Jeremiah 4:26
New International Version
I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert; all its towns lay in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

New Living Translation
I looked, and the fertile fields had become a wilderness. The towns lay in ruins, crushed by the LORD’s fierce anger.

English Standard Version
I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger.

Berean Standard Bible
I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert. All its cities were torn down before the LORD, before His fierce anger.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were broken down At the presence of the LORD, By His fierce anger.

New American Standard Bible
I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were pulled down Before the LORD, before His fierce anger.

NASB 1995
I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were pulled down Before the LORD, before His fierce anger.

NASB 1977
I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were pulled down Before the LORD, before His fierce anger.

Legacy Standard Bible
I saw, and behold, the fruitful orchard was a wilderness, And all its cities were torn down Before Yahweh, before His burning anger.

Amplified Bible
I looked, and behold, the fertile land was a wilderness, And all its cities were pulled down Before the [presence of the] LORD, before His fierce anger.

Christian Standard Bible
I looked, and the fertile field was a wilderness. All its cities were torn down because of the LORD and his burning anger.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I looked, and the fertile field was a wilderness. All its cities were torn down because of the LORD and His burning anger.

American Standard Version
I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of Jehovah, and before his fierce anger.

Contemporary English Version
Farmland had become a desert, and towns were in ruins. The LORD's fierce anger had done all of this.

English Revised Version
I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and before his fierce anger.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I see that the fertile land has become a desert, and all its cities are torn down because of the LORD and his burning anger.

Good News Translation
The fertile land had become a desert; its cities were in ruins because of the LORD's fierce anger. (

International Standard Version
I looked, and the fruitful land had become a desert. All its towns were broken down because of the LORD, because of his burning anger.

Majority Standard Bible
I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert. All its cities were torn down before the LORD, before His fierce anger.

NET Bible
I looked and saw that the fruitful land had become a desert and that all of the cities had been laid in ruins. The LORD had brought this all about because of his blazing anger.

New Heart English Bible
I saw, and look, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all its cities were broken down at the presence of the LORD; before his fierce anger they were destroyed.

Webster's Bible Translation
I beheld, and lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all its cities were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.

World English Bible
I saw, and behold, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all its cities were broken down at the presence of Yahweh, before his fierce anger.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have looked, and behold, "" The fruitful place [is] a wilderness, "" And all its cities have been broken down, "" Because of YHWH, "" Because of the fierceness of His anger.

Young's Literal Translation
I have looked, and lo, The fruitful place is a wilderness, And all its cities have been broken down, Because of Jehovah, Because of the fierceness of His anger.

Smith's Literal Translation
I saw, and behold, Carmel a desert, and all its cities were broken down from the face of Jehovah, from the face of the heat of his anger.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I looked, and behold Carmel was a wilderness: and all its cities were destroyed at the presence of the Lord, and at the presence of the wrath of his indignation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I gazed, and behold, Carmel was a desert, and all its cities were destroyed before the face of the Lord, and before the face of the wrath of his fury.”

New American Bible
I looked—the garden land was a wilderness, with all its cities destroyed before the LORD, before his blazing anger.

New Revised Standard Version
I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I looked, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all its towns were destroyed at the presence of the LORD and before his fierce anger.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have seen, and behold, Karmela is desolate as the wilderness, and all her cities have passed away from the presence of LORD JEHOVAH and from the presence of the heat of his anger
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful field was a wilderness, And all the cities thereof were broken down At the presence of the LORD, And before His fierce anger.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I saw, and, behold, Carmel was desert, and all the cities were burnt with fire at the presence of the Lord, and at the presence of his fierce anger they were utterly destroyed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Lamentation for Judah
25I looked, and no man was left; all the birds of the air had fled. 26I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert. All its cities were torn down before the LORD, before His fierce anger. 27For this is what the LORD says: “The whole land will be desolate, but I will not finish its destruction.…

Cross References
Isaiah 24:3-6
The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word. / The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away. / The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees and broken the everlasting covenant. ...

Isaiah 1:7
Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your fields before you—a desolation demolished by strangers.

Isaiah 6:11-12
Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged, / until the LORD has driven men far away and the land is utterly forsaken.

Isaiah 32:13-14
and for the land of my people, overgrown with thorns and briers—even for every house of merriment in this city of revelry. / For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become caves forever—the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks—

Isaiah 64:10
Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wasteland and Jerusalem a desolation.

Ezekiel 36:34-35
The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through. / Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’

Hosea 4:3
Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.

Zephaniah 1:2-3
“I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. / “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

Zephaniah 3:6
“I have cut off the nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have made their streets deserted with no one to pass through. Their cities are laid waste, with no man, no inhabitant.

Lamentations 1:4
The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gates are deserted; her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she herself is bitter with anguish.

Lamentations 5:18
because of Mount Zion, which lies desolate, patrolled by foxes.

Micah 3:12
Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.

Matthew 23:38
Look, your house is left to you desolate.

Luke 13:35
Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.


Treasury of Scripture

I beheld, and, see, 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.

the fruitful.

Jeremiah 12:4
How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

Jeremiah 14:2-6
Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up…

Deuteronomy 29:23-28
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: …

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Anger Beheld Broken Burning Cities Desert Fertile Field Fierce Fierceness Fruitful Laid Presence Pulled Ruins Thereof Towns Waste Wilderness Wrath
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Anger Beheld Broken Burning Cities Desert Fertile Field Fierce Fierceness Fruitful Laid Presence Pulled Ruins Thereof Towns Waste Wilderness Wrath
Jeremiah 4
1. God calls Israel by his promise
3. He exhorts Judah to repentance by fearful judgments
19. A grievous lamentation for Judah














I looked
This phrase indicates a prophetic vision or revelation given to Jeremiah. The Hebrew root for "looked" is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which means to see or perceive. In the context of prophecy, it suggests a divine insight or understanding beyond natural sight. Jeremiah, as a prophet, is granted a vision of the future state of Judah, emphasizing the seriousness of the message he is about to convey.

the fruitful land
The Hebrew term for "fruitful land" is "הַכַּרְמֶל" (ha-karmel), which can refer to a fertile or cultivated field. This phrase symbolizes the prosperity and blessings that God had bestowed upon the land of Judah. Historically, the land of Israel was known for its agricultural abundance, a sign of God's favor and provision. The transformation of this fruitful land into a desert underscores the severity of God's judgment due to the people's unfaithfulness.

was a desert
The Hebrew word for "desert" is "מִדְבָּר" (midbar), which denotes a barren, uninhabitable wilderness. This transformation from a fruitful land to a desert signifies the complete desolation and devastation that would result from God's judgment. It serves as a stark warning of the consequences of turning away from God and highlights the theme of divine retribution found throughout the prophetic books.

All its cities
The mention of "cities" refers to the urban centers of Judah, which were places of commerce, culture, and governance. In ancient times, cities were seen as symbols of human achievement and civilization. The destruction of these cities indicates not only a physical devastation but also a dismantling of societal structures and human pride. It reflects the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting every aspect of life.

were torn down
The phrase "torn down" comes from the Hebrew "נָתַץ" (natats), meaning to demolish or destroy. This conveys the idea of a deliberate and complete destruction, leaving no stone unturned. It is a vivid depiction of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. The imagery of cities being torn down serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of human constructs in the face of divine power.

before the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the presence and authority of God in the unfolding events. The Hebrew "לִפְנֵי יְהוָה" (lifnei YHWH) suggests that the destruction occurs under the direct observation and command of God. It underscores the idea that nothing happens outside of God's sovereign will and that His judgments are righteous and just. The presence of the LORD in this context is both a source of fear for the unrepentant and a call to repentance.

before His fierce anger
The term "fierce anger" is derived from the Hebrew "חֲרוֹן אַף" (charon af), which literally means "burning nose," a metaphor for intense wrath. This phrase highlights the intensity of God's displeasure with the sin and idolatry of His people. It serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and the inevitable consequences of persistent disobedience. The fierce anger of the LORD is a call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness, offering hope that God's mercy is available to those who turn back to Him.

(26) The fruitful place.--The Carmel, or vine-land, became as "the wilderness." The Hebrew article points probably to the well-known desert of the wanderings.

At the presence of the Lord.--Literally, from before Jehovah, from before the heat of his anger. The original has the emphasis of repeating the preposition.

Verse 26. - The fruitful place; rather, the garden-land (see on Jeremiah 2:7). Not "the Carmel" (Keil, Payne Smith) for the context refers to the whole of the country, not to any single tract. The article before the two appellatives is the generic. At the presence of; rather, by reason of.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I looked,
רָאִ֕יתִי (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

and the fertile field
הַכַּרְמֶ֖ל (hak·kar·mel)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3759: A plantation, garden land, fruit, garden growth

was a desert.
הַמִּדְבָּ֑ר (ham·miḏ·bār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

All
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

its cities
עָרָ֗יו (‘ā·rāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

were torn down
נִתְּצוּ֙ (nit·tə·ṣū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5422: To pull down, break down

before
מִפְּנֵ֣י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

before
מִפְּנֵ֖י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

His fierce
חֲר֥וֹן (ḥă·rō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2740: A burning of anger

anger.
אַפּֽוֹ׃ (’ap·pōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 4:26 I saw and behold the fruitful field (Jer.)
Jeremiah 4:25
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