Jeremiah 23:19

19 Look, a storm from the Lord![a] Wrath has gone forth, a whirling storm. It will whirl about the head of the wicked.

Jeremiah 23:19 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 23:19

Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury
Or, "behold, a whirlwind of the Lord, of the fury is gone forth" F2; which latter clause explains the former; and, hews, that by "the whirlwind of the Lord" is meant his "fury" or "wrath"; which, like a whirlwind, would come suddenly, and at an unawares, and be very boisterous and powerful, and carry all before it; and which was gone forth from the Lord in the decree and commission; and would quickly break out and appear in the Chaldean army that would invade Judea and besiege Jerusalem, compared to a full and fanning wind, and its chariots to a whirlwind, ( Jeremiah 4:11-13 ) ; from whence it would appear, that these men, the false prophets, were not in the counsel of God; had seen no vision from him, nor had marked his word: since they prophesied of peace and prosperity, when a blustering storm was coming: even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of
the wicked;
or "rest" F3 thereon; even on the head of the wicked prophets, and all such wicked persons as give heed unto them; on them it would fall with its full weight, and give excessive pain, and there continue to their utter ruin. Kimchi says this refers to the days of the Messiah, when all the wicked shall be consumed. It may refer to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, at least include it; which was a grievous whirlwind indeed.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 (hauy hmh hwhy treo hnh) "ecce turbo Domini exandescentia", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius; "en procella Jehovae! ira exivit", Schmidt.
F3 (lwxy) "manebit", Montanus, Cocceius; "permanebit", Junius & Tremellius; "residebit", Targ. "requiescet", Syr.

Jeremiah 23:19 In-Context

17 They keep on saying to those who despise Me: The Lord has said: You will have peace. To everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his heart they have said, No harm will come to you."
18 For who has stood in the council of the Lord to see and hear His word? Who has paid attention to His word and obeyed?
19 Look, a storm from the Lord! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling storm. It will whirl about the head of the wicked.
20 The Lord's anger will not turn back until He has completely fulfilled the purposes of His heart. In time to come you will understand it clearly.
21 I did not send these prophets, yet they ran [with a message]. I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Ps 83:15; Isa 29:6; Zch 9:14
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