Jeremiah 4:11
New International Version
At that time this people and Jerusalem will be told, “A scorching wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward my people, but not to winnow or cleanse;

New Living Translation
The time is coming when the LORD will say to the people of Jerusalem, “My dear people, a burning wind is blowing in from the desert, and it’s not a gentle breeze useful for winnowing grain.

English Standard Version
At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A hot wind from the bare heights in the desert toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow or cleanse,

Berean Standard Bible
At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A searing wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward the daughter of My people, but not to winnow or to sift;

King James Bible
At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,

New King James Version
At that time it will be said To this people and to Jerusalem, “A dry wind of the desolate heights blows in the wilderness Toward the daughter of My people— Not to fan or to cleanse—

New American Standard Bible
At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A scorching wind from the bare heights in the wilderness, in the direction of the daughter of My people—not to winnow and not to cleanse,

NASB 1995
In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A scorching wind from the bare heights in the wilderness in the direction of the daughter of My people— not to winnow and not to cleanse,

NASB 1977
In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A scorching wind from the bare heights in the wilderness in the direction of the daughter of My people—not to winnow, and not to cleanse,

Legacy Standard Bible
In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A scorching wind from the bare heights in the wilderness along the way of the daughter of My people—not to winnow and not to cleanse,

Amplified Bible
In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A scorching wind from the barren heights in the wilderness [comes at My command] against the daughter of My people—not [a wind] to winnow and not to cleanse [from chaff, as when threshing, but]

Christian Standard Bible
“At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, ‘A searing wind blows from the barren heights in the wilderness on the way to my dear people. It comes not to winnow or to sift;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, ‘A searing wind blows from the barren heights in the wilderness on the way to My dear people. It comes not to winnow or to sift;

American Standard Version
At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A hot wind from the bare heights in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow, nor to cleanse;

English Revised Version
At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A hot wind from the bare heights in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
At that time it will be said to these people and to Jerusalem: "A hot wind from the heights will blow in the desert on the tracks of my people. It will not be a wind that winnows or cleanses.

Good News Translation
The time is coming when the people of Jerusalem will be told that a scorching wind is blowing in from the desert toward them. It will not be a gentle wind that only blows away the chaff--

International Standard Version
At that time, it will be told this people and to Jerusalem, "A scorching wind from the barren heights in the desert is coming toward my people, and it's not for winnowing or cleansing.

Majority Standard Bible
At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A searing wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward the daughter of My people, but not to winnow or to sift;

NET Bible
"At that time the people of Judah and Jerusalem will be told, 'A scorching wind will sweep down from the hilltops in the desert on my dear people. It will not be a gentle breeze for winnowing the grain and blowing away the chaff.

New Heart English Bible
At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, "A hot wind from the bare heights in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow, nor to cleanse;

Webster's Bible Translation
At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness towards the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,

World English Bible
At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A hot wind blows from the bare heights in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow, nor to cleanse.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
At that time it is said of this people, "" And of Jerusalem: “A dry wind of high places in the wilderness, "" The way of the daughter of My people "" (Not for winnowing, nor for cleansing),

Young's Literal Translation
At that time it is said of this people, And of Jerusalem: 'A dry wind of high places in the wilderness,' The way of the daughter of My people, (Not for winnowing, nor for cleansing,)

Smith's Literal Translation
In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A clear wind of the naked hills in the desert the way of the daughter of my people, not for winnowing, and not for separating.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
At that time it shall be said to this people, and to Jerusalem: A burning wind is in the ways that are in the desert of the way of the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“In that time, it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: ‘A burning wind is in the ways that are in the desert, along the way of the daughter of my people, but not to winnow and not to cleanse.’

New American Bible
At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A scorching wind from the bare heights comes through the wilderness toward my daughter, the people. Not to winnow, not to cleanse,

New Revised Standard Version
At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
At that time it shall be said to this people and to Jerusalem, As a changing wind in the paths of the wilderness is the way of the daughter of my people, useful neither to fan, nor to cleanse,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “As a stray wind that is in the paths of the wilderness, the way of the daughter of my people is not scattering and is not collecting”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
At that time shall it be said of this people and of Jerusalem; A hot wind of the high hills in the wilderness Toward the daughter of My people, Not to fan, nor to cleanse;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
At that time they shall say to this people and to Jerusalem, There is a spirit of error in the wilderness: the way of the daughter of my people is not to purity, nor to holiness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Disaster from the North
10Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, how completely You have deceived this people and Jerusalem by saying, ‘You will have peace,’ while a sword is at our throats.” 11At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A searing wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward the daughter of My people, but not to winnow or to sift; 12a wind too strong for that comes from Me. Now I also pronounce judgments against them.”…

Cross References
Ezekiel 19:12
But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them.

Hosea 13:15
Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come—a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His fountain will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder his treasury of every precious article.

Isaiah 27:8
By warfare and exile You contended with her and removed her with a fierce wind, as on the day the east wind blows.

Isaiah 5:24
Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 40:7
The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.

Isaiah 41:16
You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Amos 4:9
“I struck you with blight and mildew in your growing gardens and vineyards; the locust devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.

Joel 1:19-20
To You, O LORD, I call, for fire has consumed the open pastures and flames have scorched all the trees of the field. / Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures.

Zechariah 7:14
But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known, and the land was left desolate behind them so that no one could come or go. Thus they turned the pleasant land into a desolation.”

Matthew 3:12
His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 13:6
But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

Matthew 21:19
Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.

Mark 4:6
But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

Luke 3:17
His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”


Treasury of Scripture

At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,

a

Jeremiah 23:19
Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.

Jeremiah 30:23,24
Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked…

Jeremiah 51:1
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;

daughter

Jeremiah 8:19
Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?

Jeremiah 9:1,7
Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! …

Jeremiah 14:17
Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

not

Jeremiah 51:2
And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.

Isaiah 41:16
Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Matthew 3:12
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Jump to Previous
Bare Barren Blowing Burning Cleanse Cleansing Daughter Desert Direction Dry Fan Heights High Hills Hilltops Hot Jerusalem Open Places Scorching Separating Time Towards Waste Way Wilderness Wind Winnow Winnowing
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Bare Barren Blowing Burning Cleanse Cleansing Daughter Desert Direction Dry Fan Heights High Hills Hilltops Hot Jerusalem Open Places Scorching Separating Time Towards Waste Way Wilderness Wind Winnow Winnowing
Jeremiah 4
1. God calls Israel by his promise
3. He exhorts Judah to repentance by fearful judgments
19. A grievous lamentation for Judah














At that time
This phrase sets the stage for a specific period in the prophetic timeline. In the context of Jeremiah, it refers to a time of impending judgment upon Judah. The Hebrew word for "time" is "עֵת" (et), which can denote a season or a divinely appointed moment. This highlights the urgency and inevitability of God's message through Jeremiah. Historically, this period was marked by political instability and spiritual decline, as Judah faced threats from surrounding nations, particularly Babylon.

it will be said
The passive construction here suggests a message that is divinely ordained, rather than originating from human initiative. The Hebrew verb "אָמַר" (amar) implies a declaration or proclamation, often used in prophetic literature to convey God's words. This emphasizes the authority and seriousness of the message, as it is not merely human opinion but a divine pronouncement.

to this people and to Jerusalem
The specificity of "this people" and "Jerusalem" underscores the direct audience of the prophecy. "This people" refers to the inhabitants of Judah, God's chosen people who have strayed from His covenant. "Jerusalem," the spiritual and political center, symbolizes the heart of the nation's identity and faith. The focus on Jerusalem highlights the gravity of the situation, as the city was seen as the dwelling place of God among His people.

A scorching wind
The imagery of a "scorching wind" is powerful and evocative. The Hebrew word "רוּחַ" (ruach) can mean wind, spirit, or breath, and here it conveys a destructive force. This wind is not a gentle breeze but a fierce, hot wind, akin to the sirocco winds known in the region, which can devastate crops and land. It symbolizes the coming judgment and the purifying wrath of God, intended to cleanse and correct His people.

from the barren heights in the desert
This phrase paints a vivid picture of desolation and danger. The "barren heights" refer to the high places in the wilderness, often associated with desolation and spiritual barrenness. The desert, or "מִדְבָּר" (midbar), is a place of testing and trial in biblical narratives. This setting underscores the severity of the judgment and the spiritual desolation of the people who have turned away from God.

on the way to My people
The direction "on the way to My people" indicates the impending approach of this judgment. The possessive "My people" reflects God's covenant relationship with Israel, despite their unfaithfulness. It is a reminder of His enduring love and desire for their repentance and restoration. The judgment is not arbitrary but is intended to bring His people back to Him.

not to winnow or sift
The purpose of this wind is clarified as "not to winnow or sift," which are agricultural processes used to separate grain from chaff. The Hebrew words "לִזְרוֹת" (lizrot) and "לְנַפֵּחַ" (lenapeach) suggest a refining process. However, this wind is not for refinement but for destruction, indicating the severity of the judgment. It serves as a warning that the time for gentle correction has passed, and more drastic measures are necessary.

(11) At that time.--i.e., when the lion and destroyer of Jeremiah 4:7 should begin his work of destruction.

A dry wind.--Literally, a clear wind, the simoom, the scorching blast from the desert, coming clear and without clouds. Other winds might be utilised for the threshing-floor, but this made all such work impossible, and was simply devastating, and was therefore a fit symbol of the terrible invader.

Verse 11. - Shall it be said to this people; i.e. words like these may be used with reference to this people. A dry wind, etc.; literally, a clear wind (but the notions of dryness and heat are closely connected with that of heat; comp. Isaiah 18:4). The prophet doubtless means the east wind, which is very violent in Palestine, and, of course, quite unsuitable for the winnowing process. High places should rather be bare hills. Toward; or (is) the way cf. So Hitzig, supposing the conduct of the Jews to be likened to a wind which brings no blessing, but only drought and desolation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At that
הַהִ֗יא (ha·hî)
Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

time
בָּעֵ֣ת (bā·‘êṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

it will be said
יֵאָמֵ֤ר (yê·’ā·mêr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to this
הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people
לָֽעָם־ (lā·‘ām-)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and to Jerusalem,
וְלִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם (wə·lî·rū·šā·lim)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

“A searing
צַ֤ח (ṣaḥ)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6703: Dazzling, sunny, bright, evident

wind
ר֣וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

from the barren heights
שְׁפָיִים֙ (šə·p̄ā·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8205: Bareness, a smooth or bare height

in the desert
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

blows toward
דֶּ֖רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of My people,
עַמִּ֑י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

but not
ל֥וֹא (lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to winnow
לִזְר֖וֹת (liz·rō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2219: To toss about, to diffuse, winnow

or to sift;
לְהָבַֽר׃ (lə·hā·ḇar)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1305: To clarify, examine, select


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 4:11 At that time shall it be said (Jer.)
Jeremiah 4:10
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