Jeremiah 4:23 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:23-27

A threatened return from cosmos to chaos. It is impossible to read this passage without having the first chapter of Genesis brought to mind. Moreover, it was intended that it should be brought to mind. In Genesis 1:1-31 . we have the brief, sublime description, impossible to forget, of the advance from chaos to cosmos . Here in Jeremiah we have a very sad and suggestive indication of possible return from cosmos to chaos. These two words, it will be admitted, are often used very... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 4:23-26

In four verses each beginning with “I beheld,” the prophet sees in vision the desolate condition of Judaea during the Babylonian captivity.Jeremiah 4:23Without form, and void - Desolate and void (see Genesis 1:2 note). The land has returned to a state of chaos (marginal reference note).And the heavens - And upward to the heavens. The imagery is that of the last day of judgment. To Jeremiah’s vision all was as though the day of the Lord had come, and earth returned to the state in which it was... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 4:23-26

Jeremiah 4:23-26. I beheld the earth, and lo, it was without form and void “The images under which the prophet here represents the approaching desolation, as foreseen by him, are such as are familiar to the Hebrew poets on the like occasions.” See note on Isaiah 13:10, and Bishop Lowth, De Sac. Poesi Hebrews, Præl. 9. “But the assemblage is finely made, so as to delineate altogether a most striking and interesting picture of a ruined country, and to justify what has been before observed... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:5-31

The coming invasion (4:5-31)Jeremiah now pictures the terrible judgment that will fall on Judah if it does not repent. With the enemy army sweeping down upon Judah from the north, a trumpeter sounds the alarm and the people of Judah flee to their walled cities for safety (5-6). Like an enraged lion the enemy prepares to pounce upon its victim. God is about to pour out his anger on the unfaithful people (7-8).Judah’s leaders, both civil and religious, are shocked at the sudden catastrophe that... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 4:23

I beheld. Note the Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ), commencing this and the three following verses. lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . without form, and void. Hebrew. tohu va-bohu. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 1:2 ). Occurs only here. App-92 . In Isaiah 34:11 , the two words are in another connection. Compare also Isaiah 45:18 . light = lights (pl). Compare Genesis 1:14 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:23

"I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. And I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved to and fro. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. And 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."The terminology here clearly points to the final judgment. See Zephaniah... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Jeremiah 4:23-26

Jeremiah 4:23-26. I beheld the earth, &c.— The images, under which the prophet represents the approaching desolation as foreseen by him, are such as are familiar to the Hebrew poets on the like occasions. (See Lowth De Sac. Poesi Heb. Prael. 9: and his note on Isaiah, ch. Jeremiah 13:10.) But the assemblage is finely made, so as to delineate all together a most striking and interesting picture of a ruined country, and to show the author's happy talent for pathetic description. The earth is... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 4:23

23. Graphic picture of the utter desolation about to visit Palestine. "I beheld, and lo!" four times solemnly repeated, heightens the awful effect of the scene (compare Isaiah 24:19; Isaiah 34:11). without form and void—reduced to the primeval chaos (Genesis 1:2). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jeremiah 4:5-30

Yahweh’s declaration of divine judgment 4:5-6:30The Judahites-having sinned greatly (ch. 2)-failed to repent (Jeremiah 3:1 to Jeremiah 4:4). Consequently, judgment in the form of military invasion would overtake them. This whole section is an amplification and explanation of the overflowing cauldron vision in Jeremiah 1:13-16.This section provides a clear example of the mosaic structure of the Book of Jeremiah. It consists of 13 separate messages that all deal with the threat of approaching... read more