Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.

JEREMIAH 4:20KJV
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Jeremiah 4:20 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 4:20 mean?

Jeremiah 4:20 describes a scene of overwhelming disaster, where reports of destruction keep coming, and the entire land is ruined so quickly that even the speaker’s tents and curtains—symbols of daily life—are devastated in an instant. The verse expresses the suddenness and totality of the calamity facing the people.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the coming judgment due to their unfaithfulness. The verse uses vivid language to show how unstoppable and all-encompassing the destruction will be, affecting everyone and everything, even the most basic shelters people rely on. This is part of a larger warning about the consequences of turning away from God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 4:20

  • "Destruction" (שֶׁבֶר, shever, H7667) is repeated twice, emphasizing the piling up of disasters—one after another, without relief.
  • "Cried" (קָרָא, qara, H7121) means to call out or proclaim, showing that the news of disaster is being loudly and urgently announced.
  • "Spoiled" (שָׁדַד, shadad, H7703) means to be laid waste or plundered, highlighting the thoroughness of the ruin.
  • "Suddenly" (פִּתְאֹם, pit'om, H6597) and "in a moment" (רֶגַע, rega, H7281) both stress how quickly everything changes, with no time to prepare or respond.

Why Jeremiah 4:20 matters

  • Jeremiah 4:20 clears up any idea that the coming trouble will be minor or gradual; instead, it will be swift and overwhelming, leaving no part of life untouched.
  • The verse’s focus on tents and curtains shows that even ordinary, everyday life will be upended, not just cities or leaders.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by reinforcing Jeremiah’s urgent warning and the seriousness of ignoring God’s call to turn back.

Where else these words appear

“moment” Hebrew H7281 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 33:5 For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.
  • Job 34:20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
  • Isaiah 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

“suddenly” Hebrew H6597 · used in 25 verses

  • Numbers 6:9 And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.
  • Psalms 64:4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
  • Isaiah 30:13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

“curtains” Hebrew H3407 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 26:1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
  • Exodus 26:12 And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.
  • Exodus 36:16 And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

“Destruction” Hebrew H7667 · used in 41 verses

  • Leviticus 21:19 Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,
  • Isaiah 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
  • Jeremiah 30:15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.