speaks of himself as if he were the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have drawn you toward myself with covenant faithfulness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word faithfulness, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “faithful” or “faithfully.” Alternate translation: “I have been faithful to my covenant and brought you near to me” or “I have faithfully loved you and brought you near to me”

Jeremiah 31:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will build you up again so you will be built (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

Yahweh purposefully repeats the idea that he will build Israel to emphasize it. Alternate translation: “I will build you up again. Remember this: I will build you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: tambourines (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

musical instruments with heads like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around their sides that sound when the instruments are shaken

Jeremiah 31:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Shout … Shout … Let praise be heard … Say (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Yahweh is speaking in an apostrophe to all people of the world, so these verbs are plural.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the chief people of the nations (0)

Alternate translation: “the most important people group of all the nations” or “the people group that is more important than any other”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let praise be heard (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Cause everyone to hear your praise”

Jeremiah 31:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to bring them (0)

Alternate translation: “to bring the Israelite people”

Jeremiah 31:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will lead them as they make their pleas (0)

Yahweh will lead them and they will be praying to Yahweh. Some ancient versions read, “Yahweh will lead them and will comfort them.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will be a father to Israel, and Ephraim will be my firstborn (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “Ephraim” is another name for “Israel.” Alternate translation: “I will be like a father to the people of Israel, and they will be like my firstborn child”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my firstborn (0)

The firstborn had special honor and responsibility.

Jeremiah 31:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hear … Report (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns

Yahweh is speaking to the nations, so these verbs are plural.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The one who scattered Israel is gathering her up and keeping her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns

Yahweh speaks of himself as if he were someone else. Alternate translation: “I caused my people Israel to be scattered among the nations, but now I am bringing them home and keeping them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: as a shepherd keeps his sheep (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

A shepherd cares for and protects his sheep, and Yahweh is promising to care for and protect the Israelites.

Jeremiah 31:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For Yahweh has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from the hand that was too strong for him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: “For Yahweh has rescued the people of Israel from their enemy who was too strong for them”

Jeremiah 31:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on the heights of Zion (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

“on Zion, the high place” or “on Mount Zion.” Being on top of a hill is a metaphor for being happy. If your language associates mountain tops with sadness, it would be best to leave out the metaphor.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: like a watered garden (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This means they will be strong and healthy, and they will prosper.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will never again feel any more sorrow (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The world “never” is a generalization. The Israelites will almost always feel joy.

Jeremiah 31:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will change their mourning into celebration (0)

The abstract nouns “mourning” and “celebration” can be translated as verbs. Alternate translation: “I will cause them to mourn no longer but instead to celebrate” or “I will make it so they are no longer sad but happy”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will change (0)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh will change”

Jeremiah 31:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will saturate the lives of the priests in abundance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word abundance, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “many good things.” The lives of the priests are spoken of as if they were a field that would become completely wet when much rain falls on it. Life is a metonym for the person. Alternate translation: “I will give the priests all the good things they would like” or “I will satisfy the priests with good things” (See also: Metaphor and Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

Jeremiah 31:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A voice is heard in Ramah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I hear a voice in Ramah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It is Rachel weeping for her children (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Rachel was the wife of Jacob/Israel and was the mother of the tribes of Joseph and Benjamin. Her name is a metonym for the women of Israel who are crying because the Babylonians have killed their children or taken them away.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: She refuses to be comforted over them, for they live no longer (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “She will not let anyone comfort her, for her children are dead” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 31:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hold your voice back from weeping and your eyes from tears (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The voice and eyes are spoken of as if they were people whom Rachel needed to keep from moving. Alternate translation: “Stop weeping aloud and stop crying tears”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hold your voice … your eyes … your work … your children (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

Yahweh is speaking to the Israelites as if he were speaking to Rachel (Jeremiah 31:15), so all instances of “your” and the commands are singular. (See also: Apostrophe)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

In both instances of this phrase, Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

Jeremiah 31:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your future … your descendants (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

Yahweh is speaking to the Israelites as if he were speaking to Rachel (Jeremiah 31:15), so all instances of “your” and the commands are singular. (See also: Apostrophe)

Jeremiah 31:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have certainly heard Ephraim sorrowing (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Ephraim was the ancestor of the largest tribe in Israel. His name is a metonym for the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “I have certainly heard the descendants of Ephraim sorrowing” or “I have certainly heard the people of Israel sorrowing”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You punished me, and I have been punished (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

The speaker repeats the phrase to show either that Yahweh punished him severely or that Ephraim learned what Yahweh wanted to teach him through punishing him. The words “I have been punished” can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You punished me. Yes, you punished me severely” or “You punished me, and I learned from you when you punished me” (See also: Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have been punished like an untrained calf (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

When people train calves, they strike them and otherwise cause them to suffer. Yahweh had caused the people of Israel to suffer.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: punished (0)

Another possible meaning is “disciplined.”

Jeremiah 31:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I slapped my thigh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

in grief. If people use a different phrase or action in your language to show that they are very sad, you may want to use it here. Alternate translation: “I rubbed my brow” (See also: Symbolic Action)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I was ashamed and humiliated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “ashamed” and “humiliated” mean basically the same thing and intensify the idea of shame. Alternate translation: “I was completely ashamed”

Jeremiah 31:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is not Ephraim my precious child? Is he not my dear, delightful son? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh is speaking tenderly, trying to comfort the people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind these questions as statements. Alternate translation: “Ephraim is my precious child. He is my dear, delightful son.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

Jeremiah 31:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Place road signs for yourself … Set up guideposts for yourself … Set your mind … you should take … Come back (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns

These commands and instances of “yourself” and “your” and “you” are addressed to “virgin Israel” and so are singular.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Come back, virgin Israel! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God is referring to a changed Israel.

Jeremiah 31:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How long will you waver, faithless daughter? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh is telling his people that he is becoming impatient with them because they are not obeying him. Alternate translation: “Do not hesitate to start obeying me.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: waver (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) be unable to decide what to do or (2) often go off the correct path, a metaphor for disobeying Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: new on earth—a woman surrounds a strong man (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This could mean: (1) the people will be so safe that women will not need anyone to protect them or (2) this is an idiom for something no one would ever expect. Alternate translation: “new on earth—something as strange as a woman protecting a man”

Jeremiah 31:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Here this refers to the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you holy mountain (0)

Mount Zion, where the temple had stood

Jeremiah 31:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Judah and all its cities will live together there (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The name of the man Judah is a metonym for the land on which his descendants. Alternate translation: “it will be as if the land were a house in which Judah lived with his family”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: as will farmers and those who set out with flocks (0)

Alternate translation: “and farmers and those who set out with flocks will also live there”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those who set out with flocks (0)

people who take care of sheep and goats

Jeremiah 31:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: had been refreshing (0)

Alternate translation: “had refreshed me”

Jeremiah 31:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention” or “Listen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: days are coming … when I will sow (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming.” See how you translated this metaphor in Jeremiah 7:32. Alternate translation: “in the future … I will sow” or “there will be a time … when I will sow”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will sow the houses of Israel and Judah with the descendants of man and beast (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house, in this case the people of Israel and the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “I will cause the people of Israel and Judah to become many people with many animals”

Jeremiah 31:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I kept them under surveillance in order to uproot them (0)

Alternate translation: “looked for ways to uproot them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: uproot … tear them down … overthrow … destroy (0)

See how you translated these ideas in Jeremiah 1:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in order to build them up and to plant them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the Israelites as if they were a house or a food crop. Alternate translation: “in order to make them strong and many”

Jeremiah 31:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Fathers have eaten sour grapes, but the children’s teeth are dulled (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs

These words are a proverb that Jeremiah heard people say when they were complaining that Yahweh was punishing children for the sins of their fathers.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sour grapes (0)

This could mean: (1) grapes with too much acid in them or (2) grapes that are not ripe. If grapes are not part of your culture, you may want to use a general word for fruit.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: teeth are dulled (0)

Use the common words in your language for how people’s mouths feel when they eat sour or unripe fruit.

Jeremiah 31:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For each man will die in his own iniquity (0)

Alternate translation: “For each man will die because of his own sins”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: everyone who eats sour grapes, his teeth will be dulled (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs

Jeremiah restates the proverb so that it now means people will suffer as a consequence of their own behaviors.

Jeremiah 31:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am going to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: days are coming … when I will establish (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming.” See how you translated this metaphor in Jeremiah 7:32. Alternate translation: “in the future … I will establish” or “there will be a time … when I will establish”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “the kingdom of Israel” or “the people of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Judah, which included the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Judah” or “the kingdom of Judah” or “the people of Judah”

Jeremiah 31:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I took them by their hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

as a loving husband would hold the hand of his wife as they walk

Jeremiah 31:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “the kingdom of Israel” or “the people of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will place my law within them and will write it on their heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases have similar meanings. Here, “heart” represents “emotions” or “mind.” Alternate translation: “My law will be part of their thoughts and emotions”

Jeremiah 31:34

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the smallest of them to the greatest (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

This phrase refers to every person, from the least important to the most important. Alternate translation: “every single one of them”

Jeremiah 31:36

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Only if these permanent things vanish … will Israel’s descendants ever stop from forever being a nation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

This is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh never expects to truly happen. Alternate translation: “These permanent things will never vanish … and Israel’s descendants will never stop from forever being a nation”

Jeremiah 31:37

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Only if the highest heavens can be measured, and only if the earth’s foundation below can be discovered, will I reject all of Israel’s descendants (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

This is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh never expects to truly happen. Alternate translation: “The highest heavens can never be measured, and the earth’s foundation below can never be discovered, and I will never reject all of Israel’s descendants”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the highest heavens … earth’s foundation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

These phrases refer to the whole of creation.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the earth’s foundation below can be discovered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone can dig all the way down to the earth’s foundation”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: foundation below (0)

“deepest part.” The “foundation” is the part of a house on which every other part rests.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: reject (0)

throw away or refuse to take

Jeremiah 31:38

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: days are coming … when the city will be rebuilt (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming.” See how you translated this metaphor in Jeremiah 7:32. Alternate translation: “in the future … the city will be rebuilt” or “there will be a time … when the city will be rebuilt”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the city will be rebuilt for me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “they will rebuild the city for me” or “I will have them rebuild the city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Tower of Hananel … Corner Gate (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of places.

Jeremiah 31:39

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: hill of Gareb … Goah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of places.

Jeremiah 31:40

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The whole valley … will be set apart for Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “They will set apart the whole valley … for me” or “I will have them make the whole valley … holy for me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kidron Valley … Horse Gate (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of places.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: set apart (0)

Alternate translation: “made holy”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The city will not be pulled up or overthrown again (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The city is spoken of as if it were a plant that someone could pull out of the ground or a building that someone could break down. Alternate translation: “I will not allow anyone to pull up or overthrow the city again”

Jeremiah 32

Jeremiah 32 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The king should have listened to the prophet Jeremiah and repented of his sin. Instead, he objected to his message. Yahweh punished him because of this. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and repent, repentance and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Israel

The term “Israel” is used exclusively in reference to the nation of Israel as a whole in this chapter.

Jeremiah 32:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is the word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to announce that God gave messages to Jeremiah. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:2 Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave messages to Jeremiah” or “Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar (0)

Alternate translation: “after Zedekiah had been king of Judah for more than nine years and Nebuchadnezzar had been king for more than seventeen years”

Jeremiah 32:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “they were keeping Jeremiah as a prisoner”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

It is not clear why Jeremiah is referring to himself by name here. You may translate using first person, as the UST does.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard at the house of the king of Judah (0)

This was an open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners.

Jeremiah 32:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people helped Zedekiah do this.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: had imprisoned him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Here “him” refers to Jeremiah. It is not clear why Jeremiah is referring to himself by name here. You may translate using first person, as the UST does.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why do you prophesy and say (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Zekekiah uses a question to rebuke Jeremiah. Alternate translation: “It is wrong for you to continue prophesying and saying”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to give over this city into the hand of the king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of the city as if it were a small object that one person could give to another. The word “hand” is a metonym for the power or control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “I am about to put this city under the control of the king of Babylon” or “I am about to allow the king of Babylon to do whatever he wants with this city” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will capture it (0)

It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people would help the king of Babylon take control of the city.

Jeremiah 32:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will certainly be given into the hand of the king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “hand” is a metonym for the power or control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “I will certainly put him under the control of the king of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: His mouth will speak to the king’s mouth, and his eyes will see the king’s eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “mouth” and “eyes” represent the whole person. Alternate translation: “Zedekiah himself will see and directly speak with Nebuchadnezzar”

Jeremiah 32:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you fight (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

Here “you” is plural and refers to the people in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 32:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah said (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

It is not clear why Jeremiah is referring to himself by name here. You may translate using first person, as the UST does.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated it in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave me a message. He said, ‘Look” or “Yahweh spoke this message to me: ‘Look”

Jeremiah 32:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ‘Look, Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is coming to you and will say, “Buy my field that is in Anathoth for yourself, for the right to buy it belongs to you.”’” (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations

The long quotation that begins with the words “The word of Yahweh” in verse 6 ends here. You may translate this as indirect speech. Alternate translation: “Jeremiah said that the word of Yahweh had come to him and told him that Hanamel son of Shallum his uncle was coming to him and would tell him to buy his uncle’s field that was in Anathoth for himself, for the right to buy it belonged to Jeremiah.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hanamel … Shallum (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anathoth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a place. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:1.

Jeremiah 32:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard (0)

This was an open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

Jeremiah 32:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: seventeen shekels (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney

A shekel is 11 grams. Alternate translation: “17 shekels” or “187 grams”

Jeremiah 32:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in a scroll and sealed it, and had witnesses witness it (0)

This refers to the deed that a person would sign to purchase land. Other people would be witnesses to confirm that Jeremiah had purchased this land.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: had witnesses witness it (0)

Alternate translation: “had people watch me purchase the land so they could tell others that I had purchased the land”

Jeremiah 32:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that was sealed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that I sealed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: unsealed deed (0)

Alternate translation: “opened copy” or “the deed that did not have a seal on it”

Jeremiah 32:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Baruch … Neriah … Mahseiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard (0)

The open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

Jeremiah 32:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: before them (0)

Here “them” refers to Hanamel, the witnesses, and the Judeans.

Jeremiah 32:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

Jeremiah 32:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel will buy houses, vineyards and fields again in this land”

Jeremiah 32:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the receipt of purchase (0)

This means the sealed scroll and the unsealed scroll.

Jeremiah 32:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Woe, Lord Yahweh! Look! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The word “woe” here indicates that in this prayer Jeremiah is sad, complaining or lamenting. The word “look” here indicates that the next words are an introduction or background for the most important part of the prayer.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by your great strength and with your raised arm (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The phrase “raised arm” is a metonym for the strength of the arm. Alternate translation: “by your great power”

Jeremiah 32:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You show covenant faithfulness to thousands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word faithfulness, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “faithful” or “faithfully.” Alternate translation: “You are faithful to your covenant towards thousands” or “You keep your promise and faithfully love thousands”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pour the guilt of men into the laps of their children after them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “guilt” is a metonym for Yahweh punishing people because they are guilty of doing evil things. Alternate translation: “you punish children for the sins of their parents”

Jeremiah 32:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for your eyes are open to all the ways of people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Open eyes are a metonym for what the person sees. Alternate translation: “You see everything that people do”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to give to each man what his conduct and deeds deserve (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The abstract nouns “conduct” and “deeds,” which are similar in meaning, can be translated as verbs. Alternate translation: “and will reward everyone according to how good or evil the things they do are”ww

Jeremiah 32:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You did signs and wonders in the land of Egypt (0)

This refers to an event in the past when God used his power to free the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: To this present day (0)

Alternate translation: “To this day”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: among all mankind (0)

Alternate translation: “among all people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have made your name famous (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “name” refers to God’s reputation. Alternate translation: “you have made yourself famous”

Jeremiah 32:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: with a strong hand, with a raised arm (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The phrase “strong hand” is a metonym for strength, and the phrase “raised arm” is a metonym for the strength of the arm. Alternate translation: “by your great strength”

Jeremiah 32:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: gave them (0)

Alternate translation: “gave the people of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: land flowing with milk and honey (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

God spoke of the land being good for animals and plants as if the milk and honey from those animals and plants were flowing through the land. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 11:5. Alternate translation: “land that is excellent for raising livestock and growing crops”

Jeremiah 32:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But they did not obey your voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The voice is a metonym for the message the speaker gives. Alternate translation: “But they did not obey what you said”

Jeremiah 32:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The siege mounds have reached up to the city to capture it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The large piles of dirt and rocks that the enemy built around the city so they could stand on them and attack it are spoken of as if they were the attackers themselves reaching out to capture the city. Alternate translation: “The enemy’s seige mounds are so close to the city that the enemy will be able to capture the city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because of sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “sword” is a metonym for war, where soldiers use swords. Alternate translation: “because soldiers will attack”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: famine, and plague (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

These abstract nouns can be translated with verbal phrases. Alternate translation: “people have no food to eat, and everyone is weak from being ill”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” means power or control. Alternate translation: “you have given Jerusalem to the Chaldean army”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: happening, and see, you are watching (0)

Alternate translation: “happening, as you can see very well”

Jeremiah 32:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have witnesses witness it (0)

Alternate translation: “have people watch you purchase the land so they can tell others that you have purchased the land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this city is being given (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I am giving this city”

Jeremiah 32:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message to Jeremiah. He said,” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:”

Jeremiah 32:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is anything too difficult for me to do? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that he can do anything. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Nothing is too difficult for me to do.”

Jeremiah 32:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See, I am about to give (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen carefully! I am the one who will give”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Yahweh speaks of the city as if it were a small object that he could put into a person’s hand. The word “hand” is a metonym for the power that the hand puts into action. Alternate translation: “put this city under the power of the Chaldeans”

Jeremiah 32:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in order to provoke me (0)

Alternate translation: “so that I would become very angry”

Jeremiah 32:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: doing evil before my eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the metonym “eyes” represents what God sees. This could mean: (1) “doing what I consider evil” or (2) “doing evil knowing that I am watching”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: since their youth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

A person being young is a metaphor for the people of Israel first becoming a nation. Alternate translation: “from the time they were young” or “from the time that they became a nation”

Jeremiah 32:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues speaking to Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this city has been a provocation of my wrath and fury since the day that they built it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “city” is a metonym for the people that live there. Alternate translation: “the people of Jerusalem have made me very angry since the day they built their city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has been a provocation of (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word provocation, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “has been something that has provoked”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It has been that right up to this present day (0)

Alternate translation: “They continue to make me angry even now”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from before my face (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The face is a metonym for the person’s presence. Alternate translation: “from my presence” or “completely”

Jeremiah 32:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They turned their backs to me instead of their faces (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

One turns one’s face to someone to show that one is listening, and one’s back to show that one refuses to listen. Alternate translation: “Instead of listening carefully to me, they refused to listen at all” or “They refused to listen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to receive correction (0)

Alternate translation: “to learn how to act correctly”

Jeremiah 32:34

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their abominable idols (0)

Alternate translation: “their idols which I hate”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house that is called by my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

Here “name” represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: “the house that belongs to me” or “the building in which they worship me”

Jeremiah 32:35

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Valley of Ben Hinnom (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:31.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It never entered my mind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “mind” refers to Yahweh’s thoughts. Alternate translation: “I never thought at all”

Jeremiah 32:36

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: which you are saying (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

Here “you” is plural. This could mean: (1) this refers to Jeremiah and those with him, or (2) it refers to all the people.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” means power or control. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has given it to the king of Babylon”

Jeremiah 32:37

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to gather them (0)

Alternate translation: “to gather my people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wrath, fury, and great anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

All three words mean the same thing and emphasize how very angry he is. Alternate translation: “extreme anger”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in security (0)

Alternate translation: “where they are safe”

Jeremiah 32:39

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: one heart and one way to honor me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The people of Israel will want to work together to honor Yahweh.

Jeremiah 32:40

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: an everlasting covenant (0)

Alternate translation: “eternal agreement”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will not turn away from doing good (0)

Alternate translation: “stop doing good”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will set honor for me in their hearts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Honor is spoken of as if it were a solid object put in a container from which no one can remove it. Alternate translation: “I will cause them to always honor me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so that they will never turn away from me (0)

Alternate translation: “so that they will never stop obeying and worshiping me”

Jeremiah 32:41

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: doing good to them (0)

Here “them” refers to the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will faithfully plant them in this land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of having his people live in the land forever as if he were planting plants in a garden. Alternate translation: “I will permanently settle the Israelites in this land”

Jeremiah 32:42

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have brought all this great disaster on this people, so I will bring on them all the good things (0)

Alternate translation: “I have caused all these bad things to happen to this people, and now I will cause the good things to happen to them”

Jeremiah 32:43

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then fields will be bought in this land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Then people will buy fields in this land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you are saying (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

Here “you” refers to the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” is a metonym for power or control. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has given it to the Chaldeans”

Jeremiah 32:44

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: write in sealed scrolls. They will assemble witnesses (0)

The “sealed scrolls” are the deeds that a person would sign to purchase land. Other people would be witnesses to confirm the purchase.

Jeremiah 33

Jeremiah 33 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Covenant faithfulness

Despite the great punishment Judah is facing and Israel has undergone, there is hope. This hope is based in the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh. Ultimately, he will restore his people. (See: covenant faithfulness, covenant loyalty, covenant love, hope, hoped and restore, restoration and people of God)

Jeremiah 33:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he was still shut within (0)

Alternate translation: “he was still a prisoner in”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard (0)

This was an open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

Jeremiah 33:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who forms in order to establish (0)

who creates things so he can make them exist forever

Jeremiah 33:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that are torn down because of the siege ramps and the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. This could mean: (1) the people tore the houses down to make walls to defend against the Chaldeans. Alternate translation: “that the people have torn down to defend against the siege ramps and the sword” or (2) Alternate translation: “the houses that the Chaldeans have torn down to make siege ramps so they can make war”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a metonym for people dying violently when soldiers kill with swords.

Jeremiah 33:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in my wrath and fury (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “wrath” and “fury” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of his wrath. Alternate translation: “in my extreme wrath”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I hide my face (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Yahweh is represented by his “face.” This phrase shows Yahweh’s displeasure with the city. Alternate translation: “I have turned away from you” or “I am no longer concerned with you”

Jeremiah 33:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will bring back the fortunes of Judah and Israel (0)

“I will cause things to go well for Judah and Israel again” or “I will cause Judah and Israel to live well again.” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 29:14.

Jeremiah 33:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this city … do for it … give to it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The city is a metonym for the people who live in the city. Alternate translation: “the people who live in this city … do for the people who live there … give to the people who live there”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a song of praise and honor for all the nations of the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “song” is a metonym for the object about which people will sing the song. Alternate translation: “something about which all the people groups of the earth will sing songs of praise and honor to me, Yahweh”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will fear and tremble (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

The hendiadys “fear and tremble” can be translated by a single verb. Alternate translation: “they will tremble with fear”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fear (0)

Another possible meaning is “awe.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because of all the good things and the peace that I will give to it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word peace, you can express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “because of all the good things that I will give to it and because I will cause it to be peaceful”

Jeremiah 33:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It is desolate, a place with neither man nor beast,” in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate having neither man nor beast (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize that Judah has become desolate.

Jeremiah 33:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Yahweh (0)

the temple in Jerusalem

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will restore the fortunes of the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “land” is a metonym for the people who live on the land. Alternate translation: “I will again cause things to go well for the people who live on the land” or “I will cause the people who live on the land to live well again” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 29:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to what they were before (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This refers to the time before the exile to Babylon. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “to what they were before I sent the Israelites into exile in Babylon”

Jeremiah 33:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

Jeremiah 33:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the flocks will again pass under the hands of the ones counting them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This refers to the practice of a shepherd counting and inspecting his sheep as the sheep walked under his hand. Alternate translation: “shepherds will again count their sheep as the sheep walk by”

Jeremiah 33:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen carefully”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Days are coming … when I will do (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Future time is spoken of as if the “Days are coming.” See how you translated this metaphor in Jeremiah 7:32. Alternate translation: “In the future … I will do” or “There will be a time … when I will do”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “the kingdom of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Judah, which included the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Judah” or “the kingdom of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a metonym for the people who live in Judah. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah”

Jeremiah 33:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: In those days and in that time (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The phrase “in that time” means the same thing as, and intensifies the phrase “In those days.” Alternate translation: “In those very days” or “At that very time”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will make a righteous branch to grow for David (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of a descendant of David as if he were a branch off of a tree trunk. Alternate translation: “I will cause a righteous man to come from and bring glory to the line of David”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

the nation of Israel

Jeremiah 33:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Judah … Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

These towns’ names are metonyms for the people who live in the towns. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah … the people of Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Judah will be saved (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will save Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jerusalem will live in security (0)

Alternate translation: “the people of Judah will be safe from their enemies”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is what she will be called (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of Jerusalem as if the town were a woman. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “this is what they will call her” or “this is what I will call the town”

Jeremiah 33:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A man from David’s line will never be lacking (0)

Alternate translation: “There will always be a man from David’s line”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A man from David’s line (0)

a male descendant of King David

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to sit on the throne of the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The throne is a metonym for the king. Alternate translation: “to be king over the house of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to the kingdom of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 3:18. Alternate translation: “Israel” or “the kingdom of Israel”

Jeremiah 33:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: nor will a man from the Levitical priests be lacking before me to raise burnt offerings (0)

Alternate translation: “and there will always be a man from the Levitical priests to raise burnt offerings”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: raise burnt offerings (0)

Alternate translation: “offer burnt offerings”

Jeremiah 33:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If you can break … proper times (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

These words begin a hypothetical statement that describe a situation that will never occur.

Jeremiah 33:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: then you will be able to break my covenant with David my servant (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

The hypothetical statement that begins with the words “If you can break my covenant … times,” in verse 20 ends here. No one can change day and night, and no one can change God’s covenant with David. Alternate translation: “You know that you cannot break my covenant … times, so you know that you will never be able to break my covenant with David my servant”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to sit on his throne (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The throne is a metonym for the king who sits on the throne. Alternate translation: “to rule the kingdom I have given to him”

Jeremiah 33:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: As the hosts of heaven cannot be counted, and as the sand of the seashores cannot be measured, so I will increase the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who serve before me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

No one can count the stars in the sky or the sand on the seashore, and no one will be able to count the descendants of David and Levi who serve Yahweh.

Jeremiah 33:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message to Jeremiah. He said,” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:”

Jeremiah 33:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Have you not considered what this people has declared when they said, ‘The … them’? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh wants Jeremiah to think deeply about what the people have said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should have noticed what this people are really saying when they said, ‘The … them.’”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: In this way they despise my people, saying … sight (0)

Alternate translation: “What they are really saying is that my people are worthless and that my people will never again be a nation.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my people … are no longer a nation in their sight (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Sight is a metonym for thinking. Alternate translation: “they no longer think of my people as a nation”

Jeremiah 33:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If I have not established … and if I have not fixed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

This is the beginning of a hypothetical statement that describes a situation that Yahweh never expects to be true.

Jeremiah 33:26

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

The hypothetical statement that begins with the words “If I have not established the covenant” in verse 25 ends here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: then I will reject … and not bring (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

The hypothetical statement that begins with the words “If I have not established the covenant” in verse 25 ends here. This is a situation that Yahweh never expects to be true. Alternate translation: “I have established the covenant … so I will never reject … and I will bring”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will restore their fortunes (0)

“I will cause things to go well for them again” or “I will cause them to live well again” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 29:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: show mercy to (0)

Translate as “have compassion on” is translated in (Jeremiah 30:18).

Jeremiah 34

Jeremiah 34 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Law of Moses

According to the law of Moses, the people were required to free their indebted slaves after a period of time. The king led them in freeing their fellow Israelites whom they held as slaves, but later they changed their minds and enslaved them again. (See: law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Actions with cultural meaning

When the people of Israel made a sacred promise to God, they cut a calf in two and passed between its parts. It was a very serious sin not to do what one had promised. (See: promise, promised and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 34:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, when Nebuchadnezzar … her cities, saying: (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom “The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh” is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 7:1, and make any changes as needed. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah when Nebuchadnezzar … her cities. He said,” or “When Nebuchadnezzar … her cities, Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah:”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: waging war (0)

Alternate translation: “fighting”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of her cities (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This refers to all the towns around Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 34:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to give this city (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: into the hand of the king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” is a metonym for the control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “under the control of the king of Babylon”

Jeremiah 34:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will not escape from his hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” is a metonym for the control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “You will not escape from his control”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will certainly be seized and given (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Babylonians will certainly seize you and give you”

Jeremiah 34:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will not die by the sword. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “sword” is a metonym for dying in war. Alternate translation: “You will not die in battle”

Jeremiah 34:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the funeral burning of your ancestors (0)

The people would burn spices in honor of people who had recently died. They did not burn the dead people’s bodies.

Jeremiah 34:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Lachish and Azekah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are names of cities.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: These cities of Judah remained as fortified cities (0)

Alternate translation: “the only fortified cities of Judah that the Babylonians had not yet captured”

Jeremiah 34:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: word (0)

message

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: after King Zedekiah had made a covenant … freedom to them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

These words begin to provide background information to events that will be described later.

Jeremiah 34:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that each man … his brother (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The background information that begins with the words “after King Zedekiah had made a covenant” in verse 8 ends here.

Jeremiah 34:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Jeremiah continues giving the background information that began in Jeremiah 34:8.

Jeremiah 34:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)

Connecting Statement:

Jeremiah resumes the story from Jeremiah 34:8 after the background information of Jeremiah 34:8–11.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message to Jeremiah. He said, ‘Yahweh” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah: ‘Yahweh”

Jeremiah 34:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: house of slavery (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. “place where you were slaves”

Jeremiah 34:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: each man must send away his brother, his fellow Hebrew who had sold himself to you and served you (0)

Alternate translation: “each of you must free any fellow Hebrews who sold themselves to you and have been your slaves”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Send him away in freedom (0)

Alternate translation: “You must let them be free from serving you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: did not … incline their ears to me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

To incline the ear, to lean the head toward the speaker so as to hear better, is a metonym for paying attention to what the speaker is saying. Alternate translation: “did not … pay attention to what I said”

Jeremiah 34:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now you yourselves repented (0)

Here the word “now” is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: right in my eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

“Eyes” here is a metonym for someone’s opinion or idea. Alternate translation: “what I consider to be right”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house that is called by my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the house that belongs to me”

Jeremiah 34:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: turned and polluted my name (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

A person’s name is a metonym for what people think of him. Alternate translation: “stopped doing what was right and did evil things that have made people think that I am evil”

Jeremiah 34:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So look! (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen!” or “Pay attention to the important thing I am going to tell you!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to proclaim freedom to you … freedom for the sword, the plague, and famine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

Jeremiah uses irony to say that the “freedom” the people will enjoy will actually be suffering. Alternate translation: “I will proclaim misery to you … misery from the sword, the plague, and famine”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: proclaim freedom to you (0)

Alternate translation: “proclaim that you are free”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This is a metonym for soldiers who carry swords. Alternate translation: “enemy soldiers to kill you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: am going to make you a horrible thing in the sight of every kingdom on earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “sight” represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “I am going to make the people in every kingdom on earth think that you are horrible”

Jeremiah 34:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when they cut a bull … walked between its parts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

These words begin to describe how the people established the covenant.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: established before me (0)

Alternate translation: “agreed to with me” or “established while I was watching”

Jeremiah 34:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: and then the leaders … walked between the parts of the bull (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The description of how the people established the covenant that began with the words “when they cut” in verse 18 ends here.

Jeremiah 34:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will give them into the hand of their enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “hand” here is a metonym for the power or control that the enemies will exercise using their hands. AT; “I will allow their enemies to have complete control over them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: seeking their lives (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

This is a polite way to say that they wanted to kill them. Alternate translation: “seeking to kill them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: into the hand of their enemies (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hands” represents control. Alternate translation: “to be conquered by their enemies” or “over to the control of their enemies”

Jeremiah 34:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: risen up (0)

Alternate translation: “come to fight”

Jeremiah 34:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bring them (0)

bring the Babylonian armies

Jeremiah 35

Jeremiah 35 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

The Rechabites

The actions of the Rechabites contrasted with the actions of the Jews. The Rechabites obeyed the commands their ancestor had give while living in Canaan, but Judah did not obey Yahweh’s commands. Because the Rechabites were obedient, Yahweh preserved their clan. The Rechabites’ history is found in the book of Judges.

Jeremiah 35:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Rekabites (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is a people group.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my house (0)

the temple

Jeremiah 35:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jaazaniah … Habazziniah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

Jeremiah 35:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hanan … Igdaliah … Maaseiah … Shallum (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

Jeremiah 35:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Rekabites (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 35:2.

Jeremiah 35:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jonadab … Rekab (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

Jeremiah 35:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: live many days in the land (0)

“live many years in the land.” “Days” refers to the span of time.

Jeremiah 35:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the voice of Jonadab (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “voice” is a metonym for the command that Jonadab spoke. Alternate translation: “the command of Jonadab”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of our days (0)

“as long as we live.” “Days” refers to the span of time.

Jeremiah 35:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message to Jeremiah. He said, ‘Yahweh” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah: ‘Yahweh”

Jeremiah 35:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Will you not receive correction and listen to my words? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh is telling Israel to listen carefully to his rebuke. Alternate translation: “You must certainly receive this correction and listen to my words.”

Jeremiah 35:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The words of Jonadab son of Rekab that he gave to his sons as a command, not to drink any wine, have been observed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The sons of Jonadab son of Rekab have observed their father’s command to not drink wine”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jonadab … Rekab (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

Jeremiah 35:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let no one walk any longer after other gods (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Walking after a god is a metaphor for obeying the laws of that god.

Jeremiah 35:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

This word tells the reader to pay special attention to what follows.

Jeremiah 35:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Rekabites (0)

This is the name of the people group. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 35:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jonadab (0)

a man’s name. See how you translated it in Jeremiah 35:5.

Jeremiah 35:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jonadab … Rekab (0)

These are the names of men. See how you translated these in Jeremiah 35:5.

Jeremiah 36

Jeremiah 36 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Opposition to Jeremiah

Jeremiah wrote God’s prophesies on a scroll but the king burned it. It is possible that this action was intended to be understood as representing the definitiveness of these prophecies. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Jeremiah 36:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It came about (0)

“It happened.” This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the fourth year of Jehoiakim … king of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

Jehoiakim had been king of Judah for more than three years. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 25:1.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that this word (0)

The phrase “this word” refers to the message that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he said (0)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh said”

Jeremiah 36:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: every nation (0)

Alternate translation: “all of the nations”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have told from (0)

Alternate translation: “I have told you from”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the days of Josiah until this very day (0)

Alternate translation: “from the time Josiah was king until today”

Jeremiah 36:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Perhaps the people (0)

Alternate translation: “It is possible that the people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to bring on them (0)

Alternate translation: “to cause to happen to them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his wicked way (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of a person’s lifestyle as if it were a “way” or path along which the person walks. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 18:11. Alternate translation: “his wicked way of living”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: forgive their iniquity and their sin (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The words “iniquity” and “sin” are metonyms for the persons who commit iniquity and sin. Alternate translation: “forgive them for their iniquity and their sin”

Jeremiah 36:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Baruch wrote in a scroll, at Jeremiah’s dictation, all the words of Yahweh spoken to him (0)

Alternate translation: “while Jeremiah was speaking, Baruch wrote in a scroll all of Yahweh’s words that Yahweh had spoken to Jeremiah”

Jeremiah 36:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: read from the scroll (0)

Alternate translation: “read out loud from the scroll” or “proclaim from the scroll”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: must read (0)

Alternate translation: “must read out loud” or “must proclaim”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the hearing of the people in his house (0)

“so that the people in Yahweh’s house can hear them.” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 2:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the hearing of all of Judah who have come from their cities (0)

“so all the people of Judah who have come from their cities can hear them.” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 2:2.

Jeremiah 36:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Perhaps their pleas (0)

Alternate translation: “It is possible that their pleas”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their pleas for mercy will come before Yahweh (0)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh will hear them plead for mercy and do as they ask”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their pleas for mercy (0)

The word “their” refers to the people in the house of Yahweh and the people of Judah who had come to the house of Yahweh from their cities.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from his wicked way (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of a person’s lifestyle as if it were a “way” or path along which the person walks. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 18:11. Alternate translation: “his wicked way of living”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the wrath and fury (0)

Alternate translation: “the anger and rage”

Jeremiah 36:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It came about (0)

See how you translated this phrase in Jeremiah 36:1.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the fifth year and ninth month of Jehoiakim … king of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of November and the first part of December on Western calendars. “after Jehoiakim … had been king of Judah for more than four years, during the ninth month”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah (0)

See how you translated this phrase in Jeremiah 25:1.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: proclaimed a fast (0)

Alternate translation: “told everyone that they were going to fast”

Jeremiah 36:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah’s words (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

It is not clear why Jeremiah is referring to himself by name here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gemariah son of Shaphan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a person.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the scribe (0)

Alternate translation: “who was a scribe”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by the gate of the entrance to the house of Yahweh (0)

Alternate translation: “in the entrance of the new gate of the house of Yahweh”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He did this (0)

He read aloud Jeremiah’s words.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the hearing of all the people (0)

“where all the people could hear him.” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 2:2.

Jeremiah 36:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now (0)

Here the word “now” is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Micaiah son of Gemariah son of Shaphan (0)

Alternate translation: “Micaiah who was the son of Gemariah, who was the son of Shaphan”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Micaiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is a man’s name.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gemariah son of Shaphan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 36:10.

Jeremiah 36:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention to what I am going to say”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Elishama … Delaiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are names of people.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Shemaiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 26:20.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Elnathan son of Akbor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 26:22.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Zedekiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:3.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hananiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 28:1.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the officials (0)

Alternate translation: “all of the other officials”

Jeremiah 36:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Micaiah (0)

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 36:11.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: reported to them (0)

The word “them” refers to officials in Jeremiah 36:12.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the hearing of the people (0)

“so that the people could hear” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 2:2.

Jeremiah 36:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehudi … Nethaniah … Shelemiah … Cushi (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are men’s names.

Jeremiah 36:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in our hearing (0)

“so we can hear you read it” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 2:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: read the scroll (0)

Alternate translation: “read the scroll aloud”

Jeremiah 36:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It happened that (0)

This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when they heard (0)

The word “they” refers to the officials.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all these words (0)

the words that Baruch read aloud from the scroll

Jeremiah 36:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: how did you come to write (0)

Alternate translation: “how did you write”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: at Jeremiah’s dictation (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 36:4.

Jeremiah 36:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: dictated (0)

Jeremiah spoke out loud so that Baruch could write down his words.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wrote them in ink (0)

Alternate translation: “used ink to write them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ink (0)

a dark liquid that is used for writing

Jeremiah 36:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah, too (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

You may need to make this a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “Jeremiah should hide himself, too”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: where you are (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

The word “you” refers to Baruch and Jeremiah and so is plural.

Jeremiah 36:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So they (0)

Alternate translation: “Then the officials”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: put the scroll in the room of Elishama (0)

Alternate translation: “put the scroll in the room of Elishama so it would be safe”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Elishama the secretary (0)

See how you translated “Elishama the scribe” in Jeremiah 36:12.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the hearing of the king (0)

“where the king could hear him” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 2:2.

Jeremiah 36:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehudi (0)

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 36:14.

Jeremiah 36:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now (0)

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Jeremiah starts to tell a new part of the story.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the ninth month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. This is at the end of the sowing season and the beginning of the cold season. It is during the last part November and the first part of December on Western calendars. (See also: Ordinal Numbers)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a brazier was burning in front of him (0)

Alternate translation: “the brazier was in front of him with a blazing fire”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a brazier (0)

a fireplace that people can move

Jeremiah 36:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It happened that (0)

This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehudi (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 36:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: columns (0)

these are columns of words on the scroll

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: would cut it off (0)

Alternate translation: “would cut that part of the scroll off”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: with a knife (0)

Alternate translation: “using a scribe’s knife” or “using the kind of knife that scribes use”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: brazier (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 36:22.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: until all of the scroll was destroyed (0)

Alternate translation: “until the scroll was completely gone”

Jeremiah 36:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all these words (0)

the words from the scroll that Baruch wrote as Jeremiah dictated

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: nor did they tear their clothes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

People tore their cloths when they were extremely sad. Alternate translation: “nor did they mourn by tearing their clothes”

Jeremiah 36:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah (0)

See how you translated these names in Jeremiah 36:12.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: urged the king (0)

Alternate translation: “pleaded with the king”

Jeremiah 36:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jerahmeel … Seraiah … Azriel … Shelemiah … Abdeel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a relative (0)

Alternate translation: “a relative of the king”

Jeremiah 36:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: at Jeremiah’s dictation (0)

See how you translated similar words in Jeremiah 36:4.

Jeremiah 36:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Go back, take another scroll for yourself (0)

Alternate translation: “Take another scroll for yourself again”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the original scroll (0)

Alternate translation: “the first scroll”

Jeremiah 36:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why have you written on it … beast in it’? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jehoiakim uses this question to emphasize that Jeremiah should not have written that the king of Babylon would come and attack. Alternate translation: “You should not have written … beast in it!” or “You were wrong to write … beast in it’!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for he will destroy (0)

Alternate translation: “and he will destroy”

Jeremiah 36:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will ever sit on the throne of David (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Sitting on the throne is a metonym for ruling as king. See how you translated “sits on the throne of David” in Jeremiah 29:16. Alternate translation: “will ever rule the Israelites as David did”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your corpse will be thrown out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “people will throw your dead body outside”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your corpse (0)

Alternate translation: “your dead body”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: into the heat of day (0)

Alternate translation: “so that it is exposed to the dry heat of the daytime”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: frost (0)

ice that forms on grass during cold nights

Jeremiah 36:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: of you all (0)

Alternate translation: “of all of you”

Jeremiah 36:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Baruch wrote on it at Jeremiah’s dictation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word dictation, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 36:4. Alternate translation: “while Jeremiah was speaking, Baruch wrote on it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: burned by Jehoiakim king of Judah (0)

Alternate translation: “that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Furthermore, many other similar words were added to this scroll (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Furthermore, Jeremiah and Baruch added to this scroll many more words which were similar to the words that had been in the first scroll”

Jeremiah 37

Jeremiah 37 General Notes

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Ironic situation

Jeremiah was thrown into prison and beaten for prophesying the word of God. Then the king asked him, “Is there any word from Yahweh?” This is a type of irony. The king simply did not agree with God’s original word. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and word of God, word of Yahweh, word of the Lord, word of truth, scripture)

Jeremiah 37:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehoiachin (0)

The Hebrew text has “Coniah,” which is a variation of the name “Jehoiachin.” Many modern versions have “Jehoiachin” in order to make it clear that the same king is being referred to.

Jeremiah 37:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: of the land (0)

Alternate translation: “of the land of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he proclaimed by the hand of Jeremiah the prophet (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The hand is a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “he had Jeremiah the prophet proclaim”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he proclaimed (0)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh proclaimed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah the prophet (0)

Jeremiah refers to himself by name for reasons that are not clear.

Jeremiah 37:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jehukal (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is a man’s name.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Shelemiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 36:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest (0)

See how you translated these men’s names in Jeremiah 21:1.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on our behalf (0)

“for us” or “for our sake.” The word “our” refers to King Zedekiah and the rest of the people of Judah.

Jeremiah 37:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. The narrator tells background information about what Jeremiah had been doing before Zedekiah sent the message.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah was coming and going among the people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “coming and going” is an idiom that means he was free to move about. Alternate translation: “Jeremiah was able to go wherever he wanted with everybody else”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for he had not yet been put in prison (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “because no one had put him in prison”

Jeremiah 37:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: came out (0)

Alternate translation: “had set out”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: besieging (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

Jeremiah 37:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will say (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

The word “you” refers to the two men that king Zedekiah had sent to Jeremiah, Jehukal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to seek advice from me (0)

The word “me” refers to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

Jeremiah 37:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will fight against this city, capture it, and burn it (0)

Compare how you translated “to wage war against it and take it, and to burn it” in Jeremiah 34:22.

Jeremiah 37:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not deceive yourselves (0)

The word “yourselves” refers to King Zedekiah and the rest of the people of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Surely the Chaldeans are leaving us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The people of Judah think that they will be safe because the Chaldeans had left. Alternate translation: “Surely we are safe because the Chaldeans are leaving us”

Jeremiah 37:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they would get up (0)

Alternate translation: “the wounded men would get up”

Jeremiah 37:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So it was (0)

“It came about that.” This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

Jeremiah 37:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a tract of land (0)

Alternate translation: “a piece of land” or “some land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: among his people (0)

“among his relatives.” Jeremiah was from the town of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin (Jeremiah 1:1).

Jeremiah 37:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Benjamin Gate (0)

This is the name of the gate.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Irijah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a person.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Shelemiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 36:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hananiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 28:1.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: deserting (0)

escaping trouble and leaving people who need help

Jeremiah 37:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: deserting (0)

This means escaping trouble and leaving people who need help.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Irijah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 37:13.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: officials (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:18.

Jeremiah 37:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jonathan the scribe (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

“Jonathan, who was a scribe.” This is a man’s name.

Jeremiah 37:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah was put into an underground cell (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the officials put Jeremiah into a room that was under the ground”

Jeremiah 37:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: brought him (0)

Alternate translation: “brought Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his house (0)

the palace of King Zedekiah

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “hand” is a metonym for the power or control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “I will certainly put you under the control of the king of Babylon”

Jeremiah 37:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How have I sinned against you … prison? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses this question to emphasize that he has not done anything wrong. Alternate translation: “I have not done anything wrong to you … prison.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this people (0)

the people of the kingdom of Judah

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have placed (0)

Alternate translation: “have put”

Jeremiah 37:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Where are your prophets, the ones who prophesied … against this land? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses this question to emphasize that the other prophets were lying but that he had done nothing wrong because he had told the truth. Alternate translation: “Your prophets who prophesied … against this land were obviously wrong, but now it is clear that I was telling you the truth.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your prophets (0)

The word “your” refers to King Zedekiah and the other people of the kingdom of Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will not come against you or against this land (0)

Alternate translation: “will not attack you or attack this land”

Jeremiah 37:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let my pleas come before you (0)

“Hear me plead for mercy and do as I ask.” See how you translated “their pleas for mercy will come before Yahweh” in Jeremiah 36:7.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Jonathan the scribe (0)

“the house of Jonathan, who is a scribe.” See how you translated this in Jeremiah 37:15.

Jeremiah 37:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard (0)

This was an open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A loaf of bread was given him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “His servants also gave Jeremiah a loaf of bread”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the street of the bakers (0)

Alternate translation: “from the street where the bakers worked”

Jeremiah 38

Jeremiah 38 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Surrender and live

If the king obeyed God and surrendered to the Babylonians, he would be allowed to live and the city would not be burned. But if he refused, he would be captured and the city burned. This took faith that Yahweh was using this ungodly, Gentile nation. (See: faith and godly, godliness, ungodly, godless, ungodliness, godlessness)

Jeremiah 38:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Shephatiah … Mattan, Gedaliah … Pashhur, Jehukal … Shelemiah … Pashhur … Malkijah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

men’s names

Jeremiah 38:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anyone staying in this city will be killed by sword, famine, and plague (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Anyone staying in this city will die by sword, famine, and plague” or “I will kill anyone staying in this city with sword, famine, and plague”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He will escape with his own life (0)

The one who surrenders to the Babylonians will escape alive, even though he will lose all his possessions. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 21:9.

Jeremiah 38:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This city will be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “hand” is a metonym for the power or control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “I will allow the army of the king of Babylon to conquer Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will capture it (0)

The reader should understand that others will help the king of Babylon capture the city. “his army will capture it”

Jeremiah 38:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let this man die (0)

Alternate translation: “Order someone to kill this man”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he is weakening the hands of the fighting men who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Weak hands are a metonym for a person who is afraid. Alternate translation: “he is causing the soldiers and all the people in the city to lose courage”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for this man is not working for safety for this people, but disaster (0)

Alternate translation: “for Jeremiah is not working to help this people be safe, but he is working for bad things to happen to this people”

Jeremiah 38:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen carefully”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he is in your hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The hand is a metonym for the power that the hand has. Alternate translation: “you are able do whatever you want with him”

Jeremiah 38:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they … threw him into the cistern (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

They literally “lowered Jeremiah down on ropes,” but the word “threw” is an exaggeration to say that they treated him roughly. Your language may have another way of saying this. Alternate translation: “they … roughly pushed him into the cistern”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cistern (0)

a deep hole in the ground where people collect and store rain water

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard (0)

This was an open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They lowered Jeremiah down on ropes (0)

This tells how “they threw him into the cistern.”

Jeremiah 38:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now Ebed-Melek (0)

The word “now” is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator starts to tell a new part of the story.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ebed-Melek the Cushite (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man from Cush.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now the king (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here the word “now” marks a break in the main story line where the narrator tells background information about what the king was doing.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sitting at the Benjamin Gate (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

King Zedekiah was probably hearing and judging legal cases.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Benjamin Gate (0)

This is an entrance into the city of Jerusalem that people named after Benjamin, Jacob’s son.

Jeremiah 38:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: thirty men (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

“30 men”

Jeremiah 38:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let them down by ropes (0)

Alternate translation: “used ropes to lower them down”

Jeremiah 38:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: under your arms and on top of the ropes (0)

Alternate translation: “between your arms and the ropes”

Jeremiah 38:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they pulled Jeremiah (0)

Here the word “they” refers to some of the thirty men who were with Ebed-Melech.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard (0)

This was an open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

Jeremiah 38:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If I answer you, will you not certainly kill me? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses this question to express his belief that the king will kill him if he answers truthfully. Alternate translation: “If I tell you the truth, you will certainly kill me”

Jeremiah 38:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: As Yahweh lives, the one who made us (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

“as surely as Yahweh, the one who made us, is alive.” This is a way of making a solemn promise. The king says it to emphasize that what he is about to say next is true. See how you translated “As Yahweh lives” in Jeremiah 4:2. Alternate translation: “I solemnly swear by Yahweh, the one who made us”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will not … give you into the hand of those men (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” refers to the men’s control or power. Alternate translation: “I will not … allow those men to capture you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: seeking your life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This phrase represents wanting or trying to kill someone. See how this phrase is translated in Jeremiah 11:21. Alternate translation: “trying to kill you”

Jeremiah 38:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: God of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The name of the people group is metonym for the people of that group. Alternate translation: “God of the people of Israel”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this city will not be burned (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Babylonian army will not burn this city”

Jeremiah 38:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this city will be given into the hand of the Chaldeans (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The word “hand” is a metonym for the power or control that the hand exercises. This can be translated in active form. See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 38:2. Alternate translation: “I will allow the Chaldeans to conquer this city” or “I will allow the Chaldeans to do whatever they want with this city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will not escape from their hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “hand” is a metonym for the power or control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “you will not escape from their power”

Jeremiah 38:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: deserted (0)

escaped trouble and left people who needed help. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 37:13.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I might be given over into their hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The word “hand” is a metonym for the power or control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “the Chaldeans might put me under the control of the people of Judah who have deserted”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for them to treat me badly (0)

Here the word “them” refers to the people of Judah who have deserted.

Jeremiah 38:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will not give you over to them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

“The Chaldeans will not give you over to the Judeans.” Here “you” refers to Zedekiah.

Jeremiah 38:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is what Yahweh has shown me (0)

Here the word “this” refers to what Jeremiah will say next.

Jeremiah 38:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All the women who are left … will be brought out to the officials of the king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The reader should understand that the officials will take these women as slaves. Alternate translation: “Soldiers will bring all the women who are left … out to the officials of the king of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have been deceived by your friends (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Your friends have deceived you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Your feet are now sunk into the mud (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The king is now helpless.

Jeremiah 38:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For all of your wives and children will be brought out to the Chaldeans (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The reader should understand that the officials will take these people as slaves. Alternate translation: “Soldiers will bring your wives and children out to the Chaldeans”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will not escape from their hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “hand” is a metonym for the power or control that the hand exercises. Alternate translation: “will not escape from their power”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will be captured by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “hand” is a metonym for the power or control that the hand exercises. The reader should probably understand that many people will help the king do this. Alternate translation: “The army of the king of Babylon will capture you and will burn the city”

Jeremiah 38:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jonathan (0)

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 37:15.

Jeremiah 38:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the conversation between Jeremiah and the king (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word conversation, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “what Jeremiah and the king said to each other”

Jeremiah 38:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard (0)

This was an open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: until the day Jerusalem was captured (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “until the day that the Babylonian army captured Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 39

Jeremiah 39 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The prophesied destruction of Jerusalem is over and the actual conquering of the Promised Land by Babylon begins in this chapter. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and Promised Land)

Jeremiah 39:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: came … against Jerusalem (0)

Alternate translation: “came to attack Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: In the ninth year and tenth month of Zedekiah king of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is after Zedekiah had been king of Judah for eight years, in the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of December and the first part of January on Western calendars. Alternate translation: “In the tenth month of the ninth year that Zedekiah was king of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ninth … tenth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

Jeremiah 39:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: In the eleventh year and fourth month of Zedekiah, on the ninth day of the month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is after Zedekiah had been king of Judah for more than ten years, in the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. The eleventh day is near the beginning of July on Western calendars. Alternate translation: “On the ninth day of the fourth month of the eleventh year that Zedekiah was king”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: eleventh … fourth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

Jeremiah 39:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebo-Sarsekim, Samgar Nebo, and Sarsechim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the middle gate (0)

“in the middle entrance to the city.” It was common for leaders to sit at the gate of the city to discuss important matters.

Jeremiah 39:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They went out at night from the city by the king’s garden path (0)

Alternate translation: “They left the city at night going out on a path in the king’s garden”

Jeremiah 39:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the plains of the Jordan River valley (0)

This is the flat land at the southern end of the valley.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: at Riblah in the land of Hamath (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Riblah was a town in the territory of Hamath, which is in Syria.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pursued them and overtook (0)

Alternate translation: “followed them and caught”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: passed sentence on him (0)

Alternate translation: “decided how to punish him”

Jeremiah 39:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: slaughtered Zedekiah’s sons before his own eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The eyes are a synecdoche for the whole person. The reader should also understand that others probably helped the king of Babylon kill Zedekiah’s sons. Alternate translation: “forced Zedekiah to watch as the king’s soldiers killed Zedekiah’s sons”

Jeremiah 39:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he put out Zedekiah’s eyes (0)

“the king’s men made Zedekiah blind.” Use the common words for making a person blind. It is not clear that the king of Babylon took Zedekiah’s eyes out of his head. The reader should also understand that others probably helped the king of Babylon make Zedekiah blind.

Jeremiah 39:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the king’s house (0)

Zedekiah’s house

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the people’s houses (0)

the houses that had belonged to the people of Jerusalem

Jeremiah 39:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the king’s bodyguards (0)

Alternate translation: “Nebuchadnezzar’s guards”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the rest of the people who were left in the city (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

This is probably a generalization. Alternate translation: “the people who were still living in the city”

Jeremiah 39:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who had nothing for themselves (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The word “nothing” is probably an exaggeration. Alternate translation: “who owned nothing of great value”

Jeremiah 39:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebushazban (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

a man’s name

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sent men out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

They sent them out to get Jeremiah. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “sent men out to get Jeremiah”

Jeremiah 39:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gedaliah … Ahikam … Shaphan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard (0)

This was an open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: among the people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

You may need to make explicit which people the speaker is speaking of. Alternate translation: “among the people who remained in Judah”

Jeremiah 39:15

General Information:

This story happened before the events in the first part of the chapter.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

This word is used here to mark a return to the story line, as the narrator tells what Yahweh had said to Jeremiah after Nebuchadnezzar gave the orders about Jeremiah (Jeremiah 39:12–14)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah while he was … guard, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “the word of Yahweh came to” is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message to Jeremiah while he was … guard. He said,” or “while Jeremiah was … guard, Yahweh spoke this message to him:”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the courtyard of the guard (0)

This was an open area attached to the king’s palace that was surrounded by buildings and in which they kept prisoners. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:2.

Jeremiah 39:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ebed-Melek the Cushite (0)

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 38:7.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to carry out my words against this city for disaster and not for good (0)

Alternate translation: “I am bringing disaster, not good, against this city, just as I said I would”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For they will all come true before you on that day (0)

Alternate translation: “For you will see it all happen on that day”

Jeremiah 39:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will not be given into the hand of the men whom you fear (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” refers to power or control. Alternate translation: “the men you fear will not harm you”

Jeremiah 39:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will not fall by the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

The sword is a metonym for dying in war. Alternate translation: “No one will kill you with their sword”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: with your life (0)

Alternate translation: “alive”

Jeremiah 40

Jeremiah 40 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Peace in Judah

After Babylon conquered Jerusalem, this chapter reveals an unfolding peace in the area. Ammon, who was supposed to be Judah’s ally against Babylon, probably sought to distract Babylon from attacking them by ruining the peace in the region of Judah. (See: INVALID bible/kt/reveal and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 40:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to announce that God gave messages to Jeremiah. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 32:1 Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave messages to Jeremiah” or “Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 39:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who were being carried into exile to Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom the soldiers were about to take to Babylon as exiles”

Jeremiah 40:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this thing (0)

Alternate translation: “this disaster”

Jeremiah 40:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But now look! (0)

Nebuzaradan says this to bring Jeremiah’s attention to the present moment.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it is good in your eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

“Eyes” here is a metonym for what the person thinks. Alternate translation: “it is what you consider to be right”

Jeremiah 40:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gedaliah … Ahikam … Shaphan (0)

These are the names of men. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 39:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: among the people (0)

Alternate translation: “among the Judeans”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it is good in your eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

“Eyes” here is a metonym for what the person thinks. Alternate translation: “it is what you consider to be right”

Jeremiah 40:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who were left behind in the land (0)

Alternate translation: “who stayed in Judah”

Jeremiah 40:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now (0)

This marks a new part of the story.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those who had not been exiled to Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom the enemy soldiers had not sent to Babylon”

Jeremiah 40:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ishmael … Nethaniah … Johanan … Jonathan … Kareah … Seraiah … Tanhumeth … Ephai … Jaazaniah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Netophathite … Maakathite (0)

people from the regions of Netophah and Maakah

Jeremiah 40:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: took an oath to them (0)

Alternate translation: “swore to the Judean commanders”

Jeremiah 40:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen carefully” or “Pay attention”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: summer fruit (0)

Alternate translation: “fruit that becomes ripe during the summer”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have occupied (0)

“you have taken over.” “Occupy” here is a military term. Gedaliah was talking to soldiers (Jeremiah 40:7) who may have conquered or otherwise taken control of cities.

Jeremiah 40:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: remnant of Judah (0)

Alternate translation: “remnant of the people of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: had appointed … over them (0)

Alternate translation: “had put … in charge of them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan (0)

See how you translated this in Jeremiah 39:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: over them (0)

Alternate translation: “over the people of Judah”

Jeremiah 40:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: where they had been scattered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “where the Babylonians had driven them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: wine and summer fruit in great abundance (0)

Alternate translation: “a huge amount of grapes and summer fruit”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: summer fruit (0)

“fruit that becomes ripe during the summer.” See how you translated this in Jeremiah 40:10.

Jeremiah 40:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Johanan … Kareah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated these names in Jeremiah 40:8.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gedaliah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 39:14.

Jeremiah 40:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do you realize that Baalis king of the people of Ammon sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to murder you? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Johanan and the commanders use a rhetorical question to warn Gedaliah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You need to understand that Baalis king of the people of Ammon sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to murder you!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Baalis (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ishmael … Nethaniah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Translate these names as in Jeremiah 40:8.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ahikim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this name in Jeremiah 26:24.

Jeremiah 40:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Johanan … Kareah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated these men’s names in Jeremiah 40:8.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gedaliah (0)

See how you translated this name in Jeremiah 39:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ishmael … Nethaniah (0)

See how you translated these men’s names in Jeremiah 40:8.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: No one will suspect me (0)

Alternate translation: “No one will think that I did it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why should he kill you? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Johanan uses a rhetorical question to try to change Gedaliah’s thinking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not allow him to kill you.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why allow all of Judah that has been gathered to you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah destroyed? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Johanan uses a rhetorical question to try to get Gedaliah to think about what will happen if Gedaliah does what Gedaliah is planning to do. Alternate translation: “If you do this, all of Judah that has been gathered to you will be scattered and the remnant of Judah will be destroyed.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The word “all” is a generalization. Alternate translation: “many of the people of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that has been gathered to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “who have come to you” or “whom Yahweh has brought to you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to be scattered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “to have the Chaldeans scatter them” or “to flee away to many different lands”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the remnant of Judah destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “allow the Chaldeans to destroy the remnant of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: remnant of Judah (0)

“remnant of the people of Judah.” See how you translated this in Jeremiah 40:11.

Jeremiah 40:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ahikam (0)

See how you translated this name in Jeremiah 26:24.

Jeremiah 41

Jeremiah 41 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Life in Judah

This chapter explains what life was like in Judah after the Babylonian conquest. It was a difficult and dangerous time, but some of the faithful remained in the Promised Land. (See: faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy and Promised Land)

Jeremiah 41:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it happened that (0)

This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the seventh month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars. (See also: Ordinal Numbers)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ishmael son of Nethaniah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated these men’s names in Jeremiah 40:8.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Elishama (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

Jeremiah 41:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated these men’s names in Jeremiah 39:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in charge of the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “land” represents the people. Alternate translation: “in charge of the people of Judah”

Jeremiah 41:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then Ishmael killed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “Ishmael” represents himself and the ten men with him. Alternate translation: “Then Ishmael and the ten men with him killed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the Chaldean fighting men found there (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “also the Chaldean soldiers there”

Jeremiah 41:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the second day after (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

The word “second” is the ordinal form of the number 2. This could mean: (1) “the day after” or (2) “two days after”

Jeremiah 41:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: eighty men (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

“80 men”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in their hands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Having things in the hands here is probably a metaphor for carrying those things or having them in their possession. Alternate translation: “in their possession”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to go to Yahweh’s house (0)

Alternate translation: “to go worship Yahweh at his temple”

Jeremiah 41:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to meet them (0)

Alternate translation: “to meet the 80 men”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then it happened (0)

This phrase is used here to mark where the action starts. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

Jeremiah 41:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It came about that (0)

This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ishmael son of Nethaniah slaughtered them and threw them into a pit, he and the men who were with him (0)

It is stated it in Jeremiah 41:8 that Ishmael and his men did not kill all 80 men. You can state here that they killed most of the 80 men. Alternate translation: “Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and the men who were with him, killed most of the 80 men and threw them into a pit”

Jeremiah 41:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ten men among them (0)

The word “them” refers to the 80 men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for there are provisions of ours in a field (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It is implied that they would give their provisions to Ishmael and his men. Alternate translation: “for we will give you our provisions that we have hidden in a field”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: provisions (0)

supplies to be used to provide for future needs

Jeremiah 41:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The cistern where Ishmael … against King Baasha of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

This is background information about the cistern that Ishmael used. King Asa had his men dig the cistern so his people would have a water supply when King Baasha attacked them.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that King Asa dug (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here King Asa represents his men. Alternate translation: “that King Asa ordered his men to dig”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: against King Baasha of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here King Baasha represents himself and his army. Alternate translation: “against Baasha, king of Israel, and his army”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here Ishmael represents himself and all of his men. Alternate translation: “Ishmael and his men filled it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: with the dead (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

This nominal adjective can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “with those who were dead” or “with those they had killed”

Jeremiah 41:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ishmael captured (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here Ishmael represents himself and his men. Alternate translation: “Ishmael and his men captured”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 39:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: went to cross over to the people of Ammon (0)

Alternate translation: “traveled towards the land of the Ammonites”

Jeremiah 41:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ishmael son of Nethaniah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “Ishmael” represents himself and all of his men. Alternate translation: “Ishmael and his men”

Jeremiah 41:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ishmael son of Nethaniah … found him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “Ishmael” represents himself and all of his men. Alternate translation: “Ishmael and his men … found them”

Jeremiah 41:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then it happened that (0)

This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when all the people who were with Ishmael (0)

Here “people” refers to those whom Ishmael and his men had captured.

Jeremiah 41:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: whom Ishmael had captured (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “Ishmael” represents himself and all of his men. Alternate translation: “whom Ishmael and his men had captured”

Jeremiah 41:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He went to the people of Ammon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

“He” refers to Ishmael who represents himself and the eight men with him. Alternate translation: “They went to the people of Ammon”

Jeremiah 41:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who had been rescued (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom they had rescued”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This was after Ishmael had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author stops the story to refer to a previous event so that the order of events are understood.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the strong men, the fighting men (0)

These both refer to soldiers. Alternate translation: “the soldiers”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who had been rescued at Gibeon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom they had rescued at Gibeon”

Jeremiah 41:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they went (0)

Alternate translation: “Johanan, his companions, and all the people they rescued went”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Geruth Kimham (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a place.

Jeremiah 41:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because of the Chaldeans (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It is implied that they were afraid that the Chaldeans would attack them. Alternate translation: “because they thought the Chaldeans may attack them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in charge of the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “land” represents the people. Alternate translation: “in charge of the people of Judah”

Jeremiah 42

Jeremiah 42 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Life in Babylon

The remaining army commanders, who scattered after the Babylonian victory, asked Jeremiah to ask Yahweh about where they should go. Yahweh encouraged them to go to Babylon because they would soon return to the Promised Land. They would be punished if they went to Egypt or anywhere else. (See: Promised Land)

Jeremiah 42:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Johanan … Kareah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated these men’s names in Jeremiah 40:13.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jezaniah … Hoshaiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the people from the least to the greatest (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

This is a way to refer to people from every social status. Here “least” and “greatest” represent those who are least important and those who are most important. Alternate translation: “all the people from every social status” or “all the people, including the least important and the most important people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

Most likely not every individual in the town went. The word “all” is a generalization that means very many people went. Alternate translation: “many other people”

Jeremiah 42:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let our pleas come before you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

“Let us present our urgent request to you.” If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word pleas, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “Listen as we plead with you”

Jeremiah 42:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will keep nothing back from you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “keep nothing back from you” is an idiom that means to tell someone everything. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “I will tell you everything the Lord tells me” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 42:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: May Yahweh be (0)

This is a way of beginning an oath. Alternate translation: “We ask Yahweh to be” or “Yahweh will be”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: true and faithful (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

Here these words share similar meanings. They describe Yahweh as a witness whom no one will be able to contradict. Alternate translation: “trustworthy”

Jeremiah 42:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Whether it is good or if it is bad (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

The people mention both extremes to emphasize that they will obey no matter what Yahweh’s answer is. Alternate translation: “Whatever he answers”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the voice of Yahweh our God (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “voice” represents what Yahweh says. Alternate translation: “what Yahweh our God says” or “we will obey Yahweh our God”

Jeremiah 42:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to announce that God gave messages to Jeremiah. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:2. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave messages to Jeremiah” or “Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah”

Jeremiah 42:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to all the people from the least to the greatest (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

This is a way to refer to people from every social status. Here “least” and “greatest” represent those who are least important and those who are most important. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 42:1. Alternate translation: “to all the people from every social status” or “to all the people, including the least important and the most important people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to all the people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

Most likely not every individual in the town went. The word “all” is a generalization that means very many people went. Alternate translation: “to many other people”

Jeremiah 42:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will build you and not tear you down (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh refers to the people of Israel like a wall that can be built or torn down. Alternate translation: “I will cause you to prosper and I will not destroy you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will plant you and not pull you up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh uses another example to express how he will cause the people of Israel to prosper and not be destroyed.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will turn back the disaster that I have brought on you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

A disaster is here spoken of as something that a person can put onto someone else. Alternate translation: “I will prevent the disaster that I have caused to happen to you”

Jeremiah 42:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to save you and rescue you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “save” and “rescue” mean the same thing and emphasize that Yahweh will, indeed, save. Alternate translation: “to save you completely”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: rescue you from his hand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “hand” refers to power and authority. Alternate translation: “rescue you from his power” or “rescue you from him”

Jeremiah 42:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: if you do not listen to my voice, the voice of Yahweh your God (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “voice” represents a command. To not obey is like the people did not hear Yahweh’s command. Alternate translation: “if you do not obey my commands, even though I am Yahweh, your God”

Jeremiah 42:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: where we will not see any war, where we will not hear the sound of the trumpet (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Both of these phrases describe being at war by the ability to see or hear it. Alternate translation: “where we will not experience the hardships of war”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: we will not go hungry for food (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Being hungry for food is used to describe famine.

Jeremiah 42:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now (0)

The word “now” does not mean “at this moment,” but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to this word of Yahweh (0)

Alternate translation: “to Yahweh’s message”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: set out to go to (0)

Alternate translation: “depart for” or “leave for”

Jeremiah 42:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sword that you fear will overtake you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “the sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “you will experience the terrible results of war”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The famine that you are worrying about will pursue you to Egypt (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The Israelites experiencing famine even in Egypt is spoken of as if famine would chase after them. Alternate translation: “You worry about famine in Israel but if you go to Egypt you will suffer from famine there”

Jeremiah 42:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the men who set out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The men are used to refer to all the people because they are the leaders in their families. Alternate translation: “anyone who sets out”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the disaster that I will bring on them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Causing a disaster is spoken of as if disaster were an object that is brought to a person. Alternate translation: “the disaster that I will cause to happen to them”

Jeremiah 42:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my wrath and my fury were poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh punishing people because he is very angry is spoken of as if wrath and fury were liquids that he poured out on the people. Alternate translation: “I became very angry and punished the people of Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my wrath and my fury (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “wrath” and “fury” mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize the intensity of his wrath. Alternate translation: “my terrible wrath”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the same way my fury will be poured out on you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh punishing people because he is very angry is spoken of as if fury were a liquid that he pours out on the people. Alternate translation: “I will became very angry and punish you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You will become an object of cursing and a horror, an object for speaking curses, and something dishonorable (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

All of these statements mean basically the same thing and emphasize how badly the nations will treat the people of Judah after Yahweh punishes them. Alternate translation: “People will be terrified when they see what has happened to you. They will curse and mock you”

Jeremiah 42:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have been a witness against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “been a witness against” is an idiom that means to give a warning. Alternate translation: “I have warned you”

Jeremiah 42:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: we will carry it out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “we will do it”

Jeremiah 42:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you have not listened (0)

Alternate translation: “you have not paid attention”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to the voice of Yahweh your God (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “voice” represents what Yahweh commanded. Alternate translation: “to what Yahweh your God commanded”

Jeremiah 42:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: now (0)

The word “now” does not mean “at this moment,” but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will die by sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “you will die in warfare”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the place where you desired to go to live (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

They desired to live in Egypt. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “in Egypt, where you thought you would be safe”

Jeremiah 43

Jeremiah 43 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

They did not believe Jeremiah

After Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of Judah, the people did not believe him. Judah was conquered and destroyed. Even after this, the people did not believe they would be safe in Babylon as Jeremiah prophesied. This is shocking. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief)

Babylon invades Egypt

Babylon is described as invading part of Egypt. This would have been unthinkable for the people. It would have gotten their attention.

Other possible translation issues in this chapter

Symbolic actions

Jeremiah’s burial of the stones was intended to be a symbolic action for the people. This was supposed to teach the people a lesson. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 43:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It happened that (0)

This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

Jeremiah 43:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Azariah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This could mean: (1) this is another name for Jezaniah in Jeremiah 42:1 or (2) this is a different son of Hoshaiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hoshaiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 42:1.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Johanan … Kareah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated these men’s names in Jeremiah 40:13.

Jeremiah 43:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: inciting (0)

to cause someone to act in a harmful or violent way

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “to give us over to the Chaldeans”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for you to cause our death and to make us captives in Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word death, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “to kill.” Alternate translation: “for you to cause the Chaldeans to either kill us or to take us as captives to Babylon”

Jeremiah 43:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

This probably did not include every individual there. The word “all” is a generalization that means many people. Alternate translation: “many of the people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: refused to listen to Yahweh’s voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “voice” represents commands. And here “to listen” means “to obey.” Alternate translation: “would not obey Yahweh’s command”

Jeremiah 43:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: where they had been scattered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “where Yahweh had scattered them”

Jeremiah 43:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 39:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Gedaliah … Ahikam … Shaphan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated these men’s names in Jeremiah 39:14.

Jeremiah 43:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Tahpanhes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated the name of this city in Jeremiah 2:16.

Jeremiah 43:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “the word of Yahweh came to” is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 1:4. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes. He said,” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah in Tahpanehs:”

Jeremiah 43:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the sight of the people of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word sight, you can express the same idea with the verb “watching.” Alternate translation: “while the people of Judah are watching”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: mortar (0)

a substance used to hold bricks together

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to Pharaoh’s house (0)

Alternate translation: “to Pharaoh’s royal building”

Jeremiah 43:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will place his throne over these stones that you, Jeremiah, have buried. Nebuchadnezzar will place his pavilion over them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Both the king’s “throne” and “pavilion” are used to refer to his royal authority. Alternate translation: “I will cause him to rule as king over the people of Egypt. He will place his throne and pavilion over these stones you have buried”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pavilion (0)

a very large tent

Jeremiah 43:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will come (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “he” refers to Nebuchadnezzar who represents his whole army. Alternate translation: “Nebuchadnezzar’s army will come”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anyone who is assigned to death will be given to death (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word death, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “die.” If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Everyone will die whom I have decided must die”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anyone who is assigned to captivity will be taken captive (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The Babylonians will take everyone captive whom I have decided must go into captivity”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anyone who is assigned to the sword will be given to the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents battle. Alternate translation: “Everyone will die in battle whom I have decided will die in battle”

Jeremiah 43:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then I will light a fire (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “I” refers to Yahweh. This represents Yahweh sending the Babylonian army to light a fire. Alternate translation: “Then I will cause the Babylonian army to light a fire”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuchadnezzar will … He will (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Nebuchadnezzar represents his army. Alternate translation: “Nebuchadnezzar’s army will … They will”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: burn them or capture them (0)

Alternate translation: “burn the Egyptian idols or take them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He will clean out the land of Egypt just as shepherds clean vermin off their clothes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Taking or destroying everything in Egypt is compared to how a shepherd carefully cleans off his clothes. Alternate translation: “He will take or destroy everything valuable in Egypt just as a shepherd is careful to get every insect off of his clothes”

Jeremiah 43:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Heliopolis (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city. The name means “city of the sun.” In this city was a temple where they worshiped a sun god.

Jeremiah 44

Jeremiah 44 General Notes

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Idiom

The people called Ashtoreth the goddess of the Canaanites, “the queen of heaven.” (See: Idiom and prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Jeremiah 44:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The word came to Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

It is implied that the word that came to Jeremiah was from Yahweh. This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 7:1. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah” or “This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Migdol (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Tahpanhes … Memphis (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Translate the names of these cities as you did in Jeremiah 2:16.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in Upper Egypt (0)

This refers to the southern region of Egypt. It is sometime called “Pathros.”

Jeremiah 44:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You yourselves have seen (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns

The word “yourselves” is used for emphasis to specify the people of Judea who live in the land of Egypt.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all the disasters that I brought on Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Causing disasters is spoken of as if disasters were an object that can be put on something. Alternate translation: “all the disaster that I caused to happen to Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you.”

Jeremiah 44:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they did to offend me (0)

Alternate translation: “the people of Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah did to offend me”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they themselves (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns

The word “themselves” is used for emphasis to specify the people of Jerusalem and the other cities of Judah. Alternate translation: “the people from the ruined cities”

Jeremiah 44:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So I repeatedly sent (0)

The word “I” refers to Yahweh.

Jeremiah 44:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: or turn from their wickedness in burning incense to other gods (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

To stop doing something is spoken of as if it were physically turning away from something. Alternate translation: “or to stop behaving wickedly by burning incense to other gods”

Jeremiah 44:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my fury and my wrath were poured out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Becoming angry and punishing people is spoken of as if fury and wrath were liquids there could be poured on people. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I became very angry and punished them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my fury and my wrath (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “fury” and “wrath” mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of his wrath. Alternate translation: “my terrible wrath”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: kindled a fire (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh becoming angry and punishing the people of Judah is spoken of as his fury and wrath were a fire. Alternate translation: “my fury and wrath were like a fire” or “my punishment was like a fire”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they became ruins and devastations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The words “ruins” and “devastations” mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize the complete devastation of Judah and Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “they became completely devastated”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: as at this present day (0)

This refers to the current time at which Yahweh was speaking this message.

Jeremiah 44:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why are you doing … yourselves? Why are you causing … and babies? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses these questions to rebuke the people for doing things that cause him to punish them. Alternate translation: “You are doing … yourselves. You are causing … and babies.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why are you doing great wickedness against yourselves? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wickedness, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “wicked.” Alternate translation: “Why are you doing these wicked things that harm yourselves?” or “You are doing wicked things that cause terrible things to happen to you.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why are you causing yourselves to be cut off from among Judah … and babies? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being separated from the people of Judah is spoken of as if the people are cut off from Judah the way a person may cut off a branch from a vine or cut off a piece of cloth. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Why are you causing me to remove you from the people of Judah … and babies?” or “You are causing me to remove you from the people of Judah … and babies.”

Jeremiah 44:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: By your wickedness you have offended me with the deeds of your hands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

Here, wickedness represents actions that are “wicked.” If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wickedness, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Here, hand represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “You have offended me with the wicked things you have done”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You have gone there so that … so that (0)

Alternate translation: “The result of going to Egypt is that … and that”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will be destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you will cause me to destroy you” or “you will destroy yourselves”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “nations” represent the people. Alternate translation: “all the people of all the nations of the earth will curse you and hate you”

Jeremiah 44:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Have you forgotten the wickedness committed by your ancestors and the wickedness committed by the kings of Judah and their wives? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh rebukes the people for not thinking about the wicked behavior of their ancestors and how Yahweh punished them. Alternate translation: “Think about what happened to your ancestors and the kings of Judah and their wives when they did wicked things.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Have you forgotten the evil committed by yourselves and your wives in the land of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh rebukes the people for not thinking about their own wicked behavior and how Yahweh punished them. Alternate translation: “Think about what happened to you and your wives when you did evil things in the land Judah and the streets of Jerusalem.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the streets of Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Jerusalem is referred to by the part of the city where people walk. This means the people did evil things in public places. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem” or “the public places of Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 44:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they still are not humbled (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

“the people of Judah are still not humble.” Yahweh is still speaking to the people of Judah, so this can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: “you are still not humble”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: nor do they walk in them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Obeying the laws is spoken of as if it were walking in the laws. Alternate translation: “nor do they obey them” or “nor do you obey them”

Jeremiah 44:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to set my face against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom means he “firmly decided.” See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 21:10. Alternate translation: “I have made up my mind to oppose you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: set my face against (0)

Alternate translation: “stare angrily at”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to bring disaster to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Causing disaster to happen is spoken of as if disaster were an object that can be brought to someone. Alternate translation: “to cause disaster to happen to you”

Jeremiah 44:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will fall by sword and famine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “fall” means to die. Alternate translation: “Enemies will kill some of them and others will die of hunger”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: From the least to the greatest (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

This is a way to refer to people from every social status. Here “least” and “greatest” represent those who are least important and those who are most important. Alternate translation: “all the people from every social status” or “all the people, including the least important and the most important people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will become an object of swearing, cursing, reproaching, and a horrible thing (0)

Alternate translation: “people will be horrified because of what happened to the people of Judah, and people will mock and curse them”

Jeremiah 44:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I punished Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Jerusalem” represents the people. Alternate translation: “I punished the people of Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: with the sword, with famine, and with the plague (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents enemies carrying weapons. Alternate translation: “by causing enemies to kill some of them, others to starve to death, and others to die because of disease”

Jeremiah 44:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the great assembly (0)

Alternate translation: “in the large crowd”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Lower … Egypt (0)

“Lower Egypt” refers to the northern region of Egypt.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Upper Egypt (0)

This refers to the southern region of Egypt. It is sometime called “Pathros.”

Jeremiah 44:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: About the word that you have told us in Yahweh’s name—we will not listen to you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “in Yahweh’s name” means “in Yahweh’s authority” or “as Yahweh’s representative.” Alternate translation: “We will not obey this message that you say Yahweh told you to tell us”

Jeremiah 44:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: queen of heaven (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This a title of a false goddess that the people of Judah worshiped. This goddess is also called “Asherah.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the streets of Jerusalem (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “streets” represent the public places in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “in the public places of Jerusalem” or “in Jerusalem”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then we will be filled with food and will prosper, without experiencing any disaster (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The people of Judah thought they would prosper because the queen of heaven would bless them if they worshiped her.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then we will be filled with food (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Then we will have plenty of food”

Jeremiah 44:18

General Information:

The remnant of the people living in Egypt continue to speak. Beginning in 44:19, the women address Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: were dying by sword and famine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents enemies carrying weapons. Alternate translation: “enemy soldiers were killing some of us and some of us were dying of hunger”

Jeremiah 44:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: was it against our husbands that we did these things … to her? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The women were claiming to be innocent because their husband approved of what they were doing. Alternate translation: “our husbands knew what we were doing … to her.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cakes in her image (0)

These were probably small cakes shaped like stars or the crescent moon.

Jeremiah 44:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Did not Yahweh remember … of the land? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses a question to scold the people. Alternate translation: “Yahweh certainly knew about … of the land.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For Yahweh calls this to mind; it comes to his thoughts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Both of these phrases mean the same thing. They emphasize that Yahweh knows that the people were worshiping false gods. Alternate translation: “Yes, Yahweh knows what you were doing, and he does not forget”

Jeremiah 44:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: was no longer able to bear it (0)

Alternate translation: “was no longer able to tolerate it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because of the abominations that you did (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word abominations, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “things he hated.” Alternate translation: “because you did things that he hated”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then your land became a desolation, a horror, and a curse so there was no longer an inhabitant as at this present day (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

This can be restated to remove the abstract nouns “a desolation,” “a horror,” and “a curse.” Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh caused it so that no one lives in the land. He made it a desolate and horrifying place. People use its name to curse others. And this is how it is even to this day”

Jeremiah 44:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: burned incense (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Why people burn incense can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “burned incense to false gods”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you would not listen to his voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “voice” refers to Yahweh’s commands. Alternate translation: “you would not obey his commands”

Jeremiah 44:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Judah” represents the people. Alternate translation: “all the people of Judah”

Jeremiah 44:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: have said with your mouths and carried out with your hands what you said (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “mouths” and “hands” represent the whole person. Alternate translation: “have done what you promised to do when you said”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: carry out the vows (0)

Alternate translation: “fulfill the vows” or “complete the vows”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now fulfill your vows; carry them out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

This is an ironic statement. Yahweh does not really want them to fulfill their vow to a false goddess. Yahweh knows they will not listen to him so he tells them to go ahead and do what they want. Alternate translation: “Very well! If that is what you want to do, then go fulfill your vows and do what you promised to do”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Now (0)

The word “now” does not mean “at this moment,” but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

Jeremiah 44:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Judah” represents the people. Alternate translation: “all the people of Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My name will no longer be called upon by the mouths of any of the men of Judah in all the land of Egypt (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “name” represents the whole being of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “No person of Judah living in the land of Egypt will ever call upon me again”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: As the Lord Yahweh lives (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

“as surely as the Lord Yahweh is alive.” The people use this expression to show that what they say next is certainly true. This is a way of making a solemn promise. See how you transited “As Yahweh lives” Jeremiah 4:2. Alternate translation: “I solemnly swear” or “I solemnly swear by the Lord Yahweh”

Jeremiah 44:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Every person of Judah in the land of Egypt will perish by sword and famine until they are all finished (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

Here “Every person” is a generalization that means “very many people.” Alternate translation: “Nearly every person of Judah in the land of Egypt will die. Enemies will kill many of them and many of them will starve to death until there is very few of them left”

Jeremiah 44:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then the survivors of the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents enemies carrying weapons. Alternate translation: “Then those whom the enemies do not kill”

Jeremiah 44:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am setting against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “I am opposed to you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my words will certainly attack you with disaster (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Yahweh causing disaster on the people as he promised is spoken of as if his word would attack them. Alternate translation: “what I have said will happen and you will have a disaster”

Jeremiah 44:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Look (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Pay attention”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of those who seek to kill him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “I will allow the enemies who want to kill Pharaoh Hophra, the king of Egypt, to defeat him”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hophra (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who sought his life (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” represents power or control. And, Nebuchadnezzar represents his whole army. Alternate translation: “when I allowed the army of Nebuchadnezzar to defeat Zedekiah king of Judah”

Jeremiah 45

Jeremiah 45 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter forms a break in the narrative sequence. It records prophecies that have already occurred. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Jeremiah 45:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this was in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah (0)

This information can be placed at the beginning of 45:1 as in the UST.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the fourth year of Jehoiakim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The words “of the rule” are understood. Alternate translation: “in the fourth year of the rule of Jehoiakim”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fourth year (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

The word “fourth” is the ordinal form of the number four.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he said (0)

Alternate translation: “Jeremiah said to Baruch”

Jeremiah 45:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for Yahweh has added agony to my pain (0)

Alternate translation: “for I was already suffering and now Yahweh causes me to be sad as well”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My groaning has wearied me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word groaning, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “cry.” Alternate translation: “I am tired because I cry so much”

Jeremiah 45:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is what you must say to him (0)

Yahweh is telling Jeremiah what to say to Baruch.

Jeremiah 45:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But are you hoping for great things for yourself? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to state that he knows Baruch is hoping for others to treat him in a special way. Alternate translation: “I know you hope for great things for yourself.” or “I know you hope others will honor you.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For see (0)

Alternate translation: “For understand” or “Be aware”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your life as your plunder everywhere you will go (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Allowing Baruch to escape and remain alive is spoken of as if his life were plunder that he would take after a battle. Alternate translation: “but wherever you go, I will protect you and allow you to live”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: plunder (0)

things stolen from a place by force

Jeremiah 46

Jeremiah 46 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 46:3–12, 14–24.

This begins a section where Jeremiah prophesies about other nations. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Jeremiah 46:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 14:1, and make any changes as needed. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah” or “This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah”

Jeremiah 46:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For Egypt (0)

This phrase indicates this message is intended for the nation of Egypt.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Necho (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Carchemish (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city on the west bank of the Euphrates.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Nebuchadnezzar represents his army. Alternate translation: “that the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the fourth year of Jehoiakim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This refers to the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the fourth year (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

The word “fourth” is the ordinal form of “four.”

Jeremiah 46:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Put the harness on the horses; mount up on the horses (0)

A “harness” is a set of straps placed on a horse so that it can pull a chariot. Here “mount up on the horses” means that the soldiers rode in the chariots that the horses were pulling.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: helmets (0)

A helmet is armor which protects the head in battle.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: polish the spears (0)

This phrase means to “sharpen” the spear.

Jeremiah 46:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What am I seeing here? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The word “I” here refer to Yahweh. Yahweh uses a question to introduce the vision and to draw attention to what he says next. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Look at what is happening here”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They are filled with terror (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word terror, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “terrified.” Alternate translation: “The Egyptian soldiers are terrified”

Jeremiah 46:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the swift cannot run away, and the soldiers cannot escape (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize that no one, not even the strongest and fastest, can escape. Alternate translation: “even the swiftest soldier cannot escape”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They stumble in the north and fall beside the Euphrates River (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Both statements mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “The Egyptian soldiers suffer defeat and die in the north by the Euphrates River”

Jeremiah 46:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Who is this who rises like the Nile … the rivers? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to draw attention to what he is about to say concerning Egypt. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Look at who rises like the Nile … the rivers.”

Jeremiah 46:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Egypt rises like the Nile (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The Nile river floods its banks once a year, covering the surrounding area with water. Yahweh compares the kingdom of Egypt to the Nile because the Egyptian people think they are mighty enough to destroy cities in all the lands.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Egypt rises … Egypt says … I will (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Egypt” represents all the people of Egypt. Alternate translation: “The Egyptians rise … The Egyptians say … We will”

Jeremiah 46:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Go up, horses. Be angry, you chariots (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “horses” and “chariots” represent the soldiers who use horses and chariots in battle. The leaders of Egypt are ordering their soldiers to start the battle. Alternate translation: “Go up to battle, you soldiers on horses. Fight furiously, you soldiers in chariots”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let the soldiers go out, Cush and Put, men skillful with a shield (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This command can be addressed directly to the soldiers. What they were to go out for can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “You soldiers from Cush and Put, who are skillful with your shields, go out to battle”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Cush … Put (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are biblical names for the countries of Ethiopia and Libya.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ludim, men skillful at bending their bows (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The ideas of soldiers and going out to battle are understood from earlier in the sentence. They can be repeated. This command can also be addressed directly to the soldiers. Alternate translation: “you soldiers from Lud, who are skillful at bending your bows, go out to battle”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ludim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of the people group from the nation of Lud. Lud is the biblical name for Lydia.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: skillful at bending their bows (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “bend the bow” means to pull the string of the bow back with an arrow in order to shoot the arrow. Alternate translation: “skillful at shooting arrows from their bows” or “skillful with the bow and arrow”

Jeremiah 46:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: That day (0)

This phrase refers to the day the Egyptians lose the battle to the Babylonians.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for the Lord Yahweh of hosts, and he will avenge himself on his foes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself in third person. This can be stated in first person. Alternate translation: “for me, Lord Yahweh of hosts, and I will avenge myself on my foes”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The sword will devour and be satisfied. It will drink its fill of their blood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Both these phrases are saying similar thing and are combined to emphasize that there will be complete destruction. Alternate translation: “I will completely destroy my enemy. It will be like my sword devours them and gets drunk on their blood”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The sword will devour (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh punishing and killing his enemies is spoken of as if he would use a sword to kill them.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For there will be a sacrifice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh avenging himself by causing the Egyptians to lose in battle against the Babylonians is spoken of as if the Egyptian army would be a sacrifice to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “For the Egyptians will be like a sacrifice”

Jeremiah 46:11

General Information:

Yahweh finishes his declaration to Egypt.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Go up to Gilead and obtain medicine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

Gilead was a region famous for having people skillful with medicine. Yahweh is mocking the Egyptians by telling them to go get medicine, but he knows it will not help them.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: virgin daughter of Egypt (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people of Egypt are spoken of as if they were the virgin daughter of Egypt. Alternate translation: “people of Egypt”

Jeremiah 46:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: disgrace (0)

This word means a condition of feeling ashamed or the loss of respect.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The earth is filled with your laments (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “earth” is a metonym for the people of the earth and a generalization for the people who know what has happened to Egypt. Alternate translation: “All the people of the earth hear you crying”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for soldier stumbles against soldier; both of them fall together (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Soldiers dying in battle is spoken of as if they were stumbling and falling down. Alternate translation: “for your soldiers die in battle”

Jeremiah 46:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Nebuchadnezzar represents his army. Alternate translation: “when the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land of Egypt (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “land” represents the people. Alternate translation: “the people of Egypt” or “the Egyptians”

Jeremiah 46:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Migdol (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Translate the name of this city as you did in Jeremiah 44:1.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Memphis … Tahpanhes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Translate the names of these cities as you did in Jeremiah 2:16.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sword will devour those around you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “sword” here represents soldiers carrying weapons. Alternate translation: “your enemies will kill people all around you”

Jeremiah 46:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why are your mighty ones face-down on the ground? They will not stand (0)

Some Bibles translate this as “Why has Apis fled? Why did your bull not stand?” Apis was an Egyptian god that was represented by the form of a bull. The bull is often a symbol for strength. That is why the ULT and other versions of the Bible translate this as “strong ones” or “mighty ones,” which refers to soldiers.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why are your mighty ones face-down on the ground? They will not stand (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to mock the strength of the Egyptian soldiers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Your soldiers are face-down on the ground and will not stand”

Jeremiah 46:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He increases the numbers of those who stumble (0)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh causes more and more of your soldiers to stumble”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let us leave this sword that is beating us down (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents the enemy soldiers who are carrying weapons. Alternate translation: “Let us run away from our enemies because they are killing us”

Jeremiah 46:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They proclaimed there (0)

This could mean: (1) “they” refers to people in general who are in Egypt or (2) “they” refers to the foreign soldiers who are fleeing to their native lands of Cush, Put, and Lud.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pharaoh the king of Egypt is only a noise, one who has let his opportunity slip away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

These two phrases are saying that the nation of Egypt has become of little importance. The phrase “only a noise” is an idiom that means a person says he will do something but he does not do it. Alternate translation: “Pharaoh brags much but cannot do what he brags he will”

Jeremiah 46:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: declares the King (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Here “King” refers to Yahweh. This can be stated in first person. Alternate translation: “this is what I, the King, declare”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: someone will come like Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel by the sea (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This refers to the nation of Babylon who will be as overwhelming to the nation of Egypt as the these two mountains are to the plains that surround them.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Mount Tabor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a mountain in the northern part of Israel.

Jeremiah 46:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pack for yourselves baggage to carry into exile (0)

Alternate translation: “Prepare to go into exile”

Jeremiah 46:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Egypt is a very beautiful young cow (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The nation of Egypt, which was very strong and prosperous, is spoken of as if it were a beautiful young cow. Alternate translation: “Egypt is like a very beautiful heifer”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: but a stinging insect (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The enemy army coming to attack the Egyptians is spoken of as if the army were an insect that stings. Alternate translation: “but a powerful army like a stinging insect”

Jeremiah 46:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: soldiers in her midst are like a fattened bull (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The writer compares soldiers to “fattened bulls” because the soldiers are well cared for by the Egyptians just as a farmer takes care of a bull and makes it fat.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will not stand together (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

To “stand together” is an idiom meaning to remain united. The writer is saying that the soldiers will not fight as a unit but will run away thinking only of saving themselves.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the day of their disaster is coming against them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of a day as if it travels and arrives in a location. Alternate translation: “they will experience disaster on that day”

Jeremiah 46:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Egypt hisses like a snake and crawls away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The inability of the Egyptians to do anything to stop their enemy is spoken of as if they were snakes that can only hiss and crawl away.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They are going toward her like woodcutters with axes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The enemies coming with the weapons to destroy the Egyptians is spoken of as if they were woodcutters with axes preparing to cut down a tree.

Jeremiah 46:23

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will cut down the forests … although it is very dense (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This continues speaking of the enemy army attacking the Egyptians as if the army were woodcutters cutting down trees. Alternate translation: “The enemy army will kill many Egyptians like woodcutters cutting down a forest … even though there are very many trees”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: locusts (0)

This is a type of insect that travels in very large groups and can cause great destruction by eating crops.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: unable to be counted (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one will be able to count them”

Jeremiah 46:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The daughter of Egypt will be made ashamed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people of Egypt are spoken of as if they were the daughter of Egypt. Alternate translation: “The enemy army will humiliate the people of Egypt”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: She will be given into the hand of people from the north (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “I, Yahweh, will allow the people from the north to defeat the Egyptians”

Jeremiah 46:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Amon of Thebes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

“Amon” is the king of the Egyptian gods. Alternate translation: “Amon, god of Thebes”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Egypt and her gods (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Egypt” represents the people. Alternate translation: “all the people of Egypt and the gods they worship”

Jeremiah 46:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am giving them into the hand of the ones seeking their lives (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “I will allow those who are wanting to kill them to defeat them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his servants (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hand” represents power or control. “Nebuchadnezzar … his servants” names specifically “the ones seeking their lives.” Alternate translation: “that is, I will allow Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his servants to defeat the Egyptians”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then after this Egypt will be inhabited (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Then after this, people will live in Egypt again”

Jeremiah 46:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my servant Jacob, do not fear. Do not be dismayed, Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “people of Israel, my servants, do not be afraid”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the land of their captivity (0)

Alternate translation: “from the land where they are captives”

Jeremiah 46:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will bring complete destruction against all the nations (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word destruction, you can express the same idea with the verb “destroy.” Alternate translation: “I will completely destroy all the nations”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will certainly not leave you unpunished (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “will certainly punish you”

Jeremiah 47

Jeremiah 47 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 47:2–7.

Jeremiah’s prophesies about other nations continue in this chapter. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Flood waters

This chapter uses the imagery of a flood to describe the enemies who conquer the Philistines. Their destruction will be swift and complete. (See: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 47:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “the word of Yahweh that came to” is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 14:1, and make any changes as needed. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This word came to him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The idiom “this word came to” is used to introduce a special message from God. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave this message to Jeremiah” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Jeremiah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: before Pharaoh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Pharaoh” represents the Egyptians army. Alternate translation: “before Pharaoh’s army”

Jeremiah 47:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

The word “see” alerts us to pay attention to what is about to be said.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: floods of water are rising in the north. They will be like an overflowing river! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

The two phrases have a similar meaning. Alternate translation: “an army in the north will come like a flood. They will be powerful like an overflowing river”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will overflow the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This continues speaking of the army from the north as an overflowing river. Alternate translation: “like an overflowing river, the army from the north will destroy the land”

Jeremiah 47:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: At the sound of the stamping of their strong horses’ hooves, at the roar of their chariots and the noise of their wheels (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Together these represent the sounds of an oncoming army.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: at the roar of their chariots and the noise of their wheels (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrase have similar meanings and they are combined to emphasize the loud noise they will make. Alternate translation: “at the very loud sound of the wheels of the chariots”

Jeremiah 47:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For the day is coming that will devastate all of the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of a day as if it were something that travels and arrives in a place. Alternate translation: “For on that day, the enemy army will devastate all of the Philistines and cut off from Tyre”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every survivor who wants to help them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Removing someone is spoken of as if they were cut off the way a person may cut a branch from a tree or a piece of cloth from a garment. Alternate translation: “to remove anyone who may want to help Tyre and Sidon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Caphtor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of an island of the northern region of the Philistines.

Jeremiah 47:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Baldness will come upon Gaza (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word baldness, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “bald.” Alternate translation: “The people of Gaza will shave their heads bald”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Baldness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

The shaving of the entire head or portions of the head is a sign of great sorrow practiced by idol worshipers in nations such as Philistia.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the people … will be made silent (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

This could mean: (1) the people will be silent because they are mourning or (2) this is a euphemism that means the enemy soldiers will kill them.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How long will you cut yourself in mourning? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that the people of Ashkelon will never stop mourning. Alternate translation: “You will forever cut yourselves in mourning.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cut yourself in mourning (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

The cutting of one’s skin was another practice done by the idol worshipers when they mourn the dead.

Jeremiah 47:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sword of Yahweh! How long will it be until you become silent? Go back to your scabbard! Stop and be silent. (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The Philistines speak to the sword of Yahweh as if it were a person who could hear them. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, you who are holding your sword! When will you stop striking us with your sword? Stop your sword and put it back in its scabbard!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: sword of Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh punishing the Philistines by sending the army from the north is spoken of as if Yahweh were striking them with a sword.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How long will it be until you become silent? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The people of the Philistines use this question to express their deep frustration about the devastation caused by their enemies. This may be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “Please be silent!” or “Please, Yahweh, stop striking us with your sword!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you become silent (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

A sword makes a noise as it slashes back and forth. Asking the sword to be silent means to ask it to stop slashing and killing. Alternate translation: “you rest” or “you stop slashing”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: scabbard (0)

This is the case used to protect the blade of a sword.

Jeremiah 47:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How can it rest … along the sea? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here Jeremiah is speaking. He continues speaking of the sword of Yahweh as if it were a person who could rest. Yahweh punishing the Philistines by sending the army of the north is spoken of as if Yahweh were striking the people with a sword. Alternate translation: “It cannot rest … along the sea.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How can it rest when Yahweh has commanded it, when he has ordered … the sea? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jeremiah uses a question to mean that the sword cannot stop since Yahweh has commanded it to continue killing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “It cannot stop, for Yahweh has commanded it. He has ordered … the sea.”

Jeremiah 48

Jeremiah 48 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 48:1–25, 28–33, 39–47.

Jeremiah’s prophesies about other nations continue in this chapter. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Jeremiah 48:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: To Moab (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Moab” represents the people. Alternate translation: “To the people of Moab”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Woe to Nebo, for it has been devastated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Nebo” represents the people. Alternate translation: “How terrible it is for the people of Nebo, for their city is devastated”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebo (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city near Mount Nebo in Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kiriathaim has been humiliated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Kiriathaim has been humiliated” represents the people being humiliated. Alternate translation: “The enemy has captured the city of Kiriathaim and humiliated the people who live there”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kiriathaim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city in Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Her fortress has been disgraced (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “fortress has been disgraced” represents the people being disgraced. Alternate translation: “The enemy has destroyed the fortress in Kiriathaim and disgraced its people”

Jeremiah 48:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The honor of Moab is no more (0)

Alternate translation: “People no longer honor Moab” or “People no longer praise Moab”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Heshbon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Madmen will also perish (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

“Madmen” here is a town in Moab. The name of the city has nothing to do with the English word “madmen.” Alternate translation: “Their enemies will destroy the city of Madmen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a sword will go after you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents the enemy army carrying weapons. Alternate translation: “your enemies will chase after you and kill you”

Jeremiah 48:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Horonaim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a town in the south of Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ruin and great destruction (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two terms mean the same thing. Together they emphasize complete destruction.

Jeremiah 48:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Moab has been destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemy army has destroyed Moab”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Her children (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This could mean: (1) the children who lived in Moab or (2) “children” is a metonym that represents the people of Moab in general. Alternate translation: “The people of Moab”

Jeremiah 48:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Luhith (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a place in Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because of the destruction (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word destruction, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “destroyed.” Alternate translation: “because their town is destroyed”

Jeremiah 48:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Save your lives (0)

The word “your” refers to the people of Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: become like a juniper bush in the wilderness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The people fleeing from their cities into the desert is compared to a bush or shrub that grows in the desert. Alternate translation: “become like a shrub that grows in the wilderness”

Jeremiah 48:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: because of your trust (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word trust, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “because you trusted”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in your practices (0)

Alternate translation: “in your own efforts” or “in your own work”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you also will be captured (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the enemy army will also capture you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then Chemosh will go away into captivity (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

“Chemosh” is the chief god of the Moabites. Alternate translation: “The enemy army will take your god Chemosh as a captive”

Jeremiah 48:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For the destroyer will come to every city (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Here “the destroyer” represents the enemy army. Alternate translation: “For the enemy army will come to every city and destroy it”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no city will escape (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “city” represents the people. Alternate translation: “no people from any city will escape”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So the valley will perish and the plain will be devastated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “valley” and “plain” represent the cities and the people in those places Alternate translation: “So the enemy army will destroy everything in the valleys and on the plains”

Jeremiah 48:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Give wings to Moab, for she must certainly fly away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Helping the people is spoken of as if they would put wings on the people so that could fly away. Alternate translation: “Help the people of Moab to escape as if you were giving them wings to fly away”

Jeremiah 48:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from shedding blood (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “blood” represents a person’s life. Alternate translation: “from killing people”

Jeremiah 48:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Moab has felt secure since he was young … He is … his wine … He has never gone … he tastes … his flavor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here Yahweh speaks of Moab as if it were a man. Here it represents the people of Moab. All occurrences of “he” and “his” can be stated as “they,” “their,” or “them.” Alternate translation: “Even from their earliest times, the people of Moab have felt secure … They are … their wine … They have never gone … they tastes … their flavor”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He is like his wine that has never been poured from pot to pot (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

For wine to taste good, it has to be left undisturbed for a long time and not poured from one pot to another.

Jeremiah 48:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So see, the days are coming (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen carefully because there will be a time”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will send him those who will tip him over and pour out all his pots and shatter his jars (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The enemy army defeating the people of Moab and taking them as captives is spoken of as if the people of Moab are wine and someone will come and pour them out and break the wine jars. Alternate translation: “I will send an army that will destroy them as if they were pouring out wine and breaking the jars”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: send him … tip him over … his pots … his jars (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Here Yahweh speaks of Moab as if it were a man. Here it represents the people of Moab. All occurrences of “he,” “his,” and “him” in 48:11–12 can be stated as “they,” “their,” or “them.” Alternate translation: “send them … tip them over … their pots … their jars”

Jeremiah 48:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then Moab (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Moab” represents the people. Alternate translation: “Then the people of Moab”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Chemosh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Chemosh is the chief god of the Moabites. See how you translated this name in Jeremiah 48:7.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the house of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Israel’s descendants. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 2:4. Alternate translation: “the Israelites” or “the Israelite people group”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Bethel (0)

This could mean: (1) this refers to the city of Bethel where the Israelites worshiped a golden calf or (2) Bethel is the name of a false god the Israelites worshiped.

Jeremiah 48:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How can you say, ‘We are soldiers, powerful fighting men’? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Here Yahweh is speaking to the soldiers of Moab. Yahweh uses a question to rebuke the soldiers. Alternate translation: “No longer can you say, ‘We are soldiers, powerful fighting men.’”

Jeremiah 48:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Moab will be devastated and its cities attacked (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemy army will devastate Moab and attack its cities”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: its finest young men have gone down to the place of slaughter (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The best men of Moab going to battle and being killed is spoken of as if they were animals taken to a place to be slaughtered. Alternate translation: “their fine young men will all be slaughtered” or “the enemy army will kill all of the finest men of Moab”

Jeremiah 48:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Moab’s disaster is soon to happen; calamity is hurrying quickly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two sentences mean basically the same thing and emphasize that Moab’s destruction will happen very soon. Alternate translation: “Moab’s enemies will destroy her very soon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: calamity is hurrying quickly (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Something terrible happening soon is spoken of as if calamity were something that could move quickly to a place. Alternate translation: “terrible things will happen very soon”

Jeremiah 48:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the strong staff, the honored rod, has been broken (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the words “staff” and “rod” represent the power and political support that Moab provided to other nations. Alternate translation: “Moab’s enemies have ended her great power”

Jeremiah 48:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you daughter living in Dibon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people of Dibon are spoken of as if they were the daughter of Dibon. Alternate translation: “you people living in Dibon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Dibon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city in Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the one who will destroy Moab (0)

Alternate translation: “the enemy army that will destroy Moab”

Jeremiah 48:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Aroer (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city in Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ask the ones (0)

Alternate translation: “Ask the people” or “Ask the men and women”

Jeremiah 48:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Moab has been shamed, for it has been shattered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Moab” represents the people. Alternate translation: “The people are disgraced, for the enemy army has destroyed Moab”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Howl and lament (0)

Alternate translation: “Cry loudly in pain and anger”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that Moab has been devastated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that the enemy army has devastated Moab”

Jeremiah 48:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: punishment has come to the hill country, to Holon … Mephaath (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

Yahweh punishing the people of the hill country and cities of Moab is spoken of as if punishment were something that could travel and arrive in a place. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will punish the people of the hill country, of Holon … Mephaath”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are cities in Moab.

Jeremiah 48:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Bozrah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

a city in Moab

Jeremiah 48:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The horn of Moab has been hacked off; its arm has been broken (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Both of these statements mean the same thing. Here “horn” and “arm” represent power. To have these hacked off or broken means to lose one’s power. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Moab has become weak; the people are not able to fight anymore” (See also: Metonymy and Active or Passive)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

Jeremiah 48:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Make him drunk, because he acted proudly against Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative

Yahweh is speaking. The command “Make him drunk” indicates what Yahweh will cause to happen. Here “him” and “he” refers to Moab which represents the people of Moab. Alternate translation: “I, Yahweh, will cause the people of Moab to be drunk, for they acted proudly against me” (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Make him drunk (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here people experiencing Yahweh’s punishment is spoken of as if they were drunk on wine, acting foolishly so that people laugh at them. Alternate translation: “I will cause you to be like a drunk person”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let Moab wallow in his vomit … an object of ridicule (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh continues speaking of the people of Moab as if they were a drunk person. Alternate translation: “Now the people of Moab will be like a person who wallows in his vomit … an object of ridicule

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let him be an object of ridicule (0)

Alternate translation: “so that people will laugh at him”

Jeremiah 48:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For did not Israel become an object for laughter to you? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to remind the people of Moab how they treated the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “For you used to mock and laugh at the people of Israel.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Israel … Was he found … at him … about him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Israel” represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel … Were they found … at them … about them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Was he found among thieves, so that you shook your head … about him? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Here Yahweh uses a question to rebuke the people of Moab for treating the people of Israel with shame though they did nothing wrong. Alternate translation: “Although they were not thieves, you still shook your head … about him.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: shook your head at him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

This is a symbolic action that shows feeling of scorn or disgust towards someone.

Jeremiah 48:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cliffs (0)

A cliff is a steep side of a mountain.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Become like a dove … in the rocks (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This simile emphasizes the people should leave their cities and live in the rocky cliffs to hide from their enemies.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the mouth of a hole in the rocks (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “mouth of a hole” is an idiom that means the entrance to a cave. Alternate translation: “the entrance to caves” or “an opening in the rocks”

Jeremiah 48:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: We have heard (0)

Here “We” refers generally to all the people in the surrounding area.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: arrogance … haughtiness … pride … self-glory … conceit in his heart (0)

All of these words have similar meanings. They are used together to emphasize the extreme pride of the people of Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the conceit in his heart (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “heart” represents a person’s inner being. Alternate translation: “his conceit”

Jeremiah 48:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I myself know his defiant speech (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns

The word “myself” is used to emphasize that Yahweh was the one who knew about Moab’s defiant speech.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his defiant speech … like his deeds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “his” refers to Moab which represents the people of Moab. Alternate translation: “their defiant speech … like their deeds”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his defiant speech (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word speech, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “that he has spoken pridefully” or “that he has spoken arrogant words”

Jeremiah 48:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will howl a lament for Moab, and I will shout in sorrow for all of Moab (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Both of these statements mean the same thing. Alternate translation: “I will cry loudly for the people of Moab”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will howl (0)

This could mean: (1) “I” refers to Jeremiah or (2) “I” refers to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: howl (0)

a sad and loud cry that a person makes when he is in pain or deep sorrow

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kir Hareseth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of the old capital city of Moab.

Jeremiah 48:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jazer … Sibmah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of two towns in Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: vine of Sibmah! Your branches passed … your wine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The town of Sibmah had many vineyards. Here, Yahweh speaks to the people of Sibmah as if there were a grapevine. Alternate translation: “people of Sibmah, who are like a grapevine with branches that passed … your wine”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The destroyers have attacked your summer fruit and your wine (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh continues speaking of the people of Sibmah as if they were a grapevine. Alternate translation: “The destroyers have attacked you and have taken the fruit from your vineyards and your wine”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The destroyers have (0)

Alternate translation: “The enemy army has”

Jeremiah 48:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So celebration and rejoicing have been taken away from the fruit trees and the land of Moab (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The abstract nouns “celebration” and “rejoicing” can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: “The people of Moab will no longer celebrate and rejoice because of their fruit trees”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have put an end to the wine from their winepresses (0)

Alternate translation: “I have stopped the wine from their winepresses” or “I have stopped the people from making wine”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have put an end (0)

Here “I” refers to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will not tread (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The wine makers would stomp on the grapes to squeeze out the juice. Alternate translation: “The wine makers will not stomp the grapes”

Jeremiah 48:34

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Heshbon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Translate the name of this city as you did in Jeremiah 48:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Elealeh … Jahaz … Zoar … Horonaim … Eglath Shelishiyah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are names of other cities in Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nimrim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a stream or river near the Dead Sea.

Jeremiah 48:36

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my heart is lamenting for Moab like a flute (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “heart” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “I cry sadly for Moab. My cries are like the sad music a person plays on a flute at a funeral”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: my heart (0)

This could mean: (1) “my” refers to Jeremiah or (2) “my” refers to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kir Hareseth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Kir Hareseth was an ancient capital of Moab. See how you translated this name in Jeremiah 48:31.

Jeremiah 48:37

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For every head is bald and every beard shaved. Incisions are on every hand, and sackcloth is around their waists (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

These are all things that the people of Moab did when they were mourning or expressing deep sorrow.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Incisions (0)

cuts made on the skin

Jeremiah 48:38

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: There is mourning everywhere (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word mourning, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “There are people mourning everywhere”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: every flat roof (0)

Alternate translation: “every housetop”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: plazas (0)

open public areas, such as open marketplaces

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For I have destroyed (0)

The word “I” refers to Yahweh

Jeremiah 48:39

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How it has been shattered! How they howl in their lamenting! (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations

Here “How” begins exclamations. The phrase “has been shattered” can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I have completely shattered them! They shout loudly and weep!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: howl (0)

a sad and loud cry that a person makes when he is in pain

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Moab turns its back in shame (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Moab represents the people. Alternate translation: “The people of Moab turn their backs in shame”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So Moab will become an object of derision and a terror to all those who are around him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

This can be restated to remove the abstract nouns “derision” and “terror.” Alternate translation: “So all the people nearby will be terrified at what happened to the people of Moab and they will mock them”

Jeremiah 48:40

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the enemy will come flying like an eagle, spreading out his wings (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

These phrases compare how a powerful army will descend on Moab and conquer it to the way an eagle swoops down to capture its prey.

Jeremiah 48:41

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kerioth has been captured, and its strongholds have been seized (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemy has captured Kerioth and seized its strongholds”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kerioth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is a city in Moab. See how you translated this name in Jeremiah 48:24.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in that day the hearts of Moab’s soldiers … women in birth labor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This phrase compares the fear that will overwhelm the soldiers of Moab to the fear a woman may feel when she is about to give birth to her child.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the hearts of Moab’s soldiers will be like the hearts of women in birth labor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hearts” represent a person’s emotions. Alternate translation: “Moab’s soldiers will be afraid like a woman about to give birth”

Jeremiah 48:42

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So Moab will be destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “So the enemy will destroy the people of Moab”

Jeremiah 48:43

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Terror and the pit, and a trap are coming on you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “coming on you” is an idiom that means “to experience” something. Alternate translation: “You will experience the terror, the pit, and a trap” or “You will be terrified, and you will fall into pits and traps”

Jeremiah 48:44

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fall into the pit … caught in the trap (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “the pit” and “the trap” represent all the different bad things that will happen to the people. People will run away to escape one bad thing but they will just experience another bad thing.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the year of (0)

Here, “year” could be translated as “time” or “season” or “time period.”

Jeremiah 48:45

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The ones who flee (0)

This refers to the people who were able to run away during the destruction of Moab.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will stand in the shadow of Heshbon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “in the shadow” represents protection or shelter. Alternate translation: “will hide in Heshbon for protection” or “will go to Heshbon for shelter”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for fire will go out from Heshbon, flame from the middle of Sihon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize that Moab’s destruction will begin and spread out from Heshbon, where King Sihon once lived. Alternate translation: “because a fire will burn in Heshbon, which is the city where King Sihon lived long ago”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Heshbon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Translate the name of this city as you did in Jeremiah 48:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Sihon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of an Amorite king who once ruled over Heshbon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It will devour the forehead of Moab and the top of the heads of the boastful people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here “forehead” and “top of the heads” represent the people of Moab as a whole. Alternate translation: “It will burn up all the people in Moab who noisily boasted very much”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: forehead (0)

the part of the face that is above the eyes, but below the hairline

Jeremiah 48:46

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Chemosh’s people are destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemy army has destroyed the people who worship Chemosh”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Chemosh (0)

This is the chief god of the Moabites. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 48:7.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your sons are taken as captives and your daughters into captivity (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the enemy army has taken your sons and daughters as captives”

Jeremiah 48:47

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will restore the fortunes of Moab (0)

“I will cause things to go well for Moab again” or “I will cause Moab to live well again.” See how similar words are translated in Jeremiah 29:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The judgment on Moab ends here (0)

Alternate translation: “That is the end of what Jeremiah prophesied about Moab”

Jeremiah 49

Jeremiah 49 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The ULT sets the lines in 49:1–11, 14–27, 29–33, 37–39 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are part of a long quotation.

Jeremiah’s prophesies about other nations conclude in this chapter. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Special concepts in this chapter

Covenant with Abraham

Ammon is destroyed because it drove the people of the tribe of Gad from their homeland. This is in line with the promises of the covenant Yahweh made with Abraham to curse those who curse Abraham’s descendants. (See: promise, promised and covenant and curse, cursed, cursing)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

There are many rhetorical questions in this chapter. The purpose of these rhetorical questions is to convict those Yahweh addresses. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Jeremiah 49:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Does Israel have no children? Is there no one to inherit anything in Israel? Why does Molech occupy Gad, and his people live in its cities? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to express that the people of Israel should be living in Gad rather than those who worship Molech. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “There are plenty of Israelites to inherit the land of Israel. The people who worship the false idol, Molech, should not live in Gad.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why does Molech (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Molech” represents the people who worship Molech. Alternate translation: “Why do the people who worship Molech”

Jeremiah 49:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So look (0)

This adds emphasis to what follows. Alternate translation: “Look and listen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: days are coming … when I will (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming.” See how you translated this in Jeremiah 7:32. Alternate translation: “in the future … I will” or “there will be a time … when I will”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: when I will sound the signal for battle (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh causing an army to attack is spoken of as if he would sound the signal for the battle to start. Alternate translation: “when I will cause the enemy army to sound the signal for battle”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: its villages will be set on fire (0)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the enemy army will burn their villages”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For Israel will possess those who possessed him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Israel” represents the people of Israel. “Those” refers to people of Ammon, who represent the land that they took from Israel. Alternate translation: “Then the people of Israel will again possess the land that the people of Ammon took away from them”

Jeremiah 49:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Howl in lament (0)

Alternate translation: “Cry loudly and weep”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Heshbon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Translate the name of this city as you did in Jeremiah 48:2.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for Ai will be devastated (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “for your enemies will devastate Ai”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: daughters of Rabbah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) “daughters” represent the women who live in Rabbah. Alternate translation: “women of Rabbah” or (2) all the people in general are spoken of as if they are the daughters of Rabbah. Alternate translation: “people of Rabbah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for Molech is going into captivity (0)

“for your enemies will take your god Molech captive.” This means the enemies will take the idol that represents Molech back to their land.

Jeremiah 49:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why do you brag about your valleys … daughter? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to scold the people for bragging about the large amount of fruit that grows in their valleys. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Do not be proud of your valleys … daughter.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Why do you brag about your valleys, your valleys that are so fruitful (0)

Some versions of the Bible read, “Why do you brag about your strength, your strength which is ebbing away”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: faithless daughter (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, the people of Ammon are spoken of as if they were a daughter. Alternate translation: “faithless people” or “rebellious people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: say, ‘Who will come against me?’ (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The Ammonites use this question to state that they do not believe anyone can defeat them. It can be reworded as an indirect statement. Alternate translation: “falsely think that no one can defeat you.”

Jeremiah 49:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you (0)

The word “you” refers to the people of Ammon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this terror will come from all those who surround you. Each one of you will be scattered before it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word terror, you can express the same idea with the verb “terrify.” The phrase “will be scattered” can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will cause all those around you to terrify you. Each one of you flee to different directions”

Jeremiah 49:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Is there no longer any wisdom to be found in Teman? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to scold the people of Teman for not acting wisely. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “It seems that there are no longer any wise people in Teman!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Teman (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a district in Edom.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Has good advice … understanding? Has their wisdom become corrupted? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

The same idea is expressed in two different ways.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Has good advice disappeared from those who have understanding? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to scold the people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “It seems that there are no longer any wise people in Teman district in Edom!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Has their wisdom become corrupted? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to scold the people. This question may be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “Their advice is no longer wise.”

Jeremiah 49:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Dedan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The is the name of a city in Edom.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am bringing the disaster of Esau on him at the time that I punish him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Esau” represents the people of Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau. Alternate translation: “I will cause the people of Edom to experience disaster when I punish them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on him … I punish him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh is speaking to the people of Edom. This can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: “on you … I punish you”

Jeremiah 49:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If grape harvesters … would they not leave a little bit behind? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to cause the people to think about how grape harvesters leave some grapes behind. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “If grape harvesters … they would certainly leave some grapes behind.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: If thieves … would they not steal only as much as they wanted? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to cause the people to think about how thieves only take what they want. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “If thieves … they would only take as much as they wanted.”

Jeremiah 49:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: But I have stripped Esau bare (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh causing an enemy army to come and take everything is spoken of as if Yahweh stripped all the clothes off of Esau. Alternate translation: “But I have sent an army to take everything away from Esau”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Esau … his hiding … he will not … hide himself … His children … he is gone (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Esau” represents the people of Edom. Alternate translation: “the people of Edom … their hiding … they will not … hide themselves … Their children … they are gone”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have revealed his hiding places (0)

Alternate translation: “I have made known to the enemy soldiers where the people of Edom hide”

Jeremiah 49:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: must certainly drink some of the cup … for you will certainly drink (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “the cup” is a metonym that represents the contents in the cup that the people must drink. The people experiencing Yahweh’s punishment is spoken of as if Yahweh’s punishment were liquid in a cup and the people must drink it. Alternate translation: “must certainly experience my punishment … for you will certainly experience my punishment” or “I will certainly still punish … for I will certainly punish you” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do you yourself think you will go without punishment? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize the people of Edom have sinned and will certainly be punished. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Certainly, you must be aware that you will personally experience my punishment for your sins.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you yourself (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you

The words “you” and “yourself” refer to Edom, which represents the people of Edom. The word “yourself” is used to draw attention to the people of Edom. Alternate translation: “you yourselves” (See also: Metonymy and Reflexive Pronouns)

Jeremiah 49:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Bozrah will become a horror, a disgrace, a devastation, and an object for cursing (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

The abstract nouns “a horror,” “a disgrace,” and “a devastation” can be translated as verbs. Alternate translation: “People will be horrified when they see that the city of Bozrah is devastated. And they will mock the city and use its name when they curse others”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Bozrah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city in Edom.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All of its cities (0)

Alternate translation: “All of Edom’s cities”

Jeremiah 49:14

General Information:

Jeremiah is now speaking to the people of Edom.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have heard (0)

The word “I” refers to Jeremiah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a messenger has been sent out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has sent out a messenger”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to the nations, ‘Gather together … for battle.’ (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

It is understood “Gather together” is the beginning of the messenger’s message. Alternate translation: “to tell the nations, ‘Gather together … for battle.’” or “to the nations, and he will tell them, ‘Gather together … for battle.’”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: attack her (0)

The word “her” refers to Edom.

Jeremiah 49:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have made you (0)

The word “I” refers to Yahweh. Here “you” refers to the nation of Edom.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: made you small (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Here “small” represents having the least political importance. Alternate translation: “made you least important”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: despised by people (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and people despise you”

Jeremiah 49:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: As for your fearsomeness (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word fearsomeness, you can express the same idea with either an adjective or a verb. Alternate translation: “As for how terrifying you think you are” or “Although you think you scare other people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your heart’s pride has deceived you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “heart” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “you have become prideful, but you have deceived yourselves”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: so that you may make your nest high like an eagle (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

It is implied that the people made homes in high places to remain safe from enemies. Alternate translation: “live in safety like an eagle in the heights of the mountains”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: eagle (0)

This is a very large, powerful bird of prey. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 4:13.

Jeremiah 49:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Edom will become a horror to everyone passing by it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word horror, you can express the same idea with the verb “horrified.” Alternate translation: “The people passing by will be horrified when they what happened to Edom”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: tremble and hiss (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

The word “hiss” refers to a sound that shows horror or awe. Alternate translation: “shake from fear and gasp”

Jeremiah 49:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no one will live there; no person will stay there (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Yahweh says the same thing twice to emphasize that Edom will be completely uninhabited.

Jeremiah 49:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will go up like a lion from the forests of the Jordan to the green pasturelands (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This simile means that when Yahweh punishes the people of Edom, it will be fierce and unexpected like when a lion attacks sheep. Alternate translation: “When I punish the people of Edom, it will be fierce and unexpected like when a lion comes out of forest and attacks sheep in the pasture”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pasturelands (0)

This is land covered with grass where animals feed on the grass.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Edom run from it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Edom” represents the people. “It” refers to the land. Alternate translation: “the people of Edom will run from their land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who will be chosen (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom I will choose”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For who is like me, and who will summon me? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses the question to emphasize that no one is like him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “For no one is like me, no one can summon me.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who will summon me (0)

Alternate translation: “who will challenge me” or “who will call me to account”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What shepherd is able to resist me? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses the question to show no one can defeat him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No king is able to resist me!”

Jeremiah 49:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the inhabitants of Teman (0)

Alternate translation: “the people who live in Teman”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Teman (0)

Translate the name of this city as you did in Jeremiah 49:7.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will certainly be dragged away, even the smallest flock (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This continues speaking of Yahweh punishing the people of Edom as if he would come like a lion and attack the sheep. Alternate translation: “He will drag them away, even the smallest flock”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: even the smallest flock (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the youngest and weakest people of Edom are spoken of as if they are the smallest flock of sheep. Alternate translation: “even the weakest and the smallest people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their pasturelands will be turned into ruined places (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the land of Edom is spoken of as if it were pasturelands for flocks. Alternate translation: “He will turn their pasturelands into ruined places”

Jeremiah 49:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: At the sound of their falling the earth shakes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The loud sound of Edom being destroyed is spoken of as if Edom were a large object that shakes the earth when it falls. Alternate translation: “When enemies come and destroy Edom, the noise will be extremely loud, with the result that the earth will shake”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The sound of distressed shouts is heard at the Sea of Reeds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People at the Sea of Reeds will hear the people of Edom crying”

Jeremiah 49:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: someone will attack like an eagle, and swoop down and spread his wings (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This simile means that when the enemy army attacks it will be vicious and unexpected.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Bozrah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Translate the name of this city as you did in Jeremiah 48:24.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the hearts of Edom’s soldiers will become like the heart of a woman in birth labor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “hearts” represent a person’s emotions. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 48:41. Alternate translation: “Edom’s soldiers will be afraid like a woman about to give birth”

Jeremiah 49:23

General Information:

Yahweh tells what will happen to the people of Damascus.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hamath and Arpad will be ashamed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Hamath” and “Arpad” represent the people who live there. Alternate translation: “The people who live in Hamath and Arpad will be ashamed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hamath and Arpad (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are cities in Syria.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They melt away (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

A person being afraid is spoken of as if the person were melting. Alternate translation: “They are very afraid”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They become as troubled as the sea, which cannot stay calm (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The water of the sea is always moving and is never still. This is compared to the people who cannot rest because they are so anxious about the bad news they heard.

Jeremiah 49:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Damascus has become very weak. It turns … seizes it (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Damascus” represents the people who live there. Alternate translation: “The people of Damascus have become very weak. They turn … seizes them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: terror seizes it (0)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word terror, you can express the same idea with the verb “terrified.” Alternate translation: “Damascus is terrified” or “The people of Damascus are terrified”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Distress and pain seize it, like the pain of a woman giving birth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

This can be restated to remove the abstract nouns “distress” and “pain.” Alternate translation: “The people are afraid and suffering like a woman giving birth”

Jeremiah 49:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How has the city of praise not been forsaken, the town of my joy? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses a question to express that the people should have left the city. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “This famous city once caused me to rejoice, but now the people should leave it.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How has the city of praise not been forsaken, the town of my joy? (0)

Some Bibles translate this with the people of Damascus speaking. Alternate translation: “The people of Damascus say, ‘The famous city, which once made us rejoice, is now empty.’”

Jeremiah 49:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: its (0)

The word “its” refers to Damascus and its people.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: its young men will fall in its plazas (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

They young men being killed is spoken of as if they will fall. Alternate translation: “enemies will kill the young men of Damascus in its plazas”

Jeremiah 49:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will light a fire (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Causing the enemy army to light a fire is spoken of as if Yahweh will light the fire. Alternate translation: “I will cause the enemy army to light a fire”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it will devour (0)

Alternate translation: “the fire will completely burn up”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ben Hadad (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This the name or title of the king of Damascus.

Jeremiah 49:28

General Information:

Jeremiah speaks about what will happen to Kedar.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kedar (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a land far to the east of Israel. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 2:10.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hazor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of kingdom or district far to the east of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: now Nebuchadnezzar (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here “now” introduces background information about Nebuchadnezzar.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon was going to attack (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Nebuchadnezzar” represents his army. Alternate translation: “the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon was going to attack”

Jeremiah 49:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their tents and their flocks will be taken, along with their tent curtains and all of their equipment (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Your soldiers will take their flocks, tent curtains, and all of their equipment”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their camels will be led away from them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “your soldiers will take their camels from them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: men will shout to them, “Terror is on every side!” (0)

This could mean: (1) these are men being attacked by the enemy. Alternate translation: “men will shout, ‘We are terrified because terrible things are happening all around us!’” or (2) these are soldiers in the invading army. Alternate translation: “soldiers will shout at them, ‘Be afraid because we are all around you!’”

Jeremiah 49:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Flee! Wander … Turn back! (0)

Here Yahweh is speaking to the people of Kedar.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: inhabitants of Hazor (0)

Alternate translation: “people who live in Hazor”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: devised a plan (0)

Alternate translation: “made a plan”

Jeremiah 49:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Arise! Attack … themselves (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Here Yahweh is speaking to Nebuchadnezzar as if he was there listening to him.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Attack the nation at ease, that lives in safety (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “nation” represents the people living there. Alternate translation: “Attack this nation, whose people feel safe and secure”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They … them (0)

The words “They” and “them” refer to the people who feel safe and secure.

Jeremiah 49:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For their camels will become plunder, and the abundance of their property will become war plunder (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Yahweh is still speaking to Nebuchadnezzar as if he were there listening to him. Alternate translation: “For your soldiers will take their camels and all of their property”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Then I will scatter to every wind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “every wind” represents the nations. Alternate translation: “Then I will send to nations in all different directions”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those who cut the corners of their hair (0)

This probably refers to people who cut their hair short in order to honor a pagan god. Some modern versions interpret this Hebrew expression as “those who live on the edge of the wilderness.” See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 9:26.

Jeremiah 49:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a lair of jackals (0)

“a place where jackals live.” Jackals are fierce wild dogs. See how you translated “jackals” in Jeremiah 9:11.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: No one will live there; no human being will stay there (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two lines mean basically the same thing and emphasize that Hazor will be completely uninhabited.

Jeremiah 49:34

General Information:

Yahweh is speaking about what will happen to Elam.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 14:1, and make any changes as needed. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Yahweh gave to Jeremiah” or “This is the message that Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah”

Jeremiah 49:35

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to break the bowmen of Elam, the main part of their power (0)

Alternate translation: “The archers made Elam very powerful, but I will stop them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bowmen (0)

men who are skilled with a bow and arrows

Jeremiah 49:36

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will bring the four winds from the four corners of the heavens (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “four winds from the four corners” is an idiom that represents wind blowing from every direction. Alternate translation: “I will cause the winds to blow from every direction”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will bring the four winds from the four corners of the heavens (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “winds” represents nations. Alternate translation: “I will bring your enemies from every direction to attack you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: to all of those winds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “winds” represents “nations.” Alternate translation: “to all those nations”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: There is no nation to which those scattered from Elam will not go (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “I will scatter the people of Elam to every nation on earth”

Jeremiah 49:37

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will shatter Elam (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

These words are a metonym for Yahweh causing enemies to destroy Elam. Alternate translation: “I will cause Elam’s enemies to destroy Elam”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Elam (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

the people of Elam

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those who seek their lives (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Seeking a person’s life represents wanting or desiring to kill someone. Alternate translation: “those who want to kill them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will bring disaster against them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh causing people to experience disaster is spoken of as if he would bring disaster against them. Alternate translation: “I will cause them to experience disaster” or “I will cause terrible things to happen to them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the sword after them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents the enemy army carrying their weapons. Alternate translation: “the enemy army to pursue and kill them”

Jeremiah 49:38

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will put my throne in Elam (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “throne” represents Yahweh’s right to rule and judge as the king. Alternate translation: “I will judge the people of Elam”

Jeremiah 49:39

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in later days (0)

Alternate translation: “in the future”

Jeremiah 50

Jeremiah 50 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 50:1–5, 6–46.

Special concepts in this chapter

Babylon destroyed

Babylon will be conquered and the Jews will return to their homeland. At this time, Babylon controlled almost the entire Near East. The fulfillment of this prophecy would have been unthinkable. (See: fulfill, fulfilled, carried out and prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Israel

The author sometimes uses the term “Israel” to refer to the people of the old northern kingdom of Israel, and at other times to the nation of Israel as a whole. He switches between these uses several times without warning the reader. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Jeremiah 50:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: This is the word that Yahweh declared (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Yahweh gave” or “This is the message that Yahweh spoke”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: by the hand of Jeremiah the prophet (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The hand is a synecdoche for the person. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 37:2. Alternate translation: “through Jeremiah, who was a prophet”

Jeremiah 50:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cause them to listen … cause them to listen (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

This phrase is repeated to emphasize the importance of the command.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Lift up a signal (0)

Alternate translation: “Put up a sign”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Babylon is taken (0)

Alternate translation: “Babylon is conquered”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Bel is made ashamed. Marduk is dismayed. Its idols are put to shame; its images are dismayed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These lines mean the same thing and emphasize that Yahweh has disgraced the gods of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Bel … Marduk (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are two names for the chief god of Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: arise against it … live in it (0)

Here “it” refers to Babylon in both phrases.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her land (0)

The word “her” refers to Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: make her land a desolation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word desolation, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “destroy her land”

Jeremiah 50:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: In those days and at that time (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These phrases mean the same thing and emphasize the importance of that future time. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 33:15.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: seek Yahweh their God (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Seeking Yahweh their God represents either: (1) asking God for help or (2) thinking about God and obeying him.

Jeremiah 50:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will ask (0)

The word “They” refers to the people of Israel or the people of Judah who are returning from Babylon to Jerusalem.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: join ourselves to Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is figurative language used to explain a spiritual connection to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that will not be forgotten (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This states that the covenant will be obeyed forever. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that no one will forget”

Jeremiah 50:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: My people have been a lost flock (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people of Israel are spoken of as if they were a group of sheep that was lost. This can be stated as a simile. Alternate translation: “My people have been like a lost flock of sheep”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their shepherds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The leaders of Israel are spoken of as if they were the shepherds of people. This can be stated as a simile. Alternate translation: “Their leaders were like shepherds who”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: turned them around from hill to hill (0)

Alternate translation: “lead them around to many different places”

Jeremiah 50:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: devoured them (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Attacking the people of Israel is spoken of as if a wild animal ate them. This can be stated as a simile. Alternate translation: “devoured them like a wild animal would eat its prey”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they sinned (0)

The word “they” refers to the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh, the hope of their ancestors (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh is spoken of as the source of their trust. Alternate translation: “the one whom their ancestors confidently expected to help them”

Jeremiah 50:8

General Information:

Yahweh is speaking to his people in captivity in Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Leave from the midst of Babylon (0)

This command is addressed to the people of Israel who were in exile in Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: be like male goats that leave (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Male goats tend to be more independent than the rest of the flock. This could mean: (1) they should be the first to leave Babylon or (2) they should lead the rest of the Israelites away from Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For see (0)

The word “see” alerts the reader to pay attention to what follows. Alternate translation: “Pay attention, because”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: set in motion (0)

Alternate translation: “stir up”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Babylon will be captured from there (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “These nations will capture Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from there (0)

This could mean: (1) “from the north” or (2) “from their battle positions.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The effectiveness of the arrows of the attacking nations are spoken of as if they were soldiers that always accomplish their mission. The idiom “empty-handed” means “without success.” Alternate translation: Each of their arrows are like skilled soldiers that always hit their target” (See also: Idiom)

Jeremiah 50:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh declares” or “this is what I, Yahweh, declare”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Chaldea will become plunder (0)

Alternate translation: “They will plunder Chaldea”

Jeremiah 50:11

General Information:

Yahweh is speaking to the people of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You rejoice, you celebrate (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These terms mean the same thing and are used to emphasize how happy they were to conquer Israel. Alternate translation: “You people of Babylon rejoice, celebrate” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You rejoice … you jump … you neigh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns

Each instance of “You” or “you” is plural and refers to the people of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you jump around like a calf stamping in its pasture (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The joy of the people of Babylon is compared to a calf who runs around joyfully in a pasture.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: stamping (0)

the action a calf makes when kicking the ground

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you neigh like a powerful horse (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The people of Babylon are compared to stallions that are making loud noises because they are excited.

Jeremiah 50:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bore you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns

The word “you” is plural and refers to the people of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So your mother will be greatly ashamed; the one who bore you will be embarrassed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of her embarrassment. The words “mother” and “the one who bore you” refer either to Babylonia or to the city of Babylon. (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the least of nations (0)

Alternate translation: “the most unimportant nation”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These words have basically the same meaning and emphasize the complete barrenness of the land. This could mean: (1) this is a metaphor for an uninhabited place or (2) this refers to Babylon literally becoming a barren wilderness. (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 50:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a complete devastation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word devastation, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “completely destroyed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: shudder (0)

shake violently due to fear

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: hiss (0)

make a sound like a snake that means great disapproval

Jeremiah 50:14

General Information:

Yahweh tells the other nations to attack Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Arrange yourselves against Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Yahweh is speaking to the enemies of Babylon. Alternate translation: “You enemies of Babylon arrange yourselves against her”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Arrange yourselves (0)

Alternate translation: “Line up in military formation” or “Form battle lines”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Everyone who bends a bow (0)

This refers to the soldiers who use bows and arrows to fight.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: shoot at her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Jeremiah speaks of the people who live in the city of Babylon as if they were the city itself, and he speaks of the city as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “shoot at the people in the city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not keep back any of your arrows (0)

This emphasizes that they should shoot all their arrows. Alternate translation: “Shoot every one of your arrows at her”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: she has sinned (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Jeremiah speaks of the people who live in the city of Babylon as if they were the city itself. Alternate translation: “the people of the city”

Jeremiah 50:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: She has surrendered … she has done (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Jeremiah speaks of the people who live in the city of Babylon as if they were the city itself, and he speaks of the city as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “The people of Babylon have surrendered … they have done”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her towers … her walls (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Jeremiah speaks of the city of Babylon as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “the towers of the city … the walls of the city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her walls are torn down (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the nations have torn down her walls”

Jeremiah 50:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the farmer who sows seed and the one who uses a sickle (0)

These people collectively represent all the farmers and harvesters of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the one who uses a sickle at the time of harvest (0)

A “sickle” is a farm tool that people use to harvest grain. Together with the previous phrase, Yahweh is saying that all planting and harvesting will stop in Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Let each person turn back to his own people … let them flee to their own land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Together they strengthen the command for foreigners to flee from Babylon back to their own countries.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: from the oppressor’s sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “sword” refers to the armies that will attack Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:17

General Information:

Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Israel is a sheep scattered and driven away by lions (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of Israel as if it were a sheep that was trying to escape from hungry lions. Alternate translation: “Israel is like a sheep that lions scattered and drove away”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This refers collectively to all the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the king of Assyria (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This refers to the army of the king of Assyria.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: devoured him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The destruction of Israel by Assyria is spoken of as if Israel were a sheep that Assyria ate.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This refers to the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: broke his bones (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The destruction of Israel by Nebuchadnezzar is spoken of if it were a sheep which had its bones crushed by a lion. Alternate translation: “destroyed Israel”

Jeremiah 50:18

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See, I am about to (0)

The word “See” means to pay special attention to what follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “land” is a metonym for the people who live in the land of Babylon. Alternate translation: “the Babylonian people”

Jeremiah 50:19

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will restore (0)

The word “I” refers to Yahweh.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Israel to his homeland … he will be satisfied (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This refers collectively to all the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel to their homeland … they will be satisfied”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he will graze on Carmel and Bashan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Israel is spoken of as if they were sheep that eat grass. Alternate translation: “they will eat food that grows in Carmel and Bashan”

Jeremiah 50:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: In those days and at that time (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that future time. See how you translated this in as Jeremiah 33:15.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: iniquity will be looked for in Israel, but none will be found. I will inquire about the sins of Judah, but none will be found (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two lines mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize that Yahweh will completely forgive the sins of the people of Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: iniquity will be looked for in Israel, but none will be found (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will look for iniquity in the people of Israel, but will not find any”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that I spare (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

They will escape the destruction of Babylon. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “that I allow to escape the destruction of Babylon”

Jeremiah 50:21

General Information:

Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about the enemies of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Arise against the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Yahweh is speaking to the enemies of Babylon. Alternate translation: “You enemies of Babylon, arise against the land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Merathaim (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is another name for Babylon. This is a name that means “double rebellion.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Pekod (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is another name for the Chaldeans. This is a name that means “visitation.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Put them to the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This refers to having a sword come down on people to kill them. Alternate translation: “Kill them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Put them to the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “Kill them in battle”

Jeremiah 50:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The sounds of battle and enormous destruction are in the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

These sounds are heard during battle and great destruction. They are spoken of in the present tense to indicate that this will certainly happen soon. Alternate translation: “The sounds of fierce battle and terrible destruction are going to happen soon in the land”

Jeremiah 50:23

General Information:

Yahweh speaks to the people of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How the hammer of all the lands has been cut apart and destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The army of Babylon is spoken of as if it were a hammer. Alternate translation: “The mighty army of Babylon that conquered all the nations is like a hammer that will be broken into pieces and destroyed”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How Babylon has become a destroyed place among the nations (0)

Babylon was a nation like the other nations, but it will become a complete ruin, totally destroyed.

Jeremiah 50:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I have set a trap for you and you were taken (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The destruction of Babylon is spoken of as if Yahweh had caught them in a trap like an animal. Alternate translation: “I set a trap and caught you in it as a hunter catches an animal” or “You people of Babylon, I have set a trap for you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you were taken … You were found and captured (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I have captured you … I found you and captured you”

Jeremiah 50:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh has opened his armory and is bringing out the weapons for carrying out his anger (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Yahweh’s anger that causes him to send enemies against Babylon is spoken of as if Yahweh had an armory and weapons. To open an armory is a metonym for preparing for battle. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has prepared for war and is sending the nations to attack Babylon in his anger”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: armory (0)

this is a building or room where weapons of war are stored

Jeremiah 50:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Attack her from far away (0)

Yahweh speaks to the enemies of Babylon. Alternate translation: “You enemies of Babylon, attack her from far away”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Open her granaries (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here “granaries” represent where Babylon stored its treasures. Alternate translation: “Raid the places where her treasures are stored”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: granaries (0)

buildings where grain is stored

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: pile her up like heaps of grain (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This could mean: (1) reduce the city to piles of rubble that look like stacks of grain or (2) stack up the plunder from the city like piles of grain.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Set her apart for destruction (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This idiom means to destroy something completely. See how you translated a similar phrase in Jeremiah 25:9. Alternate translation: “destroy her completely”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Leave no remnant of her (0)

This is stated in a negative way to emphasize the completeness of the destruction. Alternate translation: “Kill every person in her”

Jeremiah 50:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kill all her bulls. Send them down to the place of slaughter (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, the word bulls could mean: (1) soldiers or (2) strong young men. Killing them is spoken of as taking them to a place of slaughter.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Kill all her bulls (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Yahweh speaks this to the enemies of Babylon. This can be made clear. Alternate translation: “You enemies of Babylon, kill all her bulls”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her bulls (0)

The word “her” refers to Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: them … their (0)

The word “them” and “their” refer to the people of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their day has come—the time for their punishment (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The phrases “their day” and “the time” mean the same thing and can be combined. Alternate translation: “the time for their punishment has come”

Jeremiah 50:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: There is the sound of those fleeing (0)

Alternate translation: “Listen and you will hear those who are fleeing”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those … those … These (0)

The words “those” and “These” refer to the survivors from Babylon who will tell others about Yahweh’s vengeance.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the vengeance of Yahweh our God for Zion, and vengeance for his temple (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word vengeance, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh our God has taken revenge for what they did to Zion and to his temple in Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 50:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the archers … those who bend their bows (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These phrases refer to the same people and are repeated for poetic effect.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her … her … she (0)

The words “her” and “she” refer to Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: let no one escape (0)

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “capture or kill every person”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do to her by the measure she has used (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The evil things the Babylonians did to Israel are spoken of as if Babylon measured them. Alternate translation: “Measure out punishment for her with the same amount she used to punish Israel”

Jeremiah 50:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her young men will fall (0)

Alternate translation: “they will kill her young men”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: all her fighting men will be destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will destroy all her fighting men”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh declares” or “this is what I, Yahweh, declare”

Jeremiah 50:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See, I am against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Yahweh speaks this to the people of Babylon. This can be made clear. Alternate translation: “See, I am against you, people of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This alerts the reader to pay special attention to what follows.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: proud one (0)

This is Yahweh’s description of Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: for your day has come … the time when I will punish you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean the same thing. The second phrase defines the “day” that the first phrase mentions. Alternate translation: “for the day when I will punish you has come”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: your day (0)

“your time.” This refers to the entire span of time during which the horrible judgment will come upon Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the proud ones will stumble and fall (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here “stumble and fall” are idioms that refer to defeat and death. Alternate translation: “I will cause enemies to defeat and kill the proud ones”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: it will devour everything around him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Fire burning the cities of Babylon is spoken of as if the fire were an animal that ate them.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: around him (0)

Here “him” refers to the “proud one” which describes Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:33

General Information:

Yahweh now speaks through Jeremiah about Israel and Judah.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The people of Israel are oppressed, together with the people of Judah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The Babylonians are oppressing the people of Israel and Judah”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: captured them (0)

The word “them” refers to the people of Israel and Judah who were captured and taken into exile.

Jeremiah 50:34

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He will truly plead their case (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh is spoken of as if he were a lawyer who represents the people of Israel in court.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in order to bring rest to the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “the land” is a metonym for the people who live in the land. Alternate translation: “in order that the people who live in Israel might live in peace”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bring rest … bring strife (0)

These two terms represent opposite ideas and bring a strong contrast to how Yahweh will treat Israel and Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bring rest (0)

Alternate translation: “give peace”

Jeremiah 50:35

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A sword is against … and against (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “War will soon happen to … and to”

Jeremiah 50:36

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A sword against (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “War will soon happen to”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will become fools (0)

Alternate translation: “Their actions are foolish, and everyone will see that they are fools”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will be filled with terror (0)

Alternate translation: “they will be terrified”

Jeremiah 50:37

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A sword is coming against (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “sword” represents war. Alternate translation: “War will soon happen to”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will become like women (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The weakness of the Babylonian soldiers is spoken of as if they were women. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “they will all become as weak as women”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: storerooms (0)

A storeroom is a place where supplies or valuables are kept.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will be plundered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “enemy soldiers will plunder them”

Jeremiah 50:38

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A drought is coming on her waters (0)

Alternate translation: “A drought will soon happen that will affect all her waters”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her waters (0)

Here “waters” represent all the sources of water for the Babylonians, especially the river that went through the city.

Jeremiah 50:39

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: desert beasts with the jackals (0)

This could mean: (1) “wild animals and hyenas” or (2) “wild demons and evil spirits.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: jackals (0)

A jackal is a wild dog found in Asia and Africa.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: ostriches (0)

very large African birds that run fast but cannot fly. Some versions translate this as “owl.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will live in her (0)

The word “her” refers to Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For all time, she will no longer be inhabited. From generation to generation, she will not be lived in (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that Babylon will be completely uninhabited. Alternate translation: “People will never live there again; it will be uninhabited forever”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: she will not be lived in (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one will live in her”

Jeremiah 50:40

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: no one will live there; no person will stay in her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that Babylon will be completely uninhabited. They can be combined. Alternate translation: “no one will ever live there again”

Jeremiah 50:41

General Information:

These verses are almost identical to Jeremiah 6:22 and Jeremiah 6:23. See how you translated those verses.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See, a people is coming (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Yahweh speaks to the people of Babylon. This can be made clear. Alternate translation: “See, people of Babylon, a people is coming”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See, a people (0)

Alternate translation: “Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: a people”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a great nation and many kings (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

This phrase refers to the time when the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon in 539 BC. Here “nation” represents their armies. Alternate translation: “the armies of a great nation and many kings”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: are being stirred up from the farthest parts of the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Being “stirred up” represents being urged to take action. Alternate translation: “are preparing to come from the most distant places on earth”

Jeremiah 50:42

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will pick up bows and spears (0)

Alternate translation: “The soldiers will carry bows and spears”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their sound is like the sea roar (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The loud noise that the soldiers make is compared to the loud noise of the sea. Alternate translation: “The sound that they make is very loud, like the sound of the sea”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they are riding on horses, set out in order as men for battle (0)

The phrase “set out in order” means that they have organized themselves and are riding in rows. The phrase “as men for battle” indicates that they are ready to fight. Alternate translation: “they are riding on horses in their assigned rows, and they are ready to fight”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: daughter of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This phrase refers to the Babylonian people.

Jeremiah 50:43

General Information:

This verse is almost identical to Jeremiah 6:24. See how you translated that verse.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his hands fell limp in distress (0)

Alternate translation: “his hands were weak because he was anxious”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anguish seized him (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Feeling great anguish is spoken of as if anguish grabs the king of Babylon. Alternate translation: “He felt terrible anguish”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Anguish (0)

suffering and grief that would bring a person to tears

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: like a woman giving birth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The anguish that they feel because the enemy coming to attack them is compared to the anguish that a woman feels when she is about to give birth to a baby. Alternate translation: “like a woman who is about to give birth”

Jeremiah 50:44

General Information:

This verse is almost identical to Jeremiah 49:19. See how you translated that verse.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Behold! (0)

The word “Behold” here tells the reader to pay attention to what follows. Alternate translation: “Pay attention!”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He goes up like a lion from the heights of the Jordan to the enduring grazing place (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

This simile means that when Yahweh punishes the people of Babylon, it will be fierce and unexpected like when a lion attacks sheep. Alternate translation: “When I punish the people of Babylon, it will be fierce and unexpected like when a lion comes out of mountains and attacks sheep in the pasture”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the enduring grazing place (0)

This is land covered with grass where animals feed on the grass.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will quickly cause them to run from it (0)

Here “them” refers to the Babylonian people; the word “it” refers to the invasion.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who will be chosen (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom I will choose”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For who is like me, and who will summon me? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that no one is like him. Alternate translation: “For no one is like me, no one can summon me.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: who will summon me (0)

Alternate translation: “who will challenge me” or “who will call me to account”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: What shepherd is able to resist me? (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh uses this question to show no one can defeat him. Here “shepherd” is a metaphor for “king” or “ruler.” Alternate translation: “No king is able to resist me.”

Jeremiah 50:45

General Information:

These verses are almost identical to Jeremiah 49:20 and Jeremiah 49:21. See how you translated those verses.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the plans that Yahweh has decided against Babylon, the plans that he has planned against the land of the Chaldeans (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases have the same meaning and are used together for emphasis. Alternate translation: “the plans that Yahweh has decided for the people of Babylon and the Chaldeans”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They will certainly be dragged away, even the smallest flock (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This continues speaking of Yahweh punishing the people of Babylon as if he would come like a lion and attack the sheep. Alternate translation: “He will drag them away, even the smallest flock”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: even the smallest flock (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the youngest and weakest people of Babylon are spoken of as if they were the smallest flock of sheep. Alternate translation: “even the youngest and weakest”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their pasturelands will be turned into ruined places (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the land of Babylonia is spoken of as if it were pasturelands for flocks. Alternate translation: “He will turn their pasturelands into ruined places”

Jeremiah 50:46

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: At the sound of conquered Babylon the earth shakes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This phrase compares the fall of the once powerful nation of Babylon to the extremely loud noise of an earthquake. Alternate translation: “The fall of Babylon will sound like a mighty earthquake”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: distress (0)

pain or unhappiness

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their shout of distress (0)

Alternate translation: “their shout of pain”

Jeremiah 51

Jeremiah 51 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 51:1–64.

Jeremiah 51:1

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: See (0)

This draws attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen carefully” or “Pay attention”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a wind of destruction (0)

This could mean: (1) “a wind that destroys” or (2) “the spirit of a destroyer.” This would mean that Yahweh would cause or inspire the enemy army to go and attack Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Leb Kamai (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is code name for Chaldea, a region of Babylonia. It is not clear why Jeremiah uses this name here, so you may want to translate as “Chaldea” or “Babylonia.”

Jeremiah 51:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: scatter her and devastate her land … they will come against her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The word “her” is a metaphor that refers to Babylon as if it were a woman Alternate translation: “separate the people who live there from each other, send them in different directions, and make their land empty … foreigners will attack the people of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: on the day of disaster (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrase “day of” is a Hebrew idiom for “when.” Alternate translation: “when I destroy Babylon”

Jeremiah 51:3

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Do not let … do not let (0)

Yahweh wants the attack to be so sudden that the archers have no time to prepare for battle.

Jeremiah 51:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: those who are killed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “those whom the attackers kill”

Jeremiah 51:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Israel and Judah are not forsaken by their God, by Yahweh of hosts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The words “Israel” and “Judah” are metonyms for the people of Israel and Judah. Alternate translation: “Yahweh of hosts, the God of the people of Israel and Judah, has not forsaken them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: their land is filled with offenses committed against the Holy One of Israel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The land in which they live is spoken of as if it were a container and their offenses as if they were solid objects that could fill the container. Alternate translation: “they have offended the Holy One of Israel everywhere throughout the land”

Jeremiah 51:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in her iniquity (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Babylon is spoken of as if it were a woman. The word “iniquity” is a metonym for God punishing the people for their iniquity. Alternate translation: “when Yahweh punishes Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will repay all of it to her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Babylon is spoken of as if it were a woman, and the iniquity of the people is spoken of as if Yahweh needed to pay back a debt. Alternate translation: “will punish the Babylonians as much as they deserve”

Jeremiah 51:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Babylon was a golden cup in the hand of Yahweh that made all the world drunk (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Making those people drunk is a metaphor for Yahweh punishing those nations by allowing Babylon to conquer them. Alternate translation: “Babylon was a strong nation that Yahweh used to punish all the people of the surrounding nations severely”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Babylon was a golden cup in the hand of Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Babylon being a powerful nation that Yahweh used for his own purposes is spoken of as if Babylon were a golden cup in his hand.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: nations drank her wine and became insane (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This could mean: (1) “Babylon defeated and destroyed other nations” or (2) “nations enjoyed her riches and power and became evil.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: insane (0)

unable to think clearly

Jeremiah 51:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Babylon will … be destroyed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will destroy Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Wail (0)

to make a long, loud cry that shows that the person is sad

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: perhaps she can be healed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “perhaps Yahweh can heal her”

Jeremiah 51:9

General Information:

Yahweh used Babylon to punish Judah and the nation. It is either the people of Judah or the people of the nations who are speaking the words in this quotation.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Babylon … she is not healed … leave her … her guilt (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The name of the city is a metonym for the people who live there, and the city is spoken of as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “the people of Babylon … they are not healed … leave them … their guilt”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: she is not healed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “we have not been able to heal her”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: For her guilt reaches up to the heavens; it is piled up to the clouds (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Guilt is spoken of as if it were an object that could be made into a pile. Alternate translation: “For Babylon is so very guilty”

Jeremiah 51:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh has declared our innocence (0)

Yahweh had punished the Israelites for their sins, but now has let them return to him.

Jeremiah 51:11

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

General Information:

Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem as if he were speaking to the people of Babylon and their enemies, who cannot hear him, telling them that Yahweh will destroy Babylon before the Babylonians can prepare to defend themselves.

Jeremiah 51:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Lift up a banner over Babylon’s walls (0)

Alternate translation: “Give a signal to attack Babylon’s walls”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: make the watch strong (0)

Alternate translation: “make sure the guards are strong and have good weapons”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: set up watchmen (0)

Alternate translation: “make sure there are enough men watching the city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: prepare the ambushes (0)

This was done in order to catch anyone running from the city.

Jeremiah 51:13

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The thread of your life is now cut short (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The people’s lives are spoken of as if they were threads that God could cut. Alternate translation: “Your lives will be ended quickly”

Jeremiah 51:14

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: like a swarm of locusts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The large number of enemy soldiers is spoken of as if they were a mass of locusts invading the city. Alternate translation: “with a large number of soldiers”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: battle cry (0)

This is a shout that a soldier makes in battle.

Jeremiah 51:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: When he thunders, there is the roar of waters in the heavens (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

These phrases compare the voice of Yahweh to the loud sound made by thunder and rain.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: storehouses (0)

A storehouse is a building where people keep things they might want to use in the future.

Jeremiah 51:17

General Information:

Translate many of the words in this verse as in Jeremiah 10:14.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has become ignorant (0)

Alternate translation: “is lacking knowledge” or “does not know”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Every metalworker is put to shame by his idols (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Every metalworker’s idols put him to shame” or “As for every metalworker, his idols shame him”

Jeremiah 51:18

General Information:

Translate many of the words in this verse as in Jeremiah 10:15.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will perish at the time of their punishment (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

This speaks of the final destruction of the idols. Alternate translation: “there will be a time when God will destroy them”

Jeremiah 51:19

General Information:

Translate many of the words in this verse as in Jeremiah 10:16.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the portion of Jacob (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here “Jacob” represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the portion of Israel” or “whom the people of Israel worship”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the molder of all things (0)

Alternate translation: “the creator of all things” or “the one who created all things”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Israel is the tribe of his inheritance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This speaks of Israel belonging to Yahweh as if it were something that Yahweh gained through inheritance. Alternate translation: “The tribe of Israel belongs to him”

Jeremiah 51:20

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: You are (0)

Alternate translation: “You, the Babylonian army, are”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: With you I will smash (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of punishing people as if he were smashing them with a hammer. Alternate translation: “With you I will punish”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: With you I will (0)

Alternate translation: “I will use you to”

Jeremiah 51:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: With you I will smash (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of punishing people as if he were smashing them with a hammer. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 51:20. Alternate translation: “With you I will punish”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: With you I will (0)

“I will use you to.” See how you translated this in Jeremiah 51:20.

Jeremiah 51:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in your sight I will pay (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word sight, you can express the same idea with the verb “see.” Alternate translation: “you will see it when I pay”

Jeremiah 51:25

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Yahweh speaks to the people of Jerusalem, who could hear him, as if he were speaking to the people of Babylon, who could not hear him.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will stretch out my hand against you (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “hand” is a metonym for the power that the hand exercises. See how “I will attack the inhabitants of the land with my hand” is translated in Jeremiah 6:12. Alternate translation: “I will use my strength to attack you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will … roll you down from the cliffs (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh stops speaking of Babylon as a mountain and speaks of it as a building that he is breaking down and throwing away.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: cliffs (0)

A cliff is the steep side of a mountain or hill.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will … make you a burned-out mountain (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh speaks of Babylon as no longer being the great “mountain of destruction” but now a mountain that he has destroyed. Alternate translation: “I will … make you a pile of useless rocks”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

Jeremiah 51:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: you will become an everlasting devastation (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word devastation, you can express the same idea with a verb “devastate.” Alternate translation: “I will devastate you and no one will ever rebuild you” or “I will turn you into an empty place where no one will ever live”

Jeremiah 51:27

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Lift up a banner … Blow the trumpet … Call … to attack (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Lifting a banner and blowing a trumpet are both ways of calling people to attack.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: banner (0)

“battle flag.” This is large flag for the soldiers to follow in battle.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: attack her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The city of Babylon is a metonym for the people of Babylon, and it is spoken of as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “attack the people of Babylon” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ararat … Minni … Ashkenaz (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are names of nations or people groups.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bring up horses like swarming locusts (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Yahweh compares a great number of horses to a swarm of locusts. Alternate translation: “bring many horses with soldiers quickly”

Jeremiah 51:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: governors … officials (0)

See how you translated these words in Jeremiah 51:23.

Jeremiah 51:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the land will shake and be in anguish (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The land is a metonym for the people who live on the land. Shaking and being in anguish are metonyms for being very afraid. Alternate translation: “the people who live in Babylon will shake with fear and be in anguish”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: anguish (0)

suffering and grief that would bring a person to tears

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: against Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The city of Babylon is a metonym for the people of Babylon. Alternate translation: “against the people of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: there is no inhabitant (0)

Alternate translation: “no one lives”

Jeremiah 51:30

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture

General Information:

Yahweh speaks of what will happen as if it had already happened.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her homes are on fire, the bars of her gates are broken (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The city is spoken of as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “the homes in the city are on fire, the bars of the city gates are broken”

Jeremiah 51:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: his city has been taken (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the enemies have overcome the whole city”

Jeremiah 51:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the fords over the river are seized (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the enemies have taken control of all the fords over the river”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: fords (0)

shallow parts of a river where people can walk across

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: marshes (0)

places with shallow water and grasses growing in deep mud

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: confused (0)

unable to think clearly

Jeremiah 51:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts … says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The daughter of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

“Daughter of Babylon” here is another name for the people who live in Babylon.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: is like a threshing floor (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

People thresh grain by trampling it on a threshing floor, and Yahweh speaks of people punishing the daughter of Babylon as if they were threshing grain.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It is time to trample her down (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh punishing the daughter of Babylon is spoken of as if he were trampling and threshing grain on a threshing floor. Alternate translation: “It is time to punish her”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the time of harvest will come to her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The harvest is a metaphor for the result of the actions that the people did before. Babylon will experience the result of its people’s sins. Alternate translation: “God will punish her for her sins”

Jeremiah 51:34

Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

General Information:

The speaker speaks as if he were a woman. The woman is a metaphor for the city of Jerusalem, which in turn is a metonym for the people of Jerusalem. (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he has driven me into confusion (0)

This could mean: (1) “he has caused me to be unable to think clearly” or (2) “he has crushed me.”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: has made me an empty pot (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Babylon has taken everything from Israel.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Like a monster (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Here Babylon is compared to a monster.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he has swallowed me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jerusalem compares its destruction to being swallowed.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he has filled his stomach with my delicious foods (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

This continues to speak of Babylon as if it were a monster. This states in another way the previous idea that Babylon has taken everything from Israel. Here “foods” represents all the good things that were there before. (See also: Metonymy)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he has spit me out (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Nebuchadnezzar took what he wanted and spit out what he did not want. Alternate translation: “he has vomited me up”

Jeremiah 51:35

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The one who lives in Zion (0)

Alternate translation: “She who lives in Zion”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The one … to me and my flesh … my blood (0)

All of these phrases refer to a woman.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: inhabitants of Chaldea (0)

Alternate translation: “people who live in Chaldea”

Jeremiah 51:36

General Information:

This begins Yahweh’s reply to Jerusalem’s request in verses 34 and 35.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I am about to plead your case and bring about vengeance (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh defending his people is spoken of as if he were a lawyer pleading their case in court. Alternate translation: “I will be like your lawyer to defend you and I will bring about vengeance”

Jeremiah 51:37

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: heaps of rubble (0)

buildings that have become piles of rock

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: den of jackals (0)

home for wild dogs

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a horror (0)

something that terrifies everyone who looks at it

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: hissing (0)

a sound people make to show that they dislike something very much

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: there are no inhabitants (0)

Alternate translation: “no one lives”

Jeremiah 51:38

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: roar (0)

loud sound made by a lion

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: growl (0)

a sound animals make to frighten other animals

Jeremiah 51:39

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: become happy (0)

As a soldier is happy when he defeats a strong enemy. Another possible meaning is “are very drunk” .

Jeremiah 51:40

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: like lambs … male goats (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

Lambs and goats do not know before it happens that people are going to slaughter them, and the Babylonians will not know before it happens that Yahweh is going to destroy them.

Jeremiah 51:41

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: How Babylon has been captured … How Babylon has become a ruined place (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

The word “how” here shows that something that people thought was impossible has happened. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “We never thought that enemies could capture Babylon, but they have captured her … We never thought that Babylon could become a ruined place, but it has become a ruined place”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the praise of all the earth is seized (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The word “praise” is a metonym for the thing that people praised, and the word “earth” is a metonym for the people living on the earth. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “enemies have seized Babylon, the nation that everyone on earth praised” (See also: Active or Passive)

Jeremiah 51:42

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The sea … roaring waves (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Babylon’s enemies have overcome her. “Waves” represent many people groups overcoming Babylon. The words “sea” and “water” often represent the nations.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: She is covered with its roaring waves (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Its roaring waves have covered her”

Jeremiah 51:43

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Her cities (0)

Alternate translation: “Babylon’s cities”

Jeremiah 51:44

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will punish Bel (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Bel was the main god of the Babylonians and represents the whole country and the people that worshiped it.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: out from his mouth what he swallowed (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Yahweh compares all the sacrifices and offerings to Bel to things he ate.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the nations will no longer flow (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The many nations that come to Babylon to sacrifice to Bel is spoken of as a river that moves along. Alternate translation: “the people of other nations will no longer come in large groups”

Jeremiah 51:46

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the news that is heard in the land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when you hear the news that is in the land”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Ruler will be against ruler (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The ruler is a metonym for the nations under his control. Alternate translation: “Nations will fight against other nations”

Jeremiah 51:47

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: see (0)

Alternate translation: “look” or “listen” or “pay attention to what i am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: days are coming … when I will punish (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming.” See how you translated this metaphor in Jeremiah 7:32. Alternate translation: “in the future … I will punish” or “there will be a time … when I will punish”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will punish the carved idols of Babylon (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Removing the idols of Babylon is spoken of as if Yahweh would punish the idols. Alternate translation: “I will remove the carved idols of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Babylon … her land … her slaughtered ones … her midst (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The people of Babylon are spoken of as if they were the city itself, and the city is spoken of as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “the people of Babylon … their land … their slaughtered ones … their midst” (See also: Metaphor)

Jeremiah 51:48

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: over Babylon … come for her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The people of Babylon are spoken of as if they were the city itself, and the city is spoken of as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “over the Babylonians … come for them … the Babylonians have made … their land” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the heavens and the earth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Heaven and earth are viewed as if they were people.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 1:8. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”

Jeremiah 51:49

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Babylon has made … her land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The people of Babylon are spoken of as if they were the city itself, and the city is spoken of as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “the people of Babylon … their land … their slaughtered ones … their midst … over the Babylonians … come for them … the Babylonians have made … their land” (See also: Metaphor)

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the killed of all her land (0)

Alternate translation: “those whom the Babylonians’ enemies have killed in the land”

Jeremiah 51:50

General Information:

Jeremiah speaks to the Israelite people in verse 50.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Survivors of the sword (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The sword is a metonym for war, in which soldiers use swords. Alternate translation: “You who have survived the war”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Call Yahweh to mind from far away; let Jerusalem come to mind (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The phrases “Call … to mind” and “come to mind” are idioms that mean to think about or remember. Alternate translation: “Though you are far away, think about Yahweh; think about Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 51:51

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: insults (0)

words that one person uses to offend another

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: reproach has covered our faces (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The speakers’ reaction to people expressing disapproval of them is spoken of as if it were a cover placed over the speakers’ faces. Alternate translation: “our faces show that we are hurt because others disapprove of us” or “we cover our faces in shame because others disapprove of us”

Jeremiah 51:52

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: see (0)

Alternate translation: “look” or “listen” or “pay attention to what i am about to tell you”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: days are coming … when I will punish (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming.” See how you translated this metaphor in Jeremiah 7:32. Alternate translation: “in the future … I will punish” or “there will be a time … when I will punish”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: I will punish her carved idols (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Removing or destroying idols is spoken of as if Yahweh would punish the idols. Alternate translation: “I will destroy her carved idols” or “I will remove her carved idols”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her carved idols … her land (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The people of Babylon are spoken of as if they were the city itself. Alternate translation: “their carved idols … their land … the Babylonians … their highest fortresses … to them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: groan (0)

to cry out because of pain or sadness

Jeremiah 51:53

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her highest fortresses … to her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The people of Babylon are spoken of as if they were the city itself. Alternate translation: “their highest fortresses … to them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: if Babylon went up … or fortified … destroyers would come from me (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo

This is a hypothetical situation that Yahweh does not expect to happen. Alternate translation: “Babylon will not go up … or fortify … destroyers will surely come from me”

Jeremiah 51:54

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: A shout of distress came from Babylon, a great collapse from the land of the Chaldeans (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

The same thought is expressed in two different ways for emphasis.

Jeremiah 51:55

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: destroying Babylon … her loud voice (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The people of Babylon are spoken of as if they were the city itself Alternate translation: “destroying the people of Babylon … their loud voices”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Their enemies … their noise (0)

Alternate translation: “The enemies of the people of Babylon … the noise of the enemies”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: enemies roar like the waves of many waters (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The waves of the ocean and of flooding rivers make a loud sound, and the enemies will make a very loud sound as they come.

Jeremiah 51:56

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: against her—against Babylon!—and her warriors (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The people of Babylon are spoken of as if they were the city itself, and the city is spoken of as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “against the people of Babylon—yes, against Babylon!—and their warriors”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her warriors have been captured (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This phrase can be changed to have an active verb. Alternate translation: “her enemies have captured her warriors”

Jeremiah 51:57

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her princes, her sages, her officials, and her soldiers (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The people of Babylon are spoken of as if they were the city itself. Alternate translation: “their princes, their sages, their officials, and their soldiers … their high gates … their aid … for them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will sleep in an unending sleep and never wake up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

They will be dead. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 51:39.

Jeremiah 51:58

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Yahweh of hosts says this (0)

Jeremiah often uses these words to introduce an important message from Yahweh. See how you translated this in Jeremiah 6:6.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The thick walls of Babylon will be completely demolished (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The invaders willl completely demolish the thick walls of Babylon”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her high gates … her aid … for her (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The city of Babylon is spoken of as if it were a woman. Alternate translation: “their high gates … their aid … for them”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: her high gates will be burned (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “they will burn her high gates”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: everything … will be burned up (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “they will burn up everything that the nations try to do for her”

Jeremiah 51:59

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Seraiah … Neriah … Mahseiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

These are the names of men.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the fourth year of his reign (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

“after he had been king for three years.” This “fourth” is the ordinal number for four.

Jeremiah 51:60

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: that were written about Babylon (0)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that he had written about Babylon”

Jeremiah 51:62

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: animal (0)

If your language has a word for animals that normally live with people, you might want to use it here, because Jeremiah 51:37 states that Babylon will be inhabited by wild animals.

Jeremiah 51:64

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Babylon will sink like this (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The stone and scroll will disappear in the water, the water will destroy the scroll, and Babylon will no longer look like a city or have buildings for people to live in.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: will not arise (0)

Alternate translation: “will never again be a city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: they will fall (0)

This means the Babylonians will fall because they are exhausted. Many translations do not include these words.

Jeremiah 52

Jeremiah 52 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The chapter returns to a previous sequence of events and records Babylon’s conquering of Judah. It also records the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. (See: temple, house, house of God)

Jeremiah 52:1

General Information:

Because of the words “Jeremiah’s words end here” in Jeremiah 51:64 and because the words here appear in other books of the Bible, many scholars believe that this chapter was written by someone other than Jeremiah and attached to the scroll that Jeremiah and Baruch wrote.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Hamutal (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a woman.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Libnah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a place.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Jeremiah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This refers to another man named Jeremiah, not the prophet Jeremiah who wrote this book.

Jeremiah 52:2

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”

Jeremiah 52:4

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It happened (0)

This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the ninth year of the reign of King Zedekiah, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

after Zedekiah had been king for eight years, in the tenth calendar month, on the tenth day of the month

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the ninth year (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

“in year nine”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the beginning of January on Western calendars.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: They camped opposite it (0)

Alternate translation: “Nebuchadnezzar’s army camped opposite Jerusalem”

Jeremiah 52:5

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah’s reign (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

until Zedekiah had been king for more than ten years

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: eleventh year (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

“year eleven”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: So the city was besieged (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “So they besieged the city”

Jeremiah 52:6

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: By the ninth day of the fourth month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the dry season. The ninth day is near the beginning of July on Western calendars. Zedekiah had been king for ten years, three months, and eight days.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: city (0)

This refers to Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 52:7

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the city was broken into (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Babylonians broke through the wall around the city”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the two walls (0)

the wall of the king’s garden and the wall of the city

Jeremiah 52:8

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: plains (0)

flat land

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: All his army was scattered (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

This can be translated in active form. This could mean: (1) “the Chaldeans scattered his entire army” or (2) “all of his soldiers ran away in different directions.”

Jeremiah 52:9

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: at Riblah in the land of Hamath (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Riblah was a town in the territory of Hamath.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: passed sentence on him (0)

Alternate translation: “decided how to punish him”

Jeremiah 52:10

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: slaughtered Zedekiah’s sons before his own eyes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The eyes are a synecdoche for the whole person. The reader should also understand that others probably helped the king of Babylon kill Zedekiah’s sons. Alternate translation: “forced Zedekiah to watch as the king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah’s sons”

Jeremiah 52:11

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: he put out Zedekiah’s eyes (0)

“the king’s men made Zedekiah blind.” Use the common words for making a person blind. It is not clear that the king of Babylon took Zedekiah’s eyes out of his head. The reader should also understand that others probably helped the king of Babylon make Zedekiah blind.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the day of his death (0)

the day of Zedekiah’s death

Jeremiah 52:12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

Nebuchadnezzar had been king for eighteen years, four months, and nine days. This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the dry season. The tenth day is near the beginning of August on Western calendars.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the nineteenth year (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

“during year nineteen”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: bodyguards (0)

people whose job is to protect someone

Jeremiah 52:15

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a man.

Jeremiah 52:16

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: the poorest of the land (0)

Alternate translation: “the poorest people who lived on the land”

Jeremiah 52:17

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: The Sea (0)

This is a basin of water used in the worship of Yahweh.

Jeremiah 52:21

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: eighteen cubits … twelve cubits (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance

A cubit was about 46 centimeters long. Alternate translation: “18 cubits … 12 cubits” or “about 8.3 meters … about 5.5 meters”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: hollow (0)

The pillars had empty space inside them.

Jeremiah 52:22

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: capital (0)

This is the top part of each pillar.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: five cubits (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance

A cubit was about 46 centimeters long. Alternate translation: “5 cubits” or “about 2.3 meters”

Jeremiah 52:24

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Seraiah (0)

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 36:26.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: gatekeepers (0)

people who guard the gate of a city

Jeremiah 52:25

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: drafting men into the army (0)

Alternate translation: “forcing men to fight in the army”

Jeremiah 52:26

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 39:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Riblah (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

This is the name of a city.

Jeremiah 52:28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: seventh (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: 3,023 (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

“three thousand and twenty-three”

Jeremiah 52:29

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: eighteenth (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: 832 (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

“teight hundred and thirty-two”

Jeremiah 52:30

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: twenty-third (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)

See how you translated this man’s name in Jeremiah 39:9.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: 745 & 4,600 (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

“seven hundred and forty-five … four thousand six hundred”

Jeremiah 52:31

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

after Jehoiachin had been an exile for more than 36 years

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths

This is the twelfth and last month of the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-fifth day is near the middle of March on Western calendars.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: It happened (0)

This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: Awel-Marduk (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

He became the king of Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar.

Jeremiah 52:32

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: He spoke kindly to him (0)

Alternate translation: “Awel-Marduk spoke kindly to Jehoiachin”

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: a seat more honorable (0)

Alternate translation: “a seat at the table that was closer to where Awel-Marduk sat”

Jeremiah 52:33

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: removed Jehoiachin’s prison clothes (0)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The reader should understand that removing his prison clothes represents making him a free man.