Jeremiah 4:17

17 They surround her like men guarding a field, because she has rebelled against me,’ ” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 4:17 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
17 As keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 Like keepers of a field are they against her all around, because she has rebelled against me, declares the LORD.
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 They surround Jerusalem like watchmen around a field, for my people have rebelled against me,” says the LORD .
The Message Bible (MSG)
17 They're all over her, like a dog on a bone. And why? Because she rebelled against me." God's Decree.
American Standard Version (ASV)
17 As keepers of a field are they against her round about, because she hath been rebellious against me, saith Jehovah.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
17 They surround them like men guarding a field, because Judah has rebelled against me," declares the LORD.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
17 They have her surrounded like those who guard a field, because she has rebelled against Me. [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
17 It will surround them like people who guard a field. Judah has refused to obey me,' " announces the Lord.

Jeremiah 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 4:17

As keepers of a field, are they against her round about
As those that are set to watch a field, in which are fruit and corn of any sort, that thieves and robbers, and wild beasts, may not enter to waste and destroy, and are placed on all sides for that purpose; so the Chaldeans were round about Jerusalem, that none could make their escape out of it; see ( 2 Kings 25:4 ) : because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the Lord;
it was not without reason that the Lord suffered the Chaldeans to come against Jerusalem, besiege, and take it; the inhabitants of it had rebelled against him, their King and their God; and therefore he delivers them up into the hands of another lord, and a cruel one; they had provoked him to anger with their sins, and caused him to stir up his wrath against them in this way: rebellion against a prince, or against a parent, is a provoking sin; see ( 1 Samuel 15:23 ) ( Isaiah 1:2 ) .

Jeremiah 4:17 In-Context

15 A voice is announcing from Dan, proclaiming disaster from the hills of Ephraim.
16 “Tell this to the nations, proclaim concerning Jerusalem: ‘A besieging army is coming from a distant land, raising a war cry against the cities of Judah.
17 They surround her like men guarding a field, because she has rebelled against me,’ ” declares the LORD.
18 “Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart!”
19 Oh, my anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain. Oh, the agony of my heart! My heart pounds within me, I cannot keep silent. For I have heard the sound of the trumpet; I have heard the battle cry.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S 2 Kings 25:1,4
  • 2. S 1 Samuel 12:15; Jeremiah 5:23
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.