King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 9:11 Mean?

Jeremiah 9:11 in the King James Version says “And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabita... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. desolate: Heb. desolation

Jeremiah 9:11 · KJV


Context

9

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

10

For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone. habitations: or, pastures burned up: or, desolate both: Heb. from the fowl even to, etc

11

And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. desolate: Heb. desolation

12

Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?

13

And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse announces Jerusalem's fate: 'And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons.' The Hebrew gallim (גַּלִּים, heaps, ruins) describes rubble piles; tannim (תַּנִּים, jackals, wild dogs) indicates desolate ruins inhabited only by scavengers. 'And I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant' uses shemamah (שְׁמָמָה, desolation, waste) and ein yoshev (אֵין יוֹשֵׁב, without inhabitant). The judgment extends beyond Jerusalem to all Judah's urban centers. This verse repeats Jeremiah 4:7 and 10:22, emphasizing the theme of urban devastation throughout the book.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological surveys of Judean sites confirm massive destruction and abandonment during the Babylonian conquest and exile. Jerusalem's walls were razed, the temple destroyed, and the population deported. For seventy years, the land lay largely depopulated, fulfilling the Sabbath rest the people had denied it (2 Chronicles 36:21). Jackals inhabiting ruins became a standard image of desolation (Isaiah 13:22, 34:13-14).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of Jerusalem as jackal dens contrast with its identity as God's holy city?
  2. What does this prophecy teach about the vulnerability of sacred places when sacred people become unfaithful?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אֶתֵּ֥ן1 of 13

And I will make

H5414

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

אֶת2 of 13
H853

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

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם3 of 13

Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לְגַלִּ֖ים4 of 13

heaps

H1530

something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)

מְע֣וֹן5 of 13

and a den

H4583

an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)

תַּנִּ֑ים6 of 13

of dragons

H8577

a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal

וְאֶת7 of 13
H853

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

עָרֵ֧י8 of 13

the cities

H5892

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

יְהוּדָ֛ה9 of 13

of Judah

H3063

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

אֶתֵּ֥ן10 of 13

And I will make

H5414

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

שְׁמָמָ֖ה11 of 13

desolate

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

מִבְּלִ֖י12 of 13
H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

יוֹשֵֽׁב׃13 of 13

without an inhabitant

H3427

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


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 9:11 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 9:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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