Jeremiah 9:22
New International Version
Say, “This is what the LORD declares: “’Dead bodies will lie like dung on the open field, like cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather them.’”

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD says: “Bodies will be scattered across the fields like clumps of manure, like bundles of grain after the harvest. No one will be left to bury them.”

English Standard Version
Speak: “Thus declares the LORD, ‘The dead bodies of men shall fall like dung upon the open field, like sheaves after the reaper, and none shall gather them.’”

Berean Standard Bible
Declare that this is what the LORD says: “The corpses of men will fall like dung upon the open field, like newly cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather it.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Speak, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Even the carcasses of men shall fall as refuse on the open field, Like cuttings after the harvester, And no one shall gather them.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Speak, “This is what the LORD says: ‘The corpses of people will fall like dung on the open field, And like the sheaf after the reaper, But no one will gather them.’”

NASB 1995
Speak, “Thus says the LORD, ‘The corpses of men will fall like dung on the open field, And like the sheaf after the reaper, But no one will gather them.’”

NASB 1977
Speak, “Thus declares the LORD, ‘The corpses of men will fall like dung on the open field, And like the sheaf after the reaper, But no one will gather them.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Speak, “Thus declares Yahweh, ‘The corpses of men will fall like dung on the open field And like the sheaf after the reaper, But no one will gather them.’”

Amplified Bible
Speak, “Thus says the LORD, ‘The dead bodies of men will fall like dung on the open field, And like sheaves [of grain] behind the reaper, And no one will gather them.’”

Christian Standard Bible
“Speak as follows: ‘This is what the LORD declares: Human corpses will fall like manure on the surface of the field, like newly cut grain after the reaper with no one to gather it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Speak as follows: This is what the LORD says: Human corpses will fall like manure on the surface of the field, like newly cut grain after the reaper with no one to gather it.

American Standard Version
Speak, Thus saith Jehovah, The dead bodies of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman; and none shall gather them.

Contemporary English Version
"The LORD has told us the ground will be covered with dead bodies, like ungathered stalks of grain or manure in a field."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says: Dead bodies will fall like manure on the field. They will be like grain that has been cut but not gathered.

Good News Translation
Dead bodies are scattered everywhere, like piles of manure on the fields, like grain cut and left behind by the reapers, grain that no one gathers. This is what the LORD has told me to say."

International Standard Version
Speak! 'This is what the LORD says: "The corpses of people will fall like dung on the surface of the field, and like a row of cut grain behind the harvester when there is no one to gather it."'"

Majority Standard Bible
Declare that this is what the LORD says: ?The corpses of men will fall like dung upon the open field, like newly cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather it.?

NET Bible
Tell your daughters and neighbors, 'The LORD says, "The dead bodies of people will lie scattered everywhere like manure scattered on a field. They will lie scattered on the ground like grain that has been cut down but has not been gathered."'"

New Heart English Bible
Speak, 'Thus says the LORD, "The dead bodies of men shall fall as dung on the open field, and as the handful after the harvester; and none shall gather them."'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcasses of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvest-man, and none shall gather them.

World English Bible
Speak, “Yahweh says, “‘The dead bodies of men will fall as dung on the open field, and as the handful after the harvester. No one will gather them.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Speak thus, “A declaration of YHWH, "" And the carcass of man has fallen, "" As dung on the face of the field, "" And as a handful after the reaper, "" And there is none gathering.”

Young's Literal Translation
Speak thus -- an affirmation of Jehovah, And fallen hath the carcase of man, As dung on the face of the field, And as a handful after the reaper, And there is none gathering.

Smith's Literal Translation
Speak: Thus says Jehovah, The carcasses of men fell as dung upon the face of the field, as the handful after the reaper, and none gathering.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Speak: Thus saith the Lord: Even the carcass of man shall fall as dung upon the face of the country, and as grass behind the back of the mower, and there is none to gather it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Speak: Thus says the Lord: And the corpses of men will fall like manure over the face of the countryside, and like hay behind the back of the reaper, and there will be no one to gather it.”

New American Bible
Corpses shall fall like dung in the open field, Like sheaves behind the harvester, with no one to gather them.

New Revised Standard Version
Speak! Thus says the LORD: “Human corpses shall fall like dung upon the open field, like sheaves behind the reaper, and no one shall gather them.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For thus says the LORD, The carcasses of men shall fall as rubbish upon the open field and as the grass after the reaper, and none shall gather them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For thus says LORD JEHOVAH: “The corpses of the children of men shall fall as dung on the face of the field, and as grass after the reaper, and there is no gatherer
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Speak: Thus saith the LORD-- And the carcasses of men fall As dung upon the open field, And as the handful after the harvestman, Which none gathereth.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the carcases of the men shall be for an example on the face of the field of your land, like grass after the mower, and there shall be none to gather them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Lament over Zion
21For death has climbed in through our windows; it has entered our fortresses to cut off the children from the streets, the young men from the town squares. 22Declare that this is what the LORD says: “The corpses of men will fall like dung upon the open field, like newly cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather it.” 23This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Psalm 103:15-16
As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.

James 1:10-11
But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

Ecclesiastes 3:19-20
For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.

Job 14:1-2
“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

Isaiah 2:22
Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

Psalm 49:12
But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Isaiah 51:12
“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?

Psalm 90:5-6
You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning— / in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers.

1 John 2:17
The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

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.


Treasury of Scripture

Speak, Thus said the LORD, Even the carcasses of men shall fall as dung on the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.

fall.

Jeremiah 7:33
And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.

Jeremiah 8:2
And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

Jeremiah 16:4
They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

Jump to Previous
Affirmation Bodies Carcase Carcases Carcasses Corpses Cut Dead Declares Dropped Dung Fall Fallen Falling Field Fields Gather Gathereth Grain Handful Harvester Harvestman Harvest-Man Lie Open Reaper Refuse Sheaf Sheaves Speak Waste
Jump to Next
Affirmation Bodies Carcase Carcases Carcasses Corpses Cut Dead Declares Dropped Dung Fall Fallen Falling Field Fields Gather Gathereth Grain Handful Harvester Harvestman Harvest-Man Lie Open Reaper Refuse Sheaf Sheaves Speak Waste
Jeremiah 9
1. Jeremiah laments the people for their manifold sins;
9. and for their judgment.
12. Disobedience is the cause of their bitter calamity.
17. He exhorts to mourn for their destruction;
23. and to trust not in themselves, but in God.
25. He threatens both Jews and Gentiles.














Declare that this is what the LORD says:
This phrase emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the message. In the prophetic tradition, the phrase "this is what the LORD says" is a common introduction, underscoring that the prophet speaks not on his own authority but as a mouthpiece for God. This is a reminder of the role of prophets in Israel, who were called to deliver God's messages, often of warning or judgment, to His people. The authority of the LORD is paramount, and His words are to be heeded with utmost seriousness.

The corpses of men will fall like dung upon the open field:
This vivid imagery conveys the severity of the coming judgment. In ancient Near Eastern culture, proper burial was crucial, and to be left unburied was a sign of disgrace and divine judgment. The comparison to dung highlights the utter contempt and worthlessness that will be associated with those who fall under this judgment. This reflects the covenant curses found in Deuteronomy 28:26, where disobedience to God results in bodies being left as food for birds and beasts. The open field suggests exposure and vulnerability, indicating that there will be no protection or honor for the fallen.

like newly cut grain behind the reaper:
This simile draws on agricultural imagery familiar to the original audience. Just as grain is cut down and left behind during harvest, so will the people be cut down in judgment. The reaper, a common figure in biblical literature, often symbolizes death or divine judgment (as seen in Revelation 14:14-20). This imagery suggests a thorough and indiscriminate judgment, where many will fall swiftly and without distinction, much like the grain that is harvested.

with no one to gather it:
The absence of anyone to gather the corpses signifies complete desolation and abandonment. In the cultural context, gathering the dead for burial was a duty of the living, a sign of respect and care. The lack of gatherers indicates a breakdown of societal and familial structures, a common theme in prophetic literature where judgment leads to chaos and disorder. This phrase also echoes the hopelessness and despair that accompany divine judgment, as seen in other prophetic books like Isaiah and Ezekiel, where the land is left desolate and the people scattered.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. He is often called the "weeping prophet" due to his deep sorrow over the spiritual state of his people.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is speaking through Jeremiah to deliver a message of impending judgment.

4. The Reaper
A metaphorical figure representing the inevitability and thoroughness of God's judgment, as the reaper gathers all the grain, leaving nothing behind.

5. The Open Field
Symbolizes exposure and vulnerability, indicating that the judgment will be public and unavoidable.
Teaching Points
The Certainty of God's Judgment
God's warnings through the prophets are not idle threats but assured outcomes if repentance is not pursued. This calls for a sober reflection on our own lives and communities.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Just as Judah faced severe consequences for their idolatry and disobedience, we are reminded that turning away from God leads to spiritual and sometimes physical ruin.

The Urgency of Repentance
The vivid imagery of bodies like dung and cut grain emphasizes the urgency of repentance. We must not delay in turning back to God, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.

The Public Nature of Sin and Judgment
Sin often has public consequences, and God's judgment is not hidden. This serves as a warning to live lives of integrity and faithfulness.

Hope in God's Mercy
While the passage is one of judgment, it also implicitly calls us to remember God's mercy. Even in judgment, God desires repentance and restoration.(22) Speak, Thus saith the Lord.--The abrupt opening indicates a new prediction, coming to him unbidden, which he is constrained to utter as a message from Jehovah.

As the handful.--The reaper gathered into swathes, or small sheaves, what he could hold in his left hand, as he went on cutting with his sickle. These he threw down as they became too big to hold, and they were left strewn on the field till he returned to gather them up into larger sheaves. So should the bodies of the dead be strewn, the prophet says, on the open field, but there should be none to take them up and bury them.

Verse 22. - Speak, Thus saith the Lord. These words are in three important respects contrary to the style of Jeremiah:

(1) such a prefix as "speak" is unique;

(2). such a phrase as כה נאם is also unique m Jeremiah;

(3) when our prophet does use the formula נאם it is not at the beginning of a verse. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Declare that
דַּבֵּ֗ר (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

this is what
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

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

says:
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

“The corpses
נִבְלַ֣ת (niḇ·laṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5038: A flabby thing, a carcase, carrion, an idol

of men
הָֽאָדָ֔ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

will fall
וְנָֽפְלָה֙ (wə·nā·p̄ə·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

like dung
כְּדֹ֖מֶן (kə·ḏō·men)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1828: Manure

upon
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the open
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

field,
הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

like newly cut grain
וּכְעָמִ֛יר (ū·ḵə·‘ā·mîr)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5995: A swath, row of fallen grain

behind
מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י (mê·’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition-m
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the reaper,
הַקֹּצֵ֖ר (haq·qō·ṣêr)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7114: To dock off, curtail, to harvest

with no
וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

one to gather it.”
מְאַסֵּֽף׃ (mə·’as·sêp̄)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove


Links
Jeremiah 9:22 NIV
Jeremiah 9:22 NLT
Jeremiah 9:22 ESV
Jeremiah 9:22 NASB
Jeremiah 9:22 KJV

Jeremiah 9:22 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 9:22 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 9:22 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 9:22 French Bible
Jeremiah 9:22 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 9:22 Speak Thus says Yahweh The dead bodies (Jer.)
Jeremiah 9:21
Top of Page
Top of Page