Jeremiah 19:8

Jeremiah 19:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

I will make this city a desolation and an object of scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff at all her wounds.

King James Version KJV

And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.

American Standard Version ASV

And I will make this city an astonishment, and a hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And I will make this town a thing of wonder and a cause of surprise; everyone who goes by will be overcome with wonder and make sounds of surprise, because of all its troubles.

Free Bible Version FBV

I'm going to make this city desolate, a place that is mocked. Everyone who passes by will be horrified, shocked by all its damage.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And I will make this citie desolate and an hissing, so that euery one that passeth thereby, shalbe astonished and hisse because of all ye plagues thereof.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and I have made this city for a desolation, and for a hissing, every passer by it is astonished, and doth hiss for all its plagues.

World English Bible WEB

I will make this city an astonishment and a hissing. Everyone who passes by it will be astonished and hiss because of all its plagues.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And I will make this city desolate, and a hissing; every one that passeth by it shall be astonished and hiss because of all its plagues.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I will make this city an astonishent, and a hissing: every one that shall pass by it, shall be astonished, and shall hiss because of all the plagues thereof.

Translation for Translators T4T

I will completely destroy Jerusalem and cause it to become a heap of ruins that people will despise. All the people who pass by will be appalled, and they will be shocked when they see that the city has been destroyed.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 19:8

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 19:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/שַׂמְתִּי֙ אֶת הָ/עִ֣יר הַ/זֹּ֔את לְ/שַׁמָּ֖ה וְ/לִ/שְׁרֵקָ֑ה כֹּ֚ל עֹבֵ֣ר עָלֶ֔י/הָ יִשֹּׁ֥ם וְ/יִשְׁרֹ֖ק עַל כָּל מַכֹּתֶֽ/הָ

וְ/שַׂמְתִּי֙ sûwm H7760 to set Conj | V-Qal-1cs

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הָ/עִ֣יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement Art | N-fs

הַ/זֹּ֔את zôʼth H2063 this Art | Pron

לְ/שַׁמָּ֖ה shammâh H8047 horror Prep | N-fs

וְ/לִ/שְׁרֵקָ֑ה shᵉrêqâh H8322 hissing Conj | Prep | N-fs

כֹּ֚ל kôl H3605 all N-ms

עֹבֵ֣ר ʻâbar H5674 to pass V-Qal

עָלֶ֔י/הָ ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

יִשֹּׁ֥ם shâmêm H8074 be desolate V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

וְ/יִשְׁרֹ֖ק shâraq H8319 to whistle Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

מַכֹּתֶֽ/הָ makkâh H4347 wound N-fp | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 19:8

וְ/שַׂמְתִּי֙ sûwm H7760 "to set" Conj | V-Qal-1cs

This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.

Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set

Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הָ/עִ֣יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Art | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

הַ/זֹּ֔את zôʼth H2063 "this" Art | Pron

This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.

לְ/שַׁמָּ֖ה shammâh H8047 "horror" Prep | N-fs

Shammâh refers to a state of horror or ruin, often describing a waste or desolate land. It can also mean consternation or appalment, and is used in the Bible to describe the aftermath of war or disaster.

Definition: : destroyed/waste 1) waste, horror, appalment 1a) a waste (of land, city, etc) 1b) appalment, horror Also means: sham.mah (שַׁמָּה ": appalled" H8047H)

Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: astonishment, desolate(-ion), waste, wonderful thing. See also: Deuteronomy 28:37; Jeremiah 29:18; Psalms 46:9.

וְ/לִ/שְׁרֵקָ֑ה shᵉrêqâh H8322 "hissing" Conj | Prep | N-fs

This Hebrew word means a hissing sound, often used to show contempt or mocking, like when people ridicule someone.

Definition: hissing, whistling

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: hissing. See also: 2 Chronicles 29:8; Jeremiah 25:18; Jeremiah 18:16.

כֹּ֚ל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

עֹבֵ֣ר ʻâbar H5674 "to pass" V-Qal

This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.

Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over

Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.

עָלֶ֔י/הָ ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

יִשֹּׁ֥ם shâmêm H8074 "be desolate" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

The word 'shamem' means to be desolate or devastated, like a place left empty and destroyed, often used to describe the aftermath of war or disaster.

Definition: : destroyed/deserted 1) to be desolate, be appalled, stun, stupefy 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be desolated, be deflowered, be deserted, be appalled 1a2) to be appalled, be awestruck 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be desolated, be made desolate 1b2) to be appalled 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to be stunned 1c2) appalling, causing horror (participle) 1c2a) horror-causer, appaller (subst) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to devastate, ravage, make desolated 1d2) to appal, show horror 1e) (Hophal) to lay desolate, be desolated 1f) (Hithpolel) 1f1) to cause to be desolate 1f2) to be appalled, be astounded 1f3) to cause oneself desolation, cause oneself ruin

Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder. See also: Leviticus 26:22; Jeremiah 50:13; Psalms 40:16.

וְ/יִשְׁרֹ֖ק shâraq H8319 "to whistle" Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

To whistle or hiss is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used to express scorn or call out to someone. In the Bible, it appears in books like Job and Jeremiah, often as a sign of derision or warning.

Definition: 1) to hiss, whistle, pipe 1a) (Qal) to hiss (as a signal)

Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: hiss. See also: 1 Kings 9:8; Jeremiah 50:13; Isaiah 5:26.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

מַכֹּתֶֽ/הָ makkâh H4347 "wound" N-fp | Suff

A wound or blow, also referring to carnage, pestilence, or defeat. It can describe physical harm, like a beating, or widespread suffering, like a plague.

Definition: 1) blow, wound, slaughter 1a) blow, stripe 1b) beating, scourging 1c) wound 1d) slaughter 1e) defeat, conquest 1f) plague

Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: beaten, blow, plague, slaughter, smote, [idiom] sore, stripe, stroke, wound(-ed). See also: Leviticus 26:21; 2 Chronicles 22:6; Psalms 64:8.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 19:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Jeremiah 19:8 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 19:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 19:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 19:8
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 19:8
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 19:8
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 19:8

Context — The Broken Jar

6So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Topheth or the Valley of Ben-hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter. 7And in this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hands of those who seek their lives, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.

8I will make this city a desolation and an object of scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff at all her wounds.

9I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh in the siege and distress inflicted on them by their enemies who seek their lives.’ 10Then you are to shatter the jar in the presence of the men who accompany you,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Jeremiah 18:16	They have made their land a desolation, a perpetual object of scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and shake their heads.
2	Jeremiah 49:13	For by Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that Bozrah will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and a curse, and all her cities will be in ruins forever.”
3	1 Kings 9:8	And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’
4	2 Chronicles 7:20–21	then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples. And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’
5	Jeremiah 50:13	Because of the wrath of the LORD, she will not be inhabited; she will become completely desolate. All who pass through Babylon will be horrified and will hiss at all her wounds.
6	Jeremiah 25:18	to make them a ruin, an object of horror and contempt and cursing, as they are to this day—Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and officials;
7	Zephaniah 2:15	This carefree city that dwells securely, that thinks to herself: “I am it, and there is none besides me,” what a ruin she has become, a resting place for beasts. Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.
8	Leviticus 26:32	And I will lay waste the land, so that your enemies who dwell in it will be appalled.
9	Lamentations 2:15–16	All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!”
10	Jeremiah 9:9–11	Should I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?” I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains, a dirge over the wilderness pasture, for they have been scorched so no one passes through, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. Both the birds of the air and the beasts have fled; they have gone away. “And I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.”

Jeremiah 19:8 Summary

This verse, Jeremiah 19:8, is saying that God will make the city of Jerusalem a complete ruin, so much so that people will be shocked and even laugh at how bad it has become. This is a result of the people's rebellion against God, as warned in Deuteronomy 28:15. It's a reminder that our choices have consequences, and if we reject God, we can expect to face His judgment, but if we turn to Him, we can find mercy and forgiveness, as promised in 1 John 1:9. By looking at this verse, we can see the importance of obeying God and following His commands, as stated in Joshua 1:8.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for the city to be a 'desolation and an object of scorn'?

This means that the city will be completely devastated and become a laughingstock to all who see it, much like the desolation described in Isaiah 13:19, a fate that awaits those who reject God's warnings.

Why will people be 'appalled and scoff' at the city's wounds?

This is because the city's destruction will be so severe and shocking that people will be horrified and yet also scornful, unable to comprehend how a once great city could fall so far, as seen in the example of Babylon in Jeremiah 51:43.

Is this verse talking about a specific historical event or a future prophecy?

This verse is part of a prophecy given by Jeremiah about the coming judgment on Jerusalem, which was fulfilled in part historically but also has implications for future judgments, as seen in the book of Revelation, such as Revelation 18:2-3.

How does this verse relate to God's character and nature?

This verse shows that God is a just and holy God who will not tolerate sin and rebellion forever, as stated in Deuteronomy 28:15, and that His judgment, though severe, is always righteous and just, as seen in Romans 11:22.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I see the effects of sin and rebellion in my own life, and how can I turn back to God before it's too late?
How does the thought of God's judgment affect my daily choices and priorities, and am I living in a way that honors Him?
In what ways can I be a voice of warning and redemption to those around me, calling them to turn to God before they face His judgment, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17-21?
What are some practical steps I can take to ensure that I am not contributing to the 'desolation' and 'scorn' of my community, but rather working towards its redemption and restoration, as encouraged in Jeremiah 29:7?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 19:8

And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing,.... An hissing to its enemies; an hissing because desolate; when its walls should be broken down, its houses burnt with fire, and its inhabitants

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 19:8

And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof. I will make this city desolate, and an hissing - (note, Jeremiah 18:16).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 19:8

This is no more than we met with before, , and shall again meet with. Men’ s honour and reputation is ordinarily very dear to them, it was especially to the Jews, who valued themselves much upon the reputation their city and their temple had, and the security they promised themselves from their right in the holy city and land. God tells them he will make them as much a scorn and reproach as ever they were for an honour or praise; as great a wonderment for the wrath and vengeance he would execute upon them, as they had been in their flourishing state for the mercies which he bestowed upon them.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 19:8

Jeremiah 19:8 And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.Ver. 8. And I will make this city desolate.] See Jeremiah 18:10.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 19:8

(8) Desolate, and an hissing.—See Jeremiah 18:16. Because of all the plagues thereof.—The word is used in its wider, and yet stricter, sense as including all the blows or smitings (as in Isaiah 14:6) that are thought of as coming from the hand of God.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 19:8

3–9. These vv. are probably an editorial insertion, for (a) the message which God was to give the prophet in the valley of Ben-Hinnom (Jeremiah 19:2) is here given him (Jeremiah 19:3 ff.) before he goes there, (b) the subject-matter of the passage is drawn to a large extent from other portions of the Book, specially from the last part of ch. 7, (c) as Gi. has pointed out, the style of the LXX rendering differs from that employed elsewhere; so that the Greek was probably added by a later hand, the original translator not having the passage in his copy, (d) the use of the plural “kings” (Jeremiah 19:3 and also in Jeremiah 17:20) is strange.

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