Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.

JEREMIAH 30:16KJV
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Jeremiah 30:16 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 30:16 mean?

Jeremiah 30:16 promises that those who harmed or took advantage of Israel will themselves face the same fate—they will be devoured, taken captive, plundered, and made prey. This verse is a declaration that God will bring justice against Israel’s enemies by turning their actions back on them.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Israel, who have suffered at the hands of other nations. The verse comes as part of a message of hope and restoration, assuring Israel that their oppressors will not go unpunished. The language is vivid and direct, emphasizing a reversal of fortunes for those who have acted as adversaries.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 30:16

  • "Devour" and "devoured" use the Hebrew אָכַל (’akal), meaning to eat or consume. Here, it paints a picture of nations that have consumed Israel’s resources or well-being, and now they will be consumed in return.
  • "Adversaries" is from צַר (tsar), meaning an enemy or one who causes distress. The word highlights the personal hostility Israel faced.
  • "Captivity" is from שְׁבִי (shevi), meaning exile or being taken as prisoners. This word underscores the forced removal and suffering Israel experienced, which will now happen to their enemies.
  • "Spoil" uses two Hebrew words: שָׁלַל (shalal) and בָּזַז (bazaz), both referring to plundering or taking goods by force. The repetition stresses that those who plundered Israel will themselves be plundered.

Why Jeremiah 30:16 matters

  • Jeremiah 30:16 clarifies that God’s justice involves a direct reversal: the very actions done to Israel will return upon their enemies, not just general punishment.
  • The verse connects to the broader context of Jeremiah 30, where God promises to restore Israel after a period of suffering, showing that their pain is not the end of the story.
  • This verse helps correct the idea that Israel’s suffering was permanent or forgotten; instead, it shows God’s ongoing involvement and commitment to righting wrongs done to His people.

Where else these words appear

“spoil” Hebrew H4933 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Kings 21:14 And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;
  • Isaiah 42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
  • Habakkuk 2:7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?

“spoil” Hebrew H8154 · used in 12 verses

  • Judges 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
  • 1 Samuel 23:1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
  • Isaiah 17:14 And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

“prey” Hebrew H957 · used in 25 verses

  • Numbers 14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
  • Jeremiah 2:14 Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
  • Ezekiel 29:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.

“prey” Hebrew H962 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 2 Kings 7:16 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.