King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 19:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 19:9 in the King James Version says “And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.”

Jeremiah 19:9 · KJV

Context

7

And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

8

And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.

9

And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.

10

Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,

11

And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury. be made: Heb. be healed

Read Jeremiah 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The most horrific judgment: "And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them." This describes siege-induced cannibalism—starvation so severe that covenant curses are literally fulfilled (Lev 26:29, Deut 28:53-57). Parents eating their own children represents the absolute depths of human degradation.

This wasn't hyperbole but literal prophecy, fulfilled during the Babylonian siege (Lam 2:20, 4:10, Ezek 5:10). The horror demonstrates how completely sin unravels civilization and humanity. What began with sacrificing children to Molech ends with desperate parents eating their starved children for survival. Sin always escalates, destroying what it initially claimed to preserve. The progression from idolatry to injustice to cannibalism shows rebellion's logical end.

This passage's horror should drive us to Christ, who endured God's wrath so we would never face such judgment. The depths of covenant curse reveal the magnitude of Christ's saving work—He bore infinite wrath to deliver us from these horrors. Reformed theology emphasizes penal substitutionary atonement—Christ suffered the covenant curses we deserved (Gal 3:13), including God-forsakenness (Matt 27:46), so believers inherit covenant blessings through faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Siege-induced cannibalism occurred during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (Lam 2:20, 4:10) and again during the Roman siege in AD 70 (Josephus, Wars 6.3.4). Archaeological evidence from besieged ancient cities sometimes reveals evidence of desperate survival practices. These horrific historical realities validate biblical prophecy's accuracy and demonstrate human depravity's depths when societal structures collapse under judgment. The warnings stand as eternal testimony to sin's consequences.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this extreme judgment reveal both the seriousness of sin and the depth of Christ's saving work?
  2. What does the progression from idolatry to this horror teach about sin's escalating nature?
  3. How should awareness of the covenant curses Christ bore motivate gratitude and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
יֹאכֵ֑לוּ1 of 19

“And I will cause them to eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת2 of 19
H853

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

בְּשַׂר3 of 19

“and the flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

בְּנֵיהֶ֗ם4 of 19

“of their sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְאֵת֙5 of 19
H853

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

בְּשַׂר6 of 19

“and the flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

בְּנֹתֵיהֶ֔ם7 of 19

“of their daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְאִ֥ישׁ8 of 19

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּשַׂר9 of 19

“and the flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

רֵעֵ֖הוּ10 of 19

“of his friend”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

יֹאכֵ֑לוּ11 of 19

“And I will cause them to eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בְּמָצוֹר֙12 of 19

“in the siege”

H4692

something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness

וּבְמָצ֔וֹק13 of 19

“and straitness”

H4689

a narrow place, i.e., (abstractly and figuratively) confinement or disability

אֲשֶׁ֨ר14 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָצִ֧יקוּ15 of 19

“shall straiten”

H6693

to compress, i.e., (figuratively) oppress, distress

לָהֶ֛ם16 of 19
H0
אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם17 of 19

“wherewith their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

וּמְבַקְשֵׁ֥י18 of 19

“and they that seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

נַפְשָֽׁם׃19 of 19

“their lives”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

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 19:9 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 19:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 9:20Lamentations 4:10Leviticus 26:29Deuteronomy 28:53-57Ezekiel 5:10Lamentations 2:20

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 19 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 19 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes