Tree of Life Version
Jeremiah 12:4
4How long will the land mourn and the grass of all the field wither? Because those living in it are evil, beasts and birds are swept away. For they said, “He cannot see our end.”
Jeremiah 12:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.
- New International Version (NIV)How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, “He will not see what happens to us.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither? For the evil of those who dwell in it the beasts and the birds are swept away, because they said, "He will not see our latter end."
- New King James Version (NKJV)How long will the land mourn, And the herbs of every field wither? The beasts and birds are consumed, For the wickedness of those who dwell there, Because they said, “He will not see our final end.”
Context of Jeremiah 12:4
2You planted them, so they have taken root. They are growing, bearing fruit. You are near in their mouth, yet far from their mind. 3But You have known me, Adonai. You see me, and examine my heart toward You. Drag them off like sheep for slaughter. Set them apart for the day of carnage. How long will the land mourn and the grass of all the field wither? Because those living in it are evil, beasts and birds are swept away. For they said, “He cannot see our end.” 5“If you raced with those on foot and they wore you out, how can you compete with horses? If you are secure in a land of peace, how will you do in Jordan’s thickets? 6For even your brothers —your father’s house— even they will betray you, even they will shout out after you. Have no confidence in them, even if they say nice words to you.”
Read all of Jeremiah 12Jeremiah 12:4 word by word
עַד־מָתַי֙ תֶּאֱבַ֣ל הָאָ֔רֶץ וְעֵ֥שֶׂב כָּל־הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה יִיבָ֑שׁ מֵרָעַ֣ת יֹֽשְׁבֵי־בָ֗הּ סָפְתָ֤ה בְהֵמוֹת֙ וָע֔וֹף כִּ֣י אָמְר֔וּ לֹ֥א יִרְאֶ֖ה אֶת־אַחֲרִיתֵֽנוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- How long shall the landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
- mournאָבַל'âbal · to mournH56
- and the herbsעֵ֫שֶׂב‛eώeb · vegetationH6212
- of every fieldשָׂדֶהώâdeh ώâday · land: countryH7704
- witherיָבֵשׁyâbêsh · to witherH3001
- for the wickednessרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
- of them that dwellיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
- therein? the beastsבְּהֵמָהbehêmâh · animalH929
- are consumedסָפָהsâphâh · to snatchH5595
- and the birdsעוֹף‛ôph · birdH5775
- because they saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- He shall not seeרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
- our last endאַחֲרִית'achărîyth · endH319
Cross-references for Jeremiah 12:4
- Jeremiah 9:10“I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a lair for jackals. I will make the cities of Judah a wasteland without inhabitant.
- Jeremiah 14:2Judah will mourn, and her gates languish. They will bow in black to the ground And Jerusalem’s wail will go up.
- Jeremiah 23:10For the land is full of adulterers. The land mourns because of a curse. Pastures of the wilderness are dry. Their running is evil, and their might is not right.
- Psalms 107:34and a fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
- Joel 1:10The field is ruined, the land grieves, for the grain has been devastated, new wine is dried up, oil languishes.
- Jeremiah 4:24I looked at the mountains— behold, they were shaking and all the hills swaying to and fro.
- Jeremiah 7:20Therefore thus says Adonai Elohim: “My anger and My wrath is about to be poured out on this place—on man and beast, and on the trees of the field and the fruit of the land—and it will burn and not be quenched.”
- Hosea 4:3Therefore the land will mourn, and everyone dwelling in it will languish along with the beasts of the field and the flying creatures of the sky— even the fish of the sea will be removed.
- Habakkuk 3:17Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no yield on the vines, Though the olive crop fail, and the fields produce no food, the flock is cut off from the fold, and there is no cattle in the stalls.
- Romans 8:22For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers birth pains until now—
- Jeremiah 5:13The prophets are but wind and the word is not in them. Let what they say be done to them!”
- Psalms 50:21These things you have done— Should I keep silent? You thought I was just like you— but I reprove you, and set the case before your eyes.
- Ezekiel 7:2“You, son of man, thus says Adonai Elohim concerning the land of Israel: An end! The end has come on the four corners of the land.
Commentaries on Jeremiah 12:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4How long shall the land mourn - These hypocrites and open sinners are a curse to the country; pull them out, Lord, that the land may be delivered of that which is the cause of its desolation.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4The Hebrew divides this verse differently. “How long shall the land mourn, and the herb of the whole field wither? Because of the wickedness of them that dwell therein cattle and fowl have ceased to be: for he will not see, say they, our latter end.” The people mock the prophet, saying, In spite of all his threatenings we shall outlive him. Jeremiah complained that at a time of great general misery powerful men throve upon the ruin of others: even the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4Jeremiah felt helpless because the Lord's plan to destroy the land seemed too harsh. Jeremiah understood that the people were wrong to mockingly say the Lord could not predict the future (compare Isaiah 46:10).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. land mourn--personification (Jr 14:2; 23:10). for the wickedness--(Psa 107:34). beasts--(Ho 4:3). He shall not see our last end--Jehovah knows not what is about to happen to us (Jr 5:12) [Rosenmuller]. So the Septuagint. (Psa 10:11; Eze 8:12; 9:9). Rather, "The prophet (Jeremiah, to whom the whole context refers) shall not see our last end." We need not trouble ourselves about his boding predictions. We shall not be destroyed as he says (Jr 5:12, 13).Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 12:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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