Bible Strands
Jeremiah 4:20
Disaster after disaster is proclaimed, for the whole land is laid waste. My tents are destroyed in an instant, my curtains in a moment.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jeremiah addresses Judah amid the immediate alarm of an advancing enemy, following his own physical anguish over the sound of battle horns. He describes the sudden collapse of his own dwelling as a concrete symbol of the nation's impending ruin.
The words — The verse hinges on שֶׁבֶר (She.ver), meaning "destruction," repeated to mark unrelenting calamity. It couples with נִקְרָא (nik.Ra'), "it has been proclaimed," and שֻׁדְּדָה (shu.de.Dah), "it has been devastated," to record the land's complete stripping.
The thread — This sequence of announced ruin and failed peace appears in Ezekiel 7:25 and Joel 1:15, where destruction from the Lord is declared imminent. The imagery of overwhelming distress also aligns with the language of Psalms 42:7.
Why it lands — The text first records the factual proclamation of total devastation before drawing its conclusion. It requires the reader to acknowledge that sudden collapse leaves no time for preparation, demanding immediate attention to the warning before the moment of ruin arrives.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
Cross-references
- Psalms 42:7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me.
- Ezekiel 7:25 Anguish is coming! They will seek peace, but find none.
- Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! For the Day of the LORD is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty.
- Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,
- Exodus 33:5 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’”
- Leviticus 26:18 And if after all this you will not obey Me, I will proceed to punish you sevenfold for your sins.
- Leviticus 26:21 If you walk in hostility toward Me and refuse to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times, according to your sins.
- Leviticus 26:24 then I will act with hostility toward you, and I will strike you sevenfold for your sins.
- Isaiah 13:6 Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.