King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 30:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 30:16 in the King James Version says “Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into capti...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.”

Jeremiah 30:16 · KJV

Context

14

All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.

15

Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.

16

Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.

17

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

18

Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. heap: or, little hill

Read Jeremiah 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured—divine reversal begins with this 'therefore' (לָכֵן, 'lakhen'). The Hebrew uses poetic justice: devourers devoured (אָכַל/אָכַל, 'akhal'/'akhal'), spoilers spoiled (שָׁסָה/שָׁסָה, 'shasah'/'shasah'). This lex talionis (law of retaliation) demonstrates God's justice for His covenant people.

While Israel suffered for her sin, Babylon would suffer for her cruelty. History confirms this: Babylon fell to Persia (539 BC), then all Israel's oppressors throughout history faced judgment. Eschatologically, this points to final judgment when all who persecuted God's people face divine retribution (Rev 18-19).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Within 50 years of destroying Jerusalem, Babylon fell to Cyrus the Persian. Each empire that oppressed Israel—Assyria, Babylon, Greece, Rome—eventually crumbled, while Israel survived against all historical odds.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to judge Israel's oppressors bring comfort during persecution?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's commitment to covenant justice?
  3. How should Christians balance trust in God's justice with the call to love enemies?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 16
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כָּל2 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יֵאָכֵ֔לוּ3 of 16

“Therefore all they that devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

יֵאָכֵ֔לוּ4 of 16

“Therefore all they that devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְכָל5 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צָרַ֥יִךְ6 of 16

“and all thine adversaries”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

כֻּלָּ֖ם7 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בַּשְּׁבִ֣י8 of 16

“into captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

יֵלֵ֑כוּ9 of 16
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְהָי֤וּ10 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שֹׁאסַ֙יִךְ֙11 of 16

“and they that spoil”

H7601

to plunder

לִמְשִׁסָּ֔ה12 of 16

“thee shall be a spoil”

H4933

plunder

וְכָל13 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בֹּזְזַ֖יִךְ14 of 16

“and all that prey”

H962

to plunder

אֶתֵּ֥ן15 of 16

“upon thee will I give”

H5414

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

לָבַֽז׃16 of 16

“for a prey”

H957

plunder

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 30:16 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 30:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 10:25Isaiah 33:1Exodus 23:22Zechariah 2:8Revelation 13:10Isaiah 14:2

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