King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 33:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 33:10 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without be... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,

Jeremiah 33:10 · KJV


Context

8

And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

9

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

10

Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,

11

The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

12

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate (עוֹד יִשָּׁמַע בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם אֹמְרִים חָרֵב הוּא, od yishama bammakom hazzeh asher atem omrim charev hu)—'Again' (od) promises restoration after silence. The people's despair ('shall be desolate,' charev, waste/ruin) contrasts with God's promise of renewal. Without man and without beast—the total desolation echoes Genesis 1's pre-creation void, suggesting God will perform a new creation in Jerusalem.

In the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem—the specific geography grounds this promise in real places, not mere spiritual allegory. God's restoration addresses actual ruins, actual cities, actual streets. Biblical hope is incarnational, not ethereal.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Babylonian destruction (586 BC) left Jerusalem and Judah's cities depopulated wastelands. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread abandonment. Against this historical reality, God promises renewed habitation. The post-exilic return (538 BC onward) partially fulfilled this, but the promise finds ultimate completion in the New Jerusalem where God dwells with His people (Revelation 21:3).

Reflection Questions

  1. What areas of your life or community feel 'desolate without man and without beast'—completely beyond hope?
  2. How does God's promise to restore specific places (not just abstract spiritual renewal) shape your prayers for broken cities and communities?
  3. In what ways does the 'again' of restoration after devastation reflect the pattern of cross-and-resurrection in Christian experience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 of 27
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אֹֽמְרִ֔ים2 of 27

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 27

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עוֹד֮4 of 27
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

יִשָּׁמַ֣ע5 of 27

Again there shall be heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בַּמָּקוֹם6 of 27

in this place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּה֒7 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁר֙8 of 27
H834

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

אַתֶּ֣ם9 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֹֽמְרִ֔ים10 of 27

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חָרֵ֣ב11 of 27

shall be desolate

H2720

parched or ruined

ה֔וּא12 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מֵאֵ֥ין13 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אָדָ֛ם14 of 27

without man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וּמֵאֵ֣ין15 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בְּהֵמָֽה׃16 of 27

and without beast

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

בְּעָרֵ֤י17 of 27

even in the cities

H5892

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

יְהוּדָה֙18 of 27

of Judah

H3063

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

וּבְחֻצ֣וֹת19 of 27

and in the streets

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם20 of 27

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הַֽנְשַׁמּ֗וֹת21 of 27

that are desolate

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

מֵאֵ֥ין22 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אָדָ֛ם23 of 27

without man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וּמֵאֵ֥ין24 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יוֹשֵׁ֖ב25 of 27

and without inhabitant

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

וּמֵאֵ֥ין26 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בְּהֵמָֽה׃27 of 27

and without beast

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)


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 33:10 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 33:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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