Explore the Bible Online

Jeremiah 4:23-26

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

23. I beheld the earth, and, lo, [it was] without form, and void; and the heavens, and they [had] no light. 24. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. 25. I beheld, and, lo, [there was] no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. 26. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place [was] a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, [and] by his fierce anger.

Jeremiah 4:23-26 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 4:23

Theological / Devotional

I beheld. The prophet gives a graphic description of what was shown him in prophetic vision. The expression, “I beheld . . ., and, lo,” occurs four times (vs. 23-26).

Earth. Heb. ’eres, which may be rendered either “land” or “earth” (see on v. 20). On the application of prophecy to the immediate present as well as to the more distant future see on Deut. 18:15; see also pp. 25-38. By secondary application Jer. 4:23-27 can be taken as describing the millennial desolation (see GC 659).

Without form, and void. The same phrase is used to describe the earth in its original state (Gen. 1:2). The earth will return partially to that condition in the great day of God (GC 659; see on Rev. 20:1).

By SdaBc