Jeremiah 4:20

20 Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.

Jeremiah 4:20 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
20 Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 Crash follows hard on crash; the whole land is laid waste. Suddenly my tents are laid waste, my curtains in a moment.
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 Waves of destruction roll over the land, until it lies in complete desolation. Suddenly my tents are destroyed; in a moment my shelters are crushed.
The Message Bible (MSG)
20 Disaster hard on the heels of disaster, the whole country in ruins! In one stroke my home is destroyed, the walls flattened in the blink of an eye.
American Standard Version (ASV)
20 Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is laid waste: suddenly are my tents destroyed, [and] my curtains in a moment.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
20 One disaster follows another. The whole land is ruined. My tents are suddenly destroyed. Their curtains are torn in an instant.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20 Disaster after disaster is reported, for the whole land is destroyed. Suddenly my tents are destroyed, my tent curtains, in a moment.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
20 One trouble follows another. The whole land is destroyed. In an instant my tents are gone. My home disappears in a moment.

Jeremiah 4:20 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 4:20

Destruction upon destruction is cried;
&c.] Or, "breach upon breach" F7; as soon as one affliction is over, another comes on; and upon the news of one calamity, tidings are brought of another, as in Job's case: it signifies, that distress and troubles would come thick and fast, and that there would be no end of them, until there was an utter destruction, as this phrase signifies, and the following words show. Kimchi interprets it of the destruction of the ten tribes which came first, and of the destruction of Judah that came now. For the whole land is spoiled,
or "wasted" F8; that is, the land of Judea: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment:
meaning either the armies of his people, which dwelt in tents, and were destroyed at once; or the cities, towns, and habitations of his countrymen, which he compares to tents, as being easily beat down or overthrown; and so the Targum interprets it of cities; and the prophet seems to intimate that this destruction would reach to Anathoth, where his tent; cottage, and curtains were. So sudden destruction some times comes, when men are crying Peace, peace, ( 1 Thessalonians 5:3 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F7 (rbv le rbv) "contritio super contritionem", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius.
F8 (hddv) "vastata", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus.

Jeremiah 4:20 In-Context

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.
20 Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.
21 How long must I see the battle standard and hear the sound of the trumpet?
22 “My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 31:17; Psalms 42:7; Ezekiel 7:26
  • 2. S ver 13
  • 3. S Numbers 24:5; Jeremiah 10:20; Lamentations 2:4
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