King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 9:22 Mean?

Jeremiah 9:22 in the King James Version says “Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after th...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.”

Jeremiah 9:22 · KJV

Context

20

Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.

21

For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.

22

Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.

23

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

24

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse continues Death's work: 'Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field.' The Hebrew nivlath (נִבְלַת, carcass, corpse) describes bodies lying unburied like dung (domen) spread on fields. 'And as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.' The imagery shifts to harvest: scattered grain sheaves left behind, with no one to gather them. Unburied bodies represented ultimate dishonor in ancient culture; 'no one to gather' indicates complete social breakdown—no surviving family to provide burial. This verse recalls 8:1-2's prediction of exhumed bones and connects death's abundance to agricultural imagery.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Proper burial was paramount in ancient Israel (Genesis 23, 2 Samuel 21:10-14). To lie unburied was curse and disgrace (Deuteronomy 28:26). Archaeological evidence of mass graves and unburied remains from destroyed Judean cities confirms this prophecy's fulfillment. The harvest metaphor (as in 8:20) depicts death reaping abundant harvest with no one remaining to process or bury the dead.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the image of unburied bodies reveal about the complete breakdown of social order in judgment?
  2. How does the harvest metaphor transform Death into a farmer reaping abundant crop?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
דַּבֵּ֗ר1 of 16

“Speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

כֹּ֚ה2 of 16
H3541

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

נְאֻם3 of 16

“Thus saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וְנָֽפְלָה֙5 of 16

“shall fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

נִבְלַ֣ת6 of 16

“Even the carcases”

H5038

a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol

הָֽאָדָ֔ם7 of 16

“of men”

H120

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

כְּדֹ֖מֶן8 of 16

“as dung”

H1828

manure

עַל9 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֣י10 of 16

“upon the open”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה11 of 16

“field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

וּכְעָמִ֛יר12 of 16

“and as the handful”

H5995

a bunch of grain

מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י13 of 16

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַקֹּצֵ֖ר14 of 16

“the harvestman”

H7114

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

וְאֵ֥ין15 of 16
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מְאַסֵּֽף׃16 of 16

“and none shall gather”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

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 9:22 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 9:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 8:2Jeremiah 25:33Psalms 83:10Jeremiah 16:4Zephaniah 1:17Isaiah 5:25

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