New International Version “I will send four kinds of destroyers against them,” declares the LORD, “the sword to kill and the dogs to drag away and the birds and the wild animals to devour and destroy. New Living Translation “I will send four kinds of destroyers against them,” says the LORD. “I will send the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, the vultures to devour, and the wild animals to finish up what is left. English Standard Version I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. Berean Standard Bible I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. Berean Literal Bible And I will appoint over them four kinds, says YHWH: The sword to slay, and the dogs to drag, and the bird of the heavens and the beast of the earth to devour and to destroy. King James Bible And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. New King James Version “And I will appoint over them four forms of destruction,” says the LORD: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag, the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. New American Standard Bible And I will appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares the LORD: “the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the sky and the animals of the earth to devour and destroy. NASB 1995 “I will appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares the LORD: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag off, and the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. NASB 1977 “And I shall appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares the LORD: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag off, and the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. Legacy Standard Bible I will appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares Yahweh: “the sword to kill, the dogs to drag off, and the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and bring to ruin. Amplified Bible I will appoint four kinds of destroyers over them,” says the LORD, “the sword to slay, the dogs to tear and drag away, and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and to destroy. Berean Annotated Bible I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD {YHWH}: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. Christian Standard Bible “I will ordain four kinds of judgment for them”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land to devour and destroy. Holman Christian Standard Bible “I will ordain four kinds of judgment for them"—this is the LORD’s declaration—"the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land to devour and destroy. American Standard Version And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith Jehovah: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy. Contemporary English Version I will punish you in four different ways: You will be killed in war and your bodies dragged off by dogs, your flesh will be eaten by birds, and your bones will be chewed on by wild animals. English Revised Version And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy. GOD'S WORD® Translation "I will devise four ways to punish them," declares the LORD. "I will send swords to kill, dogs to drag away, and birds and animals to devour and destroy. Good News Translation I, the LORD, have decided that four terrible things will happen to them: they will be killed in war; their bodies will be dragged off by dogs; birds will eat them, and wild animals will devour what is left over. International Standard Version "I'll appoint four kinds of judgment for them," declares the LORD: "the sword to kill, the dogs to drag off, the birds of the sky to devour, and the animals of the land to destroy. NET Bible "I will punish them in four different ways: I will have war kill them. I will have dogs drag off their dead bodies. I will have birds and wild beasts devour and destroy their corpses. New Heart English Bible I will appoint over them four kinds, says the LORD: the sword to kill, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy. Webster's Bible Translation And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. World English Bible “I will appoint over them four kinds,” says Yahweh: “the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I have appointed four kinds over them,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “The sword to slay, and the dogs to drag, "" And the bird of the heavens, "" And the beast of the earth, to consume and to devour. Berean Literal Bible And I will appoint over them four kinds, says YHWH: The sword to slay, and the dogs to drag, and the bird of the heavens and the beast of the earth to devour and to destroy. Young's Literal Translation And I have appointed over them four kinds, an affirmation of Jehovah, The sword to slay, and the dogs to drag, And the fowl of the heavens, And the beast of the earth, to consume and to devour. Smith's Literal Translation And I reviewed over them four kinds, says Jehovah: the sword to kill, and dogs to tear in pieces, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the earth, to consume and destroy. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I will visit them with four kinds, saith the Lord: The sword to kill, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. Catholic Public Domain Version And I will visit against them in four ways, says the Lord: by the sword, to kill; and by dogs, to tear apart; and by the birds of the air and by the beasts of the earth, to devour and to scatter. New American Bible Four kinds of scourge I have decreed against them—oracle of the LORD—the sword to kill them; dogs to drag them off; the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy them. New Revised Standard Version And I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, says the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and the wild animals of the earth to devour and destroy. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I will decree against them four kinds of afflictions, says the LORD: The sword to slay, the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the air and the wild beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I shall order four plagues upon them, says LORD JEHOVAH: the sword to kill, and dogs to tear, and the bird of the sky and the beast of the Earth to devour and to destroy OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to drag, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy. Brenton Septuagint Translation And I will punish them with four kinds of death, saith the Lord, the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the wild beasts of the earth, and the birds of the sky to devour and destroy. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Judgment to Continue…2If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’ 3I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. 4I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem.… Cross References I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: Ezekiel 14:21 For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—in order to cut off from it both man and beast? Revelation 6:8 Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth. Deuteronomy 32:23-25 I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them. / They will be wasted from hunger and ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust. / Outside, the sword will take their children, and inside, terror will strike the young man and the young woman, the infant and the gray-haired man. the sword to kill, Ezekiel 21:3-5 and tell her that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am against you, and I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked. / Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north. / Then all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have taken My sword from its sheath, not to return it again.’ Leviticus 26:25 And I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance of the covenant. Though you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. Jeremiah 25:16 And they will drink and stagger and go out of their minds, because of the sword that I will send among them.” the dogs to drag away, 2 Kings 9:36-37 So they went back and told Jehu, who replied, “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel. / And Jezebel’s body will lie like dung in the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one can say: This is Jezebel.’” 1 Kings 14:11 Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.’ For the LORD has spoken. 1 Kings 21:23-24 And the LORD also speaks concerning Jezebel: ‘The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ / Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the air.” and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. Jeremiah 7:33 The corpses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to scare them away. Deuteronomy 28:26 Your corpses will be food for all the birds of the air and beasts of the earth, with no one to scare them away. Ezekiel 39:17-20 And as for you, son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says: Call out to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great feast on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. / You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals of Bashan. / At the sacrifice I am preparing, you will eat fat until you are gorged and drink blood until you are drunk. … Leviticus 26:22 I will send wild animals against you to rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and reduce your numbers, until your roads lie desolate. Ezekiel 5:17 I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.” 2 Kings 17:25-26 Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” 2 Kings 2:24 Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. Treasury of Scripture And I will appoint over them four kinds, said the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. I will. Jeremiah 7:33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. Leviticus 26:16,22,25 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it… Deuteronomy 28:26 And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. kinds. Jump to Previous Air Animals Appoint Beasts Birds Bodies Causing Dead Death Declares Destroy Destroyers Devour Divisions Dogs Doom Drag Earth End Food Four Fowls Heaven Heavens Kill Kinds Pulling Sky Slay Sword Tear VisitJump to Next Air Animals Appoint Beasts Birds Bodies Causing Dead Death Declares Destroy Destroyers Devour Divisions Dogs Doom Drag Earth End Food Four Fowls Heaven Heavens Kill Kinds Pulling Sky Slay Sword Tear VisitJeremiah 15 1. The utter rejection and manifold judgments of the people.10. Jeremiah, complaining of their spite, receives a promise for himself; 12. and a threatening for them. 15. He prays; 19. and receives a gracious promise. I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: God announces a comprehensive judgment upon Judah for persistent rebellion. The four destroyers portray judgment reaching every part of life, in keeping with the covenant consequences for unfaithfulness. The LORD Himself decrees it, leaving no doubt about its certainty. Ezk 14:21 For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse…… the sword to kill, War would bring death through the Babylonian invasion. Jerusalem’s resistance to Babylon did not avert the disaster God had foretold through Jeremiah. Ezk 21:3-5 This is what the LORD says: ‘I am against you,… the dogs to drag away, Those slain would be denied honorable burial. Dogs scavenging and dragging corpses through the streets represented shame, uncleanness, and the collapse of normal order in the city. 2Ki 9:36-37 This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke… and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. The unburied dead would become food for birds and wild animals, displaying the full devastation of Judah. The land and its people would bear the visible consequences of rejecting the LORD. Jer 7:33 The corpses of this people will become food for the birds… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry took place during a time of great turmoil and impending judgment due to the people's persistent sin. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing God's judgment due to its idolatry and disobedience. Jeremiah's prophecies were directed primarily at this kingdom. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who is both just and merciful. In this passage, He declares the judgment that will come upon Judah for their sins. 4. The Sword, Dogs, Birds, and Beasts These are the instruments of God's judgment. Each represents a different form of destruction that will come upon the people as a consequence of their rebellion. 5. Babylonian Invasion Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the historical context involves the impending invasion by Babylon, which would fulfill God's judgment on Judah. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinSin has severe consequences, and God's judgment is a response to persistent disobedience. We must take sin seriously and seek repentance. God's Sovereignty in Judgment God appoints specific means of judgment, demonstrating His control over all creation. We can trust that His judgments are just and purposeful. Call to Repentance Even in judgment, there is an implicit call to repentance. God's desire is for His people to turn back to Him and avoid the consequences of sin. The Reality of Divine Justice God's justice is a reality that cannot be ignored. It serves as a warning and a call to live righteously. Hope Beyond Judgment While this passage focuses on judgment, the broader context of Jeremiah includes promises of restoration and hope for those who return to God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 15:3?2. How does Jeremiah 15:3 illustrate God's judgment through four destructive forces? 3. What lessons can we learn about obedience from Jeremiah 15:3's warnings? 4. How does Jeremiah 15:3 connect with God's justice in Deuteronomy 28:15-68? 5. How can we apply the warnings in Jeremiah 15:3 to modern Christian life? 6. What role does repentance play in avoiding consequences like those in Jeremiah 15:3? 7. What does Jeremiah 15:3 reveal about God's judgment and character? 8. How do the four forms of destruction in Jeremiah 15:3 symbolize divine retribution? 9. Why does God use such severe punishments in Jeremiah 15:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 15? (3) Four kinds.--The sword, as the direct instrument of death, is followed by those that follow up its work, the beasts and birds of prey that feed on the corpses of the slain. The latter feature has naturally been from the earliest stages of human history the crowning horror of defeat. So Homer, Il. i. 4 :-- "And many mighty souls of heroes sent To Hades, and their bodies made a prey To dogs and to all birds." Verse 3. - Appoint; i.e. give full power to them as my vicegerents (Jeremiah 1:10). Four kinds; literally, families; i.e. kinds of things. The first-mentioned has reference to the living; the remaining ones to the unburied corpses (Jeremiah 14:16; Jeremiah 19:7; Jeremiah 34:20). To tear; rather, to drag along. Jeremiah 15:3 portrays a complete, divinely directed judgment: sword, dogs, birds, and beasts form a fourfold team ensuring no sinner escapes and no corpse receives honor. The verse fulfills covenant warnings, validates God’s sovereignty, and demonstrates that persistent rebellion carries inevitable, tangible consequences. Yet even in such severity, the larger book of Jeremiah keeps the door of repentance open (Jeremiah 29:11-14), reminding us that while God appoints destroyers, He also appoints salvation for those who turn back to Him.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I will appointוּפָקַדְתִּ֨י (ū·p̄ā·qaḏ·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit over them עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם (‘ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against four אַרְבַּ֤ע (’ar·ba‘) Number - feminine singular Strong's 702: Four kinds of destroyers, מִשְׁפָּחוֹת֙ (miš·pā·ḥō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5002: An oracle the LORD: יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel the sword הַחֶ֣רֶב (ha·ḥe·reḇ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword to kill, לַֽהֲרֹ֔ג (la·hă·rōḡ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent the dogs הַכְּלָבִ֖ים (hak·kə·lā·ḇîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3611: A dog, a male prostitute to drag away, לִסְחֹ֑ב (lis·ḥōḇ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5498: To trail along and the birds ע֧וֹף (‘ō·wp̄) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5775: Flying creatures of the air הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky and beasts בֶּהֱמַ֥ת (be·hĕ·maṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal of the earth הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land to devour לֶאֱכֹ֥ל (le·’ĕ·ḵōl) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 398: To eat and destroy. וּלְהַשְׁחִֽית׃ (ū·lə·haš·ḥîṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin Additonal Resources Jeremiah 15:3 Blue Letter BibleJeremiah 15:3 Bible Gateway Jeremiah 15:3 Bible.com Jeremiah 15:3 NIV |
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