And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.

JEREMIAH 5:17KJV
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Jeremiah 5:17 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 5:17 mean?

Jeremiah 5:17 warns that invaders will consume all the produce, food, livestock, and fruit that the people of Judah depend on, and will destroy even their fortified cities with the sword. The verse describes a total loss of resources and security as a consequence of coming judgment.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of their unfaithfulness. The language is concrete and vivid: everything the people rely on—harvest, bread, animals, vineyards, and even their protected cities—will be taken or destroyed by foreign enemies. This threat is meant to show the seriousness of the coming disaster and how nothing will be left untouched.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 5:17

  • The word "eat up" (אָכַל, 'akal, H398) is repeated several times, emphasizing the thoroughness with which the invaders will consume everything. This is not just about literal eating, but about complete destruction or taking away.
  • "Harvest" (קָצִיר, qatsir, H7105) and "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem, H3899) highlight the loss of both raw produce and daily necessities, showing that every stage of provision will be affected.
  • "Impoverish" (רָשַׁשׁ, rashash, H7567) means to break down or crush, underlining that the fortified cities (עִיר, 'ir, H5892; מִבְצָר, mibtsar, H4013) will not just be attacked but left in ruins, removing any sense of safety.

Why Jeremiah 5:17 matters

  • Jeremiah 5:17 makes clear that the coming judgment is not partial or symbolic; it will affect every aspect of daily life, from food to shelter.
  • The verse connects the loss of physical security ("fenced cities") to misplaced trust, showing that what the people relied on for safety will fail them.
  • This warning fits into Jeremiah’s larger message that ignoring God’s warnings leads to real and total consequences, not just spiritual ones but practical, everyday losses.

Where else these words appear

“impoverish” Hebrew H7567 · used in 2 verses

  • Malachi 1:4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

“thou” Hebrew H2007 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
  • Isaiah 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

“trees” Hebrew H8384 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Proverbs 27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
  • Jeremiah 29:17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

“fenced” Hebrew H4013 · used in 37 verses

  • Numbers 13:19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
  • 2 Kings 18:8 He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
  • Jeremiah 48:18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.