King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 5:30 Mean?

Jeremiah 5:30 in the King James Version says “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; A wonderful: or, Astonishment and filthiness” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; A wonderful: or, Astonishment and filthiness”

Jeremiah 5:30 · KJV

Context

28

They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

29

Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

30

A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; A wonderful: or, Astonishment and filthiness

31

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? bear: or, take into their hands

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse introduces a shocking revelation: 'A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land' (šammâ wĕšaʿărûrâ nihyĕṯâ ḇāʾāreṣ, שַׁמָּה וְשַׁעֲרוּרָה נִהְיְתָה בָאָרֶץ). The words šammâ (astonishing, appalling) and šaʿărûrâ (horrible, shocking) express moral outrage. The specific charge follows in verse 31: false prophets prophesy lies, priests rule by their means, and the people love it. The 'wonderful' (in the sense of astonishing) aspect is that this spiritual corruption occurs blatantly, yet people embrace it. This exposes the depth of apostasy—not merely secret sin but public, systemic religious corruption that the covenant community accepts and even prefers. This pattern appears repeatedly in biblical history when truth becomes unpopular and people prefer comfortable lies to convicting truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's ministry occurred during intense conflict between true prophets (like Jeremiah) and false prophets who promised peace when judgment was imminent (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11, 14:13-16, 23:9-40, 28:1-17). False prophets told people what they wanted to hear, maintaining that temple presence guaranteed security regardless of behavior. Priests, who should have taught God's law (Malachi 2:7), instead sought personal gain and supported false prophets. Archaeological evidence from Lachish and other sites confirms widespread syncretistic worship combining Yahwism with pagan elements. The people's preference for false teaching over truth accelerated national apostasy. Jesus later warned of false prophets (Matthew 7:15, 24:11, 24), and Paul predicted the church would face similar challenges (Acts 20:29-30). Church history confirms this pattern repeatedly—popular religion often deviates from biblical truth.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern between true biblical teaching and popular religious messages that tell people what they want to hear?
  2. What responsibility do church members bear when they 'love to have it so'—preferring comfortable lies over convicting truth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 4 words
שַׁמָּה֙1 of 4

“A wonderful”

H8047

ruin; by implication, consternation

וְשַׁ֣עֲרוּרָ֔ה2 of 4

“and horrible thing”

H8186

something fearful

נִהְיְתָ֖ה3 of 4

“is committed”

H1961

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

בָּאָֽרֶץ׃4 of 4

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 5:30 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 5:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 6:10Jeremiah 23:14Isaiah 1:2Jeremiah 2:12

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