King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 10:22 Mean?

Jeremiah 10:22 in the King James Version says “Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah deso...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.”

Jeremiah 10:22 · KJV

Context

20

My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

21

For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

22

Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

23

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

24

O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. bring: Heb. diminish me

Read Jeremiah 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse announces invasion: 'Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country.' 'Bruit' (shemu'ah) means report, news—specifically news of approaching army. 'Great commotion' (ra'ash gadol) indicates earthquake-like tumult of marching forces. 'Out of the north country' identifies Babylon, which attacked Judah from the north via the Fertile Crescent. 'To make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.' shemamah (desolation) and tannim (jackals) repeat the judgment refrain—urban civilization reduced to animal lairs. The verse shifts from lament back to urgent warning.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'noise' of approaching armies traveled ahead of actual invasion—refugees, messengers, commercial travelers spreading news of military movement. Jeremiah's repeated references to the 'north' enemy (1:13-15, 4:6, 6:1, 10:22) consistently identified the threat without always naming Babylon. The phrase 'den of dragons/jackals' appears throughout Jeremiah as the consistent image of urban destruction (9:11, 49:33, 51:37).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'noise' traveling ahead of invasion create psychological warfare before physical attack?
  2. What does the transformation of cities into jackal dens signify about reversing civilization to chaos?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
ק֤וֹל1 of 15

“Behold the noise”

H6963

a voice or sound

שְׁמוּעָה֙2 of 15

“of the bruit”

H8052

something heard, i.e., an announcement

הִנֵּ֣ה3 of 15
H2009

lo!

בָאָ֔ה4 of 15

“is come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְרַ֥עַשׁ5 of 15

“commotion”

H7494

vibration, bounding, uproar

גָּד֖וֹל6 of 15

“and a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ7 of 15

“country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

צָפ֑וֹן8 of 15

“out of the north”

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

לָשׂ֞וּם9 of 15

“to make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת10 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עָרֵ֧י11 of 15

“the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֛ה12 of 15

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

שְׁמָמָ֖ה13 of 15

“desolate”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

מְע֥וֹן14 of 15

“and a den”

H4583

an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)

תַּנִּֽים׃15 of 15

“of dragons”

H8577

a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 10:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 10:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 9:11Jeremiah 5:15Jeremiah 4:6Jeremiah 6:22Malachi 1:3Jeremiah 6:1

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