King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 24:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 24:10 in the King James Version says “And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I ga...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.”

Jeremiah 24:10 · KJV

Context

8

And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:

9

And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them. to be removed: Heb. for removing, or, vexation

10

And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

Read Jeremiah 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land (וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי בָם אֶת־הַחֶרֶב אֶת־הָרָעָב וְאֶת־הַדָּבֶר עַד־תֻּמָּם מֵעַל הָאֲדָמָה, v'shillachti vam et-hacherev et-hara'av v'et-haddaver ad-tummam me'al ha'adamah). The threefold judgment—sword (חֶרֶב), famine (רָעָב), pestilence (דֶּבֶר)—appears throughout Jeremiah as comprehensive covenant curse (Leviticus 26:25-26, Deuteronomy 28:21-22). The verb שָׁלַח (shalach, 'send') indicates divine agency; these aren't natural disasters but directed judgment.

Till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers—the irony is tragic. The land was gift (נָתַן, natan, 'gave'), pointing back to patriarchal promises (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). Now the gifted land vomits out its inhabitants (Leviticus 18:25, 28). The verb תָּמַם (tamam, 'consume/finish/complete') suggests total removal—no remnant remains. Covenant promises include covenant curses; ignoring the latter doesn't negate them.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The sword-famine-pestilence triad characterized the Babylonian siege (588-586 BC) and its aftermath. Archaeological evidence shows widespread destruction and depopulation of Judah during this period. Later campaigns into Egypt (568 BC) completed the judgment on refugees. By 582 BC, a third deportation had occurred. The land lay largely desolate until the Persian period (539 BC onward).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do covenant blessings and curses function as package deal, not buffet options?
  2. What gifts from God might He remove if you continue in disobedience?
  3. In what ways does the land itself respond to human covenant breaking?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְשִׁלַּ֣חְתִּי1 of 16

“And I will send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בָ֔ם2 of 16
H0
אֶת3 of 16
H853

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

הַחֶ֖רֶב4 of 16

“the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֶת5 of 16
H853

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

הָרָעָ֣ב6 of 16

“the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וְאֶת7 of 16
H853

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

הַדָּ֑בֶר8 of 16

“and the pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

עַד9 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

תֻּמָּם֙10 of 16

“among them till they be consumed”

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

מֵעַ֣ל11 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאֲדָמָ֔ה12 of 16

“from off the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 16
H834

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

נָתַ֥תִּי14 of 16

“that I gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֖ם15 of 16
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְלַאֲבוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃16 of 16

“unto them and to their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 24:10 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 24:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 51:19Ezekiel 5:12-17Jeremiah 34:17Jeremiah 27:8Ezekiel 33:27Jeremiah 15:2

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