King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 8:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 8:16 in the King James Version says “The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein. all: Heb. the fulness thereof”

Jeremiah 8:16 · KJV

Context

14

Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD. gall: or, poison

15

We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!

16

The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein. all: Heb. the fulness thereof

17

For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.

18

When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. in: Heb. upon

Read Jeremiah 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes the approaching enemy: 'The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan.' Dan, at Israel's northern border, would first detect invaders approaching via the Fertile Crescent trade route. 'Snorting' (nachrah, נַחְרָה) evokes powerful war horses, their breath and sounds preceding visible approach. 'The whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones' uses abirim (אַבִּירִים, mighty ones, stallions), emphasizing military power. The psychological impact of hearing an approaching army created terror before the battle began. 'For they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein'—the destruction is already certain, described in prophetic perfect tense as if completed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Dan's location at the foot of Mount Hermon made it the traditional boundary of Israel ('from Dan to Beersheba'). Invading armies from Mesopotamia would enter Canaan through this northern corridor. The Babylonian army included significant cavalry forces, and the sound of approaching horses struck terror. Archaeological evidence of Babylonian military technology and strategy confirms their reliance on combined infantry, cavalry, and siege warfare.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of coming judgment described in prophetic perfect tense challenge complacency about sin's consequences?
  2. What 'sounds from Dan' might signal approaching spiritual danger in our lives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
מִדָּ֤ן1 of 17

“from Dan”

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

נִשְׁמַע֙2 of 17

“was heard”

H8085

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

נַחְרַ֣ת3 of 17

“The snorting”

H5170

a snorting

סוּסָ֗יו4 of 17

“of his horses”

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

מִקּוֹל֙5 of 17

“at the sound”

H6963

a voice or sound

מִצְהֲל֣וֹת6 of 17

“of the neighing”

H4684

a whinnying (through impatience for battle or lust)

אַבִּירָ֔יו7 of 17

“of his strong ones”

H47

a valiant one

רָעֲשָׁ֖ה8 of 17

“trembled”

H7493

to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)

כָּל9 of 17
H3605

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

אֶ֣רֶץ10 of 17

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיָּב֗וֹאוּ11 of 17

“for they are come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ֙12 of 17

“and have devoured”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶ֣רֶץ13 of 17

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּמְלוֹאָ֔הּ14 of 17

“and all”

H4393

fulness (literally or figuratively)

עִ֖יר15 of 17

“that is in it the city”

H5892

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

וְיֹ֥שְׁבֵי16 of 17

“and those that dwell”

H3427

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

בָֽהּ׃17 of 17
H0

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 8:16 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 8:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 5:22Judges 18:29Jeremiah 4:15-161 Corinthians 10:28Jeremiah 6:23Nahum 3:2

Places in This Verse

DanSettlement · Modern: Tel Dan · 33.25°N, 35.65°E25 verses across 12 books
View all places in Jeremiah 8 →

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